VINTAGE BAJA 500 - VINTAGE VAULT

by Verne Simons
Photographers: TEN Archives
As we sit here writing Vintage Vault toward the end of 2014, the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 is under way in Baja, Mexico. While we wish we could be there, either as a racer, spectator, or as support crew, someone has to put the best magazine in the world together. Still, we can do a little bench racing and continue to show you images from The Enthusiast Network’s vast photo archives. So, to that end, how about a few more vintage images of Baja Jeeps to go with the theme?

Flattie Racer Uno
For some reason, we have an inordinate number of images from the 1974 Baja 500, and apparently several photographers were on hand for the race (Four Wheeler magazine had a vehicle in the race that won its class!). We came across several images of this interesting flatfender race vehicle and decided to share them. In this photo, taken by Jack Brady, we can see the Jeep sitting on the starting line. The flattie seems to have headers with four primary tubes indicating a V-8 power plant, and the front suspension uses multiple shocks and coil springs.

Flattie Racer Dos
Coil springs, visible here, combined with what sure look like radius arms (in the previous image) makes this Jeep very interesting. In fact, we wonder if the stretched Flattie body is sitting atop a modified early Bronco frame? We don’t know who the driver of 311 is, but the co-driver is clearly Jeff Book as visible on the side of the Jeep in this image by Bob D’Olivo for Petersen Publishing Company. Other modifications visible are a Saginaw power steering box, a few KC Daylighter auxiliary lights, Sand Blaster tires, a transmission cooler, and what sure looks like a Dana 44 front axle.

Race CJ-6
CJ-6s are just cool, and this sweet image of old number 110 by Jack Brady for Image International from the 1974 Baja 500. The Mefford CJ-6 looks to have long front fenders, so it’s a ’72 or newer and is piloted by Ray Russell. We spy some Warn locking hubs on the front Dana 30, and the Jeep also has a pretty clean shackle reversal to help smooth out the bumps. The front bumper has a nice brush guard, KC lights, and a train horn to alert slower cars of the Jeep’s presence. We are betting 110 was running an AMC V-8 (maybe a 401) and an auto tranny.

Splashing CJ-6
Old 110 hits a water crossing with speed. Well, we are betting a bit more than 5 mph anyways! This photo is by Eric Rickman, shot for Specialty Publications.

From: http://www.fourwheeler.com

‘80 Yamaha XV750 – Open Road Cycles

Written by Marlon Slack.

Australia receives a lot of things from South Africa – their wine, their rugby team and occasionally, nervous men sweating their way through customs with cocaine in their bum. But this time around we’re lucky enough to be sent Jacques Pieters – a former carpenter who is turning his hand at creating custom bikes under the guise of Open Road Cycles in Perth, Western Australia. Featured here is his first build in his new country – a distinctive 1980 Yamaha XV750 dubbed ‘The Dirty Mexican’ that draws together a host of interesting themes to make a tracker that, while it might not be able to jump any borders, certainly turns a few heads.

After exchanging the orange-and-red barren landscape of South Africa for the orange-and-red barren landscape of Western Australia, Jacques killed some time by trawling Gumtree – the Australian version of Craigslist. In between ads for stolen dirt bikes and late night meet-ups in public toilets he found the old XV Yamaha and decided to build it into something suitable to wheel out for the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride. A frantic rush to get the bike ready meant the upholstery was left until an hour before he was due to leave – Jacques found some material emblazoned with Mexican art hanging around from a bike he’d built back home and laid it over the seat. It drew some appreciation from the crowd and someone on the ride dubbed the Yamaha ‘The Dirty Mexican’. The name stuck.

After the DGR the Yamaha was stripped down for a more calculated, careful build. Despite how effortless and proportionate this XV looks it’s no small task to turn a porky 80’s cruiser into a lean-looking custom. To this end Jacques enlisted the help of a few small custom workshops and some advice from the ever-helpful guru of XV’s – Greg from Hageman Cycles. Jacques wanted to build something in that vein… but a little rougher and a little more ‘out there’ than the usual polished café racer.

While the XV was being stripped down the bike underwent all the usual upgrades and modifications you’d expect in a fastidious build. It had new wheel bearings fitted, new brakes and brake lines and a new headlight and fork gaiters, controls, grips and turn signals.

The wiring loom was stripped back and simplified. The engine was painted, the notoriously unreliable stater replaced, new VM34 Mikuni carburettors fitted and a custom-made slim-line exhaust and air filter mounts. The existing subframe was modified and painted along with the frame and swingarm. Compared to the rest of the work, that’s all the easy stuff.

The front wheel is actually an XV rear, modified to fit so it could run a wider tyre. The tank was altered by Jacques with the help of Sideshow Cycles who also helped with a one-off front fender and the raised lines that run through both.

The rear fender was also modified, rearsets fitted and then finally the paint scheme was completed. The deep red flake and candy job with gold lettering took ‘countless hours’ according to Jacques (who received help from local shop Custom Modifications) and I don’t doubt him. It was clearly worth every second.

The end result is a bike that’s hard to fit in any particular category. It’s got the basic outline of a tracker – with its high pipes, bars, and knobby tyres – but it also has rearsets and a low-mounted front fender. The strong metal flake and gold lettering brings to mind an LA bobber while the seat fabric that gave the bike its name points to an origin further south.

All of it comes together to make a distinctive, beautiful bike that balances the bombastic paint scheme with just enough patina to make it work. Open Road Cycles are currently working on another XV – a 1000 this time – and I’m hoping they’ll be able to produce another Japanese V-twin custom that’s as well-crafted and histrionic as this one.

[Photos by Manny Tamayo]

via PIPEBURN

CONCORSO D’ELEGANZA 2015 ; the VILLA d'ESTE. DASHING GOOD LOOKS.

Does classic beauty make your heart beat faster? Then set a course for the Villa d’Este luxury hotel – and don’t spare the horses. The Concorso d’Eleganza 2015 will provide the stage for the world’s most breathtaking classic cars and motorcycles from 22 – 24 May 2015. And this year, the beauty contest on the banks of Lake Como will direct its spotlight squarely on the 1970s.

An era of timeless beauty.

The Concorso d’Eleganza 2015 will take place under the motto “Seventies style – the jetset is back”, prompting BMW to assemble the most magnificent Art Cars from the decade at hand. From Roy Lichtenstein’s BMW 320i to the BMW M1 used as a canvas by Andy Warhol, the examples on display will reflect the spirit of this artistically vociferous and socially extraordinary period in history. As well as the numerous classic cars competing for the awards and prizes, visitors will also be treated to the Concorso di Motociclette, which has shared the bill at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este since 2011 and presents the galleries with motorcycles of exceptional allure and beauty.

Pioneering concepts.

“Without a past there is no future” is the sentiment embodied by the engrossing prototypes and concept cars poised to grace the Concorso d’Eleganza once again in 2015. A plethora of manufacturers will use the spectacular backdrop of Lake Como to sharpen the gaze of the global public on their very latest creations. After the MINI brand unveiled a concept car here in 2014 under the auspices of BMW Group Classic, this year the BMW brand will present a very special example of its own. Prepare to be surprised...

Open-door policy for joy.

This year the Public Days (Saturday and Sunday) will take place in the grounds of Villa Erba. While visitors on Saturday will have the motorcycle concours at which to marvel, not to mention the Art Car highlights and the “30 Years of the M3” exhibition, the line-up on Sunday will be headlined by the Historic Car field of hopefuls and the array of concept cars and prototypes.

A home from home.

No time to travel to Lake Como in person? No worries – BMW Group Classic will be reporting directly from the Concorso d’Eleganza 2015 to your home. As well as exclusive glimpses behind the scenes, its dispatches will feature the hottest news from the winners’ enclosure and a suitably lavish reel of impressions from lakeside. Simply follow the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2015 live on the website or via the BMW Group Classic Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages.

Repos ........