Motorcycle News - HOT ROD HARLEY by MLR Custom Coachbuilder
http://bit.ly/2XyxEPE Written by Martin Hodgson The old saying ‘Think globally, act locally’ often has us in the custom motorcycle scene looking around the globe for inspiration for our own bikes. But this week I’ve learnt about a builder much closer to home, another bike nut who calls rural Australia home. Mark Lloyd Riddell has plied his trade around the world and now settled in Albury, combines his incredible skill base to produce the most amazing of machines. MLR Custom Coachbuilder’s bring us their latest work, a Hot Rod Harley called the Larry bike, it’s a craftsmanship connoisseur’s wet dream! Originally from Edinburgh, Mark started his coachbuilding apprenticeship in 1984 and has had a variety of different jobs since. From an art studio in Leith, making moulds and props. To London working for an interior designer, fabricating bespoke lamps and small pieces of metal furniture. Then in Australia spending several years in a custom Harley shop and working in fabrication; doing sheet metalwork, building motor-homes and vintage vehicle restoration. He is also an artist and sculptor, and I’m starting to wonder what I’ve done with my life as I read through his resume. But most of all he builds things with his hands and lets the craftsmanship do the talking, which is exactly why the client for this build got in touch! “This bike was built for a customer, there was no basic design brief, I was basically given free rein to build a unique custom V-Twin. Everything was run past the customer (Larry) first, he had seen my previous work and was quite confident I could come up with something suitably different,” Mark tells us. The entire motorcycle is a rolling testament to the man’s skills, you know its a custom Harley, but what exactly is it I hear you say! Initially Mark was going to build the frame from scratch, but while looking around he came across a ’53 Pan unit that would be a perfect starting point. From here he had the canvas for his work to commence, but unlike most builders Mark had another specific element that would then be combined with the frame to merge as one. “a V-Twin Manufacturing twin spark Shovel/Pan head engine.” The engine is an incredible piece of operational sculpture on its own, the basis is a beaut but Mark has taken it beyond the next level. Old school charm, strong spark and the hot rod look all come with the big magneto that hangs off the right side. But even this piece is overshadowed by the stonking Weber 40 IDF carb feeding fuel to the flame. To get it to fit Mark shows off his tremendous skill, taking a piece of a 4×4 bullbar and fashioning it into a stunning inlet manifold; huge fuel lines and velocity stacks facing skyward, it’s a serious piece of kit. The engine sits right at home in the bling’d out seventy year old frame and slotting in behind is a Harley four speed cog swapper. Inside the primary that connects the two is a PRIMO Rivera clutch and along with the big pedal kickstarter this is not a combination for the timid amongst us. Now able to assess how much room he had to work with, Mark designed and bent up the brilliant twin pipe exhaust, with wrap and custom heat shielding in just the right places. Running above the system on the right side is a collection of braided hose, giving a big hint as to where the oil lives. Here we can begin to appreciate the sheer genius of MLR, with the rear cowl section not only a visual feast for anyone who appreciates perfect metal work, but also acting as a practical oil tank, meaning it’s the perfect balance of form and function. Along with the hand shaped seat base and its distinctive covering, the entire rear articulates from the main rigid frame via a sprung support mechanism. And for lovers of hand beaten metal magic, the gas tank is another feast for the senses; a coffin style with a perfect recess for the big Weber. At the front of the bike is a classic piece of automotive styling, a wheel that was sourced from the USA. But it takes skills that can’t simply be ordered online to make it work with a modern Suzuki Hayabusa front end. At the rear is another left field choice, sticking with that ole hot rod philosophy, Mark miraculously makes a VW Beetle rim work with a Harley Star hub and wraps both ends in Firestone rubber. Before returning to the hammer and bag to make a flawless front shroud to help blend the mix of old and new. Up on the bars the bikes operation isn’t left to chance with high quality parts from Exile and Tolle Engineering to complete the task. Even the custom mid-controls have an added feature to enjoy, with a chain and sprocket operation on the right side. There is simply too many other details to mention but what sits before you is the creation of a builder at the top of the game. Some will find it too overwhelming and that’s the point, this bike is built just for Larry. But what MLR proves unequivocally is this, if you can dream it, he can build it! MLR Custom Coachbuilder: Facebook | Instagram Motorcycles via Pipeburn.com http://bit.ly/2LvgxJz April 24, 2019 at 05:12AM
MotoGP News - Jorge Lorenzo sympathises with Maverick Vinales' problems
http://bit.ly/2GyLCKk Jorge Lorenzo says he can sympathise with Maverick Vinales' recent difficulties with MotoGP race starts and battling in the pack Motogp Motorcycle Racing News via MotoGP news - Autosport http://bit.ly/2uOa9Ei April 24, 2019 at 04:25AM
Motorcycle News - The man brave enough to cut up an MV Agusta F4 Senna
http://bit.ly/2GEqZxS
But when Robert Wilson got his hands on a 2007-model F4 1000 Senna, he just couldn’t help himself. And since he found it with none of its stock bodywork intact, he didn’t feel too bad about tearing into a 173 hp superbike that cost $ 29,995 when it debuted.
Robert’s background in building cars has made him obsessed with attention to detail, and it shows when you scan over the F4’s angular new bodywork. Creating it was a collaborative effort; Robert handled the design, and Brandon Briscoe at Twisted Tin hammered it out the final aluminum pieces.
Further back—just above the MV Agusta’s unmistakable trellis frame—sits a custom-built fuel tank with a couple of trick features of its own.
The fuel tank flows almost seamlessly into a set of side panels, and a waspish tail section with a barely-there seat pad. Underneath it is a removable panel that grants access to the bike’s electronics, with two LED strips that act as tail lights.
It’s a radical new look for the F4, but Robert was also wise enough to know what not to change.
The exhaust is a low-slung Akrapovič unit that’s been shortened by 8 inches.
Without a fairing, Robert was left with a bunch of electronic components that needed hiding. So he rewired the whole bike too, and fitted a small, lightweight Lithium-ion battery from Shorai.
The exhaust, radiator and oil cooler were all ceramic coated. And the bodywork was powder coated with a matte clear finish, before going off for final paint. Matt at Colorzone added the finishing touches, with a handful of black panels outlined by gold striping.
The ultimate question is: would you? Robert Wilson on Instagram | Images by Jose Gallina Motorcycles via Bike EXIF http://www.bikeexif.com April 23, 2019 at 12:17PM
F1 News - Lewis Hamilton is 'on the same level' as Ayrton Senna - Gerhard Berger
https://bbc.in/2GulWyt Lewis Hamilton is "on the same level" as Formula 1 legend Ayrton Senna, says the late Brazilian's former team-mate Gerhard Berger. The Austrian said he had always regarded Senna as a class apart but now considered Hamilton, 34, on a par. Berger said: "Everybody asks me: 'How do you see this driver against Ayrton?' "And I always, in all the years, say: 'I don't see anybody near to Ayrton.' But Lewis is [now] the first driver I put on the same level as Ayrton." Berger, 59, was team-mate to Senna at McLaren from 1990-92 and became a close friend. Senna won 41 of the 161 grands prix in which he competed, three world titles and 65 pole positions before he was killed in a crash at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix. Mercedes driver Hamilton, for whom Senna was a childhood idol, has won 75 of his 232 races so far, five world titles and an all-time record of 84 pole positions. Overall, however, Berger said he still held Senna in higher regard, when also considering his charisma and character. "The comparison? I see still Ayrton winning the game because in the end Ayrton was such a charming guy and a personality," said Berger. "And obviously if someone loses his life and stays with us in the way of a legend, it's always something special. "But I try to see it from a performance point and from a performance point, Lewis is going from one pole position to the next one and Lewis is going from one race win to the next one. Just like Ayrton did." Berger said there were more ways of measuring greatness than just statistics. "I go more by feeling and watching, and for me - and there were great champions like Nelson Piquet, Niki Lauda, Alain Prost, Michael Schumacher - there has always been one above: Ayrton," he said. "And now Lewis I see in the same league." Berger said Hamilton was "outstandingly fast", made fewer mistakes than his rivals and knew when to be patient. "It looks like he's just running the game in such a good way that he's unbeatable at the moment," he said. "Yes he's in the best car and best engine, but he also is the best. By far the best man at the moment." He said Hamilton had a good chance of breaking Schumacher's records of 91 grand prix wins and seven world titles. "I would like to protect Michael's success because it's such a tragedy, it's so sad to see these things," Berger said, referring to the 2013 ski accident that left the German with severe head injuries, since when he has not been seen in public. "But when you put this all out for a moment, then Lewis Hamilton is a very special driver in all the time I have watched and have been in Formula 1." #F1 via BBC Sport - Formula 1 https://bbc.in/OHg7x6 April 23, 2019 at 10:54AM
Motorcycle News - T Minus – Deep Creek BMW R nineT
http://bit.ly/2UQXVvL The cafe racer in BMW’s R nineT heritage series won hearts with its sleek styling. However, motorcycle journalists brought a few downsides with the design of the BMW R nineT Racer to light. While the engine and build quality were at the same high level as the other model’s rider comfort certainly was not. When Kris Reniers of Deep Creek Cycleworks was again given the opportunity to customise a new R nineT to his liking, he decided to build his own interpretation of an R nineT Racer. The result is the ‘T Minus’ R nineT and it was built as part of a Belgian BMW dealership build off. In today’s feature, Kris shares the story of how they turned a regular R nineT into the cafe racer BMW should have built. Motorcycles via Return of the Cafe Racers http://bit.ly/2TaWClU April 23, 2019 at 08:08AM 4/23/2019 First three GPs 'definitely didn't go the way we wanted': Ferrari seek improvement in Baku - F1 News
F1 News - First three GPs 'definitely didn't go the way we wanted': Ferrari seek improvement in Baku
https://bbc.in/2ICIIro Ferrari say they need a strong performance at this weekend's Azerbaijan Grand Prix after a disappointing start to the season. Mercedes have scored one-twos in all three races and Sebastian Vettel is 29 points behind Lewis Hamilton. There has also been controversy over use of team orders to favour Vettel. "Off the back of three races that definitely didn't go the way we wanted, this is another important moment for us," team boss Mattia Binotto said. "We have prepared for it very well, analysing all the data we have acquired up until now, looking at areas where we can improve and working on adapting the car's set-up and the power unit management to the characteristics of the track." He added that Ferrari were introducing "a few updates as the first step in the development" of their car. Ferrari were outpaced by Mercedes at the races in Australia and China but had a performance advantage at the second race in Bahrain. The expectation is that the Baku street track may suit Ferrari's car more than China's Shanghai circuit. Baku has characteristics more similar to Bahrain, with straights and short, slow corners, rather than the longer, sweeping bends more prevalent in China. Ferrari have had an advantage over Mercedes on the straights so far this season and Baku has what is effectively the longest straight on the calendar - a 2.2km run from Turn 16 to the first corner, with four kinks that have corner numbers but which the cars take flat out. In Bahrain, new Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc was on the way to a dominant maiden victory but was slowed by an engine problem in the closing laps, dropping to third. Leclerc is one point behind Vettel in the World Championship despite being ordered to stay behind his team-mate in the closing laps in Australia and to hand over third place to him in the early stages in China. He was also told to wait behind Vettel for two laps after catching him following a poor start from pole position in Bahrain, but he ignored that order and passed a few corners later. Leclerc has been told that Vettel will be favoured in what Binotto has called "50-50 situations". However, Binotto has also said: "They're free to fight. On the track, if there is one driver who is certainly faster, he will get the advantage. Charles, as a matter of fact, he had an opportunity to be in pole in Bahrain, he had the opportunity to fight for the win and he had position in Bahrain." Baku was Leclerc's breakthrough race driving for Sauber last year, when he took an impressive sixth place. He also won the Formula 2 race there in 2017. Leclerc, speaking in a team preview, said: "Azerbaijan is one of my favourite tracks of the season, I simply love it and I've always performed very well there. "I always enjoy driving on it, especially the castle part with all those tight corners. It's a unique track, you cannot find anything like it anywhere else in the world, so it's pretty special. "The rule is quite simple: never lose focus during the race otherwise at the first mistake you're in the wall. Baku is a demanding track, but I can't wait." #F1 via BBC Sport - Formula 1 https://bbc.in/OHg7x6 April 23, 2019 at 05:30AM
MotoGP News - Dovizioso: Rossi could have 'destroyed himself' without new approach
http://bit.ly/2IP6dNq Ducati's Andrea Dovizioso says MotoGP rival Valentino Rossi has "changed his mentality" during his time in the premier class, and believes the Yamaha rider would've "destroyed himself" otherwise Motogp Motorcycle Racing News via MotoGP news - Autosport http://bit.ly/2uOa9Ei April 23, 2019 at 05:50AM
Motorcycle News - The Best, Waterproofest Wet Weather Motorcycle Boots
http://bit.ly/2IEburM You don’t have to be a veteran of trench warfare to know your feet are happiest when they’re dry, do you? Especially if it’s not particularly warm, and especially if you’re zipping along ginning up a nice wind-chill factor at the same time. Now that Gore-tex and copycat breathable waterproof membranes are here, the days of plastic bags over your feet are over. Though that’s still an option. Alpinestars Campeche Drystar – $250-260
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