CAFÉ RACER 76

Himalayan 4,500km Adventure

A story of a motocross racer who takes his less than experienced father on an incredible journey through the Himalayas.

Screen shot 2013 07 31 at 12.08.08 PM GoPro: Himalayan 4,500km Adventure

Distinguished Gent’s Ride 2013

The Distinguished Gentleman’s ride has returned and we are very chuffed to say that the BSMC are the official hosts of the London event for the second time. Dapper chaps (and ladies) riding tasteful timeless motorcycles, in their finest attire, will be riding through the cities of the world – all on the same day – in a coordinated event that shows that bikers can be Gentlefolk, with good manners and impeccable taste.

The bikes may be badass cafe racers, scramblers, street trackers, brat-style, classic, resto-mods (whatever the hell that actually means) and modern machines of the cafe/cool genre, but the riders will be polite and distinctly refined.

Last year the London event was one of the biggest (despite the late September date) with 70 riders parading through London from Kentish town (after breakfast of course) through the West End and into Wandsworth where we met at the Ship Inn on the banks of the Thames for more tiffin.

The start and finish venues are TBC (give us a chance) but they will both be Central London venues, meeting for late breakfast and then riding for an hour or so before an early lunch, somewhere appropriate.

THE BIKES:
Bikes can be old or new, custom or standard, …but they should fit in with the general BikeShed, Iron&Air, BikeEXIF, Pipeburn vibe, i.e cafe racers, scramblers, trackers, brat-style, bobbers, etc. From 1950s Panhead Harleys, 70′s Ducatis and Jap customs, to 2012 Guzzi V7s & Bonnies you’ll all be welcome, as long as it’s not a Race-rep, Supermoto, Deauville, CB500 Courier type bike etc…

…Having said that, we won’t be bike Nazi’s if you adhere strictly to the dress code, and dress to impress.

HELMETS:
Helmets must be open face. A gentleman (or a lady for that matter) does not wear a mask (not by day, anyway), …besides it may cover-up your waxed moustache.

DRESS:
Clothes should be smart/dapper; suits, tweeds, tuxedos, black tie. We appreciate it could rain, so a smart raincoat may be worn, but not your daily bike gear.

BEHAVIOUR:
The clue is in the word “gentleman”. No wheelies, burnouts or lewd biking please. We love all of this in the right place, but not at this event.

Please visit the facebook page and click GOING so we can design the venues around the numbers, and for regular updates on the meet times and routes.

Anyway, more details soon.

Here’s how it went down last year.

via The Bike Shed

Zagato presents showcar duo at Aston Martin centenary celebration

Milanese design house Zagato presented long-time collaborators Aston Martin with a pair of unique showcars in celebration of the British marque's centenary in Kensington Palace Gardens...

Based on modern Astons, the cars represent "an exotic cross of Aston Martin DNA with Italian flair and Milanese inspiration reminiscent of Zagato cars from the 1950s". The coupé - which began life as a DBS - was commissioned by a young Japanese entrepreneur, presented in a colour scheme to reflect his youthful taste. The DB9-based Spyder Centennial has a more understated interior at the request of its new owner, American collector Peter Read.

According to Andrea Zagato, the cars were approved by Aston CEO Dr Bez back in November, but not seen by anyone outside Zagato until today. Given the relatively short gestation period, the millimetric precision of the bodywork (take a look at how tight the panel gaps are) is all the more impressive, even if the overall designs cater to quite a particular taste.

Photos: Jan Baedeker

via Classic Driver