www.bikeexif.com is a superb site managed by Chris Hunter who resides in Sydney Australia. It’s a sumptuous collection of motorcycles from around the world: classic, custom, racer… worth looking at and enjoying. The comments are well regulated too. I had a fun time writing my own impression of a number of models over en extended time. Here are my words!
Ah Halcyon Hog Days: I was lucky enough to visit Wheels Through Time last month and certainly had a revelation seeing virtually every iteration of pre 60’s Harley. It’s a true Aladdins cave of American Iron: roadsters, racers, workers, and tourers; all in original condition, including a heady smell of fresh oil and gasoline! Dale even kicked a couple of the racers into life, noisy joy! What museum does that! I now desire a 30’s HD but after seeing typical prices these gems go for may just have to do with a ‘Black Lightning’! Now this racer… A great story of a moto found, revived and purposed for speed in fairly simple and short order! What more could ya want? Just need a cloth cap strapped on with aviator goggles, a wool sweater and jodphurs tucked into tall racing boots… Look for a quiet road let ‘er rip and grin the smile of smiles!
As Kim Deal sang: ” I know you, you little libertine, I know you’re a Cannonball.”
on Kaffeemaschine Guzzi California
Red Frame; Less Tame; Old Dame; New Flame! What a stunner… here’s a cafe racers cafe’d Guzzi carried out with exemplary care, detail and execution. Sehr Gut! A nice balance of geometry as expected for the clip-on, rearset, big-tank needs for an A-Road burner. The silver tank with polished knee scallops, black headlight shell and humpback bum-stop perch are giving me good ideas for my next step in the Bonnie cafe project, having just acquired a larger mid 70’s UK tank I can surely draw good inspiration from this coffee-house cafe (hmm seems to fit well).
Can we get Keira Knightly to take this one for a spin in her flesh coloured leathers?
Bill surely was the motorcyclists motorcycle racer; on race track or trials course, two wheels were second nature; and to ride the Otto’ at race standards you need that kind of true talent. This brings us to another aspect of the historical bikes Exif conjures up every now and anon: the people that went with them. Colourful stories for sure!
All art forms have their Mona Lisa; and here’s the epitome of the racing moto, both in terms of mechanical execution and superb aesthetic creation. The oily, polished patina shows a machine that has earned its lauds with screamin’ hell for leather races during one of the true golden ages of motorsports. Trying to tune this ‘watchmaker’ special to attain those speeds balancing 8 carbs takes more than a mechnics ken, it needs a maestros hand. And the rider? They need balls of Cararra Marble and nerves of High Strength Steel.
As Leonardo said during one particular sitting: “Can you give me a smile pet?”
Now THAT is a bike worthy of Sancturization! Perhaps the Original Ninja should be a future Exif subject! I had an ’85 and in stock trim it could haul; just imagine a few tweaks here and there…
This is the Silverback Gorilla of the Superbike: enough age to be wise, enough latent power to just need to stand still and assure dominance; but when it get disturbed I bet this can growl Like a Lord and banish all usurpers to the gravel shoulder or ditch. Ride in Sanctuary tuning at your peril! And if you do… Hold on, take charge and have a fantastic ride! The belly fairing would wrap this up nicely; but those pipes… Johnny Weismuller’s ululating call beckons!
Zoom & Boom sonny, Zoom & Boom…
on Ossa TR 280i
“Kick-Start!” Back in the day I recall watching Peter Purves commentating the skills of Lampkin, Lejeune and Schrieber as they dabbed and tottered around Surrey gravel pits, over old Ford Cortinas and Wolseley Vanden Plas, across log bridges and through skips. All great stuff to look at and absorb scalpel sharp bike skills. Recalling that and seeing this makes me want to out and get a trials bike, look for some derelict land and “larn mysen’ some more bikin’ skills!” This thing is a cracker! When not riding you could hang it on the wall and just look at it…. being featherweight that would be fairly easy too!
Dat, dat, dat, da,da,da,da,da, da, dadum, da. (if you know the theme tune It’ll stick in your head for a day or two!)
Beeza Geeza: Trumpet Crumpet! This is varnigh a moto marriage made in heaven. Here is a sturdy BSA frame – also used in Clubman trim for the late 50’s Goldstar thumper as well as the oh-so-dandy Rocket Gold Star in 62/63, in union with the pre-unit Meriden lump honed with tuning goodies. Most Splendid! Aside from the brakes (other suitable options are available to maintain period charm and performance) the alloy rims, rearsets, clip-ons are the dogs knackers for a true classic cafe set-up; yes they’re low but when going at speed along the plumb-straight roman ‘streets’ criss-crossing the English countryside who needs to steer! The red frame and black tank, adorned with red-pinstripe and the chrome panels are a prize-winner too. I’ve got a soft spot for this bike; it’s a beaut!
Perhaps we’ll call this one: “The Rocket Thunder Flash”; Cup o’ tea and slice missus, cup o’ tea and slice.
Ha! I kept chanting that mantra today when grabbing handfuls of nothing whilst haring between job sites. Methinks new shoes are on the horizon! “when set up right… One of the best 2nd out there; when set up right……”
on Yamaha XS650 street tracker
Set the forks for A, C and E; tuning forks that is: a lightweight composition worthy to be called mechanical music! Chunkster shod wheels with equal rolling circumferences get the balanced look; nice tall stance for city-street bobbin’ and a Chesterfield stitched seat for a plush pew (nice touch with the red piping trim!). Braced front legs and what sounds like a ‘crowbar-in-the-spokes’ stopper for confidence. Paint scheme a tad ‘Ducati’ in styling but this feller takes it and makes it its own; the ghost number to match the S Reg plates for the ’78. Clean, sharp, light, no-nonsense moto.
As Lemmy sang: “…the only thing you see, you know it’s gonna be, The Ace of Spades, The Ace of Spades”
The Sir Robert Robertson esq. of Bobbers! the clean F1 paint scheme with red, black and golden highlights achieve a fresh appearance, nice to look at but I’ll bet nice to ride too. Though I’m with you Rob on actual riding position: low seat, slightly forward pegs and narrow clip-ons. I’d have my knees in my armpits! For the stout hardtail geometry the cushy sprung seat looks ample for the odd road ripple; nothing a discrete kidney belt can’t fix, and, as has been mentioned the canister oil tank reinforces a Formula inspired engineering prowess wrapped around that Ironhead lump. Nice wheels shod in Pirellis completes a true Bobby Dazzler!
A Shilling to some…
Bill, when Chris offers us such historical gems I always do a little of my own reading in my motorcycle library or a bit of ‘interweb’ browsing… Well it was with the latter I dug up this image with a heroic Mr Miller haring around IoM, in dustbin fairing! Evocative of halcyon race days, a far cry from a McGuiness 130mph lap but still with guts aplenty!
on Suzuki GSX-R1100 streetfighter
Lee, great story on the build, a dedicated moto-mechanic for sure! I need to hunt out a cold war ICBM to strap to my ’72 Bonnie to give chase; as well as a bit of downhill and tailwind! Great bike mate!
on Suzuki GSX-R1100 streetfighter
Who needs Richard Branson’s Virgin rocketship ‘flea-hopper’ when you stay planted on the ground (with at least the rear tire) and reach ballistic acceleration with this hound! Magnificent execution of a machine for high velocity; even the extended swingarm looks the part, and that serious lump of an engine…
As the alligator said: “RRR I eat clutches for breakfast, devour tires for lunch and sup on fine Nitrous for dessert…”
on Suzuki GSX-R1100 streetfighter
Dunno about ‘ride’ more like ‘hang on for dear life’ whilst laughing your ass off with an insane grin!
on Santiago Chopper Norley 2 weeks ago
Santiago went to town
Ridin’ on a chopper,
Stuck a feather’ round his Hog
And called it bacon-rasher!
The red highlights do add a touch of drama, including the fine geometry of the f’bed frame.though adding the frame itself to the red signature would have really knocked this one out of the park. Potato-potato? More like Chip Butty – Chip Butty! (am I allowed to literarily sound out their particular engine noise?) washed down with a pint mug of tea. Otherwise I’m sure this is a howl to ride.
Dandy, just dandy…
I’d once considered buying an older white R100 airhead with full fairing (ex-police) wearing a black jacket with white full face helmet and Sam Browne belt; you can lane split like a hot knife through butter, and the drivers are none the wiser.
As Ponch would say: “get the feck out of my way pal!”
A cream-puff this is not! A cream cruiser to give chase to the rockers aboard their contemporary black bomber this is! Diminutive by today’s standards for sure but back in the day, when 650 twins were the iron of choice, this lightweight speedster must surely have been a difficult choice over the liter HD’s. Themselves only to be usurped over a decade later with the mighty Kaw Zed. This is a nice clean original example with a mere hint of use. Smart!
“Ponch? Make sure you hold back on those donuts now we have our new rides down in the pool! They’re only 450’s! The perps will run rings around you otherwise”
on Orphiro Electric Motorcycle
Sound engineers are working on a sound for electric vehicles. I think they’re currently set on a Sci-Fi WOOooOOooOOooOOooOOoo kind of humming sound – think hovercar from Blade Runner which works perfectly in the rain-drenched gritty urbanscape from Ridley Scott.
on Orphiro Electric Motorcycle
It’s as if a Tron lightcycle gatecrashed Sturgis… but seriously folks, as long as these people out there are trying to fathom out the design ‘nut to crack’ for the old electric-cycle issue that’s good, right? The mix of styles here leave much to be desired. There’s a neat bike in there somewhere however the hardtail rear wheel mixed with the streamlined body mass seem a little awkwardly connected. I think we’re all used to seeing the IC engine exposed and have a comfort level with it; less so in cars mind you, which rely entirely on bodywork for styling, and we’re now having to respond to enclosing the motor and batteries for the E-cycles (iCycles?). Chris, thanks for including these on BikeExif, it fills out the design review debate of where motorcycle design thinking stands these days, as it’ll probably be these small ‘shops where the revolution will develop.
“Greetings Programs!”
A few rips up and down the autobahn or a Tyrolean pass in the central European climate will add just the right amount of strasse grime to achieve a perfect vision for this Alpenhorn engined Trumpet! The distressed appearance reminds me of the wondrous models that came out of the workshops of Lucas’s Industrial Light & Magic that created the ships, weapons and paraphernalia that gave the original Star Wars trilogy so much Life! the blasters look like they blasted, the snowspeeders looks like they snowspeeded, the X-Wings like they went against the Empire; and the Millenium Falcon? Well, ’nuff said!
The Bonnie the boys at Hinckley should build! I’ll put on the weathered patina myself!
I wish I was on this today whilst driving through the outstanding roads of west North Carolina. I believe I may have found the Shangri-La of blacktop…
… (back from my reverie) yup this Bandit brother would have fit the bill
Smear your face with black camo’ paint, wear the old, battered leathers, pop on yer old scraped up Bell lid and rip around the neighbourhood waking the sleepy locals with the banshee scream. The lightened, lightweight with the underkeck-fillin’ powerband (relative to your CB250, or Sporty for that matter) will zip around with a contrail of luscious 2stroke smoke.
Black is the new Black…
Chalk up the cue, line up the shot and drop the 8 Ball in the corner bag. I’d call this ride Fast Eddie, it’s an unassuming machine that I believe will hustle along at a comfortable clip. Beautiful details abound: lightening holes carefully composed, gloss-black rims with a thin red line accent ground the wheels, an exquisitely painted tank looks as good as a Balabushka with inlays of fancy veneers and mother of pearl under the mirror-like clear coat. The frame ‘wishbone’ side supports (where the battery and airbox previously sat) give an inspired featherweight look too. Put your money on the table rails and take Fats on with this bike.
This moto really is The Color of Money!
A Knight in White Satin: the motorcycle that shrunk the world. Indeed this is the two-wheeled equivalent of a LWB Land Rover used by circumnavigating mototravellers as their steed of choice: a Shadowfax amongst bikes for sure! The blokes at Untitled have executed a purely marvellous ‘nut and bolt’ rebuild of this iconic ride making it so desirable. After 30 years it still looks so fresh, even more so than the latest 800’s from BMW and Triumph (though still worthy bikes in their own right).
Take this one out for a Sunday morning gallop to ‘wash those sins away’; get home put the kettle on for a brew then pore over the atlas and dream… …”hon’ are our passports up to date?”
on Honda Monkey
Chimp Fun! If I lived on an island with limited mileage needs this would be my ride of choice. Just enough oomph for spirited fun. Azure seas Reflect off the polished frame and silencer, the cherry-red tank contrasts nicely. My Bermudas, Jimmy Buffet-like gaudy Hawaiian and espadrilles become the ‘tootlin’ about’ derigeur, Ray-Bans top it off.
Get the monkey off yer back and get on this monkey instead. Don’t Worry, Be Happy!
Chocolate Brown CB: a tasty Belgian confectionary fancy. Too many people say chocolate is bad for you, but the right dark, cocoa-rich sweets bring so much good feeling, anti-oxidants and a spur of energy. This One-eyed monster does all of those things with aplomb; I can see myself crackin’ along the Pilgrims Way to the Galician city of Santiago atop this with some amigos from Barcelona. Love the light rear frame, a clean trellis accentuating the iconic shape of the three fourths litte Honda lump. the black frame, exhaust, shocks and diminished electrical gubbins highlight the ‘gin even more; and hey, isn’t that what the ceebee is all about? That motor. And the classic starfish wheels with rotund Coker boots and well sized and positioned superbike bars and can only add to a plush ride.
In Glasgow they deep-fry chocolate bars (Mars in UK/Milky Way in US) in Spain they turn ’em into fun and capable looking roadsters! Muy, muy bueno!
A Real World ‘down to earth’ bloke; he enjoys looking at and being on our two-wheeled moto-contrivances. Like he says needing more time to do the things we love; don’t we all. The Mont Blanc Tunnel story is a herald to the everyday Hero, he wasn’t trying to be one just doing what he felt was right. A statue at least, if not renaming it the Tinazzi Tunnel.
Rob, at last the clearest summary of the blatant points all commenters should chant mantra-like whilst composing their comments. I enjoy the clear diverse thought of the people who enjoy this site; it truly is a fabulous resource for two-wheeled fanatics out here. On a separate note did anyone read about that estate sale with literally a barn full of bikes in Massachusetts? Over on the ‘new’ and complementary sister site The Throttle Yard.
I concur with all of your well though out points, the bike feel like it’s in ‘prototype’ trim prior to mass manufacture. Shake out the bugs and you have a very serviceable road bike for urban trashing, countrylane thrashing and the odd flat-track bashin’.
Tie me kangaroo down sport! Rolf could burble a merry toon on that serious single lunged pipe, a shiny digeridoo of a pipe for sure mate! The rotpunkt highlights hit the sweet spots how this single inhales, goes and stops; all the important components of getting a moto ‘down the road’, the sparse grey details are merely the remaining ancillaries. The hint of yamaha ‘chevron’ graphic on the tank is instantly recognizable, the Deus serial # name achieves a utilitarian air to it. It’s like someones lightly customized beach-ute with oversize tires just needing a rack to tote your surf board on…
…and, …back to normality! But hey, this looks like a normality I can live with; the dull aluminium ‘tins’ draw you your eyes into this monochrome madness of mediterranean speed. Like I’ve said before this is one to lace up those 9-eye ‘Docs’ nice and tight; lay your favourite soft leather gloves to the ‘bar, drop into first, pop the clutch, give ‘er a whiff of throttle and take off in a cloud of roadside gravel. Set ups like these 70’s Guzzis look like the embodiment of a Vetruvian Moto, as if Leonardo devised the motorcycle in the renaissance! Perfect proportion.
As Hans said: “Wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen!” …or was that Danny Kaye?
“The Man in the High Castle” – A 1962 Philip K. Dick novel recounts a ficticious world where the Axis Powers: Nazi Germany, Japan and Italy were victorious in the Second World War (a super read btw!). Well, this bike reminds me of that, hints of an alternate reality where recognizable elements seem incongruously intertwined… perhaps a layer to this alternate is that Barerisch Motoren Werke took over the manufacturing at Milwaukee!
The grasshopper (truly) lies heavy…
Very well compiled list, organised and put together by our esteemed moderator Chris. Certainly the Vincent tops it and a truly nice spread of design through the rest! It’s great to revisit these with a fresh eye too. Nice ones for the 2012 calendar too! Can we go Pirelli and get some REAL models adorning these bikes! Hoop-La!
on Officine RossoPuro Black Jack
Black Urine Sample Bottles! Chris you answered my request! As well as nearly everyone elses yesterday! Take a European twin and some careful thought, quality parts, a smattering of engineering prowess and ‘Bob’s yer uncle!’. Some super nice, unique lines on this, very Guzzi, yet not at the same time, moto. It’s as if an evolutionary branch of cafe styling left North London in the early sixites and went to Rome, never to be heard of again, until now. The flange eyed alloy rims, allowing for suitable tubeless boots shows an inspired expectation of road handling as do the twin stoppers up front.The ubiquetous clip-ons, rear sets and short seat seal-the-deal.
Jelly mold tank… wibble wobble, wibble wobble, jelly mold tank!
Ahem, I made an ‘unsearchable’ comment about this Gelände Strasse developed monolever being later used for their ‘Dakar’ special. Unsearchable unless you just plain old read the comments. Although the actual Dakar ELF did have a stiffening swingarb strut on the open side, it still allowed swift field removal of the wheel. BikeExif on Jan 14, 2011. A couple of days ago we had the NY cafe builder who also had the Honda Hawk/Revere in his stable. Single sided swing arms for cafes woohoo. Perhaps a 916 next? Now there’s a thought!
Oh, and one of my very few peeves with some motorcycles: what is it with these urine sample bottles for brake/clutch fluid? C’mon guys!
Am I allowed to redeem this ‘cycle? I’ve spend a little time looking closely at the overall ‘look’; the geometry of engine, driveshaft, frame, wheels and tank/seat. There is a, dare I say it, Norton single spareness that does look as if it works! However I’d like to see this in person and walk around it, sit on it to confirm my suspicions that, along with a lot of careful work on his Earldom, this bike is not too bad… The wrap I think is hiding something special under there, a custom pipe that needs to be shown the light of day. Also bringing the pipes 2-1-2 has a nice Triumph Hurricane quality that cleans up the classic ‘Dakar’-proof’ swing arm of the early eighties. The sculptural clubman tank could have been something other than grey it blends too well with the ‘german-surgical-clean’ engine – deep gloss balck perhaps?. The peripheral details are very well executed and I understand the hidden light justification; the race # plate taking its place promotes the race-bike credibility; which, I’m sure with 70 ponies and the light look can truck along the autobahn.
Remember you can’t pull a Manx by the tail… … next step, airhead in a featherbed: Beemerton (has this been tried?)
Am I allowed to redeem this ‘cycle? I’ve spend a little time looking closely at the overall ‘look’; the geometry of engine, driveshaft, frame, wheels and tank/seat. There is a, dare I say it, Norton single spareness that does look as if it works! However I’d like to see this in person and walk around it, sit on it to confirm my suspicions that, along with a lot of careful work on his Earldom, this bike is not too bad… The wrap I think is hiding something special under there, a custom pipe that needs to be shown the light of day. Also bringing the pipes 2-1-2 has a nice Triumph Hurricane quality that cleans up the classic ‘Dakar’-proof’ swing arm of the early eighties. The sculptural clubman tank could have been something other than grey it blends too well with the ‘german-surgical-clean’ engine – deep gloss balck perhaps?. The peripheral details are very well executed and I understand the hidden light justification; the race # plate taking its place promotes the race-bike credibility; which, I’m sure with 70 ponies and the light look can truck along the autobahn.
Remember you can’t pull a Manx by the tail… … next step, airhead in a featherbed: Beemerton (has this been tried?)
Man and Machine: the sum is greater than the parts, that’s why there’s a #1 on the sharp end!
on Honda CB550 cafe racer last month
As Thoreau states: “Simplify! Simplify!” I believe our pal Davy B. has achieved this with his apartment build; as I can attest to having accomplished two rebuilds in basements (one with limited headroom) and as has already been said “necessity is the Mother of Invention”. A super wee bike with perfect cafe set-up for a bustling urban environment such as the Big Apple; those chunky donut tires spooned onto 7-spoke mags offer a knobbly grip, the 4-2-1 Dunstall will chirp a sweet in-line 4 note, a dull metallic finish ‘cos it’s not about turning heads, it’s about ridin’! Sneck it into first with your Adidas sneakers and rort up the Bowery to get your Sunday morning coffee. (I dinnae think they ha’e transport caffs in NY…)
I’d sertainly take a slice of this pie!
My Mam sat in the ‘chair’ with her two brothers, my Uncle Dave and Uncle Jimmy, when they were just bairns; my Nana, Edie, sat pillion and wor Ernie, my Granda rode his Norton International. It was the family ‘car’. They camped down at Cresswell beach all summer and he’d ride back to Ashington to work down the pit. There are no family photos of this, just family stories, but seeing Andy’s ride captured with Liz’s truly evocative photography fills in any gaps.
If I didn’t have my Bonnie I’d certainly have a Norton International.
Chris obtained these shots from the article on Influx Internationalist, a story about ‘a man and his bike’, the beautiful photography by Liz Seabrook evoke the untainted charater of this fabulous machine and its happy owner. Arty? Nope, photo-documentary? Sure. Love the one with the cat and the bike!
Strap on yer puddin’ bowl lid, zip up the bomber jacket, wang down the first gear with your engineers and take a slow trip down Route 66. Strap on a simple roll-pack on the wide cow-horns, and hole in at the numerous unique motels dotted along the way; such as the Wigwams at Holbrook AZ, or the El Rancho in Gallup NM. Quench your thirst with a malt and sate your appetite with a ‘math plate’, eggs over-easy, at the mom ‘n’ pop diners in the forgotten but colorful towns seeping in Americana. This ride will fit right into your itinery! The blackened girders, dull-silver tank, leather saddle yet suitable use of modern components for worry-free travel achieves a ‘hoss’ for this course!
“I’ve gone to looks for America”
A Speed Triple Berzerker! The proud veins of the Hinkley frame barely hold in the surge of rippling muscular power from this warrior. Glistening tanned bicep-like tank holds in that tireless threesome lump, which now bereft of strangling mufflers can wail with a growl to curdle the oil of the ‘twin and four’ foes! A plump rear wheel tears proudly at the blacktop; while the swarthy fork stanchions rear skywards with the mere hint of anger at the throttle; All that’s missing from this beast is a nose-ring pierced through its snorting facade.
Raging Bull indeed: “…you f**k my bike?”
on Yamaha RD400
Ah the halcyon days of two stroke oil smoked exhausts and ring-ding reving along the country lanes. ‘When I were lad in t’ countryside’ I remember the ‘yoofs’ of the day haring around the hedgerow lined lanes emulating their hero Sheene. They even sprayed a black prefix number 1 onto the 30 speed limit sign of the A697 road entering the village.
This is a beaut of a restoration, nice details and preparation to show off the parts in a race-like manner. Magnesium components sir? Nope just some nice pooder-coating lad! Nice skinny period wheels shod in modren rubber and practical superbike ‘bars, a comfy cafe perch, as well as billet rear-sets complete the picture of a FUN moto!
Wring it’s neck lad, wring it’s neck!
on Ducati TT2
Chris, you should work as a diplomatic negotiator for the UN brother; after yesterdays bumpy discussions you position this morsel in front of us all! Yesterday we had brats and cheddar washed down by Miller tinnies and today: prociutto, freshly grated parmigiano over a bologna ragu and a chill bottle of lambrusco. Oh the wonderful WORLD of motorcycles!
I’ll have a taste of my pork pie, chips, peas and a warm pint of bitter tonight…
“We ain’t in Milwaukee anymore Toto!”. The anithesis of the usual chrome-dressers that regular ‘black ‘n’ orange’ crews tool around on. This is Wisconsin-iron for riding, no cheese-fed scooter. The mags look correct for this ‘cycle and the restrained, yet refined upgrades achieve a ride any motorcyclist would be proud to hare around on (Firestones aside!) … or at least tan the HIDE off it!
on 1963 Triton
…So might I, standing on this pleasant lea, glimpses that would make me less forlorn; Have sight of Proteus rising from the sea; Or hear old Triton blow his wreathèd horn.
William Wordsworth 1802
on 1963 Triton last month
Aha, of course I remember now; in the BSA RGS I once had I had to ply a small elf who lived in the headlamp shell with a packet of Woodbines every week;; a bad habit even fo that little fella. He fell down at the job most days and would jerk the needle back and forward; the little shit. I think his name was Luke, yes Lucas Black.
Blatant cut ‘n’ paste from Wikipedia….
Dampf-Kraft-Wagen (German: steam-driven car) or DKW is a historic car and motorcycle marque. In 1916, the Danish engineer Jørgen Skafte Rasmussen founded a factory in Zschopau, Saxony, Germany, to produce steam fittings. In the same year, he attempted to produce a steam-driven car, called the DKW. Although unsuccessful, he made a two-stroke toy engine in 1919, called Des Knaben Wunsch—”the boy’s desire”. He also put a slightly modified version of this engine into a motorcycle and called it Das Kleine Wunder—”the little marvel”. This was the real beginning of the DKW brand: by the 1930s, DKW was the world’s largest motorcycle manufacturer.
…”The Little Marvel” works perfectly for this cute ‘toy’ of a moto
Love the wafer thin depth of field; it even adds a 3-D effect to the bike, as well as playing with our perception of scale of course! Oh and a smashing bike too!
Chris, any EXIF data on Herr Köpf’s photography? It looks like either a view camera where the focus plane can be altered to the lens plane; or a Lensbaby optic, the miniturization gives that toy-like quality.
Chris, any EXIF data on Herr Köpf’s photography? It looks like either a view camera where the focus plane can be altered to the lens plane; or a Lensbaby optic, the miniturization gives that toy-like quality.
on Laverda Jota
With the several ‘exotics’ we’ve reviewed this year, the Jota is the one I’d surely ‘rob a bank’ for. It should have been etched onto the Voyager plaques letting others in the Universe see what our motorcycles look like. It just looks the part!
I was wondering where the mighty balls of these Dakar riders go; but as most of the riding is done standing on the pegs that answered that!
“KUTABARE!” A tough samurai-san racer: the Japanese cafe lifestyle is fulfilled on this mean little ride. A lush cherry of a narrow tank countered by the slick dull black fairing. And the fairing, although sans bubble, is fitted on correctly, nose slighly aloft in a haughty expression, flowing rearward down to the low slung back end – itself somewhat hyena-like. That’ it! The Bozosoku Boys way, runnin’ together, causing trouble, burning up and down the town streets- shinai bōsō!
On a taller frame but all components the same (including spiffy drill patterning), and the bubble attached, those tires too… yep, I’d take it… probably stick a pair of “moon eyes” over the colourfull language though, don’t need more ‘ammo’ for cagers.
Banzai!
… or bozosoku? 暴走族 literally “violent running tribe”
Two-Wheels for Usain Bolt! The Swoosh of frame hints at the sublime power of an Olympic sprinter; a lighning bolt of speed ready at the blocks to streak across the track in a blistering spectacle. Oversize but thin tires like a pair of Puma running spikes may reveal a loping grace to this muscular cat-like bike. Ebony disc wheels would give a sense of effortless speed under rapid progress; even standing still there is an air of velocity. A sports-bike seating geometry with a sculpted cruiser character, this moto isn’t to be taken any great distances, increments measured in 100 yard dashes will do!
Gold Medal anyone?
on MV Agusta 600: the ‘Black Pig’
I’d take this cruiser before a Hardly Daylightsun any day… After all these years there’s an alluring quality to this ‘sow’. It’s a comfortable pot-bellied moto; eager to tramp around Tuscan lanes and Roman towns alike. That chrome tank; that becomes such an icon on the later 750S in red and blue livery reflects the Mediterranean sun above, the pair of 2 into 1 exhausts offer further clean lines for this classic euro-dresser. The headlight is leaps ahead in looks, akin to a Panerai timepiece; it’s not just about illuminating the road ahead, but a streamlined statement, a round headlight just wouldn’t look right!
The motorcycle as jewellery?
A Crackerjack Bike! A Jeep: Just Enough Essential Parts. I need a bike, not to powerful, a laid back stature, easy on the eye and a stripped down look like a bantamweight scrapper. The Scorpio has it all. Rev the engine to wind it up along the road; rear sets and clip-ons relax the pose, but snikkety snak up and down the gearbox to keep this ‘scooter’ in the sweet spot; allowing the rider to enjoy motorbikin’ around town between coffee shops, LP stores and a quick sprint race on the local ring road with someone on their cafe’d CB350. The photography is crisply executed: the studio shots highlighting the monochromatic grey paint scheme, the stop light being the only spot of colour, and the tank/seat line being a not unpleasant view when viewed at from the saddle. The opening shot from above with the long shadowboxing partner laid over the cobbles is a gem, showing off this
A Crackerjack Bike! A Jeep: Just Enough Essential Parts. I need a bike, not to powerful, a laid back stature, easy on the eye and a stripped down look like a bantamweight scrapper. The Scorpio has it all. Rev the engine to wind it up along the road; rear sets and clip-ons relax the pose, but snikkety snak up and down the gearbox to keep this ‘scooter’ in the sweet spot; allowing the rider to enjoy motorbikin’ around town between coffee shops, LP stores and a quick sprint race on the local ring road with someone on their cafe’d CB350. The photography is crisply executed: the studio shots highlighting the monochromatic grey paint scheme, the stop light being the only spot of colour, and the tank/seat line being a not unpleasant view when viewed at from the saddle. The opening shot from above with the long shadowboxing partner laid over the cobbles is a gem, showing off this wee 225cc’s lean body.
36-24-36: A skimpy lingerie clad supermodel; fed on celery and lettuce; as well as a healthy smattering of Carbon Fiber and Titanium. This photoshoot lets here strut her stuff… … and what stuff that is! A perfect frame supporting all essentials, a heart shaped engine of superlative race heritage, shod alloy rims that would outshine a pair of Blahniks, a neatly pert fairing, a titilating glimpse of the inner workings and…
…and that lustful rear end! No wonder wor Baz was a ladies man he knew a good arse when he saw one. (not to be disrespectul to Barry but he was a man’s man too ~ my first motorcycling hero!)
Remember half this sites name “EXIF” relates to the photogrpahy aspect; I enjoy looking at the different approaches taken to how these machines are captured: studio, roadside, industrial, rugged nature. In this case I’m not sure there’s much manipulation; I have walked down this moorland path towards Sheffield with the sun setting behind me very much like this scene, the heather in heavy shade, the city glowing beyond; a little bit of fill in flash has brought out the softened use of this well loved cycle.
Bring on the different bikes, bring on the different photography, bring ’em on!
Made in Sheffield! – A worn old piece of cutlery, polished, oiled, burnished and ridden. Like a little scrappy terrier these Honda twins perform relentlessly, maybe not fast, and maybe not flashy but they’ll get you to your destination (even an international one at that!). Nope you can’t scramble along the old horse pack bridleway over the moors above Steel City towards Stanage and its alluring views over the Peak District on your repli-racer; but this wiry little fella will chug away ang get you there; crooked ears, waggy tail and all. You’ll surely smile on this one.
Ee bah gum… …thees rompin’ o’er the heather reet gud wor kidda!
As the saintly few hand chosen by the Count himself; these knights of the Golden Age of racing: Ago’, Hailwood, Surtees among them; were all that rode the 500 “Gallarte Fire Engines”, a machine had to be bred from those fast twitch genes for us mere mortals. The 750S, its racing lineage isn’t passed on as a pale brat but a fully fledged road going machine with powerful muscular engine, planted surefootedness and a look rippling in sinuous glory. No we don’t have the magnesium casings, but that powerplant has a tuned beat to rival anything else seen on the road, then or now! Arturo paid close attention to engineering a bike for the real world with a ken gained from innumerable ‘hell for leather” laps of Monza. Yet this machine is a work of true art: that tank, it could stand alone like a sculpture from Moore…
…this is surely a worthy for the top five motorcycles of all time!
Great point! As with the Black Knight ot Beemer K1 or Ducatis Paso, motorcycle makers have wanted this clean appearance, at the expense of easy motor access. Now with a different approach they can truly have the shapes of a new generation of bikes. With simple slot in and out components. Frankly its an exciting notion…
It’s certainly a shame that a technology that has been around longer than the internal combustion engine: Faradays principle in the early 1800’s followed by Sturgeons early useable motor soon after a good half century before Daimler and Benz, hasn’t made more of an impact on todays transportation. Although this comes down to our insatiable appetite on black gold and its rapidly diminishing resources. And, unless we come up with a suitable alternate to petrol/gasoline then these original (not alternate) technologies need to be looked at seriously. Both in terms of the technology (where Bikeexif doesn’t have room to discuss fully) as well as aesthetics (that’s where these discussions on Bikeexif truly come in!)
Well, back to the Sora! It has a good masculine stance akin to a Manga-cycle that we’d see our friend Kaneda racing the future Tokyo hi-ways and alleys with his biker tomodachi in Akira. A Duc Monster seating with hints of a bobber and cruiser, even a nicely shaped ‘tank’ for a touch of the sensuous line. A well thought out appearance. Yes this is a urban vehicle where shorter trips are more likely allowing for a full charge. If you miss the bike-sound you can shuffle through the iPod motorcycle sound app to hear a rumbling V-Twin or whining 4 cylinder Rossi GP bike. This could be linked to a seat installed item to get the feel of the bike also. Other of us may like the silent but strong power motors can deliver.
I think Michael would be proud…
Size sir? Extra Small? Extra Large? No, Extra Medium! Take one average capacity thumper and add a dollop of lemon zest. A tall motard-styled ride ready for urban adventure. Cobble lanes? No problem with the big front hoop and ballon-like rear. Crumby traffic? See afar sat upon this lofty perch; wheedle your way through it all with those wide bars. Passenger? Nah, get yer own bike! JB 007 might be seen riding this through the narrow back alleys around the souks of Marrakech packin’ his PPK
Vodka Martini? Shaken not stirred!
on Streetmaster Brighton cafe racer
A right ‘ed Turner! Light ‘er up and after whipping through the Croydon traffic hare off down the A22 to Uckfield veering off the A275 and over the South Downs; aah the Sussex air, God’s own motorcycling country for a ‘well sorted’ twin. Clipping along the maythorn bloomed hedgerows the Dunlops ripple over the winding lanes; snecking up and down the gearbox the exhaust barks bounce back off the odd farm building or village wall. A quick cuppa in Lewes then, laying over the mirrored tank open up the throttle for a little speed work to get down and meet up with some mates on Kings Road. Seaside fun! After many comments received about the little smasher of a bike it’s back on up the A23 en masse to the Big Smoke. Plentiful ‘orses under the ‘ood to pass the holiday traffic; then slip back round Clapham, narrow bars purposeful for cutting through the lines backed up at the lights, park up before headin’ out for a pint with the lads. Cheeks still aglow from the fresh Downs air…
Edward would be proud!
on Black Falcon
Hmm interesting thought experiment Rob… …my heart desires the Kestrel, but an adventurous side of me wants the Brough; with it’s TE Lawrence fueled persona and all. However if I could afford to run one, I could probably afford the other… …so one for days with a U in it and the the other the rest of the days!
on Black Falcon
Richard Thompson sang it perfectly:
“In my opinion, there’s nothing in this worldBeats a 52 Vincent and a red headed girl.Now Nortons and Indians and Greeves won’t do,Ah, they don’t have a soul like a Vincent 52”
This is a beaut’; quite possibly the most stunning motorcycle.Pure function and form. A Mighty Shadow indeed, all others pale…
on So-Cal Miler
Red, Chrome and Bronze: a Matchless choice! Whether having fun orbits of a dirt oval (fun, not racing); or haring down the Baja (again, for fun not racing) or just tootling along the PCH for a sunset lit supper up in Santa Barbara, a luring Catalina anchored off the port shoulder; this moto has all the sweet elements of two-wheeled fun! The barking desert pipes hug the chassis nicely achieving a clean high clearance appearance, the larger rear sprocket will get a good off-the-line speed sacraficing top end no doubt, hence no speedometer; however a grinometer may be needed with this steed. Even the hand signed logo echos the hot-rod 50’s scene that this bike so expertly exudes.
An incomparable triumph…
Topo potenti! This diminutive italian model looks sexy in or out of her clothes. And what fashion! That fairing drapes the underlying frame with lines straight from a Prada runway; the rosso corsa horizontal pipestriping alludes red-hot speed, streamlining straight from a Scaglietti napkin sketch; albeit wind-tunnel tested.
The moto? A bowl of pasta away from anorexic: spare, sinewy, sorted. An hourglass tank, a single proud heartbeat, red underwear. Giada Pamela De Laurentiis springs to mind… (look ‘er up, you’ll agree)
Here’s a photo of the proud parents letting their girl loose onto “le strade di Bologna”
on Machine: Moto Guzzi Le Mans
A Lemon this is not! Oh just give me 24 hours; I’d follow the road out of Mandello del Lario following the azure lapping waters of Como; alps beckon and long shady valleys take the roaring machine skyward.
It has the perfect curves of Lollobrigida and the sharp lines of an Armani; keep your lira in the neat leather wallet racer seat so you don’t crease your Milanese trousers. Discrete details where necessary such as the blinkers, proud where it matters: that V twin with a battleship burnish leading to the sinuous stainless pipes. Each sculpted rearward, hugging the frame and rear swingarm. Heck even the rear view looks sexy (and why not?). Low, low bars and rearsets say: “faster, my friend, faster; the road awaits!” Tuck in behind that skimpy bikini and fly bullet-like, now down towards the wide rolling plain of the Po. As we steam through the dusky vineyards I can caress that tank, it’s asymmetrical lines punctuated by the Monza cap, oft used this day, and the neat off-center pinstripes.
Just a day…
on Machine: Moto Guzzi Le Mans
Stunning Photography: the fall colours, overcast light with the narrow depth of field achieve a classic 70’s dreaminess to this legend bike along with a hint a green color correction similar to a nice roll of Kodachrome. A sumptuous model; I’ll enjoy this vision awhile before commenting on the Guzzi itself…
Apologies for sending folk down the Veggie Oil track… but thanks for the details on Biodeisel. This is the Land Rover of bikes it seems; now if we could just have Sommer prepare a one liter engine and shoehorn it into a Beemer GS frame, what with that big touring tank full of diesel, then we’re talkin’…
… and the more I look at it is see that that engine does NOT look out of place, any more than say a water cooled lump found on most bikes these days. Great photos too showing both sides of the bike as well as a few choice details.
Get the chip pan on! Here’s a moto aimed at the slow, broken roads of the subcontinent; top ‘er up with diesel form a roadside IndianOIl petrol station or from the grease siphoned off a Dhaba joint in the Punjab. The Enfield-centric build with appropriate tires, rear rack, and comfy sprung seat is the perfect perch to watch the world go by, Nikon slung over the shoulder, a latter day Robert Edison Fulton Jr. or Ted Simon.
The bright orange (my fave colour) is suitable to be seen by other road users and make those KTM Adventurers jealous alike!
It’s not for going fast, just going steady… …and forever.
Love Conrads crisp, graphic work; his iconographic images hint at a Lichtenstein/Warhol quality but with their own distinct style. His image of McQueen in “Salute” is superb.
on Mr Martini Triumph Thruxton
- The panels remind me of the fuel tank on the AJS ‘Porcupine’, which allowed the rider to tuck at speed as well as offering a lower c of g. The black roundels could even have the owners favourite race number in white applied.
on Mr Martini Triumph Thruxton
La Dolce Vita! A brief perusal of Mr Martini’s showroom and one sees that his products are infused with Italian elegance and roman charm: the showroom has red carpet! A clean scooter of a bike with cheek panels downplaying the motor in a Vespa-like appearance (WHAT? comparing a Triumph with a Vespa?) That streamlined font adds to a design finesse too, watch for the tops of your Cavallis’s when shifting up though! “Audrey pet? Fancy a spin around the Piazza Venezia?”
As Gregory said: “bella bella”
Yes! When I rebuilt a Rocket Goldie several years ago I yearned to put one of these on with a siamese header. However it was not to be… alas, the bike went on to greener pasture too; well Minnesota. And yes, to Tg, it was a pre-unit and a mighty fine ride too… perhaps in the future a Norbsa could be in the works!
I’m a ‘unit-snob’ 😉 but with the alignment issues of putting a Trumpet lump into the Manx based frame, the unit is the practical way to go, the slipper adj. in the primary is easier than the gearbox tweaking. Also the unit offers a little better flexibility for tuning. However I understand the fuller look of the Pre-Unit in the ‘long’ frame opening. And, yes the ’59 Bonnie Pre-Unit is a beaut!
Hmm, but your other item brings up another point: where did he get that kicker lever? It hugs when folded in but must swing out well when given the wellie. My Norman Hydes have a hinged peg that has to be lifted to allow the kick-start to depress.
…happiness…
…is a Triumph twin sat cuddled into a fine featherbed frame: unification of perfection. That monstrous Manx tank sits atop this gorgeously detailed racer ~ a cafe prefix may sound a little too uncouth so simple ‘racer’ it is. Deep alloy rims shod with contemporary rubber allows the rider to caress the ‘macadam of curvy English country roads; hefty front drums help ease spirited proceedings (a disc setup would have looked incorrect!); rebuilt engine with practicality built in for no-nonsense enjoyment of a British classic. Rear-sets and clip-ons can definitely be a stretch so that the provided adjustability of the ‘bars ensure comfort at tortoise and hare speeds alike. And those swept back pipes leading to the cocktail shaker exhausts add to the overall appearance of rapidity.
A super nice touch is the pearl white tins and grey frame, the usual silver-grey tank and black frame seem a touch too somber after seeing this.
Whether doin’ the ton along Watling Street, burbling along the Prom at Brighton, or careening around the curves on the way to the Cat and Fiddle this is as worthy mount as any to be on.
True Perfection on Two Wheels!
on Sundance QuickSilver XR1200
Butch Cassidy: “Well, that ought to do it.”
[after blowing the train car to smithereens]
Sundance Kid: “Think ya used enough dynamite there, Butch?”
on Sundance QuickSilver XR1200
A niggling suspision said I’d seen the form of this bike before: the superlative Kwak ZRX 1100/1200. An outstanding standard bike with the Eddie Lawson/Team Green heritage. Building it around a sweetened Milwaukee lump is priceless though. And , as per everyones comments the Quicksilver seems to be a motorcyclists motorcycle.
on Sundance QuickSilver XR1200
“It’s Clobberin’ Time!” Looks like it’s fabricated from a blueprint based on the fluid brush and ink lines of Jack Kirby. the heat of superlative design and surgical-crisp fabrication burst the thermometer bulb and let the mercury flow forth. The rippling silver bodywork and adamantium lookin’ frame uses every sinew to hold in that engine of engines. If we have six score ponies tearing through to the tarmac, held down by ground hugging suspension rounded off by ‘crowbar-in-the-spokes’ stoppers then I think Ducati should get worried if this went into production.
Only three words to summarize: “I want one!”
As some discussion seems to be about the geometry, with respect to the R32, here’s a comparison of both bikes (see attached image). Interestingly the old beemer looks somehwat ‘snub’ nosed with a fairly steep steering angle ~ does anyone know how an R32 handles? It’s like when I look at other dogs after living day in day out with my greyhound; all dogs look squash-faced. Nevertheless the R32 is a classic bike. However the Revival model holds true to a balance of form, function and aesthetics (yes, yes, yes the latter being very subjective – but thats what adds to the colour of these discussions)
When Chris gets back from his hols, we’ll have slogged this one to death for sure!
Hey, has anyone seen the video of Dave Ropers cockpit view on a Matchless G50 going around the Isle of Man circuit? Fantastic stuff! go to:
http://thevintagent.blogspot.c…
I keep a spare clutch cable on board as a matter of course for my ’72 Bonnie…
A new sub-genre of steam punk has been born, brother to Diesel Punk: Agri-Punk! A definite post-wehrmacht farmyard practicality to the design is achieved to great sucess. The oil-rub protection hold back rust in an honest manner (hacky dorty as a Geordie would say!) and the coffin tank looks like it was liberated from a galvanized sheep trough. The fact that this has some true miles under its belt provides testament to the builders motosickle-ken. No it don’t look purdy in the traditional sense, but then again neither does a 50 year old Massey that still plough fields year in year out; this lad looks like he would run forever with nary but an oil change every now and then.
Guten tag mein fraulein, fancy a romp in the haystack?
The Mouse that Roared! An English Bert Munro for sure.
That canary yellow fairing complete with whiskers took a man with a small dream and big heart, a healthy dose of mechanical skill as well as craftsmanship, across the old Spitfire runways of Duxford. Each iteration of speed was given colour to the proceedings too, the bright flash along the raceway driven by the thrump of the Triumph motor would have been exciting ~ some lucky sod will have to dig up the Silver Peril for sure!
As the other Billy Bragg (& Kirsty McColl) sang: “My dreams were full of strange ideas/my mind was set despite the fears”
AND LO! It came to pass in the land of the young that our intrepid hero Erik set of on his quest to vanquish the evil four. He ‘mongered on the anvils of the deep and wrought himself a weapon so powerful, so untamed, that when unleashed its beastly growl sent shivers up the spines of ally and adversary alike. Thus the Son of Lucifers Hammer was born…..
This steed needs thrashed around the Nürburgring with the thundering euphonics of Wagners Ritt der Walküren! blaring through the forest. I like the smell of race fuel in the morning; the smell, you know that gasoline smell… Smells like … Victory!
Le moto blanc et bleu! I had to digest this one for a little while more than usual; which was good (thanks Chris!), I also watched Blitz’s video on their website. They have a sense of “se laisser vivre” which comes across in their builds as well as their riding. Fixies have been building powdercoated wheels for a few years now just to add a touch of cheer to the spinning proceedings. Yeah, the 125 reservoir d’ essence may be a tad petite but with an ELF station every few kilometres and a place to stop and relight your Glauloises across the Gallic countryside that ain’t a dealbreaker.
La vie est courte! Take it Easy…
Stunt Riding motorcycles has as much history as motorcycles themselves; from the ‘Wall of Death’ motodromes in the ‘teens, the Royal Signal Corps (or White Helmets) to showmen of showmen Robert Craig ‘Evel’ Knievel. It still takes dedication, pracice, equipment, practice, balance, practice, bike-skill, oh and practice. Nevertheless a good bike set up so the performers can concentrate on tricks is essential.
This desirable Kwak with gearing, bars, outstanding anchors, a motor with oomph all wrapped up in a lightweight package seems to meet those needs for our pal Ernie. The subtle grey paint scheme atop the black frame and wheels with yellow highlights gives this stoppie beast the appearance of a jet fighter waiting to be launched off the deck of a carrier.
The Empire Strikes Back!
I think some exploration with the latest MB technology used with the smaller engines such as DariztDesign are using would be well worth it. Their superstrong frames and associated suspension may team up well ~ especially the downhill bikes that take a pounding from the ground rather than any pedal forces. These bikes may be another link for people from bicycles to motorcycles that mopeds and scooters offer. Two Wheels Good – Four Wheels Bad!
Full Circle ~ instead of a motorized bicycle here is a bicyclized motorcycle. The superb mountainbike frame and suspension technology finds its way to the custom shops of the sultry Indonesian garages. The exemplary craftsmanship marries the twin branches of two-wheeled travel seamlessly. As other comments state this is a machine we’d all desire; it’s lightweight svelte figure wouldn’t go amiss on backroads rural and urban alike. That leather Brooksian saddle, adjustable in height too, counters the lusious green paint scheme, the cream angular tank tucked in unobstrusively, a springer front end further damps the ride already offered by those big rims shod in cushy rubber.
A whizzer this is not! A wizard build this is!
on Atom Bomb ‘Velvet Underground’
Engineering equals motorcycles custom craftsmanship (E = mc²) – great job to Atom Bomb for achieving flawless work on my favourite Brit Twin ~ I have a ’72 Bonnie so I’m biased.
A neat mix of the trials and the hardtail achieve a spare but tough appearance. Atop the soaring Blue Ridge pavement sweeping the Appalachians this understated Triumph Bobberville would surely inspire. (I am jealous just thinking about that!).
Thank you Professor Einstein for your nuclear inspiration! And thank you Lou, John, Sterling, Mo and Nico (as well as Andy of course!) for what would be an outstanding soundtrack to accompany the above mentioned ride. “Sunday Morning” indeed!
Outstanding find; the sight and sound of that engine is a thrill (though for sound the V12 Merlin is hard to beat!). Just imagine putting yourself airborne with that to keep you up!
“Chocks away chum!” This aeronautically inspired moto’ harks to a clearer time: the Great War is over, technology from the dogfights begets a wave of mechanical speed for the masses. The Racer is born. This beautiful restoration exudes loving attention to period detail as well as a timeless patina – down to the Michelins and a 120 m.p.h. cream faced clock; that diminutive boxer engine and its exposed rocker arms. Tappety-tap, tappety-tap.
As with the rotary Gnome aircraft engines with their revolving cylinders and fixed cranks for cooling, this ‘gin needs speeding air passed across it to keep the oil temperatures more maneagable; a few laps of ‘la Sarthe near Le Mans seem appropriate; just need to find a way to keep the bugs off yer tinted Leon Jeantet’s under the french sun…
A 24 Carat Goldstar! The bullet-like tank and seat are honed as if ready to be fired from a Martini-Henry rifle in the Zulu War (three of which adorn the B.S.A. logo). The filigree frame delicately, though I’m sure sturdily, supports the Great Beeza Thumper; itself cleaned and kept visually spare without even the encumberance of a drive side cover! That bassoon of an exhaust must parp a merry note as the revs rise ~ that’s a European type of Didgeridoo Chris. The swingarm line has the pent-up energy of a greyhounds legs ready to launch from the gate and sprint down the track.
Do I need to feed it Honey and Gunpowder to maintain its lithe shape?
on Moto Guzzi Daytona cafe racer
The low sun angle and warm, soft light brings out the best in this machine. Not a hint of polished metal to dazzle the eyes, just a dull grey burnish to absorb light. The engine look suitably hefty and hints at the Guzzi grunt when lit. The pipes are routed TT style under the sump showing off those fine cooling fin castings. It looks like its been whittled out of a piece of titanium; the tank a piece of carbon.
High Pegs, Low Bars, a big comfy tank for my chin; I could sleep on this beauty; but wait the road ahead beckons… crank ‘er over and rip up some asphalt before the sun sets!
Un motociclo italiano veloce! Verde Metallizzato Bellissimo! – Some bikes and their riders go down in history for what they accomplished; when you have a colour to further add to the evocative story it adds personality to a machine ~ I sometimes think of Kenny Roberts ‘bumblebee’ Yamaha or Barry Sheenes red-gold-black Heron Suzuki. But with a quality race story to support it the Paul Smart silver-sea green one takes it up another notch: it’s ageless; the bold red DUCATI acts like an ink-stamped seal. Roll this together into a respectfully executed modern package of tuned engine, brakes and suspension then you really have something with a red, white and green-blooded desire snick into first gear and tear across the Italian countryside on.
The offbeat pipe-mounting may have given better clearance for the counterclockwise Imola track and tight left handers. Wire Wheels would give it a slightly better look, but for trackworthiness a pair of Marchesinis would look sublime.
Sono nell’amore
Superlative studio photography with exquisite lighting shows off the best of this Board Track Racer. A few lines hint at yesterdays offering; the vee-twin slung in that triangular bicycle-based frame; however this bike is more akin to Rossi’s YZR-M1; however for sheer simple beauty and purpose which one will stand up for another hundred years. My money’s on the Indian!
on German Motorcycle Authority
Leave the Beemer at home and rort down the Autobahn on this: a teutonic ballon tyred motorrad muscle machine. The engine takes center stage in the frame; look at that careful tank cuttaway to show off the rockerbox, anf the curly exhaust pipes look like they’ve been liberated from Otto’s Bavarian sousaphone. A couple of nifty details include the rose-jointed stays for the front calipers for the springer fork pivoting action and the leather wrapped cabling. Though I wouldn’t like to retreive my key when the pipes are hot… ouch.
It stands alongside a Brough (dare I say it?) for straight line speed. Can it out race a Fokker?
Saline Speed Sled: a pure purpose to make the bike go fast through the rarified air. Getting 111mph out of a powerplant that saw the light of day when Queen Elizabeth was but a newly crowned young lass is a marvellous achievement. You gotta remember that BSF is nigh on 5,000 feet up and final tuning has to be done on site under the baking sun. Not to mention the coarse salt giving some traction issues ‘neath the rubber. Love the appropriate use on a glitzy diminutive peanut tank; the rearsets that are positioned about a fortnight behind the rider and those rakishly askew clip-ons allowing a Superman-like fist-punch pose for the rider in their prone position.
The story is an inspiration to go out there and try something like speedweek… now if I can just find an old KZ1000 needing some CPR… “Honey, have you seen my speedos?”
I learned to ride on a 125cc Chang Jiang, a model similary ‘copied’ from a 70’s Suzuki. It had a controls that needed a certain patience to get the most out of; from its gravelly kick-starter, long-thumbed turn signal controls, and a seating stance that was just not quite right. But kudos to someone restoring an old J-C hack as well as driving it around the Art Deco streetscape of Shanghai. Rememering it’s a copy of a copy built from worn out, third-hand tooling. Impressive. But somehow I couldn’t think of riding around Tianamen cobbles, Mao cap askew and jackboots feverishly looking for a gear in the confounding mechanicals somewhere on anything else!. The proletariat gunmetal finsih with leather seating trim appeals too.
It’s not about speed; its about conforming to the masses… oops watch out for that Flying Pigeon with the family on it!
I learned to ride on a 125cc Chang Jiang, a model similary ‘copied’ from a 70’s Suzuki. It had a controls that needed a certain patience to get the most out of; from its gravelly kick-starter, long-thumbed turn signal controls, and a seating stance that was just not quite right. But kudos to someone restoring an old J-C hack as well as driving it around the Art Deco streetscape of Shanghai. Rememering it’s a copy of a copy built from worn out, third-hand tooling. Impressive. But somehow I couldn’t think of riding around Tianamen cobbles, Mao cap askew and jackboots feverishly looking for a gear in the confounding mechanicals somewhere on anything else!. The proletariat gunmetal finsih with leather seating trim appeals too.
It’s not about speed; its about conforming to the masses… oops watch out for that Flying Pigeon with the family on it!
Historically those old BSA dominated the dirt ovals of the US; the Yamaha XS650 is the ideal twin to convert into a homage to those Brit-Iron days. Nice appropriately placed pipes set high on the drive side (where your left steel plate shod foot slides away from the bike), though a holey heat shield may help day to day tootlin’. Big robust tires will soften the bumpy brick cobbles through Wapping, though may offer a little too many heartstoppin’ slips on the perennially damp manhole covers that always appear at the wrong location when careening around Hyde Park Corner or Swiss Cottage when heading up towards the Great North Road. This looks like one to be ridden: well done Drogo!
Boy, I wish I had this bike when my commute took me around the twin roundabouts at the Elephant and Castle in ‘sarf’ London!
Il buono, il brutto, il cattivo! The Good: great photography, the metalworkshop setting adds the sense of engineering prowess highlighted in this build; the perfect balance of old and new, that big forward facing single lump sat in the lavishly painted frame and components – ample front anchors and a seamless integration of the blower. The Bad: that engine must make a sound that is bad to the bone when the compressor is up to speed; it would be badass to he haring along the coastal route of Capri with every Ferrari and Lamborghini, Alfa Romeo red sports car driver red with envy! …. and the Ugly? Well a side stand just holds a bike up, no more, no less: it don’t make it go faster, so if that’s all thats ugly then fine with me!
I recall these CX’s being derigeur high mileage hacks of the London couriers in the 90’s. They just keep goin’ in true Honda style. This ‘steam punk’ iteration works perfectly for a well engineered bike; the japanese victorian crossover in blended nicely. Just need a pair of clear-glass welding goggles, an oilcloth duster swirling behind you and the heady nighscape around Montmarte…
on Honda CR 750
Just watched the short film: I’d bet standing next to it when at full throttle would make the hairs stand up on the back of you arm and give your chest a heavy beat!
on Honda CR 750
Who needs 180 rubber with a rear wheel like that; alloy laced deep walled rims rear to rip down the straights. Wow!
Great Story and a great bike. It oozes character; would love to hare around backroads in New England on this. The orange time-patina’d paint makes it come to life. Well photographed from all angles.
on Montesa Cota
The leather finish will give the soft lines a great tactile feel; like the leatherette panels on an old Nikon F2 film camera. Classic.
on Triumph Bonneville Trackmaster
Crikey Missus! If only Meriden brought this out in the seventies. Crisp titanium frame paint, alloy wheels with modern tires, big twin disc stoppers, sublime classic paint scheme, those lung bellowing TT pipes with gently upswept mufflers, nicey executed rearsets (I’m having fun installing Norman Hyde specials to my Bonnie). This could take on a Commando for sure. It makes me want to strip down my rebuilt ’72 650 and start over! Great stuff Mr Edwards!
I bet the noise and sight of this haring around the track would make a heart beat fast. Classic stuff.
geordiebiker.com 
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