lundi 5 octobre 2015
Distinguished Gentlemans Ride London 2015
1223 registered riders decended on the capital to take part in what is now a must-do event in the motorcycling calendar. The London ride raised a whopping £89,831 and counting, narrowly pipped to the 'winners' post by Sydney's ride, out of the 410 cities taking part across 79 countries
Distinguished Gentlemans Ride London 2015 from Dominic Hinde on Vimeo.
SuperMoto : la France remporte le SuperMoto des Nations / SuperMoto des Nations victory for France
Une semaine après avoir remporté le MotoCross des Nations, la France (A. Chareyre/T.Chareyre/S. Bidart) récidive en remportant la dixième édition du SuperMoto des Nations à Jesolo en Italie.
Adrien Chareyre (Aprilia – Michelin), Thomas Chareyre (TM – Michelin) et Sylvain Bidart (Honda – Michelin) ont offert un nouveau trophée à la France en remportant le SuperMoto des Nations devant l’Italie.
Adrien Chareyre a remporté la première course devant Ivan Lazzarini (Italie – Honda) et Asseri Kingelin (Finlande – TM). Son frère, Thomas Chareyre, récemment champion du monde de la discipline, a terminé cinquième.
Très en forme, Adrien Chareyre a récidivé lors de la deuxième manche en signant une deuxième victoire consécutive devant les Italiens, Andrea Occhini (Honda – Michelin) et Christian Ravaglia (Honda- Michelin). Sylvain Bidart s’est classé cinquième.
Inspiré par son frère, Thomas Chareyre s’est imposé lors de la troisième et dernière course. Il a devancé Lukas Hollbacher (Autriche – Husqvarna – Michelin) et Ivan Lazzarini. Sylvain Bidart a fini cinquième.
En remportant les trois courses, la France s’impose devant l’Italie et la République Tchèque.
France followed up its recent success in the MotoCross des Nations with victory in the SuperMoto des Nations which was held in Jesolo, Italy.
Adrien Chareyre (Aprilia-Michelin), Thomas Chareyre (TM-Michelin) and Sylvain Bidart (Honda-Michelin) teamed up to win the SuperMoto des Nations for France, ahead of Italy.
Adrien Chareyre won the opening race, chased by Ivan Lazzarini (Italiy, Honda) and Asseri Kingelin (Finland, TM). His brother, the recently crowned world champion Thomas Chareyre, was fifth.
The on-form Adrien Chareyre was back in front in Race 2 which saw him ward off Italians Andrea Occhini (Honda-Michelin) and Christian Ravaglia (Honda- Michelin). This time, Sylvain Bidart was fifth.
Thomas Chareyre followed his brother’s example by claiming the third and last race after finishing clear of Lukas Hollbacher (Austria, Husqvarna-Michelin) and Ivan Lazzarini. Bidart ended up fifth again.
These three victories put France at the top of the final order, followed by Italy and the Czech Republic.
Amazing Expedition Overland vehicle builds.
’78 LAVERDA 500: THE LEGEND IS BACK!
Who knows if some of his work that makes me always curious to write an article “about what has been built”. And finally, when one day he’s decided to stop running on the board along with a big name “Radical Ducati“. Previously, it has made disturb in my mind, Is it true or not? He will end up the business just like that? However, it seems not. The passion to build a custom motorcycle was still there.
This is the new transformation, and of course he certainly know it. He must have a new nickname, the name that certainly should remind everyone of him “after his return from a wandering”. Your name is “Pepo”, Everyone knows that. And now, a name has been created “XTR Pepo”. And I have to say “The Legend is Back!”.
This is the new transformation, and of course he certainly know it. He must have a new nickname, the name that certainly should remind everyone of him “after his return from a wandering”. Your name is “Pepo”, Everyone knows that. And now, a name has been created “XTR Pepo”. And I have to say “The Legend is Back!”.
Previous story “It’s about Radical Ducati” has brought him more than what he expected. And what about the new name? Will it be as successful? After talking with some who keep up to date “also build custom motorcycle”. The name of the company is not going to determine your success, but who is behind of custom motorcycle. The name is a second thing, the important thing is creativity, the builder should have a characteristic, and the arts.
Everyone already knows that, Pepo Rosell known as extreme bike constructor from Madrid, Spain. So, Pepo should be proud for several reasons above. Because he still had the passion for bikes until now, he worked alone helped by a mate, and continue to create something. Some people might agree if I say “he built a timeless machine”. And this is a bike that he had, a 1978 Laverda 500 Alpino. He wanted to make a Radical Laverda.
On this project, Pepo said “The project is built to make a tribute to the Laverda Montjuic and the endurance races bikes of the early eighties”. If you want to know, when I checked in one of the leading auction site, here. The price of Montjuic is quite fantastic, for a bikes a year younger than Alpino. What price achieved? Sold for £ 12.650.
Laverda Alpino is a middleweight twins. Most Laverda twin enthusiasts dismiss the Alpino for being bland and short on performance and tend to recommend its rip-snorting sibling, the Montjuic. Yet the original 500 twin has its followers. Laverda’s middleweight twin was launched in 1977. The ground-breaking DOHC 497cc air-cooled parallel twin was the first Italian production motorcycle of its type to utilise four-valve heads, with the spark plugs located centrally (great for combustion: less wonderful for routine maintenance).
Laverda launched a smaller 500 cc twin cylinder eight-valve entry-level machine named the Alpina in 1977 (quickly renamed Alpino due to trademark infringement and Zeta in the USA). It came with a six-speed gearbox and balance shaft. A 350 cc version of the Alpino was also available from November 1977 – primarily designed for the home Italian market where a high tax was payable for machines over 350 cc.
This was followed by the improved Alpino S and Formula 500 racer in 1978, to support a single model race series. Its import into the UK led Roger Slater to develop the Montjuic in 1979 which was a road legal F500 with lights, sidestand & instruments. It evolved into the MK2 in 1981. EEC noise restrictions saw its demise by 1983. Tellingly, Massimo Laverda said that each Alpino sold lost the factory money.
The Alpino was also the first non-Japanese production model to use a six-speed gearbox, and its spec also included a wet multiplate clutch (typically heavy in use), two 32mm Dell’Orto carbs, 8.6:1 pistons, electronic ignition (which caused problems as you’ll see), Bosch 12V 150W alternator (let down by the compact battery which tended to flatten quickly).
The 72mm by 61mm engine featured Laverda’s typical 180-degree crank arrangement, with the motor tilted forward by 20-degrees in the frame to give that pleasing ‘urgent’ aspect to its appearance. An immensely rigid welded loop steel frame with duplex engine cradle, stiff Marzocchi suspension front and back (35mm forks and 5-way adjustable twin shocks), and three dual-piston 260mm Brembo discs all round.
This Alpino was light, dry weight was just 155kg, stable, has modern suspensions and wheel messures, has race brakes. This bike is ready for the race in a circuit or cool enough for everyday use, nimble and blessed with a willing, free-revving engine. It steered and stopped superbly but offered little more ultimate performance than a Honda 400 twin – yet the Laverda was as expensive as most litre-class fours.
When asked: why choose a ’78 Laverda 500 Alpino? Pepo says “Everyone has a point of boredom. I want to make a different bike from the usuals: Ducati, BMW, Triumph and universal four-cylinder engines”. So, this is a truly transformation, change habits, to create something new, and let’s see the response from those who saw it, readers who read this article, other builders, also custom motorcycle enthusiast.
via otomotif.org by
Two significant collections consigned to Bonhams’ Bond Street sale
Two important private collections have been consigned to Bonhams’ sale on 6 December: the Healey-dominated gathering assembled by Arthur Carter, and the rather more eclectic cars of Gordon Willey…
Heavenly Healeys
First, the Carter collection: it consists of three British sports cars, two of which are among the most significant Healeys ever produced. The 1953 Austin-Healey 100 Coupé – well-known by its registration number ‘ONX 113’ – was kept by Donald Healey for 10 years, during which time he ordered competition 100S mechanicals to be fitted. There’s also the 1959 Works Rally 3000 ‘SMO 746’, which was campaigned by the factory in period by the likes of Jack Sears and Pat Moss – the sister of Sir Stirling. The third Carter car to be offered is a Connaught A-Type Racing single-seater.
Willey’s wonders
Willey’s collection also has a British bias. Of the 12 cars he’s consigned to Bonhams, five will be sold at the 6 December Bond Street sale – including a Frazer Nash-BMW 328 Roadster, an Aston Martin DB5 and Frazer Nash Le Mans Coupé – with the remainder being offered at the Hendon RAF Museum on 10 December.
Photos: Bonhams
Yamaha XS650 – Kick Moto
There are a lot of memes floating around the internet about Mum’s basements and not a single one of them kind. Often the domain of keyboard warriors and 40-year-old virgins, finally we’ve made a basement discovery from those dark depths that’s worth paying attention to. The fine lads from KickMoto in Halifax, Nova Scotia had a customer who was after a clean Yamaha XS650. As fate would have it, a friend of the workshop just so happened to have a stash of XS650’s stored in his mother’s downstairs you-know-what.
Turns out the pick of the litter was this 1981 Yamaha XS650 which had previously been modified in a less than satisfactory manner and left to sit for many a year. Never ones to do things by halves, the KickMoto guys pulled the Yamaha down until they had a clean surface; only a blank canvas will do when you want to create a masterpiece. The frame has been smoothed, de-tabbed and a new rear hoop has been neatly welded in to support the new seat and drastically clean up the rear end. Rather than simply paint the frame black it has been finished in a mid-grey that not only gives a very clean finish but forms part of the overall paint scheme rather than being relegated to the background.
The largest splash of paint is saved for the dead straight XS650 tank which is finished in a solid blue that is complimented by KickMoto decals in white. A perfect condition gas cap for the popular Yamaha is not easy to find, the knock offs just aren’t as good, but this bikes minter means there is no second best here. The front and rear fenders are minimalist in their approach and finished in matte black do their intended job without interfering in the clean lines KickMoto are known for. One of their great prides in this build is the seat and you can see why; even with the owner wanting to ride two-up there is no compromise on style here in the leather work, but quality craftsmanship also results in a comfy ride.
To get the desired stance the front forks, which are finished in the same grey as the frame, have been lowered and gators fitted for that classic look. The rear suspension is the ever popular Hagon shocks, the XS getting a pair in black with chrome progressive rate springs. This particular XS650 might be a child of the eighties but it has a distinctive seventies feel thanks to the spoked rims that were adapted to fit, donated by a 1972 XS2.
Tyre choice tells you a lot about both the intended purpose and the desired style of a build and there is a little nod to British Scramblers with the fitment of multi-purpose adventure rubber in the form of Shinko’s Trail Masters. Brakes might be factory spec but they suit the role and look a million dollars thanks to a lick of paint, a new brake line and a silky smooth rear hub.
The heart of the beast is Yamaha’s own tip of the cap to the British in the form of the XS650’s much loved parallel twin that even shares styling with its sixties cousins. Visually this is one of the nicest 654cc Yamaha motors you’re ever likely to see, the cases, barrels and covers are in remarkable condition and look first class finished in black. Hex head bolts, polished carby tops, and pod filters make it look like it’s just rolled off the production line and this attention to those little details is evident in all KickMoto builds. The exhaust is a stunning piece of work, fabricated in-house it utilises a dual system made from 1.75inch tubing and the billet style tips were machined on the KickMoto lathe.
With such a good-looking lump powering the build the guys decided to clean things up further by ditching the airbox and removing the electric start and wiring the bike to be kick-start only. The resulting negative space below the seat is further enhanced with the small lithium battery and ignition brilliantly hidden in a screened off boxed mounted just above the swingarm.
The turn signals at the front are bar mounted clear LEDs while the rear utilises an LED strip for all light requirements. A nice set of clip-ons, new levers, minimalist switches, a single speedo and a Bates style 5-3/4 inch headlight maintain the ultra-clean look. The footpegs and foot controls are another KickMoto creation, once again machined on the lathe and even the passengers feet rest in style.
Fads come and go, but the way KickMoto build their custom bikes means their creations will always stand the test of time. Built to meticulous standards, never cutting corners and a design ethos that delivers an ultra-clean finished product this Yamaha has come a long way from a Mum’s basement to now allow a Distinguished Gentleman to ride with his fine lady holding him close.
[Photography by Brendan Clinton and Younes Bounhar] via Pipeburn
PRIDE MOTOR CG125
Living in London, arguably one of the centres of the current custom scene, one becomes blasé about seeing great bikes all day, everyday. Whilst twidling one’s moustache over a lama’s milk frapalatte there is almost a constant stream of eye candy blasting by. This isn’t the same everywhere and according Oğulcan Özen from Istanbul, Turkey there is a distinct lack of workshops offering what he and his friends crave. The 23 year old Industrial Design student has decided to fill the void with his hobby business, Pride Motor.
This isn’t Oğulcan’s first build, that was a tidy Yamaha Virago 535 he put together as a city commuter, with the help of his painter mates. The bike garnered so much attention that he decided to don a commercial hat and try his hand at modifying the practical and well known CG, adding a dash of class to see if the process could pay for itself.
A local farmer was pottering around his land and surrounding lanes on this 2004 model but was persuaded to hand it over for a sensible price. To ensure the new owner enjoyed the reliability synonymous with these simple singles Oğulcan stripped the donor right back to basics.
Mechanically the CG was in good order requiring the renewal of the main service items, leaving plenty of budget for the cosmetics. Obviously the subframe was the first part to become familiar with the grinder and welder, in this case the subtle kinks rather than smooth loop adds a nice detail. He is a designer after all. The frame, wheels, fork legs etc were black powder coated and the engine painted to match.
Oğulcan’s better half is a graphic designer so she penned the Pride Motor logo, which looks great and reminds me slightly of the early MotoMeter typeface. His painting buddies worked their magic on the two-tone tank which from here looks proper and the logo colour will change with each build to compliment the overall scheme.
New shockers out back suspend the altered subframe, now with factory weld splatter smoothed out. Classic treads suggest a modicum of off-road capability without screaming knobblies. 
Wide tracker bars and a simple speedo are all that’s needed for a neat cockpit and the modern halogen headlamp will light up the country trails way better than Honda’s original.
Civilisation originated just down the road, apparently, socks though have yet to make an impact. Jibes aside it’s great to receive emails each week from all corners of the globe and to see young folk rolling up their sleeves, or trousers, and just having a go. We wish Pride Motor all the best and hope to see them build up features in our archives before too long.
via The Bike Shed
Ever dreamt of having Gisele Bündchen on your coffee table?
As one of the most in-demand supermodels in the world, we fear Gisele Bündchen might be a little busy at the moment. In the meantime, this new book documenting the Brazilian sensation by means of more than 300 intimate photographs should more than suffice…
Described as ‘Brazil’s most famous export alongside Pelé and Senna’ (though that’s definitely where the similarities end), Bündchen burst into the modeling spotlight back in 1998, aged just 18 years old. Since then, she’s become the most successful (and highest-earning) supermodel in the world, having featured on over 1,000 magazine covers and starred in some 450 fashion shows globally. Limited to 1,000 numbered copies, this larger Collector’s Edition of the book was designed by Giovanni Bianco in collaboration with Gisele herself, and helps to explain how this small-town Brazilian girl made her name as one of the greatest models of all time.
Photo: Taschen
You can find more information about the book here.
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