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