via Mykel M Nicolaou mnicolaou@sky.com – à THE OFFICIAL DGR 2014 - LONDON, UK.
mardi 30 septembre 2014
BRITISH ESPRESSO
As you cast your mind back through all of the motorcycles you have ever owned or ridden there are always, inevitably favourites, bikes that got away. Even with enough new and old models out there to keep us switching for a lifetime, sometimes the urge for a change is overtaken by the want to regress, to go back to that perfect partner you let go. Yet time moves on, our personal tastes and ideals change so why not take a fresh approach with that old favourite.
For the owner of this coffee coloured concoction it was the 99′ Speed Triple 955i that harboured a special place in his motorcycling history, “Among the many bikes that I had, it was the one that perhaps most of all gave me pleasure and satisfaction. Today, after so many years, I had the opportunity to buy it again and I wanted to give her a robe closer to my current lifestyle.”
For this redressing of his preferred steed the owner turned to Marco Matteucci, a man who describes himself as “not a mechanic. Not even close, I would offend the category.” Marco is actually a graphic / advertising photographer who with over twenty years experience in that field decided to turn his good taste and obsessive attention to detail to the art of bike building.
A trip to the Matteucci Garage Website shows why one would choose to trust the self deprecating photographer to build your motorcycle, with an array of impressive machines in his back catalogue, all predictably, exquisitely photographed. The Triple was left in his able hands, work commenced. The bike was completely disassembled, then restored and rebuilt with a shortened and raised custom subframe with incorporated indicators and a hand made rear mudguard. The electrical system was re-engineered and new double layer side panels were fabricated from aluminum and pvc.
The seat was redesigned to both comfortably accommodate a pillion and appear as if for a single rider, it was upholstered by a master craftsman in brown leather and suede with a diamond stitched top. The paint has a pearly iridescent finish and the shades were chosen to reflect coffee and cream, referencing the bikes café inspired name.
The raised clip-ons sit either side of a long vintage headlight retrofitted with a modern built in speedometer bearing the Matteucci Garage monicker. “When you get on top of her it looks like you drive a classic motorbike of other times, but when you open the throttle, you are right back to reality.” No doubt the crackling Supertrap muffler helps break the illusion…
Hot on the heals of Gunnar’s epic Speed Triple this offering from Italy reinforces how the Hinckley triple can yield to a more classic line despite the modern sinewy frame. The flat lower line of the tank is pitched at a perfect angle from which to follow with a seat unit creating a dynamic modern cafe racer.
Maybe twisting that favourite old ride and turning it into your favourite new ride is the way to go after all? You can see Marco’s other offerings on the Matteucci Garage Bikeshed Page.
via The Bike Shed
MGA Cafe Racer "Girls Road Trip"
Beautiful movie, stunning car! More than ever looking forward to the moment our red MGA Coupe 1500 will be ready after years of restoration! Also looking forward to the next MGA movie, keep up the good work! Cheers from Amsterdam
MGA Cafe Racer "Girls Road Trip" from Cool & Vintage on Vimeo.
MGA Cafe Racer "Girls Road Trip" from Cool & Vintage on Vimeo.
BSMC GEAR GUIDE #27
LEWIS LEATHERS BRONX JACKET NO.384
Formed in 1892, Lewis Leathers are the oldest British motorcycle clothing company, who for over a century have been providing protective clothing for aviators, motorists and motorcyclists. Their landmark Bronx leather jacket was one of the first products aimed at the post-war teenage fashion market, and was adopted by the Ton-up boys and Rockers of the 1960s, becoming closely associated with the 59 Club.
The Bronx was launched in May 1956, as an update of the 1930s flying jacket. The Bronx was to become the Britsh equivalent to the iconic Schott Perfecto jacket made famous by Brando in “The Wild Ones”. In the cafe racer explosion of the time many young riders were influenced by the riding style of their racing heroes, which was crouched right over the tank, arms forward holding onto clip-on handle bars. In order to wear an American style jacket, various modifications needed to be made such as expansion pleats down each side of the back and the buckle had to be covered in leather, as the brass buckles found on most American styles would have scratched the tank. The Bronx became the jacket of choice for the rocker generation and is still in production nearly sixty years later.
Made from heavy quality leather it has a scarlet lining and a double breasted asymmetric zip up front. It is a slim fit with an adjustable built-in half belt with a leather covered buckle. The Bronx can be bought off the hanger in the Lewis Leathers shop or online, or can be custom ordered in black, brown, navy, blue, turquoise, green, red, or white, and with stripes and/or contrasting arms. They can also be bespoked sized to a customer’s exact specification.
The Bronx is a tough, iconic jacket that will last a lifetime if looked after. Good vintage examples of the Bronx sell for more than a new one. The Bronx is a true classic.
BELL MCQUEEN 1964 ISDT HELMET
This classic design, which was created by the famous pin-striper Von Dutch, was commissioned by McQueen for the entire American Vase team that competed in the 1964 ISDT in East Germany.
McQueen was a world class rider and warranted his place on the team, even though he eventually crashed out and failed to complete the event. It was no disgrace, as Bud Elkins did likewise.
When McQueen gained his place on the team, he took on the responsibility of presenting the team to the world. He got smart suits for all the participants, and had Von Dutch design their helmets.
It has become one of the most iconic helmet designs in motorcycling.
Bell also supply the helmet in Gulf Racing colours, which never featured on any of McQueen’s motorcycle helmets. It is, however, a highly evocative colour combination that will forever be associated with McQueen when he played the driver Michael Delaney in the classic racing movie Le Mans. They offer the helmet with the number from McQueen’s Porsche, the number 20. Or, for no extra cost, you can specify any other one or two digit racing number.
With no less than four different shell sizes, this is a helmet that will always sit close to the head and look totally right. Twin shell system made of composite fibre internal shell for energy absorption and a resin outer shell for resistance. It has a genuine leather interior and quality Italian fabric. It features quick release fastening system and has a removable peak included. It comes with helmet bag.
This helmet passes standard ECE 22.05 for motorcycle helmet use in the EU. It is J graded, as it has passed the ECE 22.05 standard as an open face helmet.
IRON HEART IHSH-72 HEAVY BUFFALO CHECK WESTERN SHIRT
Autumn is upon us and a t-shirt underneath a leather jacket is not enough. A flannel shirt is ideal, but it better not be one of those cheap flimsy sweat shop numbers if you have any hope of keeping warm.
Iron Heart, in their normal tradition of obsessive over-engineering, have produced a red and black ultra heavyweight buffalo check flannel. It’s fastened with lack Iron Heart logo’d Permex snaps with a button at collar. The fabric single brushed on face, and double brushed on reverse and is one-washed, so there’s minimal if any shrinkage.
iron Heart is born out of the collaboration of Shinichi Haraki and Giles Padmore, with the mission to create high quality, limited run, ethically manufactured, durable clothing with an emphasis on biker-centric designs. Iron Heart garments are in the main made from heavyweight fabrics, designed to be durable, and to some extent protective for bikers. Iron Heart clothing is classic in materials and styling.
Iron Heart state “This is not reproduction clothing; rather the study of classic denim and workwear styles and constructing them for today’s lifestyle. No attention is paid to fashion trends.”
The mills and workshops used are mostly small and family-run, whose deep pride in their products matches that of Giles and Shinichi.
This shirt comes at a premium, but you buy in the knowledge that you won’t find a better flannel anywhere.
BILTWELL PRIME CUT VEST – BLACK
Those fine fellows at Biltwell confidently assert “You can search haberdasheries and mega malls from Buffalo to Bass Lake and you won’t find more features, higher-quality construction, a better fit or more enduring style than our Prime Cut vest.”
Whether you want to wear this under your Lewis Bronx or over your Iron Heart flannel, this is the business. A no-nonsense vest this comes in bullshit resistant, black on black.
The vest is hand sewn and pattern graded in Los Angeles, CA, USA. It’s double-stitched at all stress points and critical seams with denim-lined slash pockets with internal snap enclosure on sides. It features denim-lined patch pockets with button flaps on chest.
It’s constructed in Heavy 13.5 oz. denim construction with rugged 100% cotton poplin lining. It has a plated brass grommet inside left breast pocket for ear bud wire and a button cinch adjusters on the waist. It’s fastened with antique nickel buttons with subtle Biltwell branding in key locations. It’s machine or hand wash in cold water, air dry.
Bitlwell are a brand that grew out of the new wave custom scene, and are bike builders and riders to the man. I met main man Otto at the Brooklyn Invitational last weekend, and he’s the real deal.
LOWBROW CUSTOMS PREMIUM THERMAL HOODED SWEATSHIRT
I also met another top bloke called Tyler Malinky at the Brooklyn Invitational, and stared in awe at his two engined Triumph sprinter on display. Here is a bike builder who wears his heart in his ink, literally: ”I figured I could tattoo my hands and that would ensure I do something on my own and not be complacent—no one else would hire me.” He set up Lowbrow Customs in Hinkley, Ohio, with partners Kyle and Katie. They builds amazing bikes and some pretty cool apparel too. They also tool and sell some slick trick bits for aspiring builders and pros alike.
These premium thermal hooded sweatshirts feature a 6 oz. 100% cotton thermal exterior bonded to a 5.5 oz. polyester sherpa bonded interior for an 11.5 oz. total weight. The fit on these sweatshirts is great, with 1×1 ribbing on the extra long cuffs, heavy gauge flat drawcord, and #5 nickel kissing zipper. Discharge front and back imprint for that vintage look and feel. This is a perfect winter hoodie whether you loitering around the workshop considering spinning a spanner, or layering up for a brisk cold weather blast!
via The Bike Shed
Biker Chic with Miranda Kerr
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