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    vendredi 5 décembre 2014

    DUCATI 900SS BY OLD EMPIRE MOTORCYCLES


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    The Ducati 900SS is a motorcycle that’s rapidly becoming a bit of a modern classic, custom bike builders have been discovering the raw mechanical beauty that lies just beneath the original fairings but no one has quite showcased the 900SS as well as Old Empire Motorcycles with the example you see pictured here.
    The bike started life as a 1995 900SS with its iconic Pantah-based 904cc air-cooled L-twin, each cylinder is fed by two Desmodue valves and the crankcase was a modified version of the one used on the Ducati 851. This engine has long been a favourite amongst the Ducatista and from a purely aesthetic standpoint it looks like it belongs in a modern art museum in between a Series I E-Type Jaguar and a Riva.
    Ducati had introduced the 900SS in 1989 and although it was beautiful and highly capable, it frequently suffered from cracked swing-arms – so in 1991 Ducati introduced an upgraded model with a chrome-molybdenum steel trellis frame and bearings rather than bushings where the previously problematic swing-arm attached to the frame.
    This new version was a revelation, it offered impressive reliability with tire melting performance and looks that would go on to influence motorcycle designers around the world. By the late ’90s the Ducati Monster had begun to steal some of the limelight from the 900SS due to its lower cost and more beginner-friendly handling, by 1998 a redesigned version was released with somewhat controversial styling – this has led to the popularity now seen around the 900SS from the model years 1991 to 1998.
    Ducati 900SS 231 1480x986 Ducati 900SS by Old Empire Motorcycles
    As you can clearly tell, the Ducati you see here has undergone an intensive custom rebuild and many parts from the original bike are now in the parts bin. Looking at the design closely it gives an impression of what Ducati would have built if they were competing with Indian, Harley-Davidson and Cyclone on the board track circuits of the United States throughout the 1910s and 1920s.
    Any regular visitor to Silodrome will be well aware that we have a significant soft spot for anything board track related and I have vague memories of writing an article a few years ago demanding that the frequently lethal sport be brought back with immediate effect. I’m reasonably sure I even offered to bring my own hammer to help build the wooden tracks.
    With this in mind you can imagine how interested we were to receive a folder of images from the team at Old Empire Motorcycles containing the Ducati pictured here. The build project took them almost 2 years and unlike the other customs they build, this one wasn’t built for a client. It was a personal project for the team and the freedom afforded them by not having to keep a client happy allowed them to throw out the rule book and fire up the acetylene torch.
    Perhaps the most immediately eye-catching element on the build is that Girder fork front end and brass headlight, when combined with the 21″ front wheel and quad leading shoe drum brake you’d never know that the bike was less than 20 years old. A single leading shoe drum is installed inside the 21″ rear wheel and the swing-arm has been entirely removed in favour of a solid rear – far more fitting on a motorcycle designed to race on a circuit made of two-by-fours.
    The copper tubing and braided wiring around the engine are tasteful touches, as is the extensive use of brass and leather. The fuel tank is a hand-fabricated twin-tank with copper plugs and the seat is a similarly handmade unit – the guys at Old Empire tell me that the seat is perfect for blasting around British B-roads but is probably not entirely suitable for long distance motorcycle touring.
    If you’d like to read more about this Ducati or see some of the other custom motorcycles to roll out of the Old Empire garage you can click here to visit their official website.
    Ducati 900SS 22 1480x2220 Ducati 900SS by Old Empire Motorcycles
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    Ducati 900SS 20 1480x986 Ducati 900SS by Old Empire Motorcycles
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    Ducati 900SS 131 1480x986 Ducati 900SS by Old Empire Motorcycles
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    Ducati 900SS 11 1480x986 Ducati 900SS by Old Empire Motorcycles
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    Ducati 900SS 1 1480x2220 Ducati 900SS by Old Empire Motorcycles
    Photography by Onno Wieringa.
    via SILODROME

    deBolex London


    DEBOLEX MK5


    deBolex Mk5 1
    There’s one thing that unites builders, bakers and candlestick makers; the ability to stand back and say “I did that”. Even as an unvocalised thought, it holds the power to strive for more, for better, for improvement. And one thing that unites humans is the natural desire to be liked or acknowledged. Calum from deBolex Engineering is one of those happy blokes who does what he loves, does it well and people like him. Not only that, they like his bikes. So much so that there’s a virtual queue forming outside his countryside shed. One man in line was Ricardo, a record producer living in Ibiza. (No this isn’t some fairytale) Ricardo wanted to blast around in Balearic music industry style and a deBolex bike exactly fitted the bill.
    deBolex Mk5 2One of Calum’s previous builds, the MK3, had Ricardo reaching for the chequebook and a Honda CB750f2n was sourced. With all the visual bulk up-front on these CBs it pays to graft in a set of fatter upside-down forks. The deBolex tried and tested R1 fork upgrade allows the mention of the original Honda front wheel. Twin discs keep the look balanced and keep Ricardo from flying off a cliff somewhere.
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    The top yoke has been machined to accept the Motogadget speedo, clean and efficient; got to love German engineers. The Brits get a look in too, Renthal clipons give a good degree of adjustability and are really nicely made. Keeping things multicultural, Brembo levers pump fluid form billet reservoirs.
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    The fuel tank is from a CB650 which was encouraged to fit with a few mods, good behaviour was rewarded with a sumptuous paint job. In a break from the deBolex black the front half of the tank is metal-effect silver with multiple coats of lacquer over this and the deep cherry red metalic. Just under the tank is a meshed battery box containing slimmed down wiring and lightweight Shorai Li-Ion battery.
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    The now ubiquitous chop ‘n’ loop has a slight twist here, a pair of LED tail light housings are neatly grafted into the subframe. The holes you can see aren’t an oversight, deBolex don’t do oversight. Ricardo wanted to be able to whisk bikini-clad crumpet around the White Isle so a removable pillion seat cover was fabricated. A subtle cafe style tail, with practicality and simple installation. It took a few attempts to achieve a “duck’s beak look” whilst hugging but not touching the leather.
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    The colour scheme continues with a vibrant, diamond stitched medium grain leather seat, complete with a slight hump which looks better than a flat plank, brat-style wafer. The frame in silver powder coat sets of the red and the flakes in the red, as well as the aluminium castings on the rear shocks. If you know Calum you’ll know the colour match was no coincidence.
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    The Öhlins shockers don’t disappoint in performance or looks and the trademark anodised gold is picked-up on the brake caliber piston caps and fork adjusters. Attention to detail, we like that.
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    Dunlop Mutants are fast becoming a go-to tyre for builders wanting a very slight whiff off flat-trackery whilst keeping their customers in once piece, and more importantly in the queue for another build. So, ever the gentleman, and businessman, Calum fitted a pair. Tarozzi  rear sets and pillion pegs are softly knurled to prevent wear to Ricardo’s dancing shoes.
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    Rebuilt carbs running handmade mesh filters, which match the battery box, fuel a standard engine but a far from standard exhaust. When asked to specify this component Ricardo simply said “short and loud”, so a nearly baffle-less 4-into-1 stainless system gives road users the heads-up “the sound, Wow! It BARKS, like a furious dog, haha, really noisy, but i love it!! There are some tunnels in the highway here, I cannot get tired of going there…” Mission accomplished!
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    After a few late nights the shipping deadline was looming, but good planning left enough time for a good road test. Calum left his shed near Croydon and went for a ride, with now real plan, just to put some miles on the clock. Sometime later he pulled up at CRC Motorcycles in Wembley. I know this because I had to down tools when I heard something loud and lairy roaring through the industrial estate. On a fine sunny autumn day the paintwork looked excellent and worthy change from the usual black.
    The rest of the bike warranted positive comment from myself, CRC bossman Will and his crew; a really decent build, built for riding. Calum left us, still with no plan, and rode into the afternoon, through the night and into the early hours knowing he’d soon have to say goodbye to his endeavours.
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    But not just yet, a few hours later the DGR London kicked off from Borough Market under a scorching sun and the deBolex MK5 behaved in a gentlemanly manner through the throng of some 800 slow moving custom bikes. Riding alongside I was lucky enough to cop an earful of that exhaust going through the Blackfriars Underpass, Ricardo is right, a furious dog indeed.
    Whilst Ricardo and his Honda enjoy paradise together Calum is back in his shed working on the build queue, and another exciting venture…more to follow soon. Keep an eye on the deBolex website and their Facebook page, or check out the latest video here.
    via The Bike Shed

    BSMC GEAR GUIDE #36


    BSMC Gear Guide #36
    As the temperature plummets and the heavens open, this week’s Gear Guide features plenty of stuff to keep you warm, dry, and protected on your bike, with all your lovely stuff nice and safe. Oh, and a great sweatshirt to wind up your R1 riding leather onesy sporting mates.
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    PRODUCT REVIEW – RED CLOUD COLLECTIVE WAXED CANVAS FITTED WORK PANT
    Finally I’ve managed to get my hands on a pair of trousers for the bike that are rain resistant and warm but don’t look like snow boarding pants or plastic bin liners.
    These slim fit work pants are designed for durability and water resistance, built from hardy 10.10 oz waxed canvas. They have triple stitched reinforced seams, are double layered on the front of the legs, and riveted on the stress points. They’re fastened with a brass YKK zipper.
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    They’re made to fit and feel good with pockets in all the right places for spanners, screw drivers, pencils, pocket knives, phones, lighters, and everything else you may carry around with you. I would, however, recommend removing them from your pockets before you get on your bike as landing on a screw driver handle can give you more than a dead leg, I know that from bitter experience.
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    They will protect you through rain, wind and cold weather. I‘ve had mine a few weeks now, and have been caught in the rain a couple of times and they’ve kept me warm and dry. They’re useful when working on the bike as you can stash half your tool kit in them, and they’re oil resistant. They look good, so you can wear them at work and the pub. They’re not lined, but are warmer than a pair of jeans, and with some Kevlar long-Johns underneath, these are a pretty complete pair of trousers for the bike.
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    The more I wear them, the better they look. A little stiff out of the packet, they losen up quickly, and give good crease lines. These are wipe or brush clean.
    Allow two to four weeks for delivery, as each pair is made to order. They’re available in four colours: olive, black, havana, and brush brown.
    RED-CLOUD-COLLECTIVE-WAXED-CANVAS-FITTED-WORK-PANT-3
    They’re handcrafted in Portland, Oregon USA by the Red Cloud Collective, a bunch of friends who believe in creating products with an honest approach and practical design.
    All functions and fabrics are considered in creating a lasting life for our products. We are designing for the people who want quality exceeding the standards and needs of yesterday, today, and tomorrow. As a collective of makers and adventurers, each piece is an extension of our lives.
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    PRODUCT REVIEW – ALLY CAPELLINO KELVIN WAXED CANVAS RUCKSACK
    Usually when fashion brands collide with bike culture they end up creating pale pastiches of a Prius driver’s idea of what a biker once wore in the late sixties/early seventies. Stuff that doesn’t keep you warm, dry, or safe, and that resides somewhere between the weird and the useless.
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    Ally Capellino are a high fashion brand that primarily produce bags. They have a reputation for high quality workmanship, utilizing premium fabrics and (by high fashion standards) reasonable prices.
    They have, in the Kelvin, produced in my mind the nearest thing to a perfect backpack for use on the bike. It is a contemporary take on a classic canvas rucksack with a squared flap, front pocket, zip secured side pocket for quick access to your wallet and adjustable padded straps. It’s big enough to get what you need in there, even for a short touring trip. It’s 37cm long, 49cm high, and 17cm thick.
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    What’s refreshing about this pack is its pared down simplicity. It has only the most basic functional detailing. It is constructed from tough, thick waxed canvas that is water proof. It has concealed press stud fasteners that keep out the wet, and it is closed tight with tough draw strings and thick bridle straps that can be operated with gloves on.
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    The Kelvin is unlined, which is perfect. You can stash you tools in there without fear of tearing a delicate fabric lining. Because the wax canvas is so tough, you need not fear for damp penetrating your laptop or other electric bits.
    The easily adjustable straps are thick and padded, so you can carry some weight on your back without severing your arms.
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    It comes in grey and black, and it sponge clean.
    This is a terrific bag that works for its money. It’s as tough as it comes, and also looks great – off the bike, into work, no problem. And no flappy straps to slap you in the face as your tear down Camden Road.
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    MAPLE 1976 KEVLAR LINED JEANS
    Bikers are a funny bunch, often spending thousands of pounds on carbon and magnesium bits for their bikes to save a few ounces of weight (as opposed to saving weight and money by buying a few less burgers and pints of ale and occasionally going to the gym), and then moaning about the outrage of spending more than five quid on a jacket.
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    Dave Fairbairn of Maple Jeans has been making premium quality Kevlar lined selvedge jeans for a few years now, and I can personally vouch for them both in terms of quality of build and choice of denim. As a denim geek and someone who values the skin on my legs I have no problem spending proper money on decent protective jeans. My Maple jeans are over a year old and bedding in just nicely and just get better with wear.
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    However, for some riders a pair of Maples are that bit too pricey, and that’s fair enough. In response Dave has found a way, primarily by producing in the UK and selling directly to the customer at wholesale prices, to introduce a range of denim that’s at a lower price point.
    He has designed four new styles of Kevlar lined jeans for £178 (instead of £300) and four styles of unlined jeans for £98 (instead of £200), without compromising on build quality and safety.
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    The slim fit 1976 are a low to medium ride fit comparable to Levi 511s, and are fully lined in Kevlar with pockets for removable Forcefield Knee and hip Armour.
    They’re fastened with a custom made ultra durable donut buttons, and secured at stress points with hand hammered custom rivets. They have deep cotton lined pockets, an exposed selvedge seam and chain stitched hems. They feature and exposed selvedge ticket pocket, have an exposed selvedge wrench pocket on the butt, and are finished with hand pressed “Proudly Made In Britain” leather patch and maple leaf embroidery. These are a quality pair of jeans which offer a good level of protection in case of an off. They’re also warm.
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    Maple are launching their new range via Kickstarter, offering great deals if you jump early.
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    TRAUMA TEASE APPAREL X PAT SCANLON COLLABORATION Ts
    Tracie Thomas has led an exciting and diverse life. She is well known as a singer and guitarist in the punk rock band, Anti-Scrunti Faction (A.S.F.) which was founded in Boulder, Colorado and then relocated to San Francisco, CA. Fans all over the world recognized her at this time period from her kick ass pink and black mohawk.
    She later moved to New York City and joined the band Special Head. While living in NYC, she worked at a Brit motorcycle shop called Sixth Street Specials, and for the famous Indian Larry. During her time in NYC, she started designing and selling t-shirts that appealed to people in the music and bike scene.
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    Although Tracie moved out of New City many years ago, a part of her stayed behind. She is still featured in a billboard above Sidewalk Cafe riding a Triumph. After numerous requests to bring her best selling t-shirts back, Tracie decided to re-launch Trauma Tease Apparel and allow new and old fans to wear her bad ass designs!
    Pat Redding Scanlon has executed iconic T-shirt images over the ages for Trauma Tease and Indian Larry. Her background is in comics and animation.
    Check out these cool Ts at www.traumatease.com
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    GENTLEMAN’S FACTORY SWEAT
    Gentlemen’s Factory is a French brand of apparel and original accessories, created by three Gallic geezers with a passion for vintage and custom motorcycles. The sweatshirt statement ” Fuck the plastic, get the classic ” hints at their attitude to modern sports bikes.
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    The sweatshirt is made from organic cotton and conforms to all the criteria of environmental protection, particularly with the absence of toxic chemical substances. All their products are “Organic certified” and “Oeko-Tex”.
    This sweatshirt and other products are for sale on gentlemens-factory.com
    via The Bike Shed