OLD IRON: A VINTAGE-STYLE HARLEY SPORTSTER CUSTOM

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Most custom bikes are easy to label: scrambler, café racer, streetfighter and so on. Others are impossible to categorize, but immediately grab the eye.

This is one of the tricky ones. It’s not traditional Bike EXIF fare, but we love it. It’s a Harley-Davidson Sportster custom from the German workshop Altes Eisen—which means ‘Old Iron.’

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“Old iron is what we build, and prefer,” says co-founder Dirk. “Our bikes are far away from the modern generation—no fuel injection, engine remapping or ABS.” Like many of the best builders, they strive for simplicity and would rather hammer metal than mold plastic.

And they’re good at it. This 1987 Harley Sportster, nicknamed El Cochino (‘filthy pig’), has been shot by top German photographer Ben Grna for the cover of the influential German magazine Custombike.

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“It’s a conscious mixture of different styles,” says Dirk. “A little bit bobber, a little bit café racer. It’s a rustic looking but rideable bike.”

The raw sheet metal has been phosphated and clear-varnished to preserve the old-fashioned, handcrafted look.

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It’s fun to play spot-the-part: the air cleaner is a modified Lambretta horn cover, and the points cover is a vintage ‘peephole’ door viewer. The front brake drum is engraved by hand (and chisel).

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The effect is old. It’s a cornucopia of brass, copper and rivets, giving the impression of a bike built a hundred years ago—without descending into steampunk territory.

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The hand-beaten scalloped tank is based on an old moped design, hooked up with copper lines, and the seat covering is antique-style leather—neatly attached to the tail unit with snap fasteners.

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The internals of the 883 EVO engine are stock, but Altes Eisen have replaced the original carburetor with an S&S Super E. The free-flowing custom pipes sit high, scrambler-fashion, but the wrapping will keep heat away from the rider’s right thigh. A SuperTrapp muffler keeps noise levels down.

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Structural changes are extensive: the frame is shortened, and fitted with a beautiful springer fork from Zero Engineering. It’s a perfect match for the vintage style brass headlight surround and custom-made bars, which are fitted with an internal throttle cable.

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The 16-inch wheels are Sanremo up front, Akront at the back. The blacked-out shocks are from Progressive Suspension, and there’s an SS Cycle sprocket brake on the rear wheel—an ingenious system similar to that found on go-karts.

The sprocket does double duty, acting as a disc brake rotor as well as taking drive from the chain.

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At the deepest level, ‘El Cochino’ is a rolling showcase for traditional metalworking and fabrication skills. It doesn’t sit easily with conventional labels—but Altes Eisen are going their own way, and they’re on the right track.

Altes Eisen | Facebook | Images by Da Guru | Da Guru Facebook | Instagram

via BIKEexif

Highlights of the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2015

Since 1929, the world’s most elegant coachwork has been displayed at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, and that is still true today. Last weekend, the rarest classics and most daring modern concepts again met on the shores of Lake Como, vying for the title of ‘Best of Show’.

Classically elegant setting

There are many reasons why the Villa d’Este concours creates such electric interest each year. In addition to the selected classics and sleek design studies, it is the unique setting – the intimate atmosphere of the Villa d’Este on Saturday and the spacious parkland of Villa Erba for the Sunday concours – that makes the event so very special. Above all, the atmosphere at the Villa d’Este, that grand hotel where the first Concorso d'Eleganza took place 86 years ago, is extraordinary. Even in the absence of a specific dress code from the organisers, guests are invariably well-dressed and glamorous, the better to reflect the beauty of the historic automobiles and motorcycles. Perhaps, however, at the public part of the Concorso on the Sunday, a friendly note on certain clothing rules would enhance the spectacle even further.

Spanish extravaganza

Whatever the guests choose to wear, the historic automobiles and motorcycles will always be the all-star cast of the Concorso film. And that was especially true this year, when the selection committee invited a combination of the ‘usual suspects’ and some big surprises. Among the entries in the latter category was the Pegaso Cúpula (one of three Pegasos in the concours), sent by the world-renowned collector Evert Louwman. Painted in the national colours of Spain, this unique piece is reminiscent – in its shape and colours – of a work of art by Picasso. Many thought the quirky Spaniard would without doubt win ‘Best of Show’. Instead, the Pegaso took the Trofeo Ragazzi, judged by the young (under 16) visitors to Villa Erba. 

Something very special

As happens every year, a few voices were heard bemoaning the fact that – in their opinion – “last year’s selection was better”. But how can you better a Ferrari 250 Tour de France in original condition, the very car that belonged to the Finnish racing driver Curt Lincoln and was seen for the first time outside Scandinavia since its collection from Modena? And what could be more elegant than an Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Speciale with a jaw-dropping history? The selection at this year's Concorso was no better nor worse, but just different, from every other year. And that’s what makes this event so special.

Happy winners

Of course, the historic motorcycles are not to be missed, either. This year, the title of ‘Best of Show’ went to a Münch Mammut, but Classic Driver dealer Premiummotorad was delighted with its two runner-up places for an MV Agusta 750 GT and a Kawasaki Z 900. Meanwhile, the Coppa d’Oro, the ‘Best of Show’ voted for by public referendum at Villa d’Este, was presented to the sensational Ferrari 166 MM Barchetta that once belonged to the young Fiat patriarch Gianni Agnelli. However, the nine-member jury chaired by automobile designer Lorenzo Ramaciotti saw the situation rather differently, bestowing the title of ‘Best of Show’ on the 1932 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Spider Zagato.

   

Photos: Rémi Dargegen for Classic Driver © 2015

24h du Mans / Le passé inspire Porsche et Nissan / Porsche and Nissan inspired by the past

A l’occasion des 24 Heures du Mans 2015, la Porsche 919 Hybrid N°17 et la Nissan GT-R LM Nismo N°21 vont arborer des livrées inspirées de 1970 et 1990, deux années importantes pour Porsche et Nissan au Mans.

Cette année, les trois prototypes hybrides Porsche seront de couleur différente aux 24 Heures du Mans. La N°17 en rouge, la N°18 en noir et la N°19 en blanc.

La couleur rouge de la Porsche partagée par Timo Bernhard, Brendon Hartley et Mark Webber, est un hommage à la Porsche 917 KH « Salzburg Design » victorieuse en 1970 avec Hans Hermann et Richard Attwood. Il y a 45 ans, Porsche remportait pour la première fois les 24 Heures du Mans, près de 20 ans après sa première participation.

Pour son retour au Mans, Nissan Motorsports s’appuie aussi sur son riche passé aux 24 Heures du Mans. Le prototype Nissan GT-R LM Nismo N°21 (Tsugo Matsuda/Mark Shulzhitskiy/Lucas Ordonez) arborera une livrée rétro bleue et blanche inspirée de celle de la Nissan R90 CK qualifiée en pole position par Mark Blundell en 1990 (3min27s020).

Aston Martin Racing devrait également présenter une Vantage V8 « Art Car » au départ de cette 83^e édition des 24 Heures du Mans, pour fêter les 40 ans de la première voiture « Art Car » au Mans. En 1975, Hervé Poulain avait engagé une BMW 3.0 CSLdesignée par le sculpteur américain Alexander Calder.

The Le Mans 24 Hours will see the N°17 Porsche 919 Hybrid and the N°21 Nissan GT-R LM Nismo feature liveries inspired from 1970 (Porsche) and 1990 (Nissan) which were important years for the two makes in La Sarthe.This year, each of the three hybrid Porsches at Le Mans will be of a different colour: red (N°17), black (N°18) and white (N°19).The red prototype - shared by Timo Bernhard, Brendon Hartley and Mark Webber - pays tribute to the 1970-winning ‘Salzburg Design’ Porsche 917 KH driven by Hans Hermann and Richard Attwood. That was the make’s first victory at Le Mans, almost 20 years after its first participation.Meanwhile, Nissan Motorsports is calling on its successful heritage to mark its Le Mans 24 Hours comeback with a blue-and-white retro livery for its N°21 Nissan GT-R LM Nismo (Tsugo Matsuda/Mark Shulzhitskiy/Lucas Ordonez). These colours take their inspiration from those of the Nissan R90 CK which qualified on pole position in the hands of Mark Blundell in 1990 (3m27.020s).Aston Martin Racing is also expected to present a Vantage V8 ‘Art Car’ to celebrate the 40^thanniversary of the first such car to race at Le Mans, in 1975. That was the year Hervé Poulain entered a BMW 3.0 CSL robed by the American sculptor Alexander Calder

Nettoyage ...

DUST MOTORCYCLES BLOOD ORANGE

Dust Motorcycles tank swapping BMW’s first appeared in the ‘Shed a little over a year ago, since then Stephen Bentley has wasted little time in bumping his Bike Shed archive up to four and a half builds, the dual personalityJekyll & Hyde counts for the extra half, coming with a second interchangable outfit. Steve has now made it an even six with his latest commissioned bike, Blood Orange repeating the cross dressing trick.

Steve was approached by a customer looking to purchase a previous build, The Twin Stroker, but that machine was already in the hands of a happy new owner, thankfully the would be customer had a ’84 R80ST of his own so Steve suggested transforming that instead.

“As far as commissions go Mike was a real nice guy, a true gent, cut his teeth as a motorcycle courier whilst studying and instead of picking up on his marketing degree the dispatch took over and a good few years later he now owns the company… All very cool and mucho respecto, and thinking about it, this could be part of the reason I surprised myself. Usually when people mention the words clean, minimal and motogadget… I throw them a sideways look and run for the hills, but I figured what the hell, anyone who’s spent time bouncing off cars/lampposts and riding in all weathers deserves a bit of luxury.”

Once Mike had converted Steve to the idea of minimalism some further conversations about style and inspiration were in order, but now it was Mike who needed convincing, He had too many ideas to nail down one distinct machine.

“He loved the idea of an out and out scrambler, something to blat up the local hill climbs on and get stuck in the mud while riding with his mates…  but and this is the big ‘but’, his missus loves bikes just as much as he does and over the years they’ve pretty much spent all their free time in one country or another exploring the far reaches on two wheels. So I kinda got the feeling this build was for both of them and did the only decent thing…suggested a ‘dual build’.”

“Having already done the Jekyll it was easier to get the idea across.. two distinct looks, two different purposes, a cool street bike (with little panniers for meandering the countryside on summer days with the missus) and a cool scrambler (for bumping shoulders with the boys) and best of all I reckon these ST’s are just about versatile enough to do the job… All that was needed now was to pin down the colour schemes and get the ball rolling..”

As it transpired pinning down colours was to be one of the trickier aspects of the build, Mikes tastes were clashing with the designer in Steve.

“Mike had some pretty wild ideas about the colours.. candy metalflake bright orange tank with a brown seat.. a red tank with an oxblood seat, everything that instinctively sets the alarm bells ringing. However and sometimes (this was one of those occasions) you just have to laugh and think what the hell, I need a bit of a challenge!”

With final designs awaiting approval from both sides Steve set to work on the mechanics. One of the first things he noticed on the bikes arrival in the workshop was the suspension alterations the machine had received in a GS styled previous incarnation. A cracking Wilbers shock stacked up the rear but the suspension upfront was lacking in comparison, lofty and loose DR forks with a puny single disk. Steve took it back to a 19′ set up with twin discs. The revised stance sat perfectly.

Meanwhile, the frame was powder coated, painted gloss black and lacquered, the same treatment was applied to the modified rear sub frame. The rear pillion hangers on the ST formed part of the exhaust shield, Steve removed these and fabricated new loops for the pillion pegs to hang from.

“With the trails/scrambler look in mind I also realised the solo look would be better without the rear frame loop, (but obviously still needed it for the twin seat), so I made it detachable.”

The engine was in great condition, so other than a 450 watt alternator upgrade it received little more than a thorough clean, fresh valve set, service and a new oil temperature gauge. An Earth X lithium battery was tucked up between the seat and the rear subframe.

Those troublesome colour schemes were back on the agenda.

“After a few more chats I got the felling Mike really liked the decadence of the classic car scene.. the Mille Miglia and  Goodwood, cruising around in style drenched in leather with the top down and sunglasses on.. so I kinda warmed to the idea of the colour schemes and what better way to set the scene than an AC cobra wide stripe for the red tank!

With the idea of the classic race cars still buzzing around I turned to his other colour choice, the candy metalflake orange, ‘But with a  brown seat!’ some things are just too much.. (There’s 70’s cool then there’s 70’s curtains).. so I had a quick flick through the flips and came across a TVR Sunburst, not quite red not quite orange but very cool, but still not working with brown! So with memories of red rockets, Triumph T5’s and Husks I convinced him a black leather seat was the way forward!”

“To keep it simple ‘Blood’ is the street and ‘Orange’ is the scrambler.

‘Blood’ has an RD 350b fuel tank with monza fuel cap (just because) a dark brown leather seat and detachable panniers. The panniers simply buckle onto straps that wrap around the frame..can be taken off easily and have a shoulder strap so pretty useful.

Orange has an XS 650c tank.. with a pair of sportster side panels (the oil filler cap was filled in then they were painted gloss black and the numbers (03) stuck on the side (Mikes call sign as a courier, zed three)”

The pipes are the original downs with links and UK made raw steel reverse cone megas. In scrambler mode the links and cones are abandoned in favour of straight through pipes and a throaty burble.

“The airbox was removed and an aftermarket cover put on. (the little connectors on the side of the cover are from the engine breather and during the winter months a pipe links the breather to the underside of the K&N’s to warm the air for the carbs. (or stick into your boots, your trousers.. anywhere really).”

The Motogadget equipment includes the Classic speedo, M-unit, Mini switches and air temperature sensor. Keyless ignition and a start button from a speed boat also grace the classy looking bars. The Bates headlamp and practical stainless guards were brushed in accordance with Mikes non-shiny tastes. Tyres are a square block trail Heidenau on the rear and a 4.00 19 for the front produced by the Classic Bike Shop with a very similar compound to the Heidenau.

“The clean look has been helped by losing the handlebar master cylinder and going for an earlier under the tank one (which luckily works with both tanks) Goodridge braided hoses feed the twin Brembos on the ’82 R80 ex-police front end and the brake/clutch cables connect to old school Tomasellis.. (same with the throttle.. twin pull Tommaselli)”

Blood Orange turned up for the epic Bike Shed London show last weekend and proved to be every bit as splendid in the metal as the pixels. The collaboration and meeting of minds between customer and builder has created a machine that both are rightly supremely proud of. Mike’s visions have grown with Steve’s tweaks and Steve’s ideas have broadened with Mike’s tastes, giving Mike a machine he can interchange depending on his mood. We doubt Mike will ever convince Steve to make him a brown seat to pair with that orange though…

The Dust Motorcycles Facebook page is here if you’d like to chat to Steve about your penchant for Schizophrenic Bavarian twins.

Credit for the photographs go to Jon Brook, the leather work and panniers were crafted by Aaron and the paintwork executed by Grove Hill.

via The Bike Shed