Tellason Stories: Meet Todd

We set out to explore the spirit and sensibilities of the Tellason user and to share their unique stories. For our first film in the series we’re featuring Todd Blubaugh. Todd is a brilliant photographer, artist, graphic designer and motorcycle builder who loves to document two-wheeled adventures with a camera.

Festival of Thump

A thumper is a motorcycle with a four stroke, single cylinder engine. It is called a thumper for the sound it makes. It goes thump, thump, thump. We like them because they’re lightweight, torque-y, easy to maintain, and make that sweet sound. Thump, thump, thump. There’s a whole community of folks who like them, a whole world actually.

Putting on our first proper motorcycle show at the Emporium of Postmodern Activities, we were a bit nervous. Would there be enough people? Would there be enough bikes? We weren’t too sure. So when our first thumper enthusiast arrived at 10 am, telling us he had just jumped a flight from Seattle expressly for our event, there was a feeling of “oh shoot this better be good” combined with “oh shoot this is so good ALREADY.”

Then the bikes started coming. Specimens from around the globe—England, Italy, Japan, Germany, Austria, India, America—found their way into our parking lot, and were each given their own personal red carpet moment to crank over their engines and apply some throttle. Then more bikes showed up. Gerry Hickman, who raced the Isle of Man in ‘47, ‘48, and ’52 brought his factory works Norton Manx, taking home the prize for Best Factory Racer. Then even more bikes arrived. Best custom build went to Orsi Villacorte, Ana Llorente took home the prize for Best Factory Original with her cherry Norton, and the award for Unbridled Enthusiasm went to Bixby Moto. The bikes were insane. The camaraderie was strong. The thumpers had their day. Apologies go out to our neighbors for the noise.

Festival of Thump from Deus Customs on Vimeo.

Mark Walker’s Big Ned – the Rotary Valve 3 Liter V-Twin Street Fighter from Australia

by PAUL CROWE 

Big Ned, the 3000cc v-twin from Mark Walker of Australia

Mark Walker of Sydney, Australia has been building and racing motorcycles for many years, but after racing for over 30 years, he decided it was time to move on and instead of building to a set of rules, as racing required, he began building for himself and Big Ned, the fuel injected, 3000cc, rotary valve, 200 horsepower V-Twin was one of the first of several amazing engines and concept motorcycles he constructed just because.

Big Ned, the 3000cc v-twin from Mark Walker of Australia with the armored helmet front fairing

Everything about this engine and bike are big and bold and it grabs your attention immediately. The inspiration comes from the notorious bushranger Ned Kelly, who famously took on the police force of colonial Victoria, Australia, wearing home-made armour fashioned from pig-iron, that's the reason for the armored helmet looking fairing in the front.

Big Ned 3000cc aluminum V-Twin

Mark machined, formed and welded almost every part of this bike. He calls it a street fighter, but I'm not sure it fits into any category except its own. When I first saw the photos of the bike, I just stared at it, trying to comprehend what he'd done. It's not the least bit practical, but it is a statement of the ideas floating around in Mark's head, because, as a dyslexic, he struggles with reading and writing so he pretty much builds what he sees in his mind's eye.

Big Ned 3000cc aluminum V-Twin showing the clutch side

The 2 inch exhaust pipes lead to mufflers machined from fire extinguishers. There are big brass fittings to give it a steam punk look, but, mostly, it appears to be a motorcycle carved out of a big block of aluminum.

This motorcycle was completed a few years ago, but until I stumbled on to it while looking around for some V-Twin info, I had never seen or heard of it before. How does something this big and outrageous hide from view? I absolutely love it.

Link: onedaytech a friend of Mark's who has some great photos of Big Ned
Link: Mark Walker Concept Motorcycles

Big Ned and builder Mark Walker

from thekneeslider

First (Shotgun) Ride in the New Jaguar F-type

As it happens, we won’t be allowed to get properly behind the wheel of the new Jaguar F-type until April, but we weren’t about to turn down the opportunity to take a quick ride when Jaguar momentarily turned a blind eye at Geneva. So, here is a first-hand account of sorts.

We know that impressions from the passenger seat are not the real thing, not like grappling with a car with your own two hands; but this model is so important that we are happy to squeeze a first driving impression from the small chance we’ve been given. Since the world premiere of the new Jaguar F-type last year in Paris, we have been waiting with bated breath, but it was only recently that an invitation to the first official press trip to Spain arrived on the editorial table. The wait until mid-April is dragging by at a snail’s pace – but at least a last-minute shotgun ride at the Geneva Motor Show helped the time to pass.


That Jaguar design chief Ian Callum has pulled off the styling challenge of the new F-type is undisputed. After several attempts, a compact, two-seater sports roadster has come to market that is worthy of its legendary ancestors – the C-type, D-type and E-type – with a well-proportioned body, sharp lines and a body tensed like a jungle cat. It’s a tautly muscular and attractive piece of design. The interior is simple and functional, with all controls falling easily to hand, while the seats offer good support and grip, and enough space even for someone who is 6’ 3” tall. Meanwhile, a grab-handle on the passenger side serves as a reminder of the power that can be unleashed at any moment.


The five-litre V8 in the top-of-the-range model develops an impressive 495 horsepower – true supercar territory. The sprint to 100km/h (62mph) takes just over four seconds, while top speed is limited to 300km/h (186mph). A possible future ‘R’ variant will push this performance envelope further still. The first Jaguar E-type Roadster was presented to the press more than 50 years ago at the Parc des Eaux-Vives on the shores of Lake Geneva and now, here we are, shooting the legitimate successor to that illustrious pedigree. With the driver’s right foot planted to the floor, the power levels feel immense. The real surprise, however, is the noise: that the V8 sounds good is expected, but how on earth did the engineers manage to give this high-tech unit such a vivid, aggressive, hot-blooded animal snarl?


It bubbles, coughs and roars, as if the new Jaguar were not made in the cold and frosty UK, but on the hot and passionate shores of Sicily. Our pilot engages the paddle to haul the eight-cylinder engine back through the gears in the corners – and the car offers mesmerising body control and commendable poise. We are ready, the countdown is on.
Text & Photos: Jan Baedeker(ClassicDriver)