Suzuki T500 restoration update
Here are a few quick shots of the bodywork stuck on the bike that I took with my phone so we could get a feel for what it will look like. As you can see, the side fairings have a lot of bulges and contours that made it very hard to get the stripes to look straight. In fact, they aren’t even close to straight since you need to change the angles quite a bit to adjust for the curves in the panel but they look straight from the side. Still a lot... [Read More...]
Audi buys Ducati- Press Release
AUDI AG acquires sports motorcycle manufacturer Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. - Chairman Rupert Stadler: “As a sporty, global premium brand, Ducati is an excellent fit for Audi.” - Third pillar for AUDI AG in Italy - Ducati a leading player in engine technology and lightweight construction Ingolstadt/Bologna, April 18, 2012 – AUDI AG is acquiring from Investindustrial Group the tradition-steeped Italian sports motorcycle manufacturer... [Read More...]
Suzuki T500 Daytona Bike Update
Well, the clear coat is on and the panels look awesome. The color scheme with the lighter Suzuki blue outlined in red looks perfect on a 70′s vintage bike. I should be ready to put the panels on in a couple of days after they have had time to cure. There is still a lot of detail work to be done, but I’ll post a quick shot with the panels on just so everyone can get an idea of what it looks like… Suzuki T500 Gas Tank T500 side... [Read More...]
Huge Ducati Collection to be Auctioned
1972 Ducati 750 200 Miglia Imola Corsa Replica From Hemmings Blog: One of the largest private collections of Ducatis ever assembled will cross the block next month at RM’s auction at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco. Scheduled to cross the auction block on the first day of the event, the Carlo Saltarelli Collection features more than 100 rare and unique Ducatis, many of which have known racing history. Racing replicas and classic Ducati road bikes from... [Read More...]
Suzuki T500 update
I’ve been working hard on the body panels for this T500 and we are slowly getting there. One common problem with old, old stuff like this is that there are usually lots of coats of old enamel paint on them. All you can do is try to get as much of it off as possible but there is always residue left that will crack or crinkle when you put any modern automotive paint on it. This is the problem I had even after priming with an epoxy primer to seal... [Read More...]
RZ500 Update- new wheels
The RZ500 in the slideshow at the top has a set of PM alloy wheels but they always looked a little strange since the real race bike had gold wheels. He used the PM wheels because they were the only ones he could find that would take a modern tire and still fit in the swingarm. Well, he found another set and sent them off to be powder coated in the original gold color and the results look great. The wheels are still different of course but getting... [Read More...]
Video- Stoner at Sepang on the RC213
This is a must watch video… watch it in HD and if you want some good desktop backgrounds, hit your print screen button and then paste it into paint, photoshop, etc and save it. Read More →
Ducati Announces their 848 EVO contingency program for racers
848 EVO Here’s the press release from Ducati… The only caveat I see is that the bike had to be purchased new from a dealer. So there is apparently no money if you buy a used bike to race. The Ducati 848EVOachieved many successes in 2011 in the hands of a number of privateers and club racers. These results are attributed to the ambitions of Ducati to push the envelopes of racing performance and technology combined with years of development... [Read More...]
New Project- 1971 Suzuki T500 race bike
The guy who I painted the Yamaha RZ500 in the slideshow for brought me another project to work on- a 1971 Suzuki T500 race bike that we are going to do as a replica of the Daytona bike. These pictures are as it sits now and the drawing is what we are aiming for- or something very similar. Since all of these bikes were essentially 1 off race bikes, there is no “official” scheme to model it after. But we do have some pictures from that era... [Read More...]
New Agusta 675 Brutale
All I can say is, wow. That is beautiful. I’m currently riding a Triumph 675 Street Triple R and I love it. The comparisons have already begun and the new Brutale isn’t even available yet but it should be a good fight. The Triumph is a great bike but a few years old now. If this new Agusta is everything it looks like it will be, I might have to sell the Triumph… Read the complete press release after the jump. 2010 Street Triple... [Read More...]
Some Pictures from the Barber Vintage Festival
It was a great weekend for vintage and custom motorcycle fanatics… Even the races were fun with big old time names like Schwantz, Springsteen and Ahern all racing. Some of the custom stuff was amazing and NCR Ducati had a bunch of exotic stuff there along with lots of vintage Ducs. Check out the gallery of photos… Schwantz's Norton #gallery-1 { margin: auto; } #gallery-1 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top:... [Read More...]
Barber Vintage Festival starts today!
The yearly Vintage festival at Barber Motorsports Park starts today and runs through Sunday. I go every year and never tire of looking at the thousands of amazing bikes that show up. if you don’t already have plans for the weekend, you can’t go wrong here. If you need parts for an older bike, the swap meet will probably have it. Barber always puts on an excellent event and the weather is going to be outstanding, so don’t miss it! Vintage... [Read More...]
07 SV650 naked… ready for a new home
Well, the SV is done and it looks awesome. Really nice low mile (4600) bike with all the tasteful upgrades- Carbon exhaust, billet mirrors, matte black upper triple clamp and handlebars, paint matched headlight, and the wide wheel conversion that allows you to use a 180 tire. SV’s are still at the top of my all time favorites in the bang for the buck category. 07 SV side 07 SV front Read More →
2007 Suzuki SV650 paint and restoration
I picked this bike up at the auction a couple of months ago and I’m finally getting around to working on it. Mechanically, it was fine but it needed some cosmetics. I’m taking off the ill-fitting clip-ons and replacing them with the stock risers and some generic superbike bars. One cool addition is the CBR600 rear wheel which allows you to use a 180 rear tire. This doesn’t make much difference for street riding, but it makes a big... [Read More...]
New Moto Guzzi V7 Racer Now Available
Moto Guzzi has announced a very cool new model in a press release today. This genre of motorcycle is quickly gaining market share because the average age of riders continues to increase. But, even some younger riders are into the retro stuff or at least the naked bike/Streetfighter scene. This new Guzzi is a modern day rendition of their old race bikes and it is very well done with great colors and detail. I love the black on red frame… Press... [Read More...]