THE CAMPER BIKE

By: David Ethier

Our assumption is that the resale value on late 80s Bounder models may have fallen as of late. Tragic. But with gas still on the rise, the Fleetwood's fuel to fun ratio is on the decline. So when we came across this vintage motorcycle camper, we were certain we’d found a diamond in the road-trip-rough.

Before teardrop trailers became the norm, an optimistic German inventor developed a concept bike meant to provide cyclists with the “same comforts as autoists.” Unfortunately, the camper bike never made it to production (which got us thinking: is camperbike even a word? unlikely; but it was a dream.) 

We’re going to blame its failure to launch on the combination of a 1930s motorcycle engine with a double bed, pantry, closets, cook stove, and roof rack. And the weight of a rider (and passenger). And the air resistance. You’d be halfway across NM before you got up to speed.

Sure, maybe it wasn’t practical. But, at least, we love the idea of it. How else could you realize the dream of becoming a traveling strongman, a la The Great Zampano?

Via The Knee Slider.

via huckberry

HONDA XL500 ‘SWART GEVAAR’

By Wesley Reyneke | Rather Be Riding

Tucked away in Cape Town’s quaint Bo-Kaap area lies Los Muertos Motorcycles—a relatively new custom shop with a store-front-slash-café. During my first visit I noticed a stripped down ’81 Honda XL500 lurking behind the coffee counter, with a unique twin exhaust system that immediately piqued my curiosity. A few months later Swart Gevaar* was completed and standing in the same spot.

LMMC’s original plan was to build a street scrambler to thrash about at the Kalahari SpeedWeek. Honda’s venerable XL500 was the perfect candidate because of its reliable engine, scrambler frame and the nostalgia associated with it. So they scoured the net, found one in great condition and promptly set about tearing it apart.

The bike wasn’t ready in time, however, so the decision was made to stretch the build. And, according to LMMC owner Craig Wessels, turn it “into an angry, belligerent little bastard that would suit its name. A bike to have fun on, and a great city runaround too—no sidewalk curb too high!”

The XL was stripped of all its plastic bits, including the tank. This was replaced with a Yamaha XT250 unit, finished in gloss black with artwork by local artist David Brits. (In case you’re wondering, Ingozi is the Zulu/isiXhosa word for ‘Danger.’)

LMMC ditched the airbox and fitted a Mikuni carb to help the XL500 breathe better. The aforementioned exhausts were built by BSE Performance, and tucked away under a custom aluminum tail unit with an integrated light. This, along with the raised front fender, was hand crafted by local metal shaping guru Barry Ashmole. The engine casings were given a coat of VHT wrinkle, and a slim brown leather seat was added to punctuate the monotone color scheme.

To get the stance just right the wheels were replaced, with the front dropping down in size to 18” to match the rear, and shod with Maxxis off-road rubber. The stock suspension was retained but completely rebuilt. Finishing kit includes a smaller headlight (mounted high in the tradition of the old XLs), tiny, relocated turn signals, and ProTaper SE bars.

LMMC clearly accomplished what they set out to … An angry, belligerent little bastard? You bet. And with just enough irreverence and pipe wrap to send the purists running for the hills.

Swart Gevaar is for sale—email Steve Pitt at Los Muertos Motorcycles if you’re interested. And even if you’re not buying, the LMMC website is worth a look.

* ‘Swaart Gevaar’ is Afrikaans for ‘Black Threat,’ and was a propaganda term used by South Africa’s Apartheid regime.

from BIKEEXIF

BONNEVILLE SALT FLATS PHOTO SHOOT BY STOYAN VASSEV

• POSTED BY MOTO VERSO
 

Stoyan Vassev had the opportunity to do this amazing Bonneville Salt Flats Photo Shoot in 2012. Getting the chance to spend 2 days at the legendary salt flats the first day was the preparation day for the race, the second day was the actual race. He had the chance to get to all parts of the event: the docks, the start, the timing boot, everywhere so this is one of the reason that this set is so revealing and not to mention really really cool. Stoyan said he got a really feeling of the past with all these cars, personalities, the salt flats its like a black and white film only that he was in the middle of it.

Stoyan said “Enjoy it and thanks to the organizer for their help to make that amazing series of unique photographs” its a fantastic set of black and white images for one of the most inspiring places on earth. Its a huge magnet to anyone with a love of anything automotive and certainly on my list of places to visit before I cop it.

Stoyan is from Russia and is a professional photographer and photo journalist. This is a really excellent set of photographs that captures the iconic Salt Flats like no other I’ve featured. The close up’s of the machines, cars and bikes are absolutely stunning along with the portraits shots of some of the characters that run these beasts. I’ve never been so obsessed by a place on earth but just looking through this epic set has just sealed the deal. Next year I’m off so thank you Stoyan I’ll hopefully be taking my own photos next year.

Images: Stoyan Vassev

Website: behance.net/stoyanvassev

Stories of Bike EP6: Chemistry

Combine all the elements that make motorcycling great: the sights, the sounds, the smells, the sun on your face, the people you meet and it makes for an intoxicating chemistry. 

It's the kind of chemistry that this 2009 Triumph Bonneville owner discovered as a boy and has been hooked on ever since.