ACE CAFE RADIO

    samedi 19 avril 2014

    GUZZI LE MANS BY KAFFEEMASCHINE


    Guzzi Le Mans by Kaffeemaschine
    If you grew up in the 1970s, you probably look back fondly on the Formula One cars of that era. The Marlboro McLarens, the Martini Brabhams, and best of all, the svelte John Player Special Lotuses.
    Axel Budde of Hamburg-based Kaffeemaschine is a fan of those glory days, and so is his client Arnd Rohrlapper. So they concocted the idea of a 1970s-style cafe racer in the iconic JPS black-and-gold livery. Here’s the finished bike, based on a Guzzi Le Mans Mk III, and it sure looks good.
    Guzzi Le Mans by Kaffeemaschine
    The Mk III was probably the best of Guzzi’s Le Mans variants. The styling was angular and idiosyncratic, but the core of the machine was strong and characterful—hence its popularity with custom builders today.
    This particular creation, the eleventh to roll out of Budde’s Hamburg workshop, has been stripped down and rebuilt with performance in mind. There’s a capacity boost to a liter via new cylinders and pistons, with output bumped up even further thanks to sportier cam timing, revised valves and twin-spark heads. Electronic ignition, modified carbs and a balanced crank complete the engine mods.
    Guzzi Le Mans by Kaffeemaschine
    The transmission and shaft drive have been overhauled to cope with the extra horses, with an uprated clutch to harness the power. The exhaust is custom made—with removable decibel killers—and based on a vintage race unit.
    Power is nothing without control, so Budde has upgraded the brakes with modern master cylinders and stainless lines, and refreshed the suspension. The overhauled forks are sporting FAC dampers and custom-spec Ikon shocks keep the rear end planted.
    Guzzi Le Mans by Kaffeemaschine
    And that exquisite tank? It’s a Magni replica, with just enough curves to highlight the famous John Player Special livery.
    We reckon it’s schmokin’.
    Visit the Kaffeemaschine website for more information about Axel’s bikes, and get the latest Kaffeemaschine news via Facebook.
    Guzzi Le Mans by Kaffeemaschine
    via BIKEEXIF

    Carmania: Hamburg's Mustang specialist


    A German Mustang expert? Yup. Almost 25 years ago, Philip Ewerwahn founded Carmania in Hamburg, a casual, colourful company dedicated to the muscle car legend. Classic Driver took a trip to find out all about it…

    Miami, beach life and rental cars

    At just 17 ​​years old, Philip Ewerwahn, the founder of Carmania, bought his first classic: a DS that he worked on himself. In the late 80s, his early love of cars and a desire to travel took Philip and his wife to the United States. “We lived on the beach in Miami, regularly trudging off to car dealerships,” Ewerwahn recalls. “Whenever a new issue of 'Recycler' or 'AutoTrader Classics' was published (remember, the internet wasn’t an option back then), we would rent a car and drive for miles until we had acquired a full container-load of cars. I sold my very first Mustang in 1988.”

    Pimping is allowed

    After establishing several successful businesses, Carmania was founded in Hamburg in 1992, as a focal point for Mustang owners and other interested parties. “Our workshop arose as a logical step, since the buyers of our U.S. cars eventually needed to bring the cars in for maintenance and repair. Initially, we sent them to other, trusted workshops, but finally opened our own,” says Ewerwahn. At Carmania today, Mustangs and other classics are not only serviced or repaired – there are also customers who commission the build of a complete car to their personal specifications. Because ‘pimping’ a Mustang is still acceptable, according to Ewerwahn.

    Conversion or original, the choice is yours

    “One of our recent major conversions was based on a Mustang convertible. The car had a Shelby front, a fastback rear, a 450HP big-block engine, disc brakes, sports suspension, rack and pinion steering and custom-designed Alcantara bucket seats.” In addition to exotic specimens such as this, you will find classic pony cars at Carmania, such as a 1966 Ford Mustang coupé or a (sadly already sold) Mustang fastback in original condition with just 20,000 miles on the odometer. A look in the engine bay of the bronze-coloured coupé reveals the truth of that reading – it looks brand new, as though it had just emerged from the factory for the first time, but nowhere near as exciting as a properly 'pimped' motor.
    When he has time, Ewerwahn continues to travel to the U.S. to buy Mustangs. But what he missed during his time in Miami Beach was the honest, straightforward attitude that Hamburg residents are famous for: it’s an attitude that we sensed from the entire team at Carmania.
    Photos: Jan Richter
    You can find many Mustangs for sale at Carmania in the Classic Driver Market.

    R80/7




    If Beemers scrambler are becoming boring, everyone similar to each other, an exception must be made for the last build by Down & Out Cafe Racer in UK. To me, this R80/7 stands out of the crowd because of its elegance and perfection.








    via INAZUMA

    Bol d’Or : de retour au Castellet en septembre 2015


    La 79ème édition du Bol d’Or se tiendra les 19 et 20 septembre 2015 sur le circuit Paul Ricard du Castellet après quinze années d’absence.
    Né en 1922, le Bol d’Or s’est déroulé sur de nombreux circuits, Saint Germain, Fontainebleau, Monthléry et Le Mans, avant de s’installer dans le sud de la France au Castellet pour une longue période. En 2000, la célèbre course de 24 heures prend ses quartiers dans la Nièvre sur le circuit F1 de Nevers Magny-Cours.
    L’édition 2014, les 26 et 27 avril prochains, sera donc la dernière à Magny-Cours avant son grand retour dans le Sud de la France l’année suivante. Arrivés au terme d’un partenariat de quinze années avec le circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours, les organisateurs du Bol d’Or ont été approchés par le célèbre circuit du Castellet. Après d'importants travaux de réhabilitation, le Paul Ricard a ré-ouvert ses portes au public et est désormais prêt à accueillir de nouveau la mythique course d’endurance.
    Après une inversion de date en 2011, le Bol d’Or reprend ses habitudes en septembre et se tiendra les 19 et 20 septembre 2015 alors que les 24 Heures du Mans se dérouleront en avril.
    En attendant 2015, MotoRacingLive vous donne rendez-vous dès la semaine prochaine pour vivre la dernière édition du Bol d’Or à Magny-Cours en direct sur www.motoracinglive.com dès jeudi 24 avril à partir de 10h00.