Motorcycle News - dB Customs Flyin Fred Honda VFR750 Replica is Done and Delivered
http://bit.ly/2KeYlWf The upside to those long Canadian winters is you get things done. Darren Begg does, anyway, and now the Flyin’ Fred Merkel VFR750 S has been completed and is resting comfortably with its new owner in the USA. Were the second-gen VFRs the prettiest ones? This is as close to the actual representation of the original 1986 Honda superbike that Fred rode to the third of his three AMA Superbike titles, says Darren, before toddling off to Europe to win the first two World Superbike championships, in ’88 and ’89, on an RC30. Actual HRC (Honda Racing Corporation) components, include:
Many historical images were referenced to try and produce a correct representation of the original superbike that Fred rode. The engine, says DB, is an ex Dr. David Kieffer HRC-kitted NF1 180-degree firing order, with digital ignition and NF1 mechanical round slide carbs. The forks are RC30 pieces with RC30 calipers. The rear shock is an original Fox. The rear wheel is a custom ordered 3-spoke Marvic, just like the one used on Fred’s bike. The crazy thing, to me, is that all those “stickers” are actually paint, amazingly and painstakingly recreated by Darren’s accomplices at @sketchs_ink. While the other Canadians were playing hockey, these guys were poring over historic photos to get the “decals” color, size and placement a perfect replica of the bike in its last-race of 1986 form. Why paint? Because it provides a seamless paint system, with no ridges at all, says Darren. Then the whole thing was covered in five coats of clear. Don’t worry; the owner says he’s only going to ride the bike around on the occasional parade lap.
What’s next? A Wayne Rainey replica, says DB. WR took over the VFR’s winning ways in 1987. Ace Honda factory mechanic Mike Velasco is building the V-four as we speak. Way to go, Darren. Thanks for sharing! http://bit.ly/2HJnZR4 The post dB Customs Flyin’ Fred Honda VFR750 Replica is Done and Delivered appeared first on Motorcycle.com. Motorcycles via Motorcycle.com http://bit.ly/2ComzZy May 30, 2019 at 02:13PM
MotoGP News - Leading MotoGP riders call for changes to Mugello on safety grounds
http://bit.ly/30VrR9d Leading MotoGP riders have called for modifications to be made to Mugello's famous start/finish straight to improve safety, as racing speeds continue to increase. Motogp Motorcycle Racing News via MotoGP news - Autosport http://bit.ly/2uOa9Ei May 30, 2019 at 12:59PM
Motorcycle News - The Enforcer: an XSR700 from Ironwood Motorcycles
http://bit.ly/30UDeyi
The obvious visual flaws have prompted many builders to have a crack at the XSR700, with varying degrees of success. The latest to attempt the silk purse treatment is Arjan van den Boom of the Dutch shop Ironwood, and he’s hit a home run.
Arjan is a fan of the XSR700. “It’s a fun bike: compact, enough power, playful handling and just made for aesthetic adjustment.”
‘The Enforcer’ has similar DNA—on the general lines, the tank and the ‘Brat’ seat—but with different bars and bulky wheels it has a more of a scrambler/tracker vibe.
The setup is finished with a custom brace holding an integrated Motogadget Motoscope Pro digital speedometer. Motogadget also supplied the grips, bar end mirrors and ‘m.blaze pin’ front indicators, and just ahead of the carbon LSL bars is a Koso ‘Thunderbolt’ LED headlight.
The XSR700 has a small rear hoop that can be bolted off, so Ironwood removed it and installed a replacement with a custom seat pan. (It’s the same approach that Hookie took with their XSR700 recently.) LED lighting is integrated with the new hoop.
Yamaha’s parallel twin pumps out a solid 74 horses, which is plenty enough for a bike that weighs just 186 kilos (410 pounds) wet. So Arjan has left the internals alone, and improved the breathing with DNA pod filters (with red leather tops).
The biggest visual transformation is the new tank—which is a full unit, not just a set of replacement covers. It’s a masterpiece of shaping from aluminum specialist Marcel van der Stelt, who also created the new front fender.
It’s a brilliant transformation and one of the best XSRs we’ve seen. So is this a new direction for Ironwood? Not quite: Arjan is not yet ready to abandon the custom BMWs that made him famous. “We would like to do a wider range of bikes—a healthy mix of vintage and ‘modern vintage,’ if you will,” he says.
“Vintage bikes have their charm, but box-fresh bikes (or even electrics) are something we want to explore and learn about. It’s about challenging our team as well as keeping on with older boxer transformations.”
Ironwood Custom Motorcycles | Facebook | Instagram | Photos by Paul van ML Motorcycles via Bike EXIF http://www.bikeexif.com May 30, 2019 at 12:16PM
MotoGP News - Lorenzo: My Honda MotoGP struggles harder to take than Ducati lows
http://bit.ly/2W4IJqm Jorge Lorenzo says dealing with his MotoGP struggles at Honda is more difficult than it was during his Ducati spell Motogp Motorcycle Racing News via MotoGP news - Autosport http://bit.ly/2uOa9Ei May 30, 2019 at 11:58AM
Motorcycle News - Chop Talk – Revival Cycles BMW R18
http://bit.ly/2JLYTTU The Katze is finally out of the Tasche. BMW Motorrad has unveiled its highly anticipated R18 concept. As we all suspected they dropped that massive new 1800cc boxer twin into a cruiser platform and it’s a stunning blend of modern engineering and classic BMW styling. The lead up to the release of the R18 has also been rather exciting. Back when BMW was developing the R Nine T they worked closely with workshops to develop pre-production customs. After the obvious success of that bike, they took a similar approach with the new R18. Motorcycles via Return of the Cafe Racers http://bit.ly/2TaWClU May 30, 2019 at 07:32AM
Motorcycle News - LONDON CALLING. Bike Shed Show 10th Edition
http://bit.ly/2Ic8Wyv We were lucky enough to have local photographer and moto journo Tom Bing cover the Bike Shed show for us. He is friends with the Bike Shed crew and most of the builders, so it was great to get a glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes as well as the bikes on display. Words and photos by Tom Bing. It’s got to be the most exciting weekend of the year in the UK for custom bike lovers. It’s funny, when you’re anywhere near the ‘inner folds’ of something like the Bike Shed, you feel strangely proud of the achievements of all the people who have worked so hard to make the event come together yet again. It feels like a community event – not something you just attend as a punter, but something we are all a part of. As we start to roll in on Friday morning – I’m helping my North-East pals Ryan Roadkill and Mike Hill from Survivor Customs to load in – the sheer scale and organisation of the event start to dawn on me, again. There are vans and trucks lined up around the block, we’ve got a morning slot this time around as well. Hired staff are directing us into the rear gate and we’re getting a sneak peek of some of the bikes that are rolling in through the industrial corridors. At this point, Bike Shed 2019 is just a huge series of empty rooms at the Tobacco Dock Venue in East London. There are around seven hours until the doors are open to the public; nothing is set up yet. I checked back a bit later and it’s the same scene, vans lined up around the corner, but the panic looked more real at this point. We split for a shower and a beer with Ryan and Mike’s corner all set-up in an still empty room, dodging through a sea of packaging, bikes, plinths, backdrops and beer deliveries on our way out. Sure enough, a couple of hours later, there it was. The Bike Shed. Fully completed and panic free.
“I’ll let you into a little secret.
People are shit scared of Vicky.” I’ll let you into a little secret. People are shit scared of Vicky. I’ve never exhibited anything so I’m not. But I know for a fact that she is hugely responsible for the fact that the chaos and panic turns into one of the best shows in the world.
“Every room had something to drool over,
wherever your preferences and tastes lie.” The show wasn’t any bigger this year than it was last year, maybe it’s hit it’s sweet spot and the organisers have decided to halt the growth and work on the quality. They’re only using one half of the venue and without doubt could fill a space three times the size with custom bikes. The beer was cold, the food was good and the mix of manufacturers, shed and pro-built bikes was fair. It’s not a trade fair and there aren’t boxes of cheap shite laying around to sift through like some sort of two-wheeled TK Maxx like a lot of shows. You come to the Bike Shed to see a carefully curated selection of bikes, gear and art. Every room had something to drool over, wherever your preferences and tastes lie. For me, this year, it was the Dirt Room. Old, raced Dakar bikes stole the show for custom work for me. That and real Flat Track bikes, not street trackers but race bikes, like Ross Sharp’s (Bike Shed Editor) Wasp Framed XSR700 on the Sideburn Stand. French manufacturer DAB Motorcycles were presenting their fully homologated Husky-engine based fully customisable dirt bike; all blacked out sat on supermoto wheels. A neat idea and fun looking bike begging to be ripped around. dir=”ltr”>The electric room was packed out; with stock Zero’s to check out and the Arc Vector taking centre stage. Love them or hate them; folk were interested. Oil in the Blood and TW Steel’s Debolex electric bike was sat amongst fossil fuel burners in another part of the show in a league of its own. I’d be interested to see how much more of a presence electric has next year.
“I don’t think there was one build I could
heavily criticise in terms of build quality and attention to detail” dir=”ltr”>The rows and rows of Shed Built bikes in the main room were impressive. I don’t think there was one build I could heavily criticise in terms of build quality and attention to detail; they weren’t all to my taste but that doesn’t detract from the fact that amateur builders from across the UK and Europe are working to a very refined level. That or the Bike Shed crew have a very discerning curator. Manufacturers flexed their muscle too; the pair of Indian FTR1200 Hooligan bikes, converted by S&S certainly gave potential FTR owners a few things to think about. As did Winston Yeh’s fully tricked out carbon Royal Enfield Interceptor. Scrambler Ducati maintained their presence as solid custom platform and Triumph presented their bobber build-off, getting the cogs going for a lot of fans. Despite the fact that the team had ordered 50% more beer than last year, supplies started to run dry by early afternoon on the Saturday; possibly due to the shuttle bus running from the Old Street venue out to Tobacco Dock. Why ride out when you can drink beer and jump on the party bus? Overall, the 2019 show was excellent, really well put together and curated with a great balance of stuff on show. It might be time to ditch the newsboy caps and stand-up bass bands for something else in 2020; maybe clamp down on unnecessary exhaust wrap too. But despite that; I’ll be back again for the annual community gathering at the best and most friendly custom show in Europe. Motorcycles via Pipeburn.com http://bit.ly/2LvgxJz May 30, 2019 at 06:00AM
Motorcycle News - MO Tested: Alpinestars Supertech R Boots Review
http://bit.ly/2Ik992P Alpinestars Supertech R BootsEditor Score: 94.75%
Yes, that’s right, you get two pairs of boots when you purchase the Alpinestars Supertech R boots. There’s a catch, though. You have to wear both pairs of boots at once. Well, I suppose you could walk around your house in the inner booties so that your family can mock you, like mine did, when I first tried on the Supertechs, but really, the inner booties are a secret best kept between you and the outer Supertech boot. In case you’re wondering why two sets of boots, I’ll tell ya, and once you consider it, the idea makes a lot of sense. The two different boots that combine to make the Supertech R serve different purposes. We’ll start with the oh-so-cute inner booties, which form an internal biomechanical ankle brace to keep your ankle joint functional during a get-off. The bootie is constructed primarily of moisture-wicking fabric and TPU plastic. The fabric draws sweat away from your feet to where it can evaporate in the airflow provided by the outer boot’s ventilation. The real meat and potatoes of the bootie, though, come around the heel and the ankle bones. TPU wraps around the heel cupping it on the bottom, rear, and two sides to help disperse impacts. Bolted to each side of the heel cup are articulated components that form a brace to prevent side-to-side deflection and hyperextension of the ankle joint. The entire bootie snugs up via speed laces, forming a close-fitting, comfortable inner layer that slips into the outer boot. The only hiccup when donning the outer boot is getting the inner heel cup to slip over the one built into the outer boot. Once the inner bootie slots into place, the fit is just about perfect. (Of course, you can do as Troy does with his Supertech Rs and keep the bootie in the outer boot.) One final feature about the two-boot construction is that the inner and outer boots rub against each other in high-abrasion areas, like your heel or toe, as you move around on the bike instead of having the outer boot rub against your foot and possibly give you a blister during long stints in the saddle. The outer boot looks exactly like what it is: the current generation of Alpinestars’ track-focused motorcycle boot. The sole is thin, grippy rubber that allows for natural movement on the peg as the rider changes foot positions on the pegs. The outer shell is primarily constructed of microfiber. The inner side of the foot and shin features microfiber suede for good grip and feel on the bike. Microfiber is a synthetic material that is lighter and more abrasion resistant than leather yet provides remarkable flexibility. Over the Achilles tendon, the accordion-stitched microfiber allows for supple flex that doesn’t hinder the rider’s movement. The areas not covered with microfiber are primarily TPU armored pieces. The heel cup, which can take some pretty hard impacts in a tumble, surrounds the rider’s heel and combines with the inner bootie to spread out the force of thwacking the pavement. The upper shin also has a formidable piece of TPU armor to ward off rock impacts. This top closure also connects to a rear section of TPU to facilitate a ratcheting closure that allows the boot to accommodate differing calf sizes. Around the top of the boot opening, a microfiber gaiter keeps pebbles kicked up by other bikes from finding their way into the boot. Ventilation consists of clever, soft, flexible TPU vents on the forward edge of the ankle. The honeycomb structure both allows for a large surface area to allow cooling air into the boot and assists in keeping the ankle joint flexible. Two exhaust vents in the back side of the heel cup allow warm air to exit the boot. If you want more ventilation, a version in which the entire outer shell is perforated is available. Slipping the outer boot over the inner bootie is, as mentioned before, easy up to a point. Once the bootie is in place, the fit is remarkably comfortable. The outer boot zips closed from the outside edge of the foot up to just underneath the TPU shin guard. Since my foot is just on the edge of being too big for this boot (the next size up felt too loose on my foot), getting the zipper to close the last half inch or so is kind of tough. The ratcheting closure allows for the boot to be worn over my leathers (as it was intended) or tight enough to fit under my riding jeans. My time with the Supertech R boots has shown them to be great track-focused tools – as you might expect from Alpinestars’ top-of-the-line boot. What might surprise you is that it is pretty dang comfortable when walking around, too. I credit this to the two boot design. I can see myself being quite happy with these boots for many, many miles. When I told Troy I was writing these boots up, he enthused that they were his favorite boots and wrote me this mini-review:
Ever since receiving my first pair of Supertech R boots, all the other boots in my closet have been relegated to paperweights. I love these boots. While I’m thankful I haven’t had to test the protective qualities of the inner boot system in a crash situation, I think it’s this system that allows it to be the most comfortable race boot I’ve ever had. Because the inner boot is responsible for limiting the unwanted movement of your foot/ankle, the outer boot (the part visible to the outside world) doesn’t need to rely on big/sturdy exoskeleton-like braces to accomplish the same feat. This allows the outer boot to be constructed from simple leather, or leather-like, materials with minimal TPU bracing. Plus the inner boot can be made from soft materials (except for the bracing to keep your limbs where they need to be, obviously). The result is a boot that feels instantly comfortable the moment you first put it on, with flexibility rivaling your favorite pair of kicks. Not to mention feel at the foot controls is also superb. As an added bonus, the Supertech’s don’t suffer from the annoying squeaking that some other boots are guilty of when you’re walking around!
Alpinestars Supertech R boots are available in a wide variety of limited-edition styles that are functionally the same as these $500 standard models for a special price. The Supertech R boots are available in Euro sizes 39-48 in a variety of color combinations. Shop for the Alpinestars Supertech R boots here We are committed to finding, researching, and recommending the best products. We earn commissions from purchases you make using the retail links in our product reviews and other articles. Learn more about how this works. The post MO Tested: Alpinestars Supertech R Boots Review appeared first on Motorcycle.com. Motorcycles via Motorcycle.com http://bit.ly/2ComzZy May 29, 2019 at 06:31PM
Motorcycle News - Skidmarks: La Sal Motors
http://bit.ly/2VZ2f7L “¡No milagro, milagro, sino industria, industria!”
—Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, Don Quixote
Everybody who loves motorcycles, first and foremost, loves how motorcycles look. Not every motorcycle, mind you. Not even most of them. Judging from the comments MOrons post, maybe not even more than a few of them. Or, for the crankiest and most misanthropic of the posters (you know who you are), maybe none that exist today. Or ever. And that’s fine: we all have a vision of what the perfect motorcycle looks like, and nobody is going to change our minds.. For me, it’s classic and simple: wheels, motor, tank, seat and just enough of the other crap to keep you from getting a ticket. In fact, it’s so simple the OEMs can’t really make it, darn that meddling ol’ DOT, which is why I’m not too excited about most modern bikes. Many new models look like they sprang from a Cubist rendition of a Spy vs. Spy cartoon. I certainly can’t build a bike that’s both simple enough and practical enough to suit my tastes, (I tried once, but let’s not talk about that) which is why I just suck it up and ride whatever it is that’s underneath my editorial tushie. If only I had a workshop, tools, some donor bikes (and most importantly), the skill and will to turn my vision into three dimensions of roaring, snarling moto-fun. Fortunately for those of us who appreciate rideable art, there is no shortage of customizers around the world. I think they’re my favorite sort of moto-person to write about, since artists love to show off and discuss their work, and they unapologetically love motorcycles. I’ve met plenty here in the States, but I was really lucky to discover that my AirBnB host during my recent trip to Spain, Sergio Zamora, is riding buddies with a nearby customizer. Would I like to ride up to his workshop and check out his latest build? Hells yes, as it was an excuse to put another 100 miles on the most-excellent Ducati Diavel, so I rode about 20 miles up into the mountains to Guaro and followed Sergio’s Dyna down a narrow, muddy dirt road to a 100-year-old farmhouse. That’s where Antonio Cano lives with wife Viki and 11-old daughter, Lola, and operates a bed-and-breakfast and tour company catering to moto-tourists. 2019 Ducati Diavel 1250S Review Down from the guesthouse is a tiny shed, not much bigger than the one Erik Buell started his motorcycle company in so many years ago. Inside, I met Antonio, a good-looking guy with a neat beard and intense, pale-blue eyes, and with Sergio translating, chatted with him about customizing and motorcycles. Antonio grew up in nearby Malaga and started riding at 16. After years of working as an electrician, seven years ago he decided to follow his passion, buying his farmhouse and starting his customizing shop. Since then he’s built eight bikes in total. His builds focus on older, classically styled bikes, like a BMW R100/7, Yamaha XS400 Twin, a Sportster and an ’80s-era CB250, but he’s not afraid of new stuff either. The XS400, bobbed and chopped and wrapped of pipe, sat on his workbench, but what caught my eye was the café-styled XJR12300 he was finishing up for a customer. Starting it for the first time, Antonio spoke the universal language of motorcycles; motor specs, paint finishes, exhaust design as we reveled in the harsh bark of the big Four’s muffler. He’s also worked some magic on a Honda Hornet (we called it the 599); like many European motorcyclists, he’s not a snob when it comes to two wheels. Any bike is a potential candidate for some of his plastic surgery. Here at MO we’ve talked about the classic Robert Pirsig book Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance many times over the decades. It’s been about 30 years since I last read it – maybe I should read it again – but my takeaway is that when we dig deep into an activity, like fixing our motorcycles, we’re really working on ourselves, turning from passive consumers into active creators. Antonio is the classic Zen motorcyclist, and not just because he takes motorcycles apart and puts them back together in the shapes that appeal to him. Antonio applied that to his entire life, taking it apart and reassembling it into a form that pleased him. Is that why I’m so drawn not just to motorcycles but the people who share my love for them? Because we’re never happy with riding what someone else decided was the perfect shape for us? At just four weeks shy of 50, I’ve never owned a motorcycle that I was 100 percent happy with. Maybe a few stand out that were 90 percent or more of the way there. Unfortunately for me, getting a bike to 100 percent is just impossible with my level of gumption, as Pirsig refers to that internal drive to do things. So, I buy a lot of different bikes. If I get a 390 Duke this summer that will be the 40th or 50th motorcycle I’ve owned. I predict I’ll do a bunch of modifications, ride it a bunch, and sell it in two or three years. That’s how I seek perfection. Gabe Ets-Hokin invented the olive press and lives in ancient Mesopotamia. The post Skidmarks: La Sal Motors appeared first on Motorcycle.com. Motorcycles via Motorcycle.com http://bit.ly/2ComzZy May 29, 2019 at 04:08PM
F1 News - Niki Lauda: F1 stars attend Mass for late racing legend in Austria
https://bbc.in/2wrjcNL Thousands of people, including Formula 1 stars, have paid their last respects to racing legend Niki Lauda, whose body lay in state in Vienna, Austria. His coffin, topped with his red helmet, was carried into St Stephen's cathedral in heavy rain on Wednesday morning. A Mass was then held before a private funeral. Lauda died last week aged 70 in Switzerland, where he was treated for kidney problems. The Austrian driver won Formula 1 championships in 1975, 1977 and 1984. He almost died following a crash in the 1976 German Grand Prix at the Nürburgring. Despite suffering severe burns and inhaling toxic fumes, he resumed racing 40 days later. Current Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton, former drivers Alain Prost, Sir Jackie Stewart and Nico Rosberg were among those who came to Vienna to bid their farewells to Lauda. Austrian actor-turned-politician Arnold Schwarzenegger and Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen were also among those who attended the Mass in Vienna's famous cathedral. After winning the Monaco Grand Prix last Sunday, Hamilton paid tribute to Lauda. "That was for you, Niki. Your fighting spirit was right there with me every step of the way," the British driver wrote in a post on Twitter. "I know you are looking down and taking your hat off to us. I miss you, we truly miss you and I hope we did you proud today, legend." As non-executive chairman of Mercedes, Lauda helped them win both the drivers' and constructors' title in each of the past five seasons. #F1 via BBC Sport - Formula 1 https://bbc.in/OHg7x6 May 29, 2019 at 12:57PM
Motorcycle News - An MV Agusta Brutale 675 With One Foot in the Past
http://bit.ly/2wrKZ0L
So we find it remarkable that MV Agusta doesn’t have a single modern classic in its range. With a pedigree like that, a factory cafe racer is almost a no-brainer.
But their heritage is not lost on him either—so when a client brought him a 2013 Brutale 675 to customize, Chun looked to the past for inspiration.
Chun’s forte and passion is metal shaping. He doesn’t use 3D modeling, and rarely uses sketches to envision a bike, preferring to jump straight into shaping the forms. So he wasn’t even sure this concept would work at first.
On this project, Chun was free to focus entirely on getting that bodywork right. His customer specifically didn’t want mirrors, a speedo or turn signals—just a stripped-down bike with a race feel.
The fairing, fuel tank and tail section are all Chun’s handiwork. They’ve been hand-formed from aluminum, and designed to create a seamless flow from front to back.
Chun also built a sharp new subframe to support the tail, and a custom headlight to pop in the front. Kingsman Seat handled the classic tuck-and-roll upholstery up top.
With the Brutale 675 transforming from a street fighter into a cafe racer, Chun needed a different handlebar setup. So he built a new top yoke with no handlebar mounts, and fabricated a set of clip-ons to round out the package.
The front fender is custom, and the rear hugger is still in play. The tires are Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP V2s, and there’s a black and gold EK chain for a subtle hint of bling.
It’s a livery that suits the classic silhouette that Chun has created. But we reckon it would look just as good with red up top and silver below—just like those classic race bikes. If MV Agusta took the hint and built something similar, would you be tempted? Onehandmade Facebook | Instagram | Images by JL Photography Motorcycles via Bike EXIF http://www.bikeexif.com May 29, 2019 at 12:12PM |
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