Wednesday 20 May 2009

Shinya Test Run



Went to El Mirage dry lake beds about an hour north of LA yesterday. Was there to help a friend qualify for his Bonneville Salt license. Took some pix. Saw the crazy Ducati roundcase built for Brad Pitt by Chabott Engineering. Amazing. Ran into a friend who has built a Guzzi Land Speed bike. (171mph at Bonneville last year). Enjoy. Andrew Gray [our man on the ground in LA] Go Fast just Go Fast.

9 comments:

America said...

Rear wheel is not straight on that first bike. Look at the off center wear line on tire and you can visually see it cocked left. Welds look ugly for a high price bike as well. If I was Brad Pit i'd want my money back.

Anonymous said...

Very cool. Let us know about the next event out there!
santahnah@yahoo.com

harreng said...

Love the headlight assy on the Duke, great as a piece of art, but shouldn't the wheels line up? something looks wrong there!

Sideburn Magazine said...

This is my theory...
at the end on the test run, the bike was wheeled back to the pits, leant over while walking (in the normal manner) standing on the left of the bike. This would give the off centre dust mark. Then add camera distortion from a wide-angle lens & you end up with what looks like a wonky set-up.

As for the primitive looking welding, if you haven't seen this before, this is STEAM PUNK.
BP

America said...

You could work for the Federal Government with spin like that =)

Normally I wouldn’t pick apart someone’s work but for a high dollar bike sloppy is not acceptable.

Sideburn Magazine said...

Funny you should say that America, my last job was for the CIA.

Oh by the way, I know where you live, & I'm going to send some of the boys round with Vernier gauges & laser levels to check your wheel alignment. They better be true.
BP

Anonymous said...

If I was Brad Pitt I would'nt be worried about wheel alignment, I'd be at home playing naked giggy giggy with the missus, eventhough she's supposed to be a bit mental.

phwoarrrrrr...

I don't know if Mrs P reads Sideblog, but I'm free on tuesdays?

Jason

Anonymous said...

Jason
Shinya has Ange on Tuesdays, why do think he can't put his wheel in straight for the rest of the week?

The Tyre Perv.

Anonymous said...

Just to clarify. The Duc didn't make a run. Don't think Mr Pitt would be too happy with it being thrashed across the desert. Also check out the Guzzi here:

http://www.teamsubtlecrowbar.pitpilot.com/about/index.htm

Andrew.