ACE CAFE RADIO

    mercredi 5 juin 2013

    BMW R65 - Hook Motors & Totti Motori


    Written by Ian Lee.
    Solid. If I was going to use one word to describe the BMW R series bikes built in the 80’s, that is the word I would use. From all angles you can see it’s packing some bulk, even from the rear, with it’s horizontal heads sticking out wide. As today’s feature bike from Hook Motors shows, they also make a solid base for a scrambler type build, it’s aesthetic giving the idea that if you can’t find a way around, you could just wind on the throttle and punch your way through. Fat offroad tyres, exhaust & handlebars all give the effect of something you could take to the trails on a Sunday, and be able to ride it home afterwards with little issue. Or in the words of Hook Motors "Designed for hill or dirt roads alike, this special motorcycle feels light and manageable. This bike is meant to be ridden hard". Amen to that.
    In their latest collaboration with Totti Motori, the midsize Beemer bike has been put through the wringer, with few components coming through untouched. To give the Teutonic powerplant some boost, the engine has been rebuilt, with ‘more punch than the original offering’. A scrambler style exhaust has been fashioned up, exclusively for this bike, with mucho black pipewrap used, ending in two Thruxton style silencers. The original electrical has been replaced with a full custom harness to suit the aesthetic mods, and to neaten up the look of the build.
    As mentioned, the bike has been touched up majorly, but the thought put into the work involved is pretty impressive. The fuel tank has been split in half, broken up into two different compartments, one for fuel, the other side containing electrical componentry and the brake hydraulic arrangement. This was done to ‘allow Hook to have a very clean motorcycle’. The seat is a Roberto Totti special, perched above the custom rear frame. Both front and rear fenders have been specially made for this build, keeping with the BMW lines, while adding to the dirtbike character of the BMW.
    This bike is a unique take on a classic BMW, the scrambler styling meaning extra effort like running the custom exhaust, but you have to agree that it is worth it in the end. A mix of the original steadfast German styling, with unique build aspects, make for a bike that you can admire, yet ride like Hook & Roberto Totti intend it to be ridden. This can be seen in the choice to run the original BMW rims, but wrap them in Continental Enduro rubber. A solid base for a solid build, it shows what can happen when you think outside the box.
     from pipeburn

    Max Biaggi to test the Ducati GP13 at Mugello



















    from Twowheelsblog
    This upcoming Thursday and Friday, Ducati riders will be back on track at the Mugello circuit for a private test to prepare for the Catalunya GP in two weeks time.
    Besides the contracted riders and Michele Pirro who will be filling in for Pramac’s Ben Spies for the next few races, Italian website GPOne.com is reporting that Max Biaggi will also testing with the team and riding a Pramac Ducati thanks to Paolo Campinoti.
    The retired MotoGP rider and six-time world champion hasn’t been on prototype since the end of 2005 and has never rode on Bridgestone tires, but apparently his trip to Mugello on Sunday to watch friend Jorge Lorenzo ride to victory payed off in more ways than one.
    Biaggi has been itching to get back on a bike since he retired last year and became a Superbike commentator for Sportmediaset. The Roman Emperor was not only linked to a wildcard ride at Monza, but Ducati Alstare owner Francis Batta tried to get him become test rider for the 1199 Panigale, but that was apparently was shot down by the bigwigs in Ducati, to the dismay of the Belgium manager.
    Back in April of 2008, Ducati wanted Troy Bayliss Max Biaggi to test and give their feedback on the GP8 when Marco Melandri was having his problems with the 800cc machine, but both riders turned down the invitation wanting to concentrate on their own Superbike championship and then they had retired Sete Gibernau to test the machine - which prompted the Spaniard to make an ill-fated comeback the next year that lasted just six rounds (he skipped two because of collarbone injury) until his Grupo Francisco Hernando team decided to pull out.
    Biaggi’s Ducati test has gotten half of Italy salivating over the thought and the wish of his comeback, and you can expect several camera crews and photographers to immortalize the test for posterity, along with stop watches to see how the Black Corsair fares on lap times.

    un petit tour ?

    mardi 4 juin 2013

    Une Lamborghini Gallardo prend feu


    Une Lamborghini Gallardo prend feu
    Voilà un incident bien étrange : un Américain a eu la désagréable surprise de voir le moteur de saLamborghini Gallardo prendre feu... pendant qu'il effectuait le plein d'essence.

    Le fils du propriétaire de la Gallardo a envoyé un message au site jalopnik.com pour expliquer les circonstances de l'incident : de retour des 500 Miles d'Indianapolis, son père s'est arrêté dans une station service pour faire le plein et le moteur a soudain pris feu. Prenant la défense de son père, le garçon précise que le moteur était bien coupé. Heureusement, cette explosion n'a fait aucun blessé ni aucun dégât autre que la destruction de la voiture, mais la compagnie d'assurance va enquêter pour déterminer les causes de cette combustion spontanée.

    via .motorlegend