I've been consuming motorcycle media at a voracious rate while we're buried alive in snow. You probably know about the obvious stuff like Long Way Round, but I've been trying to find less known (in North America) faire. Here is a quick list of some off-the-beaten track stuff that you might not have seen from Great Britain:
ITV's The Motorbike Show: Henry Cole of World's Greatest Motorcycle Rides fame does reviews of motorcycle culture focusing on racing, restoring and interviewing people involved in motorbiking. I've really enjoyed this show, I wish it got more attention here in North America.
Wild Camping by Jo Sinnott is an epic journey from Ireland to Portugal through the best parts of Europe. Jo takes you wild camping while travelling on her Triumph Bonneville. If you're interested in long distance riding, Jo not only shows you through the rough camping ethos but also looks into the mindset you need to survive a long road trip.
ITV and Travel Channel UK represent motorcycle and travel culture on the leading edge. I only wish they were more available in North America. OLN? Speed Channel? Pick these up!
Showing posts with label The Motorbike Show. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Motorbike Show. Show all posts
Thursday 20 February 2014
Monday 17 February 2014
Dream Project Motorbikes
Some dream project bike builds...
Stock (before) |
1970s Honda CB750 Cafe Racer Mod
I'd modernize the pieces that need modernizing. This isn't a period remake, it's about creating something new with old bones.
A cafe racer build (after) |
I'd hope to be able to pick up the bike for less than a couple of grand and then put at least that much into it again as I stripped it and put together a personally customized cafe racer. The CB is a big bike, which would turn into a bike cafe racer for a big guy.
Being Austin - build my own Mondo Enduro Machine
Austin on his mighty Suzuki DR350 |
In rebuilding it I'll not only end up with a dependable long distance off roader, but I'll also have laid hands on the entire thing before it inevitably breaks somewhere far from anywhere, meaning I'll know how to get it going again.
Long distance and modernizing modifications would include a long range tank, updated suspension and an engine rebuild with performance carbs and a re-bored engine.
Find a 1990s DR350 Suzuki dual sport bike and prep it for long distance off road work, Mondo Enduro-ize it! |
The goal would be a minimalist go-anywhere machine that isn't all about branding. So many adventure bikes are all about the BMW-ness or whatever. This bike would be a capable, light-weight all rounder that isn't about advertising but all about going anywhere.
Anime Dreams: taking the bike I loved as a kid and building an anime custom
I'd want to do a rebuilt / customization that keeps the feel of the bike but also feeds into the Japanese animation fixation I've had forever.
Influencing the build would be Akira and Robotech. BBB-Bike has already done a Cyclone customization, which is a bit more comicon than I'd be aiming for.
My Interceptor would still be an Interceptor, but with little tech-touches that bring out the anime in it. LED lights, a customized, anime inspired seat/rear cowling and mirrors, that sort of thing.
Real Restoration: a Triumph Bonneville the same age I am
an new old Triumph Bonneville |
Henry and Peter Thorne (the restorer), of Aspire Restorations, take what can only be described as a complete wreck (a frame and fairly useless lump of engine) and completely rebuilt it. It ends up pretty much being a new 1970 Triumph Bonneville.
I'd like to find a British bike built on the same day I was born (in the UK) and do a restoration on it, then we could both age gracefully together.
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