OUTSIDERS MC CB500F

Outsiders Motorcycles are a small operation comprising Bert and his girlfriend Jene, based in Zwolle (for now) in the Netherlands, and together they are slowly building a business with their own brand of custom bikes. “About a year ago, our good friend Linda came to us with a wish. That wish was to have her own motorcycle, built how she wanted it. She did not even have a drivers license at the time so the race was on between getting her license and getting her bike done. At that time, we had just finished two bikes: our own. And at that time, those weren’t even pretty at all. ;)”

They started the search for a donor and soon stumbled on an advert for a CB500 in boxes, which actually turned out to be two CB500s plus a 750 sohc engine, five pairs of wheels, and various other bits spread across 15 boxes. Quite a haul. The two 500cc engines were torn apart and combined to create one decent working unit.

“After sorting all the crap we started to work on the frame. We sold a lot of the parts to make funds for the build. Linda wanted a nice clean classic bike. Not too much bells and whistles. So that was the plan we kept in mind building it. She added her own flavor to it by buying parts herself which we made to fit the whole picture.”

The frame was de-lugged, looped and various parts were powder coated, but then the build stalled while they moved shop six times, extending the build period to a whole year… Luckily Linda was patient, and we presume she was yet to pass her test? From Bert & Jene’s point of view, this was the build that defined the period of them becoming “a proper workshop”, from a small space with a few spanners to the proper setup they have now. “Linda’s build helped us to get where we are right now.”

“Back to the bike: Small bits were done during that year. Wheels were laced, forks rebuilt, bearings and bushings replaced, parts were ordered. Everything was checked and replaced where needed.  The whole sha-bang. We also put in a 650 camshaft for extra ponies and put it back together with stainless allen bolts. The engine was then put back into the frame and then it went fast. Tank was repainted in-house, seat done by our local upholstery-shop. Wiring was a real challenge because Linda bought some CBR600 handlebar-switches, wich ofcourse did not match the original loom, which then had to be totally rebuilt with a combo R/R and Motobatt battery.”

The tank is metallic charcoal metal with 2k clearcoat, and has a new petcock. The seat has been diamond stitched in very dark grey rather than the usual black. As Linda is quite small they also did a hydraulic clutch conversion to give her some extra muscle for the new EBC reinforced clutch springs. “The clutch conversion and braided hoses were a gift because Linda helped us out along the way.”

“When we started this build, Outsiders Motorcycles wasn’t even born yet. There was no website, no pics, no nothing and despite all that, Linda chose to go with it. So a BIG thank you Lin for your support!

See more from Outsiders Motorcycles on The Bike Shed and on their Facebook pages. Thanks to Bert, Jene and Linda for sharing this with us at The Bike Shed.

Citroën SM Cabriolet: The most beautiful Maserati ever?

When Citroën acquired a 60 per cent share of Maserati in 1967, it couldn’t have come at a better time for the French company. And who better to entrust with powering its new sports car than the folks over at the Trident marque?

Citroën’s innovative DS, with its hydropneumatic suspension, was revered worldwide but the media had one major criticism: it needed more power. As a custom-designed, technologically advanced 2.7-litre Maserati V6 was fitted into a new quirky saloon body, so the SM was born – finally with the oomph and versatility deserved by a true luxury car. 

Kum ba ya...

Among the coachbuilders who favoured the high-end SM was Henri Chapron, the chap responsible for the elusive Mylord cabriolet, of which it is believed only six were built. The drop-top SM was elegantly styled and luxuriously equipped – the body was strengthened, a boot was added and a hood was created to cover the four-seated interior.

Its price wasn’t so attractive, though. At 130,000 Francs (in 1971!), it was double the price of the standard SM and dangerously close to that of the Ferrari Daytona. Perhaps inevitably, Citroën didn’t take up the project and experts believe that only six were produced, one of which was later destroyed in a fire. As a result, genuine Mylord cabriolets are, according to Artcurial, ‘impossible’ to find. 

The last great French luxury automobile

This stunning one-owner example – arguably the very best of them all – presents an exceptional opportunity to own what is held to be the last great, French, luxury automobile. Purchased at the 1975 Paris Motor Show by a Citroën dealer in Colmar, it has remained in the same family ever since. In its day, the ‘Byzantine Gold’ convertible was used to transport the family to its holiday home on the Côte d’Azur. It has been professionally maintained and is offered with extensive documentation, including manuals, technical drawings, registration papers and correspondence between Chapron and the owner.

It will go under the gavel at Artcurial’s Rétromobile sale in Paris, on February 7. As the auction house rather nicely puts it: "We’re offering a wonderful story – it’s up to you to continue the plot." Remember one thing, though: underneath that unique French exterior beats an unmistakeably Italian heart.

Photos: Artcurial

Les 50 ans de La Remise

Quatre-vingt convives étaient réunis dans une fraternelle amitié à La Remise (Antraigues), veille du passage du Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique 2014 remporté par José Lareppe sur une Opel Kadett GT/E. Une soirée qui restera dans les mémoires…

Le défi avait été lancé et le pacte scellé lors du Monte-Carlo précédent, dans l'optimisme créatif d'une fin de repas : si Yves Jouanny, patron du célèbre restaurant, fêtait le 50^e anniversaire de La Remise au volant, ses amis journalistes s'engageaient à le suppléer aux fourneaux. Le menu, avec de vrais morceaux de cèpes et de morilles dedans, fut même arrêté sur le champ.

Ainsi, tandis qu’Yves et son fils Eric prenaient le départ de Monaco, numéro 50 sur les portes de la Lancia Fulvia HF 1600 prêtée par « Tchine », les maîtres queux amateurs investissaient sa cuisine. Et les amis de tous horizons, engagés de cette « spéciale » convergeaient vers La Remise.

Au fil des arrivées, on recensa au sein de la joyeuse troupe un pilote de GP, Patrick Tambay, et pas moins de six vainqueurs du Rallye Monte-Carlo, pilotes et coéquipiers. Soit, par ordre d'apparition au palmarès : « Biche », Jean-Pierre Nicolas, Alain Mahé, Ari Vatanen, Bruno Saby et, voici vingt ans tout juste, François Delecour.

Jean-Luc Thérier, présent lui aussi, en aurait assurément fait partie, sans la neige jetée par les spectateurs devant les roues de sa 911... Première anecdote, bien sûr suivie de dizaines d'autres, entre le « J'ai pas tapé ! »de François Delecour et les huit minutes de pénalité lestant Ari Vatanen à Gap.

Cinquante ans de petites histoires du grand « Monte » ont ainsi défilé entre la terrine façon « Nice-Matin », le risotto aux cèpes « Radio Monte-Carlo » et la fricassée de volailles aux morilles, le tout noblement arrosé d'un « Domaine Garance » de Jean-Louis Trintignant, autre habitué des lieux, malheureusement retenu par un voyage à l'étranger.

Qui dit Rallye Monte-Carlo dit forcément coups de théâtre. L'arrivée, non prévue, d'Yves Jouanny, contraint à l'abandon par le moteur de la Lancia du côté d'Entrevaux, déclencha une longue et chaleureuse ovation, qui laissa l'Ardéchois au bord des larmes.

Le concours de la Tartelette d'Or termina la soirée. Et les tartelettes, emblèmes de la maison, réapparurent après une courte nuit, pour être proposées à tous les concurrents du rallye historique, aux premiers rangs desquels Fred Gallagher et Jean Ragnotti à bord de deux autres cinquantenaires : la Mini et la R8 Gordini...

Déjà vainqueur en 2010 et 2012, le Belge José Lareppe a imposé pour la 3^e fois en Principauté sa fidèle Opel Kadett GT/E. Il est accompagné sur le podium par le Norvégien Petter Granerud et le Français Jean-Michel Coll, tous deux sur Porsche. A la 4^e place finale pointe une autre Kadett GT/E, celle de Raymond Durand. Cinquième place et superbe perf' de la minuscule Autobianchi A112 Abarth de Morgan Aimé, tout frais titulaire du permis de conduire et de son père Pascal, déjà sur le podium en 2007. L’A112 Abarth de Daniel Elena a connu un problème d’alternateur dans Burzet.

BMW