BMW R60/7 :: ER motorcycles.

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ER Motorcycles

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Romboni passes away after Supermoto accident / Romboni s’éteint suite à un tragique accident à Latina

Reports indicate that Romboni was struck by another rider after suffering a crash in the second practice session of the Sic Supermoto Day, before being immediately evacuated by helicopter to intensive care.

Despite the best efforts of the staff at the Santa Maria Goretti hospital, Romboni succumbed to his injuries later in the afternoon.

A six-time Grand Prix winner in the 1990s across the 125 and 250 classes, Romboni was one of the many stars taking part in this weekend's Sic Supermoto Day event held at the Latina circuit in memory of the late Marco Simoncelli.

Everyone at motogp.com and Dorna Sports SL wish to pass on our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Doriano Romboni.

Les premières informations issues du circuit indiquaient que Romboni avait été percuté par un autre pilote après avoir chuté en piste lors de la seconde séance d’essais du Sic Supermoto Day et avait immédiatement été transféré à l’hôpital par hélicoptère afin de recevoir des soins intensifs.

Malgré tous les efforts du staff médical de l’hôpital Santa Maria Goretti, Romboni a succombé à ses blessures en fin d’après-midi.

Vainqueur de six Grands Prix en 125cc et 250cc dans les années 1990, Romboni était l’une des stars qui participaient ce week-end au Sic Supermoto Day, un évènement organisé au circuit de Latina en hommage au défunt Marco Simoncelli.

Toute l’équipe de motogp.com et de Dorna Sports SL adresse ses plus sincères condoléances à la famille et aux proches de Doriano.

Akiko Wakabayashi and Mie Hama: Bond girls live twice

As 'Aki' and 'Kissy Suzuki', they ensnared Sean Connery in the Bond film 'You Only Live Twice'. But even before the 007 adventure, the two divas Akiko Wakabayashi and Mie Hama had appeared together in Woody Allen's dubbed spoof of a spy thriller...

She was the first Bond actress to drag eternal bachelor James Bond to the altar (though things happened differently in the novels...). As the exotic  'Kissy Suzuki', Mie Hama promises eternal fidelity to Sean Connery's Bond in 'You Only Live Twice' - even if it is only to deceive supervillain Ernst Stavro Blofeld and his criminal organisation SPECTRE. The Japanese Secret Agent Aki, played by Akiko Wakabayashi, was also friendly with 007: and showed skill both in bed, and in driving her Toyota 2000 GT equipped with enough 'extras' to impress even Bond.

Godzilla and the hunt for egg salad

The film brought Akiko Wakabayashi and Mie Hama international stardom, although Mie Hama had already appeared in more than 60 movies and Akiko Wakabayashi was a star in Japan. As a dynamic duo, they had acted together in several other films, including 'King Kong vs. Godzilla' and 'What's Up Tiger Lily' - Woody Allen's 1966 spoof film about the hunt for an egg salad recipe, which is purely a dubbed version of an entirely different Japanese spy movie. 

THE HESKETH 24

Hesketh Motorcycles is a small British company that most of us had forgotten about, the company was first created by Formula 1 team owner and close friend of James Hunt – the 3rd Lord Hesketh in 1980.

The mission was commendable although the sheer number of new technologies they tried to implement at once led to the bike being unreliable and having a number of teething problems, this combination meant that it wasn’t a huge seller and production ceased after just 139 bikes had been sold.

Skipping forward 33 years to the present day, Hesketh Motorcycles are back with a bang and have just introduced their 1,950cc V-twin monster-sportbike, the Hesketh 24. Only 24 are scheduled to be made with an initial delivery date of February 2014, Hesketh have announced that they’re developing a 2-seater version which will be made available for sale after the Hesketh 24 has sold out – which I don’t imagine will take very long.

Sadly we don’t yet have pricing information, however I can tell you that the Hesketh 24 has a race-spec 22.7 litre fuel cell mounted below the engine, overhead air intakes, a 56 degree, air-cooled V-twin producing 120bhp, Öhlins suspension, Beringer brakes and Brock’s performance BST carbon fibre wheels.

I included the full press release below for those who want further information, if you’d like to register your interest you can click here to visit Hesketh Motorcycles.

Hesketh 24 – Full Press Release
The first new model from Hesketh Motorcycles in the 21st century will be the Hesketh 24. Taking inspiration from Hesketh’s illustrious Formula 1 roots, the Hesketh 24 uses James Hunt’s F1 Grand Prix winning ‘24’ car as the basis of the bikes’ styling.

However, underneath the red, white and blue is a completely modern interpretation of a Hesketh machine with a massive 1950 cc 56 degree V-twin engine putting out around 120 bhp. The Hesketh 24 features top quality branded components such as Ohlins suspension (track and road), Beringer brakes and Brock’s performance BST carbon fibre wheels.

Available from February 2014, the new Hesketh 24 will be the first model to be released under Paul Sleeman’s ownership and serves as a clear indication of the new direction of the brand.

Sleeman said: “The design of the bike itself is centred around the big V-twin muscle at the heart of the bike, with overhead air intakes inside the tank above and a 22.7 litre fuel cell mounted below the engine. To stay true to some original Hesketh features the front light offers a modern half cowel and the top tank follows the distinctive Hesketh shape.

The Hesketh 24 is a nod to the F1 success of James Hunt and the Hesketh Racing team and we tried to incorporate this is in subtle touches, such as the small Scottish and English flags on the tail as seen on the original F1 24 car and the outline of the Zandvoort circuit that offered Hunt the famous 1975 victory.

The limited edition Hesketh 24, of which only 24 will be made, is available from February and we will go on to develop and release a 2 seat version of this model shortly after.”

Hesketh Motorcycles will also soon be moving from their current home in Kingswood to larger premises in Redhill, Surrey allowing the team to concentrate on the manufacture of the Hesketh 24 and further models.

via SILODROME

Ecurie Ecosse: They came a long way...

Got a spare £8 million knocking about and fancy buying a set of toys that will have the organisers of major historic motoring events around the globe falling over themselves to beg for your attendance?

If the answer's in the affirmative, you're exactly the sort of person who should be heading to Bonhams’ London auction on December 1 for the sale of the remarkable Dick Skipworth Ecurie Ecosse collection. Skipworth, who made his fortune in semiconductor distribution, was a childhood fan of Ecurie Ecosse. Having bought and raced a replica of one of the team cars during the 1980s, he set out to assemble a comprehensive collection of vehicles redolent of the team's 'golden era ' from its formation in 1951 until the early '60s.

Getting there is half the fun

That included purchasing the famous 1960 three-car race transporter built by Falkirk's Walter Alexander coachworks on the chassis of a seven-ton Commer truck. Restored by Skipworth during the 1990s and, in recent years, a regular sight at many classic car gatherings, the transporter is being offered on a 'refer department' basis – meaning it is likely to fetch a high, six-figure sum.

The star of the collection, however, is set to be the short-nose 1956 Jaguar D-type driven under the Ecurie Ecosse colours by stars such as Ron Flockhart, Ninian Sanderson and Jock Lawrence. It's tipped to make as much as £3.5 million, while a 1952 C-type raced by Sir Jackie Stewart's late brother, Jimmy, could realise £2 – 3m. The other Ecurie Ecosse cars on offer are a 1962 Tojeiro Buick that was raced by Sir Jackie (£180,000 - 240,000); a 1959 Tojeiro Jaguar (£300,000 - 500,000); a 1969 Cooper Monaco Climax (£200,000 - 300,000); a 1951 XK120 (£200,000 - 400,000) and finally a 1961 Austin-Healey Sprite (£30,000 - 50,000).

Just turn up and race

Ecurie Ecosse epitomised the racing spirit of the 1950s, having been established in Edinburgh by less-than-successful driver David Murray. He decided to base the model for his 'Team Scotland' on that of Scuderia Ferrari – meaning he offered privateers the chance to have their cars maintained, prepared and delivered to races. All they had to think about was turning up on the day.

The celebrated W.E. 'Wilkie' Wilkinson was chief spannerman and, for a decade, the system proved highly successful – not least when Ecurie Ecosse drivers Ron Flockhart and Ninian Sanderson took the laurels at Le Mans in 1956, with the team achieving a one-two victory there the following year.

Hothouse for young talent

Ecurie Ecosse helped to nurture such exceptional talents as Sir Jackie and Jim Clark in Formula One, Two and endurance racing until the original team was disbanded in 1971. It has since been twice revived, first during the late 1980s by enthusiast Hugh McCaig and again by him in 2011.

And, should you want to declare your allegiance to Ecurie Ecosse without buying one (or all) of the vehicles from the Skipworth collection, you could settle for one of the special versions of the Bremont ALT1-C wristwatch made to honour the team. They are available directly from Ecurie Ecosse only: e-mail Oliver Bryant on OB@ecurieecosse.com

The Bonhams sale of the Dick Skipworth collection forms part of a 35-lot auction taking place at 2pm on 1 December 2013 at the recently opened saleroom at 101 New Bond Street, London W1. You can view all lots in the Classic Driver Market.

TV : à moto sur les routes les plus dangereuses du monde

France Ô diffusera en décembre une série de documentaires moto intitulée «  Routes dangereuses autour du monde ». Des films exceptionnels qui vous transporteront sur la route de la mort en Bolivie, avec une bonne vieille 500 XT, au sein des rizières des Philippines au guidon d’une Honda 250 XR ou encore dans le désert australien avec une Suzuki 650 DR.

Une belle occasion de découvrir des contrées aussi reculées que somptueuses, des routes mythiques mais aussi les hommes qui y vivent, dangereusement.

Cette émission a été initiée sur une idée originale d’Aldo Fusco – baroudeur né et collaborateur de longue date de Moto Magazine - écrite et réalisée par Bruno Ginestet et Stéphane Allender.

Bande annonce "Les Routes dangereuses" par Theodore-Productions

sur FranceÔ 

Dimanche 1er décembre à 17 h 15
Bolivie : la route de la mort.

Dimanche 8 décembre à 17 h 15 
Philippines : Halsema highway, la piste des rizières.

Dimanche 15 décembre à 17 h 15
Australie : la Tanami track dans l’Outback, le désert Australien

Par Theodore Productions et Les Films du Bouloi avec la participation de France Télévisions et de TV5 Monde

The crazy 'Kaizen': World’s first stretched E-type

Compromising on luggage and legroom is a predicament facing most classic car owners on cross-continental adventures. This Jaguar E-type and bespoke matching trailer offer a solution to both problems…

Look closely at the above photos: notice anything unique about this particular ‘E’ (besides that magnificent trailer, of course)? This stunning duo is the responsibility of Jaguar specialists at Classic Motor Cars of Bridgnorth (CMC) who, in extensively restoring the Series 1 Roadster, actually extended the floor pan by a sizeable four and a half inches. 

Preserving the essence

The car (and its trailer) was tailored for its USA-based owner, Paul Branstad, who wanted the prettier Series 1’s looks, while gaining the extra cabin space of the later British-Leyland-built Series 2 2+2 and Series 3 V12 models. He’s christened the project ‘the Kaizen’ after one of Toyota’s founding principles: to constantly evolve and improve its products. Despite the modifications and modern materials implemented in the car, Branstad was keen to preserve the Jaguar’s essence – and we think he’s managed this with resounding success.

Included in a raft of other modifications – all aimed at making the E-type that little bit easier to live with – is a roofline raised by 1.25 inches above the driver’s head, power steering, a 20-gallon fuel tank custom-fabricated in the boot, and air-conditioning.

Sufficient luggage space

The E-type’s beautiful rump certainly makes for the best looking trailer we’ve ever seen, too (we never thought we’d be saying that). Built from two separate E-type rear ends, the nifty trailer connects to the car via a removable tow-hitch hidden in a clever aperture in place of the rear-reversing light. While the trailer’s not attached (advisable for notoriously pedantic classic car circles), the light simply fills the gap, ensuring those timeless lines are left unspoilt.

The car is said to be ‘phenomenal’ to drive – the extra space apparently altering the whole attitude of the car. CMC’s managing director Nick Goldthorp goes as far as to say that this is the car that Jaguar should have built. Whether or not you agree, CMC’s E-type is sure to be in high demand before next summer’s road-trips begin. 

Photos: John Colley, courtesy of Classic Motor Cars Ltd.

HCG #20 CX500

Yes, it’s yet another really nice looking CX500, but this one looks a little more different than all the other ‘different’ looking Honda transverse twin workhorses – and it’s mostly down to the tank. Perhaps Federico and the guys at Herencia Custom Garage in Argentina have taken a leaf out of Blitz’s book, where they very successfully re-drew the lines of the BMW R-Series custom by sticking an XT500 tank on one (logos and all).

It’s a brilliant transformation, taking the bike’s overall bulk down a notch and allowing the engine to really stand out and dominate. The black swoosh painted into the base of the tank enhances the look even further. Take away the big battery and fit a Bates-style headlamp, shrunk back between the upper forks, and suddenly the Honda is all ‘powerplant & wheels’, with minimal provision for sitting and steering. “So much less, is even more”.

The donor is a 1980 Honda CX500 which came with a sound engine, needing no more than “a little work on the carbs” to get her running properly. No surprise as these bikes appear to be indestructible. The triple clamps, front suspension and brake caliper come from a 2010 Triumph Bonneville T100 and the rear suspension runs progressive springs.

The black-wrapped exhaust was built by HGC and ends in a megaphone silencer, while footpages are adapted motocross items. Rear lamp matches the Bates up front in LED. You’ll all now be familiar with the standard CX500 Comstar wheels, which are loved and loathed in equal measure, but we think they really work on this build. They’ve been painted black and are wearing Coker tyres.

The rear subframe was completely rebuilt to accommodate the kicked-up bench seat, and the tank comes from a Honda XL. The replacement radiator comes from a KTM 690 and is joined by another very modern component; a small, light weight Lithium battery, which is hidden down by the gear box.

Federico tells us that she is lovely to ride, and to be honest it almost doesn’t matter, she just looks right. Possibly the best CX500 we’ve ever seen, which is saying something considering how many nice ones seem to be cropping up these days.

Go’wan, tell us you don’t love this bike… We definitely do. See more from Federico and Herencia Custom Garage on The Bike Shed and on their website or Facebook pages.

via The Bike Shed

Hamann updates Mystere Range Rover, loses pink chrome exterior

Looks better

Hamann has updated its Mystere aftermarket program for the Range Rover and thankfully the car has lost its pink chrome exterior finish.

Back in March at the Geneva Motor Show we saw Hamann's strikingly pink Range Roverwhich looked as if it was built specifically for Nicki Minaj. Now, the vehicle has returned but without the pink look as it's wearing a more appealing gunmetal matte paint which makes it look more sinister and less girly. The British premium off-roader has been fitted with a full body kit including a new front spoiler featuring built-in LED daytime running lights.

The hood is now made entirely from carbon fiber while the side skirts have added an extra 80mm to the vehicle's width. Other changes include carbon GFK composite front wings, different rear spoiler integrating the end pipes of the rear silencer which have been milled from a solid block, along with an electronic lowering module that brings the Range Rover closer to the road by 40mm.

Hamann installed massive 23-inch alloys wrapped around in 305/30 R23 tires and used various materials such as aluminum, stainless steel, Alcantara and leather to spice up the interior cabin.

Source: Hamann

NEW AND NOTED: 5 MOTORCYCLE BOOKS

For many of our followers in the northern hemisphere, the nights are drawing in. It might mean less time for riding, but it leaves more time for building and fettling—and reading. So we’ve picked out five books that have impressed us recently. Is there room for one of these on your bookshelf?

Alpinestars: One Goal. One Vision. 50 Years Alpinestars is celebrating a milestone this year—its 50th anniversary. It’s always been one of the most stylish moto apparel brands, but did you know that it started out as a boot manufacturer in Northern Italy? Alpinestars’ rich and visual heritage is now chronicled in a hardcover, full color book, a journey through five decades of octane-fuelled motorsport.

Between the covers you’ll find 256 pages of contributions from legends like Roger DeCoster, Kenny Roberts Sr., Randy Mamola, Mick Doohan and Jeremy McGrath, as well as veteran motorcycle journalist Chris Jonnum. And as you’d expect, the design is impeccable. $45. [Buy]

The Total Motorcycling Manual This new release from Cycle World magazine is one of those books that will keep on selling forever. It’s a horribly clichéd phrase, but the words ‘instant classic’ spring to mind. The Manual fits into that small category of essential motorcycling non-fiction, alongside David Hough’s Proficient Motorcycling series and Keith Code’s A Twist of The Wrist.

But it’s just as much about looking after your bike as riding it: it’s packed with 291 detailed tips on gear, riding techniques, and maintenance. The design is easy on the eye, allowing you to dip in and out at random. And although editor Mark Lindemann blots his copybook with a heretical criticism of Moto Guzzi’s iconic Le Mans, I have to give this one a very firm recommendation. [Buy]

Motorcycle Graphics: Outsider Art, Graphics and Illustration England’s hardest-working motorcycle journalist has delivered an absolute peach of a book, cataloguing the murkier recesses of moto-related art. Inman is best known as the co-founder of the edgy magazine Sideburn, so you won’t find cheesy watercolors of wartime Harleys or advertising pin-up girls. Instead, we’re introduced to 30 top artists including Conrad Leach, Takumi Iwase (aka Tokyoguns), Raulowsky and Deus’ Carby Tuckwell.

The imagery is punchy, and so is Inman’s acerbic writing style. Choice quote: “Deus has helped introduce motorcycling to the world’s urban creatives, who would otherwise be nipple-deep researching the latest moustache wax and fixed gear bicycles.” [Buy]

The Art of BMW: 90 Years of Motorcycle Excellence Motorbooks has reissued this lavish volume to coincide with BMW’s anniversary celebrations. Peter Gantriis’ 208-page photo essay covers all the classics, from the seminal R32 to the latest S1000RR superbike. The machines are from the collection of BMW enthusiast Peter Nettesheim, and the images are absolutely top-notch. If you’re a hardcore Motorradfahrer, you probably already have this book. If you have even a passing interest in motorcycle design, it’s worth adding to your bookshelf. [Buy]

The Ride + Bike EXIF Calendar + Motorcycle Dream Garages Bundle Of course, we can’t talk about motorcycling books without mentioning our own production. We’ve put together a deal with the publisher of the Bike EXIF calendar to offer The Ride, the 2014 calendar, the best-selling Motorcycle Dream Garages book, and a set of four 8×10 metallic prints on heavyweight Kodak Endura paper for just $124.99. That’s a hefty saving of $96. Order the bundle here. (Of course you can get The Ride on its own too, including the Collector’s Edition for shipping to the US or Europe. Just head over to the Gestalten webshop.)

via BIKEEXIF