VALENTINO ROSSI vs GUY MARTIN - DUEL !!!

SHORTS: TT Racer | Guy Martin's Passion For Life | 4oD

Distinguished Gentleman's Ride - Austin was a success!

Had a great turnout for the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride in Austin Texas today.  The weather was amazing with eighty degree temperatures and cooling cloud cover.  We all met at the Radio Coffee & Beer.  It was amazing to see so many dapper men and ladies gathered together with their wonderful motorcycles.  There were a wonderful variety of machinery.  Many vintage Yamaha's and Hondas in cafe, bobber or original trims.  Triumphs were present in many styles, along with Ducati, Moto Guzzi and Royal Enfield.  

We roared through downtown Austin, circled the state capital, cruised through the University of Texas and ended up at The Lost Well.  Here we were greeted with MotoGP on the television, and fresh pies and pints.  

The day was a smashing success and the charity has surpassed it's goal of $1,000,000.  I cannot wait until next year!

It is not to late to donate.  Just click here for a worthy cause to wipe out prostate cancer.  Many thanks.

https://www.gentlemansride.com/rider/yzfchix

Gathering for coffee

Coffee meet

Radio Coffee

Cafe Racers

Radio Coffee

Nice cafe custom

Dapper gentlemen

more dapper men

meeting place

meeting place

Destination reached

The Lost Well

The pooch rode too!

Received an anonymous donation!

Thank you for the generous donation for the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride fight to end Prostate Cancer.  I send you much love.

Angela

Donate now at:

https://www.gentlemansride.com/rider/yzfchix

~ ROAD ~ THE MOVIE ~ DUNLOP'S ~ ♣ OFFICIAL TRAILER - Liam Neeson - ✔

Stoked to see this!!!!

Distinguished Gentleman's Ride Tomorrow

I am taking part in the 2014 Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride to help raise funds for research into Men’s Prostate Cancer. I am going to don dapper, jump on my bike and help find a cure. An average of 1 in 6 men around the globe will be affected by prostate cancer, I am going to do my part to kick prostate cancer in the buttocks!

PLEASE DONATE HERE:

https://www.gentlemansride.com/rider/yzfchix

Thanks for your support!
Angela

I will post pictures tomorrow.  Please donate for a worthy cause to wipe out prostate cancer.  Thank you!

Gentleman's Ride link

2014 Ulster Roadracing Video. EPIC stuff!

If you like watching the Isle of Man TT, then check out this year's Ulster race.  Unbelievable road racing.  I hope Bruce Antsey is okay.

You guys all ROCK!

Leaving the rat race behind - Allen Karl Travels Around the World

I think every motorcyclist would just love to toss away the suit and tie, get out from behind that desk, and ride.  Just keep going wherever the motorcycle takes you.  Unfortunately we are not all that adventurous or are willing to take that risk.  There are those that do and one of them is Allen Karl.  He has a new book out called "Forks" about his motorcycle adventure around the world, and he shares his tales along with recipes he enjoyed along the way.  

Thanks for being an inspiration, Allen.  Best of luck with the book!

Learn more here:

Allen Karl

Hero hires former BMW automobile designer to head R&D

Hero Motorcycles out of India has hired a new R&D manager, former BMW Automobile designer Marcus Braunsperger.  Hero currently owns 49.3% of EBR - Erik Buell Racing.  

For more on this, here is the link to motorcycle daily.com

hero-hires-top-german-designer-to-head-rd-division

I am excited about their concept Hastur 620 - great looking bike!

Hastur 620 concept

Silverstone MotoGP this weekend features Brough Superior Moto2 Entry

I am very excited to see the debut of the Moto2 Brough Superior in action at Silverstone August 29 - 31st.  Jeremey McWillians will be riding the monocoque chassis design made from carbon fiber.

I am so excited to see how this beautiful machine will perform.  Fingers crossed for some good TV time!

http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/motogp/jeremy-mcwilliams-wildcard-silverstone-brough-superior-moto2/

Moto2 Brough Superior Race Bike

Buddy Holly's 1958 Ariel Cyclone Up For Auction in October

On October 5, 2014 a collection of 2000 items from Waylon Jennings will be auctioned in Phoenix, Arizona at the Musical Instrument Museum.  Among the items being actioned is a 1958 Ariel Cyclone that belonged to Buddy Holly.  This motorcycle was a gift to Waylon Jennings for his 42nd birthday.  It has 4,000 original miles on it.  

Here are links to more information:

http://www.motorcycleclassics.com/classic-motorcycle-events/remembering-waylon-motorcycle-auction.aspx?newsletter=1&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=MCC%20eNews&utm_campaign=8.27.14%20MCC%20Shop%20Talk#axzz3Bht7ss8a

http://www.guernseys.com/Guernseys%20New/waylon_jennings.html

1958 Ariel Cyclone

Harley Customs That Do Not Suck - out of England

Ok, I typically am not a fan of Harley Davidson and the whole poser scene that it is.  However, I came across the Shaw Speed and Custom site, and like what I see.  

http://www.shawspeedandcustom.co.uk

Go Captain America!

Captain America bike

Bandit9 - Two Wheel Art from China

Two wheel art in it's finest is coming out of China.  Currently two models of vintage Hondas are available, and they will not break the bank if you are in the market for something completely different.  

EVE has me completely speechless - the 1967 Honda SS looks like nothing I have seen in the motorcycling world.  The fuselage is stunning - and different.  

Eve by Bandit9

The BISHOP CONCEPT is also something to behold.  I want that exhaust!  I wish he posted videos of these bikes running.  

Bishop by Bandit9

Visit them at:

http://www.banditnine.com

Custom Motorcycles Link

I found a fellow lover of custom motorcycles at this site:

Wind-Blown.com

http://wind-blown.com

He posts motorcycles he finds on the web, and what I really love is you can click any photo and you are taken to the website where he found the bike.  He also posts videos - Thanks, Drew!

Wish I was more web savvy (-;

Moto Guzzi 

Some very cool cafe racers from Ton Up Garage out of Portugal

I am always looking at cafe racers, and I found Ton Up Racers website, and they have some beautiful motorcycles they have transformed.  

Visit them at:

http://tonupgarage.tumblr.com

Photo by Ton Up Garage

Exotic and Classic Motorcycles for sale

Some very interesting motorcycles for sale from around the world are posted on this Classic Driver site.  I had never heard of some of these, like the AJS and Douglas.  There are even videos of the motorcycles running.  

You can also check out other exotic cars, collectibles, yachts and mansions.  Ok - so this site is for the rich, but it is always fun to look.  Enjoy!

http://www.classicdriver.com/en/bikes

Hailwood Replica

AJS and Matchless Motorcycles

I stumbled on this list of vintage motorcycle pictures - pretty neat to check out.  Let me know what you think!

http://archives.jampot.dk/general/Pictures_of_models/

AJS - photo by Motorcycleclassics.com

Matchless - photo from theworldofmotorcycles.com

Kawasaki Ninja 30th Anniversary Celebrated at WSBK in Monterey

This year while attending the 2014 U.S. round of World Superbike at Laguna Seca Raceway, Kawasaki unveiled it's 30th anniversary model of the Ninja ZX-14R.  Only 300 of these 2015 Ninja's with ABS will be offered.  It is the exact same shade of Firecracker Red and Metallic Graystone paint as the 1984 Ninja 900.  30th anniversary logos will be on the fairings with a numbered badge on each gas tank.  An original 1984 Ninja 900 was also on display at the track.  

It is hard for me to believe that the Ninja is 30 years old - I remember wanting a Ninja when I was first shopping for a street bike.  At the time, all I wanted was a Ninja.  Since it was my first street legal motorcycle, a Ninja was a little optimistic, so I settled for the EX-500 with the extra fairings.  It was really nice to see kawasaki putting in the extra effort for fans with this unveiling, participating in the track Marketplace, and hosting a Ninja Nights fan party.  

I have attend many racing events, and being a Kawasaki owner, always felt left out of the hospitality tents offered by other manufacturers like Ducati and Honda.  I am proud of the hard work and determination Tom Sykes has, and am glad he is able to put the Kawasaki in the spotlight, and hopefully win another world championship for them.

On Saturday, Tom Sykes of Kawasaki Racing Team thrilled fans by scorching the track by setting a new World Superbike Championship track record of 1’21.811. Sykes’ time was .582 seconds shy of the 1’21.229 track record set in 2012 by MotoGP Repsol Honda Team rider Dani Pedrosa.  Very impressive!

Podium winners race 2

Biking in Hammond’s house! Top Gear

Biking in Hammond’s house! DIY Top Gear – Top Gear Uncovered | Super Car Mag

I love Top Gear!  Here's a motorcycle related video (-:

Brough Superior Moto2 GP – Jay Leno’s Garage

Brough Superior Moto2 GP – Jay Leno’s Garage | Super Car Mag

Moto2 Brough Superior - photo from Jay Leno's Garage

The 2014 Distinguished Gentlemen's Ride

THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN'S RIDE

The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride is a celebration of the art of being dapper
and the style of classic custom motorcycles. What does that mean, you ask?

Check out the link to find out more.....

THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN'S RIDE The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride is a celebration of the art of being dapper and the style of classic custom motorcycles. What does that mean, you ask?

http://www.gentlemansride.com

Add caption

Photo from thebikeshed.cc

Brough Superior - A legend is reborn

I was searching the web after seeing a Brough Superior at the Handbuilt motorcycle show in Austin this April.  It is a fascinating motorcycle to look at, and one I knew very little about.  To my astonishment, I learned that the Brough Superior has been reborn in Austria by Mark Upham.  The SS100 model will celebrate it's 90th anniversary this year, at a cost of $65,000.  I just love to look at it, whether it is an original 1921 model or the pictures of the all new 2014.  Motorcycles like these really get one excited.

New SS100 model - photo from bikeexif.com

http://www.broughsuperiormotorcycles.com

photo from bikeexif.com

http://www.bikeexif.com/brough-superior-ss100

THE - ROAD - WARRIORS - ✔ ♣_IRISH_✜ ROAD ♛ RACING - ✔ +(Southern100, Isl...

THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH♛✔ ★HD★ 322kmh-200mph Street Race ✔ ISLE of MA...

My favorite video - Irish Road Racing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU-ynRoqDEs


Here is a favorite video on YouTube of Irish Road Racing.  This will never happen in America.  Bummer.....

Every time I watch this, my heart races, and I want to RIDE! FAST!

Triumph Live this weekend!

Just stumbled across this amazing event called Triumph Live that takes place in England this weekend.  Appears to be an event that takes place every two years to celebrate the Triumph motorcycle.

Yes - officially on my Bucket List!

http://www.triumph-live.com

An awesome Bonneville!

Check this out.......

http://www.bonnefication.com/sex-city-07-bonneville/

A preview to the upcoming World Superbike round in Monterey

Stable of some fine machinery

With MotoGP out of the picture for Laguna Seca this year, World Superbikes were able to step in.  Last year I was lucky enough to ride my Triumph Bonneville to the MotoGP event, and it was an epic ride up over the Sierras.  Even though I am bummed out that MotoGP is not there, I am extremely excited to have World Superbikes back in the states.  I really enjoy the more relaxed atmosphere of WSBK, not to mention, the 8 manufactures that participate.  The racing is extremely close and exhilarating.  http://www.mazdaraceway.com/fim-superbike-world-championship

WSBK podium fan Q&A

The legend that is Troy Corser

Me with Nori Haga - I miss him!

Hope to see you there!

Ride Report - Fathers Day Weekend

It was almost one year in the making.  The Idaho VJMC decided to put on our own show and ride. We decided to have a vintage motorcycle ride on Saturday and a show on Sunday.  In January, the show still seemed like it was a long way off.  We still had a venue to confirm, and many, many more tasks to assign and plan.  In February, the show committee was in place, but our venue had changed.  Initially the plan was for a public museum to host our event.  They were in agreement, and then backed out.  We went to Plan B and it’s the one that stuck.  Plan B was to hold our event at a private museum, owned by a local family and open only by appointment.  Our date also changed by a couple of weeks.  We already had fliers with the original date and venue, and had to quickly update fliers and retract the old information.  Our new date was Father’s day weekend, but it was also the well established downtown car show.  Would our new date still draw participants and spectators? 

In March we had our trial run for the Saturday ride.   Five of us were present to test our route of about 60 miles from our meeting venue to Swan Falls on the Snake River and back to town for lunch.  In planning our ride, we were cognizant of the age of the motorcycles, fuel range and traffic volumes.  My plan was to ride the 1980 XS400 , but it had other ideas.  I guess she did not want to go that morning, because I tried really hard but when I attempted to accelerate onto the main road, she would not go, misfiring on both cylinders.  I unhappily limped her back home, and had to opt for the backup because by now I was running late.  My “almost vintage” 1996 YZF 600 fired up and off I went.  

Our trial run went really well - although I do not think any of the motorcycles on our trial run were vintage.  It was March in Idaho after all and we were lucky it was not snowing.  Our destination was Swan Falls Dam on the Snake River.  Traffic was light, we had a gas station along the way and the route was scenic and doable on a vintage motorcycle.  Check!  We parked our bikes and wandered down to the dam with hopes that the visitor’s center was open.  To our disappointment, the visitor’s center is only open weekdays or by appointment.  We were able to walk on the dam, and peer through the windows at the long ago seized up generator turbines.  The  mighty Snake River itself and the canyon walls on the decent down were reason enough to make this a perfect destination for our ride.  

Fast forward to 2 weeks before the show.  The show committee organized a meeting and asked me to attend.  I was happy to help any way I could, and come to find out, our ride planner and captain was unsure of his new work schedule so I was elected to lead the ride.  I was both surprised and excited as well as a little apprehensive.  Luckily I have been on numerous group rides, have loads of riding experience, and knew the route.  It was confirmed that we had 21 preregistered participants.  We had no idea how many of these would show up for the ride.  Would we have 5 bikes or 50 for the ride?  There were many questions as this was our very first event.  Were we successful in getting the word out?  Will there be new riders that are not club members?  Who will show up?  

We had one last meeting two days before the ride and show just to make sure everything was in place, planned appropriately and we knew what to do once we all arrived.  For the ride, we had our wonderful President of our club driving the support vehicle in case of mechanical issues.  I was ready to assume my role as ride captain, and Joe was my sweeper at the back.  We all knew the route, all we had to do was wait for Saturday to arrive.  

As I drove home from our meeting, it started to hit me that this was the weekend.  It had arrived and it was show time.  and I was wishing we had one more week... Were we really ready for this?  Is my motorcycle ready?  I was running out of time to prepare.  Upon arriving home I fired up the XS400 since she had not been out for a couple weeks.  She happily fired right up, so I checked tire pressures, fluid levels, chain condition and cleanliness.  I took her out for a quick spin, and reserved Friday evening for washing and polishing.  

Saturday morning comes very early for me.  I love sleeping in on the weekends, but this weekend there will be none of that.  I plan an extra half hour this morning to exercise the dogs, have my coffee and time to tinker with the motorcycle.  The morning is a beautiful crisp 49 degrees with no clouds in the sky with an expected high in the low 80’s.  I fire up the XS400 in the garage with the door closed, as the exhaust is rather loud and I would like to keep peace with my neighbors.  I let her warm up for about five minutes and then roll her out.  The steady thump, thump of the little twin is very satisfying, and the subtle vibration is just enough to make my mirrors almost useless.  Pulling out of the drive way, I am very excited to be going on a ride with others that share the same passion as me.  I dodge manhole covers along the way and smile as this day is turning out to be perfect in every way.

Arriving at our meeting place, there are a handful of motorcycles and some new faces.  They were our northern members who travelled over 400 miles down from Spokane, WA and Lewiston, ID to make a weekend out of it.  After I parked my motorcycle, I assisted with sign ins.  To all of our surprise, more and more unfamiliar motorcycles and new faces were arriving.  The excitement was building as this was an amazing turn out.  Twenty-seven motorcycles were going on our inaugural ride.  The participants ranged from a Yamaha two-stroke to Honda Valkyries, with a Triumph and a couple of Harley’s mixed in.  We had in-line fours, 2 strokes, twins, an automatic and everything in between 250 cc’s to 1500 cc’s.  A father and son arrived to discover that the exhaust pipe does not make a good foot rest!  His son had melted away the bottom of his shoe and dad had a sticky mess to deal with later.    

After a quick debrief, it was time to start our engines.  I pulled out to assume the leader position.  I waited as everyone lined up and we were on our way.  The smells that you notice on a motorcycle are always so poignant.  This morning we rode through someone’s cigar smoke, fresh cut alfalfa and dairy farms.  Our first stop was at the gas station one third of the way along the route.  We all lined up along the back parking lot, like the calvary waiting for the charge command.  It was the perfect photo opportunity, and we only lost two participants that did not see us.   After about ten minutes, it was time to head out to our destination.  This was the fun part of the ride.  We had only two stop signs and then open road.  Our ride took us through the protected birds of prey area where hawks were soaring above us, and sometimes in parallel as they searched for prey.  Whistle pigs darted from the sides of the road, sometimes hesitating and turning back, and others just going for it.  There were railroad tracks and cattle guards to navigate, and then the nice ninety degree turns.  This is when the ride gets exciting.  The dark canyon walls of the Snake River are in view, and the Owyhee mountains are closer.  After the series of corners, it is time to descend into the canyon.  In the back of my mind I am hoping everyone has good solid brakes, or at least a strong transmission to slow them down.  The dark canyon wall rises up on the right as we steeply descend, and then take a one hundred and eighty degree turn that gently guides us down to the dam.  

At the bottom, we all form up in one area in front of the dam.  Today we are in luck as the visitor center is open.  We all spent about an hour learning some history on the area, and getting to know each other better.  It seems everyone has enjoyed the ride, and I am happy to learn that one long time resident has never been to Swan Falls before.  The next stop on our ride is for lunch back in town, where some stay and others continue on the enjoy this glorious day.

On Sunday amoungst all the many duties I was performing, it was very satisfying to over hear how everyone really enjoyed the ride.  I was thanked several times for leading and  Richard, our route planner did an outstanding job.  We had no break downs, and no one was arrested!  I wish I could have been a spectator with a camera along the roadside as 27 vintage motorcycles roared by because it is not every day that a gathering this special happens.  I am now looking forward to planning for next year’s event and an even bigger turnout.

Pre-ride gathering

Melted rubber

The calvary

Swan Falls Dam

Inside the Dam

Honda Automatic