BSMC GEAR GUIDE #17

PRODUCT REVIEW – REV’IT! REDHOOK JACKET – BY THE BIKE SHED’S GARETH CHARLTON

The black leather jacket. A staple for every generation and style of rider, it is completely ubiquitous with our passion, and yet it can be remarkably difficult to find one you like. Too much branding, too plain, too modern, too old fashioned, the list goes on. But in the Rev it! Redhook, “designed to match the style and sensibility of vintage motorcycle enthusiasts” I have found a jacket with every detail I desire.

It is a simple thing, nothing fancy, just swathes of grainy, sweet smelling leather, blocked into classic panelling with robust stitching. The shoulders and sleeves received the majority of the designers attention with some period race inspired padding, beyond that a small slanted chest pocket and outline stitching on the waist pockets are the extent of the design elements. Those traveling in your wake will see your brand allegiance through a small embossed logo on your lumber spine.

The Redhook comes in either black or brown Arizona cow hide, it features Knox removable elbow and shoulder armour with a pocket for an optional back protector. There is also a simply removable thermal body warmer making the Redhook a multiple season option.

The sleeves are a generous length and it has a fine tailored fit across the shoulders. On my tall body an extra inch or so length on the torso would be ideal but it sits well when on the bike with slightly extended lower back coverage.

My previous Rev It! experiences attest to sound build quality and everything suggests the Redhook will live up to these standards. Technically it is a fine jacket and if the design ticks your style boxes you will not be disappointed.

http://www.revit.eu/

LEWIS LEATHERS ROAD RACING BOOT NO. 177

The Road Racer Boot no.177 from Lewis Leathers are a short, close fitting leather racing boot with back ankle and leg straps with two expanding gussets at the back of the calf. The quilted front panel provides extra protection, and the soles are stitched moulded non-slip rubber.

Lewis Leathers are the oldest British motorcycle clothing company, founded in 1892 by David Isaacs. The company supplied early aviators, motorists and motorcyclists with protective clothing against the cold and damp British climate. In the mid-1950s, D. Lewis produced the Bronx leather jacket, a landmark garment and one of the first products aimed directly at the post-war teenage fashion market, which was widely adopted by the Ton-up Boys and Rockers of the 1960s and sponsoring leading TT racers of the day.

The Road Racer Boots No.177 are steeped in the racing tradition. They first appeared in 1977 are were a reworking of the then ten year old Racing Boots. They introduced the quilted front panel, which provided protection with flexibility, the construction was, and remains unique. The two expanding gussets at the calf provide extra ease for wider legs.

These are a great looking boot that have have a cafe racer retro feel, but still hold up to the rigours of contemporary biking. They come in black, or if you’re ballsy enough red or blue, in sizes UK 4 -13.

http://www.lewisleathers.com

BARSTOW LEGEND GOGGLES

“Let’s face it: vintage riding gear – boots, helmets, gloves, leather pants – was basic, uncomfortable and, overall… not very safe. Goggles? Same.”

So Barstow set out to produce a vintage style goggle with a contemporary build quality.

The Legend has a slightly more retro look than it’s cousin The Classic, with minimalist frame design and reduced branding. They blend the vintage with the urban and are built to a very high spec with triple layered foam and fleece padding, leather, suede and canvas straps and clear distortion free Dalloz lenses. The upper vents force air in and channel out moisture to reduce fogging.

Barstow have serious bike sport credentials, with names like Kim Boyle, Dimitre Coste, Keith Lynas and Scott Burnworth all sporting their eyewear.

The Legend are comfy and are easy on and off all day with gloves on. They work remarkably well both in the heat and the cold and can be worn both with full face (at a squeeze) and open face lids. They keep out the dust and the rain, and survive the odd skid across the dirt. They’re not expensive either.

Barstow certainly live up to their promise.

http://www.ridebarstow.com/

ANDOVER NORTON COMMANDO TOOL ROLL.

 

Now, as some of you close to the Bike Shed will know, I’ve been boring anyone who’s even remotely prepared to listen, (and a few who who weren’t) for months now with the exciting news of my incoming Norton Commando.

I’ll try not to send you to sleep with the tale of how the Commando was the first motorcycle I fell in love with as a seven year old, and how I would get bollocked to within an inch of my young life for drawing it’s sleek, then modern lines, whilst I was supposed to be solving equations.

What I will tell you though is that none of my metric tools work on her. I need AF and Whitworth if I’ve any hope of doing anything.

Premier marque specialists Andover Norton do a lovely tool roll for us old Brit virgins, one that’s in the spirit of the original unit provided with the Commando. Larger and more comprehensive, these UK sourced tools are professional workshop grade, and will find a use on any old Brits.

The kit includes the following:
Spanners:
3/16 x 1/4 Whitworth
5/16 x 3/8 AF
5/16 x 3/8 Whitworth
7/16 x 1/2 AF
9/16 x 5/8 AF
11/16 x 3/4 AF
Box spanner:
5/8 x 3/4 AF
7/8 x 15/16 AF
spark plug
Hex key 7/32″
Phillips/flat blade screwdriver
“C” spanner/valve adjuster
Guide tool – camshaft oil seal
2 Tire levers

Rolled in a seventies style vinyl, it’s rolled size is 3.5” diameter and 8 3/4” long. At just under £80 it’s a bargain, and will save you rooting around your Dad’s spider web coated, wood lice infested, rusty old tool chest to get to work on your soon to be pimped custom Commando.

http://www.andover-norton.co.uk

SEALSKINZ THICK MID LENGTH SOCKS

The never spoken about, but forgotten at your peril, key garment when astride your steed are socks. How many rides have been transformed from a joy to an ordeal because of cold or wet feet? Whether it’s commuting, touring, or blasting around the twisties like Agostini on angel dust, your feet need to be insulated, or sooner or later you’re going to be in trouble.

Sealskinz make a wind and waterproof sock that really does what it says on the packet. What’s really good about these is they’re sleek, not at all like the bulky woolen things your dear old gran knitted that make your boots feel two sizes too small.

These are a thick weight, mid length sock for “….where added insulation is imperative.” They’re totally waterproof, breathable and windproof with merino wool lining for moisture control & comfort. They have an elasticated ankle and insteps that offer support and a comfortable fit. They have a thermal rating of 4 out of a scale of 1 to 5.

Sealskinz employ Aqua Dynamic Design, which encompasses not only Sealskinz 3 layer patented StretchDry product but also the cut and sew ranges and ensures that every sock they make is “engineered for performance, enabling you to stay out longer whatever the activity, whatever the weather.”

These are seriously technical socks, and protect against the elements more than any other sock that I’ve come across. They come at a premium, but in my opinion worth every penny.

http://www.sealskinz.com

via The Bike Shed

Hero Honda Karizma ‘Sliver’ by Mean Green Customs

Written by Ian Lee.

So you want to build a sweet ride, but you don’t want to take the well travelled route. You want something with that café racer silhouette, but you also crave something fresh. This was the conundrum faced by Aditya Green from Mean Green Customs in India, when he was trying to work out the details for the feature bike seen here today. This bike started as a thought, was turned into a sketch and then became a beautiful reality. Sleek lines, low slung and with a side profile to make you weak at the knees, this futuristic café racer is definitely something you don’t see everyday. And that’s what makes us appreciate it all the more.

At the heart of the sleek silver machine is a 223cc Hero Honda Karizma powerplant. Basically a detuned version of the engine found in the popular CRF230 Honda dirt bike range, the main difference being the Hero transmission carries only five speeds as opposed to the the six speeds found in a CRF. The carb is the factory Kehlin CV with the carburetor controlled variable ignition switch system left intact on the build. This helps to make for a 3.8 second 0-60 time for the machine.

That body, those lines though. Even just looking at the front end of the bike it is easy to see the work involved. The custom girder forkset, fitted with a shock as opposed to a spring, is raked at an impressive angle to drop the front end of the bike to give a strong sporting stance. The swing arm has been manufactured so it matches the front end, both are painted in black so as not to take away from the lines of the tank and the ducktail.

Not happy with the bike having a traditional body, the Mean Green Customs crew came up with a design which had “sharp edges and aggressive curvy lines”. This they have done, Aditya spent a lot of time fabricating the tank and seat until he was happy with the lines. The metallic paintwork is broken up by the leather of the seat pan and a matching racing stripe on the tank. To round out the aesthetics, the MG workshop fashioned up a set of handlebar hugging mirrors inscribed with the workshop logo, and emblazoned with little LED units which make for indicator lamps. The indicator lamps for the rear are mounted in the foot pegs, leaving the rear of the body wiring and clutter free.

With a lot of thought and effort put in, Mean Green Customs have produced a one-of-a-kind café racer. From mental image to metal image, this Honda powered special has fulfilled the build brief of being something ‘radical’ while still being tasteful enough to admire.

via PIPEBURN

SAMEIROS MOTORS LA BOHÈME

Sameiros Motors knocked on our door earlier this year with their Honda Dominator build and have now returned as promised with this stunning Kawasaki Zephyr 750. The brothers from Viana do Castelo, Portugal have excelled themselves this time with ‘La Bohème’ and its thick, curvy figure. Oww, Matron!

Originally from 1991 this Zephyr is just the right side of technology, running carbs and a sensible ignition system meaning less electricky-spaghetti to hide. The distinct lack of plastic and trim saves on a lot of tab and bracket grinding on the frame leaving a fresh canvas for creativity, but the large tank needs a cunning paint job to mask its heft.

The first hurdle to this build was the engine which at point of purchase seemed OK, but turned out a full rebuild was needed. New components, seals, bearings, rebuilt carbs and a handmade slash-cut exhausts mean the next owner will have peace of mind and a sweet sounding motor. Oops, cat out of the bag already, yup, the guys could be persuaded to part with this one to fund new projects.

As proportions go the tail on this bike is spot on, mirroring the swoop of the tank and its buxom width. The seat was stitched in-house using a handsome shade of tan leather. The subframe was heavily modified and shocks rebuilt to to support this handiwork.

To shrink the cockpit and reduce clutter smaller instruments were fitted, traditional analog speedo and a digital tacho by Koso. LED warning lights drilled and countersunk into the top clamp serve their function without taking up unnecessary space. Manufacturers take note, if your customers are coordinated enough to simultaneously use all four extremities to ride a bike then a simple coloured light will do, theres no need for an Ibizan laser show.

Bars are Honda CBR600 with brown Tomaselli grips to match the seat, the smoked mini-LED turn signals blend in too.

Gunmetal grey features a lot at the moment in The Shed, and that’s because it looks great. Enough brightness to show off the lines with the bonus slimming effect. Sameiros Motors do all painting in their workshop and a joe job they do too, the black breaks up the big tank and the subtle pin striping on the tail joining the ends together.

Great builds like this are turning up from all corners of the globe and the standards are super high, the brothers from Sameiro Motors can hold their heads high, this is a smart machine.

If like what you see give them a shout on email and ready your chequebook.

VIA THE BIKE SHED

Expeditions - Antarctica

The sixth segment of the Expeditions 7 global adventure: Antarctica. November, December of 2013. The team and trucks fly from Cape Town, South Africa to Novo on the coast of Antarctica where they begin their cross-continent journey. Highlights include visiting the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station and driving the McMurdo-South Pole Highway.

Expeditions 7 - Antarctica (episode 6) from Saxton Horne Communications on Vimeo.