Saturday 31 March 2012

No Substitute for Cubes

Framing up a nice big art print is like putting clean linen on your bed, you wonder why it took you so long. Sideburn collaborator Chris Watson sketched my Guzzi, fuzzy logic makes me smile. This is the office wall I've got my back to in this shot.

1) Can't remember where this came from, but it's like a rice sack and humped on my shoulder, stuffed with dirty smalls on the way to the local launderette, it caused me to get pinned up against a wall in Liverpool by a police meat wagon mounting the kerb.
2) Used to collect Francis Debaisieux postcards while on holiday in France, of 'quaint' peasant life, then came across this life-size poster in a petrol station! Wonder if I would have become that old boy if I'd stuck at the rural dream?
3) Fantastic embroidery of an F-15 fighter by Claire Elizabeth Platt picked up at the old Cafe Kino, Bristol.
4) The idea of gardening is wholesome, but I have black fingers. Everything I touch dies. Kitsch Kitchen plastic flowers are a much safer bet.
5) Ultimately dashing Silvio Grassetti on the Monza(?) banking.
6) 948 cubes in felt-tip by Chris Watson.
7) People still give me cautionary grief about this helmet but it's a NEW repro made by Bandit in Berlin. I wear it for short track without a visor unless it's really muddy as it feels too fishbowl with. I'm a fresh air freak.
8) Lewis Leathers road racing boots.
9) Wore a Davida bowl several years on the trot in London. Nothing more comfortable. (yeah yeah yeah, "nothing more unsafe"). Still wear the Dusted one when snowboarding.
10) My Mum paid a mechanic £5 to drag these Peter Jones mahogany glove-box draws (32 of them) out of a skip and up the stairs of our flat in the early 70s.
11) Is it a global phenomenon that when one moves house, it takes Years to finally unpack the last box?
12) Original title artwork from SB#10 Pikes Peak 'One Hellava Hill'.
13) Mughal period Indian beard styles reference chart.
14) Proper Italian water-slide transfer of tiger temptress, and a shot of my brother on his BSA C-15 back in the day.
15) Before downloading everyandanything that catches my eye into countless computer folders, I used to tear things out of magazines and pin it on the wall for inspiration. Seems like rather an antiquated adiction now.
BPUP DATE:
If you would like your own bike sketched in this style from a photo, contact CW via his website.

Twin Shock Enduro

Great photos from Streetracker blog. Ride it, don't hide it. G

Friday 30 March 2012

Guy's Big Brew (and new lid)

For charity...

Guy Martin's Big Brew
Road racing legend Guy Martin wants us all to have a ‘proper mug of tea’ at participating venues over the Bank Holiday weekend of 4th-7th May 2012, in support of the charity Spinal Research.

All around the UK kettles will be boiling, tea will be brewed and fundraising activities will be underway. A number of partners have signed up so far, from motorcycle dealerships and Hein Gericke stores, to biker cafes, motorcycle owners’ clubs, IAM and individual riders, all with a view to raising money and giving something back.

Show and grow
To make this year’s event even more fun you can enter a ‘grow your own sideburns’ competition. Male Guy Martin fans might decide to ‘grow their own’ or sponsor a friend, while the girls might decide to design jewelled or painted sideburns, so they can take part too. The winner of the best sideburns as judged by Guy will win a Focused Events track day on the full Moto GP Silverstone circuit at any of their 2012 events.

Visit your local participating dealership or Hein Gericke store during the Big Brew weekend, to have your photograph taken with your best ‘mutton chops’ and be entered into the competition.
You can also tweet your side burn growth images to @TheBigBrew or share their evolution on Facebook (search 'Ride Out for Spinal Research') to give your facial hair the recognition it deserves!


In other Guy-related news, below are images of Guy's 2012 race lid - painted by Paddy of 3six2seven. G

Pursang Motors 450 Racer

A new flat track race bike, from new company Pursang Motors in Spain. Our friend Jacapo Monti tested it.

My name is Jim. I'm from Spain (Barcelona) and I'm the owner of Pursang. During the last years I have been making a motocross prototype and because I love flat track, the last weeks I made a flat track single version.
Since I'm a follower of you I thought It could be interesting you to see the test images and the images of the exhibition where I presented it.

I modified the Pursang 450i motocross bike in one week to show it in MOTOEMOTIONS 2012 in Vaduz, Liechtenstein and after tested it in Novara on the way back home. It was a special trip for me as it's the first "action" I do professionally for Pursang. What I did before within Pursang was during my free time in my garage and with computer as a hobby. I was working since
one month ago as a car designer but I quit to concentrate full time on motorbikes and Pursang, my real passion.

The engine is a 450 injection from Sherco straight from factory, only the exhaust is changed. It needs more power and probably a 510 injection from the same brand would be better. I'm in contact with them to speak about the new generation engines they are building to use them in Pursang bikes.

From now on I will improve the motorbike listening Jacopo´s suggestions as I want to do a special machine specific for flat track.

Jacopo´s evaluation of the bike was that the base is working already really good though being a first flat track setup.
The front could be lower and the engine stronger. Add minor changes on ergonomics, mainly on the right side to allow more leg pressure on the tank, and he would prefer highest handlebar, and we go for the next test ride.
I Thank Jacopo for all his guidance!

I hope you like the Project and I want to say you´re doing a great magazine!

Thursday 29 March 2012

Can I show off my Silk Road?

From Yosuke in Japan

Can I show off my moto? It's Honda Silk Road. There was lesser‐known line product from Japan. But, reorganized style is very cool. I think my moto looks like your magazine's contents, street-style moto.

Subarashii! Check out the silencer between shock and rear tyre. See more at Yosuke's blog - Moderately Days. Warning, there are a lot of cats on it.
Honda CT250S Silk Road before picture is below.G

Watch it! He's got a blade

A year or so ago, I had an urge - springtime and all that - to up my machismo and start wielding a proper razor. OK, not an open cut-throat, there are limits (mind you, I'd like a go with one, but perhaps that's just the ted in me).

I'd never shaved with anything other than a cartridge head thing, if that's even what they're called. You get charged a fortune for a bubble pack of plasticky bobbins each with two, no three, no twelve blades. Yeah, right. I got fed up with the marketing shite and the fact that I was needlessly chucking plastic into landfill, and that my only bit of 'grooming' was based around this freakish bit of twoddle apparently designed by some bloke still obsessed with Star Wars.

So, a quick mooch around the web for ideas and recommendations, not least at Badger & Blade, a site I soon realised is the home of the world's shaving obsessives and fetishists, and I opted for this beauty. It's a DE89 made in Sheffield, England by Edwin Jagger and just picking the thing up is a joy, a weighty tool that feels like it'll last into the next century. It took a bit of getting used to, not furnished with a swanky swivel head and having more heft than a piece of wet celery, and it would have been ironic if a face forever disfigured by cack-handed early efforts would need to be covered for the rest of my life by an extensive beard, but it was a bloodless coup.

And the price of this hi-chrome dominator? A bit over twenty quid. MP

Day Job

As Sideburn's Entertainments Officer, Dave Skooter Farm must be capable in many fields beyond his mere 3 O'levels (and an HND in crochet needlework). It's not all paper pushing, telephone shuttlecock and humping speakers, most days are quite fun. Luckily Dave has a driving license for every vehicle type ever invented, so road testing this panzer as a possible company car was a piece of wiener schnitzel. BP
UPDATE
It's only a matter of time

Wednesday 28 March 2012

GI's Rye House report

Jamie was still ironing some of the bugs out of his new Bastard at Rye. Simon Whitworth left a comment on the post a few days ago asking for details on this bike - Jamie says this:
Maybe this info will help someone else thinking of racing an XR or Dominator:

Front End:
43mm ZZR1100 forks cost £30 on ebay (any 43mm superbike forks will fit the
XR yokes);
19" CB750 Comstar £35 on ebay, any 19" 2.15 or smaller will do;
Co-Built bespoke front spindle £60;

Bodywork:
1978 DT175 tank, £10 was pretty rusted and dented
Knight style fibreglass flat track tail unit (trimmed at the front to fit) £15
Modified seat pan, homemade £10

Airbox:
K&N air filter £30
I kept the airbox but removed the top and the sides and fitted mesh
panels. HRC recommended gauze #30 which is woven gauze 0.15mm~0.3mm wire
with 0.85mm spacing.

Rear Suspension:
I sent the original unit to MCT, who shortened it by 35mm, with a shorter and stiffer WP spring, they also revalved the unit so the compression and rebound adjustment is improved. (£220)
The budget option is a Talon lowering link (£30) and standard shock, but I found this was way too baggy and caused inconsistent grip.

Engine:
JE Pistons 102.5mm piston (654cc 10.5:1) and 103mm sleeve £350
Bored and honed by Hartlen Engineering £100
No head work yet, (I ran out of money), but Co-Built Anthony recommends an XRB cam from Kent Cams which has a longer duration profile and should make a huge difference after the big bore.
My bike is a 1987 twin carb 600R, and the rings were shagged, but if the donor is a later 650 you should be fine without any engine work if it's in decent condition

Rear Wheel Chain & Sprockets:
19" 2.15 SM Pro laced to the original XR hub by Central Wheel Components £220 (I would have preferred to use a later XR650 disk brake hub but was on a tight budget so still have a rear drum brake)
DID super heavy duty 520 chain £60 (113 links with the current gearing)
14/52 Talon sprockets (the rear will go up or down depending on the track)
Don't fit a 13 tooth front sproket as it causes the chain to chew up the sprocket retainer!
Budget option for standard rear - 17" Goldspeed supermoto wet or 18" dunlop K180 (depending on rim size)

Bars and Controls:
Venhill quick throtte (single cable) £60
Renthal MX bars £30
Pro Taper triple compound grips £6
Standard speedway cut-out £4

Tyres:
Maxxis DTR 7.0 CD3 (front) £120
Maxxis DTR 7.0 CD5 (rear) £120

Exhaust:
Projection Components oversized XR low-slung flat track 304 stainless tig welded headers (kinked out for maximum front tyre clearance to my spec). Now they have a jig and are offering them for sale at £350.
Budget ebay end can £50

Last year I raced with only the front end mods and a Talon lowering link with some part worn tyres, so only spent around £180 to get on the grid, but I'd definitely recommend sorting out the suspension if you're thinking about racing one of these, the original shock is way too baggy and caused me a few highsides!


The build is on my blog at Full Lock or Death
One of three Aprilias racing this year. I think this is Tom Neave's (twin brother of SB10 cover star Tim).
Adam Allott's Aprilia with Co-Built pipe. Sounds great.
Co-Built's stable looked smart.
My old faithful Corsair.
Steve's Mutant Bros has mutated even further. Feature coming in the future.
Yes, this is how he runs it, with no traditional tank. This set up is inspired by grasstrack outfits.
Scottie's new ex-US military hauler. 'We're living the dream,' he beamed when he rolled up.
Another photos of last year's champion novice, Stuart L and his DT400
Ready to rumble. Novice group (including junior Flynn Scott #77).
Tim from Spirit of the Seventies turned up on the SR500 he's going to race in Dirt Quake's street tracker class for some sneaky practice. He had a blast too. If you've shown an interest in racing at Dirt Quake, entry forms are coming soon.
Les's Suzuki-powered CCM has developed over the winter. We're pretty equal in the riding stakes, me and Les, so I hope he hasn't improved it too much.

DON'T FORGET - first race on the season is at Leicester, this Sunday, April 1. Racing from 11am till 9.30pm with a break from 5-7pm. I'm trying to find out if spectators get in free. I'll post on the blog when I find out.

Fun in the Sun

Rye House practice last Sunday was toastie.
Action snaps by Gregory Mild.Glyn Pocklington's Aprilia RXV on songRonald making the most of England before he moves to PortugalSB10 cover star Tim Neave effortlessly slyling as usual China versus OxfordWar photography by Driver Chris. Drogo gets slapped by Ian Cramp(my pit snaps) I hate cats And 2-strokes but Stuart's DT400 is even more sexy than a pussy scarf.Research and Development 450 HondaThe Bastard. More ugly from this angle than in the previous post. Jamie you were on fiah - but you didn't crash, congratulations!Drogo and his new Co-Built #6. If I was a scrutineer I would deem this bike cheating. I test rode it post-crash with it's new Auto Race handlebars, but it's still so easy to ride it's almost ridiculous. it's PLANTED, it makes my CCM mongrel (with the same engine) just seem like a not very funny rubber joke. BP

Tuesday 27 March 2012

Margo goes Surfing

From Brett. Remember, every order from Sideburn gets a free limited edition vinyl sticker. This one is all gone though.

I've taken Sideburn surfing. She seems to be able to brave the cold waters of Cape Town!
All the best,
Brett Williams
Cape Town, South Africa

Unblock your U-bend

And de-bling horrible anodized parts. This is a trick I learnt from home economics evening classes at Eat The Rich. Thanks Pete I tried this today. Beware! the fumes are very powerful even outdoors. I chucked the leftovers down the drain and my smeggy old grate looked brand new after its chemical death wash. BP
BEFORE:Take some anodised parts that you dont like the colour of, a tin cup, £2 worth of Caustic Soda crystals from the local hardware shop and some pliers.
Mix about 1 part soda to 3 parts cold water in the tin, stir it up, chuck the bits in then fish them out with the pliers after about 3 minutes taking care not to breath the fumes. Wash them off and there you go. Tasteful bits.
Or you can try getting it off with the polishing wheel which will take ages, burn your fingers and you will probably loose at least one bolt/finger/part, as it gets ripped out of your grip and spat under the bench.

AFTER:

Wood is Good

I'd Love a welder in my shed. I Love metalwork. But when needs must, wood will do. Now for the strip down - with wooden tools of course. BP