sideblog

Photos in Helsinki

2012-02-02T01:56:00.000Z

We like Finns.

Photo Harvest exhibition is a show gathered by 11 photographers to showcase last
summers trips. Photos from all over Finland and from all sorts of situations.
There's also seven choppers from seven really different builders in the area to show how its done in Finland these days. Bikes are listed above. address: GALLERIA , Pursimiehenkatu 26 c, Helsinki 15

Opening is on Friday 3. of FEBRUARY 19.00 and the showroom is open for the whole weekend.So if you're here for the motorcycle fair that weekend here's an good alternative for the plastic poop.
So if you are in town same time at HELSINKI Moottoripyörä näyttely(Helsinki
Motorcycle Fair 2012 in Faircenter Pasila) go to look great photos!

PARTY
And on Sat 4. of February theres a party at the Road Weirdoes park. Hobo Junction is playing and bad biker movies during the day! address Kivihaantie 16, Kivihaka, Helsinki, Finland

Il Geghege

2012-02-01T21:17:00.003Z

This song is a staple of any Sideburn gathering that includes Dave and his portable record player (that's all the good ones). It's by Rita Pavone, who, as I can gather is the Italian Lulu. It had them dancing in the aisles in Verona (see below).

This is the second best choreographed video ever on the Sideburn blog. If this doesn't want to make you ditch your denim cut-off and Red Wings for a smart suit and winkelpickers, you're beyond saving. G
PS This is THE best choreographed video on Sideburn's blog Jaan Pehechaan Ho. Do yourself a favour and watch it too. Bonkers.

New Sideburn Sweats

2012-02-01T08:51:00.007Z

We know it's been a long time waiting to be paid since Christmas (those on a monthly wage), but don't go wasting it all on food and stuff, because we have these new Chris Watson designed zip neck sweatshirts going on sale any day (and an old favourite making a comeback). More details soon. G

Pointless

2012-01-31T19:01:00.007Z

I saw this front end on a few Harley XR1200s at the Verona show. I was struck by the 1980s barnstorming lunacy of it. This is brand new, but seems like it's from the time of inboard discs and six-cylinder engines and mechanical anti-dive. I mean, really, what the hell is the idea? If you can't make telescopic forks that work without an external coil-over shock unit and massive horse shoe brace (and all the related unsprung weight), then you're in the wrong game, just buy someone else's that do work. Or are the sliders empty and it's trying to be a BMW?

If you're impressed by this kind of gadgetry, you're probably 12. G

DT400 Bitsa

2012-01-31T12:44:00.002Z

From Tim at Spirit of the Seventies, another new build for the 2012 UK season...

I've attached a few pics I took yesterday of one of the two bikes Stuart Lovell (2011 novice champion) is running this year. This is a DT400 bitsa special and we've had the paint done for him by Graham at Revolution.

Low Key

2012-01-30T19:29:00.005Z

We don't organise this, but we go along. The scene in the UK is too small to ignore this, but standing around a car park in North London in February isn't particularly appealing. I don't know how we got stuck with February. The Raleigh Chopper and Manta GTE club must have got all the good dates.
Why am I being down on it? Because it is what it is. But when we make a fuss about something you can be sure it's special. G

Dandyism

2012-01-30T09:01:00.012Z

Drogo gave me some stick for my £2.99 100% polyester ladies scarf, bought in emergency from Tie Rack, Stanstead airport, just before boarding to Verona as Skooter Farm Dave was freaking out that Gary and I hadn't brought any neck fashion with us. (I'd forgotten my beloved Ruby-Eley-Kishimoto 100% pure silk one). Under pressure, Gary opted for a safer gentleman's cravat shot through with russet, also on sale.
However, here is a case of the pansy calling the rose pink. It seems Drogo has used the Tie Rack online shop as a parts catalogue for decorating Co-Built 6. I actually like the butterscotch fudge sundae flavor seat. My Guzzi has a brown suede seat and been ridden in all weathers for the past 20 years, and I've never wished I'd stuck to vinyl. Seriously man your svelte new bike "painted in Aston Matrin metalic grey, and period Jaguar racing red" tis good enough to eat. I look forward to spraying it with shale in the new season.
PS Please dont wear that spotty button kaftan - not even in the pits. It's really not you. BP

Dro-Built Progress

2012-01-29T20:49:00.003Z

Drogo's Co-Built is going to be ready for the new UK Short Track season. Exhaust next.

Not sure how the suede seat's going to hold up to a slushy Scunthorpe. G

Radical Ducati Dirt RAD

2012-01-28T09:32:00.003Z

Radical Ducati's first non-Ducati, coming to Sideburn magazine soon. G

Mees on Ice

2012-01-27T20:55:00.002Z

Perhaps too much music and tweed for some people's liking. I understand that. So here's a photo of the mighty Jared Mees (cover star of Sideburn 3) winning an indoor ice race last week. Styling. I think the last round is in Michigan, his home state. G

The Death Ramps

2012-01-27T17:32:00.004Z

Two people sent us a link to this in about 30 mins of each other (thanks Dan and Leigh), so I thought I'd share it. The Death Ramps seem to be the name the Arctic Monkeys use when they do a B-side or something. Richard Hawley's on this too. Looks like they're having fun.
If the Death Ramps ever want to release something on Sideburn Records we can put out people in touch with their people.

I can't work out what the bikes are for sure, but I reckon modern Bonnevilles. I wonder if this'll turn a million Monkey fans onto the joys of riding around Sheffield in a bubble visor. There are worse things to do. G

Poole Pirates

2012-01-27T13:29:00.005Z

We're having classic speedway heats at our May 19, Coventry race meeting. The event has a name: DIRT-QUAKE. G

Chris Watson Street Tracker T

2012-01-27T08:45:00.001Z

Chris Watson originally made this illustration for the Reilly Rocket SB#8 launch party poster, and we immediately thought it would make a great kids T. But turns out the Gildan Youth cut is not dissimilar to the adult ones it's just shorter. So if you are proud of your navel / your tight Bruce Lee stomach, just choose a size up from your regular adult size Gildan and strike a pose like the lovely Giaele here. We sold it to both guys and gals at Verona. BP

The REAL Stags

2012-01-26T19:36:00.006Z

A mate in London got in touch, very excited because he'd seen an advert promising The Stags were playing in London this Friday night. Well, they're NOT. It's another bunch, calling themselves the same name. A SWAT team from Wigan was despatched and the London imposters are changing their name. To make it clear, Sideburn's favourite band The Stags ARE NOT PLAYING THE BARFLY on Friday.
The good news is, they are playing:
Liverpool on Feb 10 (not 4th as we said) (at a drag themed Valentine's do. That's drag as in cross-dressing, not quarter miles).
London, Stag's Head, Hoxton, March 10.

RELATED NEWS, we now have a download code for The Stags 7in single on Sideburn Records, so for all you Luddites who are persevering with those old hat MP3 players, you can buy the 7in vinyl and we'll send the download code so you still listen to the raucous double-A side while you save up for your new record player. Can't say fairer than that.

God only knows what is going on in this photo, but I got it from The Stags MyspaceCentre (you remember Myspace, right?). I fear that might be Dave Skooter Farm. I think this image will flicker in my head next time we have to share a budget hotel room. G

Sinistro Velox

2012-01-26T08:29:00.005Z

Dave's nan embroidered these Sideburn LEFT QUICKLY coat of arms for our Verona tweeds. BP

UPDATE: After months of being dormant, Dave Skooter Farm's blog is back up and running. Check in at Full Frokkul Fiasco

If looks could kill

2012-01-25T15:06:00.004Z

Team Sideburn shot by Spanish photographer Kristina Fender. Click her name to see more of her recently posted shots from last year's Rollerburn. G

The Pace that Thrills 1952

2012-01-25T09:11:00.002Z

That Dusty is a doity wat. Thanks to Lenny Bubble Visor for the tip. BP

Verona 2012

2012-01-24T13:44:00.013Z

Another nutty one, great meeting of the clans, old faces, and new, but now we're all feeling as green as the K'wack below. More photos to follow when we get discharged from sickbay. Dave - a non-drinker cadged some water-soluble Codeine which he necked with a cup of Vodka we had stashed in an old mineral water bottle. Party on Dave.
We were sharing a hotel with Jesse James, Arlen Ness, and Exile Cycles' Russell Mitchell - did Dave get any bemused looks at the breakfast buffet? just a few, especially when each day he topped up his record boxes with extra yogurt and custard croissants as a show picnic. BP Our biggest Thank You goes to Mr Martini for hosting such a great party on Friday night.

I like the Isle of Man

2012-01-23T13:50:00.007Z

I'm writing something for the mighty Cycle World today, but I have a post-Verona man-flu hangover and I keep getting distracted. It doesn't help when the Isle of Man press office sends out a photo like this. It's young Englishman James Hillier, at Ballaugh. Looking at the shadows, I'd say it was evening practice.

Photo: Stephen Davison. G

[If anyone from Cycle World is reading this, don't worry, I'll get it finished]

That's three posts on the trot where I've used the word Like. I'm a liker, not a fighter. I also have a head full of mashed potato. Apologies. If you want great writing, buy the mag.

Deus Ex Monkey

2012-01-23T12:29:00.006Z

I like the Arctic Monkeys. Alex is a genius lyricist (You're not New York City, You're from Rotherham.. etc.). One or two of them came to check out Rollerburn and now they've called in for a ride out with the Deus crew. Needless to say they got the star treatment. See the photos at Deus Ex Machina. G

Do you like my little bike?

2012-01-23T11:24:00.004Z

Asks Laurent from France. Yes, says Sideburn from England. It started life as a Honda XLS125, like the one below, I think. G

Sammy Halbert Get Off

2012-01-22T08:53:00.001Z

Love the rewind selecta edit on this. BP

Royal Enfield Dirt Track racer

2012-01-21T09:21:00.001Z

Based on the same Classic 500 as our project, this beauty shows more potential of the latest, electric start Indian-built singles. We saw this bike a while ago, but caught up with it again via Motorcycle Photo of the Day. I've nicked this whole explanation from MPOTD, so go check them out. Some great bikes over there.
This was built by Doug Douglas Motorcycles of San Bernadino, Ca. G

The bike you’re talking about is our prototype for a streettracker that we are making parts for. This is something that’s been in the works for about a year off and on and we just got it all together the other day so we could bring it to the IMS show. It has yet to turn a wheel at the track so I don’t have much to say about riding it…yet.

We plan to be up and running building street legal bikes with the parts we are developing within a few months. We still have a lot to do in developing this as a racer but that will progress throughout the year as we develop performance items and test chassis issues not to mention the new parts we are creating.

So, to give you a rundown on what we have so far: New swingarm that is stronger and slightly longer than stock. It uses a disk brake as opposed to the stock drum brake and that’s a major upgrade to begin with. The forks are 43mm R6 modified for flattrack and they are in adjustable triple clamps that have been annodized black and this particular set is engraved “Royal Enfield”. We built the seat loop to use a Champion 250 style seat base and Saddlemen made us the seat. We have relocated the electrics including the battery for looks as well as to protect those pieces. The stainless steel exhaust is a race only unit that’s really loud.

For all of these parts we have some development that will continue before we are willing to offer them to the public but it will come soon enough. The idea is two fold…we do want to race this bike and hopefully it gets a following in amateur racing (ed this seems like a natural!) since there’s not many modern bikes besides dirtbikes that are used for flattrack any longer. So this is that alternative for the guy who wants a proper looking bike and yet wants electric start and reliability. The second part is as a street tracker that allows someone to have a bad-ass conversation piece with a warrantew and can be financed and depending on ow he options it up the price would be $10k to 15k. That’s about half what other builders are getting for their street trackers that are based on old bikes that can’t even be financed let alone have modern comforts such as the e start button and fuel injection.

We think we have a winner on and off the track. For now, we’re just enjoying the build. 90% of the project at this point is personal satisfaction.
Take care
Art

The Big Book of Biker Flicks

2012-01-20T19:49:00.000Z

160 pages of lowbrow, B-movie, biker exploitation film lovingly examined by John Wooley and Michael H Price. Great film artwork on nearly every page, details from the pressbooks and in-depth reviews.
A coffee table must-have. On sale in the Sideburn webshop now. G

Films covered: The Wild One; Motorcycle Gang; Motor Psycho; The Wild Angels; Devil's Angels; Hells Angels on Wheels; Born Losers; The Glory Stompers; She-Devils on Wheels; Hell's Belles; The Savage Seven; The Hellcats; Naked Under Leather; Angels From Hell; The Mini-Skirt Mob; Run, Angel, Run; Easy Rider; Naked Angels; Wild Wheels; Hell's Angels '69; The Sidehackers; Satan's Sadists; The Cycle Savages; Rebel Rousers; C.C. And Company; Hell's Bloody Devils; The Losers; Angels Die Hard; Angel Unchained; Black Angels; The Hard Ride; Bury Me An Angel; The Pink Angels; Chrome And Hot Leather; Werewolves on Wheels; Angels Hard As They Come; Angels' Wild Women; The Dirt Gang; The Loners; Road of Death

US Indoor Ice Racing

2012-01-20T08:56:00.000Z

Brandon Robinson came to race with us in the UK a few years ago. We interviewed him for Sideburn 1. He sent a group email out to say...

To help stay sharp this winter I decided to compete full time in the ICE World Championship. I’ve never rode on the ice before so I new going into this that I would have my hands full. So far we are at the halfway mark in the Championship as we just concluded round three in Loveland, CO...
I’ve had a fair showing at the ICE events so far and with three more races left I’m looking to improve my finishes and performance. I’m learning a lot about the tires and set up and once I’m able to figure it out I know we will be up front! Until then all I can do is continue to push forward. Just got to send a big thanks to all my sponsors for all their support for 2012!

The heroic, one-armed rider Jason Griffin (from Sideburn 4) is in this clip too.

Here are the remaining dates.
Sat-Jan 21st 7:30PM - US Cellular Coliseum - Bloomington, IL
Sat-Jan 28th 7:30PM - Glens Falls Civic Center - Glens Falls, NY
Sat-Feb 4th 7:30PM - Cambria War Memorial Arena - Johnstown, PA

Jocks & Nerds

2012-01-19T09:40:00.001Z

Marcus Ross who shot our Dai Jobu story in Sideburn #4 now publishes his own Jocks & Nerds. Initially on-line only this is just the second printed issue but it's punched its way into the mens magazine heavyweight class. It's a free quarterly which you can pick up in selected London stores listed here.
BAD Don Letts on the cover.My old Mean Fuckers photos have had yet another airing (but this is the first time printed in Britain, and a different edit than previously). Strange as when shot 20 years ago I had no plans for publication, it was just college fieldwork.There's a nice story on contemporary Mods too shot by Lee Vincent Grub. BP

Maxwell Paternoster self-portrait

2012-01-19T07:15:00.001Z

Corpses from Hell head honcho and his BSA. Read all about its incredible build in Sideburn 9. G

Men's File Pop-Up

2012-01-18T13:26:00.008Z

Nick Clements, the creative dynamo behind Men's File magazine, opened a pop-up shop for just two weeks in London's Lamb's Conduit Street, from Monday of this week. It's showcasing a bunch of stylish clobber his magazine promotes and also selling the newly printed Men's File 6.
It's another great issue with loads of our friends and connections and satellites from the Sideburn universe inside (Hiro from Lewis Leathers, Toshi, Nick Ashley, Dimitri Coste, Hotrod Hayride, Goodwood, Maurice (the Flying Dutchman), the Vintagent..). I have written a short feature on Johnny Alpha for the magazine, with great portraits by my mate Paul Bryant, and there's a spread of Nick's own photos from Rollerburn.

STOP PRESS: We'll have a few copies of the latest Men's File to sell at Verona. Come to Hall 3. G

XR750 with lights

2012-01-18T07:10:00.000Z

XR750 street tracker, spotted on Motorcycle Photo of the Day. Thanks to Rich M for pointing us to it.

Sideburn al Motor Bike Expo

2012-01-17T15:00:00.003Z

Appello a tutti gli appassionati di Sideburn, ci vediamo al Motor Bike Expo di Verona questo fine settimana, dove avremo un sacco di grandi cose. Venite a salutarci (e, chissà, forse comprare qualcosa). Padiglione 3, stand 15E.

The Stags on LTW

2012-01-17T12:02:00.006Z

Sideburn's house band, The Stags, are getting some loving on the big music website Louder Than War.

Buy The Stags 7in. What are you waiting for? G

UPDATE: Italian Factory Bike Speed Triple

2012-01-17T08:45:00.012Z

UPDATE: I made a mistake, linking two companies. This bike is from Italian Factory Bike NOT TPR. Sorry.

They sent these photos through to us with a press release in Italian. The gist of it is '95 first generation Speed Triple converted to twin shock so the high-level link pipe can go through the monoshock tunnel; FG Gubellini shocks; Ducati Paul Smart wheels; modern Speed Triple forks brakes; painted to look like a Body Fly University Pilatus Turbo Porter PC6.

It will be at the Motor Bike Expo, Verona show this weekend. So will Sideburn. In Hall 3. G

Cagiva Dazzler

2012-01-16T18:07:00.009Z

Our old friend Simon in North Wales has been building bikes for years, but Sideburn has inspired him to build his first street tracker. It was never going to be normal. It's a Cagiva Gran Canyon (Ducati engine). He made his own petrol tank and did his own 'dazzle' camouflage this morning.

He says 'Mission a) completed, out and back without breakdown, onwards and upwards'

Here it is before. The dazzle scheme might make an appearance on my Triumph Cockroach. G

Real Trophy Girl

2012-01-16T10:07:00.004Z

Brilliant photo found at BCM. At first I thought it was modern, a Nick Clements Re-enactment style shot. Now I'm sure it's old. I've just noticed she's got bare feet. The photo is even cooler now. G

Engineering flowchart

2012-01-15T18:48:00.002Z

I love this. Thanks to Eastie for sending it. G

Sideburn x Mr Martini Chris Watson art on sale

2012-01-15T10:21:00.006Z

So, Motor Bike Expo show next weekend. We can't wait and we have a lot of good stuff to sell. We had a few art prints of the Mr Martini poster made on 300sgm card. They're for sale in the Sideburn webshop. They're A3 size - 210 x 148 mm (8.3 x 5.8 in). A percentage of each sale will go to the children's cancer charity, ABEO.

Hopefully see you in Verona.

Super art by Chris Watson. G

Fate loves the fearless...

2012-01-14T07:03:00.004Z

Great film of UK short track racing shot by British photographer Richard Dawson shot at Oxford, when David Aldana came over to race. I've been waiting to share this for a long time, but Richard had to sort the settings.
If this doesn't make you want to go racing (or at least try find a local race to watch), I don't know what will.

Now seems a good time to say Sideburn are co-promoting a race with Short Track UK. The date is May 19, the location, Coventry Speedway. It'll be a full short track meeting plus vintage speedway, chopper dirt track racing and more. Keep watching the blog for more details. It's going to be fun. G

If you want to see more of the UK flat track race scene, check out Rooster.

High Plains Drifter 2

2012-01-13T22:20:00.002Z

High concept, high quality, carnage from Icon. They should take a team to Pike's Peak this summer. Watch it big screen - right to the end. G

Spotted at HfL

Diamonds

2012-01-13T19:33:00.002Z

New work by Sideburn collaborator James Chappell. BP

Ducati Concept Tracker

2012-01-13T07:36:00.002Z

V-twin with the front cylnder blocked off, from the brain of Lusca.

If this gets you thinking, check out the Bikensteins. G

Nice guys can win

2012-01-12T07:16:00.005Z

Anthony and Geoff Co-Built had quite a haul of silverware at the Short Track UK end of year trophy hand-out. Sideburn's BP got one for his results in the Novice class. Steve Coles - in the back of this shot, won too. Skooter Farm had quiet night. We're not a results-based outfit... GUPDATE:
This is a CAD of the mobile trophy cabinet Co-Built will be running in the 2012 season. BP

Howerton and Baer Kawasakis

2012-01-11T18:51:00.007Z

Marcus Moto sent us the photo of the silver ER-6. At first I assumed it was a racer then realised it was a wild street tracker, hence the front brake. It got me looking for other Howerton bikes. The 62 bike is Luke Gough's Howerton Kawasaki. Read more about these bikes at Stu's Shots.

We've already featured two Kawasaki ER-6 GNC racers in Sideburn (theIndy and Springfield-winning Werner Springsteen Ninja in SB7 and Johnny Lewis's Scott Motorsports in SB9).

The blue bike is the Baer Racing Kawasaki. Not sure about the 1990s custom wheels on one of the bikes, though. I'd stick to the PMs.

There are lots of different ways to skin the Kwak cat. G

All the photos except the silver one are from Poppawheelie.

Officine Mermaid Dirt Samurai

2012-01-11T07:53:00.005Z

Spotted at EICMA, Mermaid's Zero chopper with dual-sport rubber and trials tank. It'll be perfect for the event we've got lined up in the summer. G

American Supercamp

2012-01-10T17:36:00.004Z

From Garrett B in Colorado

'Too tired and sore to even think at this point, so I'll give more details later, but check this out:
I wore my Dick Mann shirt on the last day of Supercamp. Chris Carr says, "Nice Sideburn shirt! Look at this!" This man is amazing to watch and learn from.'

That's an old Sideburn shirt, by the way.

We have a great interview with Chris coming up in SB10. G

Mud Scraper

2012-01-10T12:08:00.001Z

Sideburn approved Ariete mudscraper in effect after a hard morning of cyclocross. BP

Sideburn in Poland

2012-01-10T12:01:00.003Z

Thanks to Moto Klinika in Szczecin, we are now stocked in Poland. Are we in your shop yet? Email us to sort it right out. G

Royal Enfield Cafe Racer

2012-01-09T23:01:00.005Z

We've got a soft spot for Enfield (in no small part because of our Project RE). This caff racer is only a prototype at the moment, but it's a complete rascal. I love it. I know the people who designed this and they reckon even though it's a pure prototype, next to no fudging is required to get it productionised (though, I'd say, the Ohlins might not make it to the showroom). G

Photo lifted from Team-BHP.com.

Some pictures from Fermo Flat Track, Italy

2012-01-09T18:58:00.006Z

From Filandro Di Paolo. Thanks. Nice horse track...

Fan bike XS650. Long forks!
Dutch Bros Wood Rotax

Dario! From Sideburn 1.
Marco Belli's Zaeta
Husky DTX.
Jacapo Monti's mutant CRF. Repositioned rad, carbon front rim, new subframe, new tank, R6 forks...
Fasciani bike with hideous new Lambretta in background ridden by a man in flip-flops. I apologise for this making it onto the site...

First Attempt

2012-01-09T09:39:00.004Z

From Milo 45 Chop in England. This is his H-D WL/WR45. Lovely...

Thought you mike like this picture of my first attempt at sliding left on my recently finished bike.
Cheers
Milo

1954 KR750 for sale

2012-01-08T18:17:00.003Z

From the Baron 73, who spotted it on US eBay. Check out the stubby 'clip-on' for drafting on the straights.

You are bidding on a 1954 an original Harley-Davidson KR750 dirt-track racer. I purchased this bike in 1972 from Doc's Harley-Davidson in St. Louis, MO with the intention of setting it up for street use. KR's were pur sang race bikes and don't do well on the street, so I abandoned that fantasy and the bike sat for years. I finally had it restored in 1996 by former pro dirt-track tuner Jimmy Nichols at Star Cycle here in Tucson. The bike was the subject of an extensive feature I wrote for the August 1997 issue of Cycle World magazine, and was shown several years at the Del Mar Concours motorcycle show. The KR is set up as an authentic dirt-track racer, circa 1967-69, complete with fiberglass tank, Tillotson carburetor, big-valve cylinders and full-length straight pipes. (It hasn't been run in several years, but is still the loudest Harley I've ever heard.) Like any other KR it can also be converted to a KRTT for anyone interested in AHRMA road-racing.

I also have a smattering of spare parts, including a Linkert MR-3 carburetor, Smith's chronometric tach and cable, original friction steering damper, alternative camshafts, an additional cylinder and a few other odds and ends.These I'll include if the bidding goes high enough; otherwise I'll sell them separately. Regardless of the selling price, I'll include a signed copy of the CW article.

Unlike a lot of "KR" 750s I've seen on ebay, this is the real-deal, with "-R" model crankcases and cylinders, front-mounted magneto, and ball-bearing crank and camshafts. The bike was raced right up to the time I bought it, and came with yellow (AMA Junior) number plates still spattered with mud. (The number was 40x; if anyone knows who raced that number in 1971 I'd love to know). I also have my original Missouri title, which lists 1972 as the last sale date. I don't have a reserve or Buy It Now price, so the opening bid is the least I'll take. Once that's made, the bike goes to the highest bidder. It hurts to put this up, but I don't show it any more and it needs to go to a good home with an appreciative owner. Good luck bidding.

Sideburn gives you wings: UPDATE

2012-01-08T08:47:00.004Z

I spotted this outside Urban Outfitters, Leeds on Boxing Day. I got some funny looks when I stopped to take a photo of it. G

UPDATE: Just got this from Chris in the South of France 'I found this a couple months back.... it's spreading!'

Sideburn x JL10

2012-01-07T17:31:00.003Z

We've been giving free stickers out with orders for a long time now. Margo has left us, so this is the latest. It's a Johnny Lewis tribute die-cut sticker (he's our rep in the GNC paddock, so go get your issues from him on race day). Order something from the webshop to get one. We'll have them at Verona too.
The artwork, of Johnny's Scott Powersports Kawasaki ER-6, is by Chris Watson. G

Berlin Sportster

2012-01-07T09:39:00.002Z

From Germany, Martin's super-neat Sporty

Hi Sideburners,
I have been following your blog and mag for quite a while - great job so far!
Being inspired by some of the projects that were featured in your blog I modified my 1991 Sportster a little (pics attached).
Hope you like it.
My other bike is an all original 1980 H.-D. XR-750.
The bike currently undergoes some mods, i.e. total-loss battery, lights, tach/speedo and so on to hit the street for an occasional blast.

On the Sporty the fork, wheels and brakes are 97 Kwack ZX-6R + belt drive, 17" Tires are 120/160 Heidenau K73 ;
Yes, you are right: swingarm is JMC extendable up to +10 cm, rear shocks are Fournales with black Harley wrinckle-coat (couldn't afford some good Works, WP or even better Öhlins... yet), Storz aluminum gas tank, ISR controls, LSL pegs, Motogadget tach/speedo (lucky me - it's a Berlin-based company, as you will know!);
Power delivers an entire 89 cubic inch S&S engine (bought in new parts and then assembled), carb is a Mikuni HSR 45/47 mm, Supertrapp 2-2 which I separated a little for better looks (too me it appears too massive in the original style);
It is very torquey and powerful, you can either let the rear wheel slip or wheelie. (I am still working on that powerslide around corners :-))
Motor should deliver 100+ PS and 130+ Nm at the rear wheel, turns easily very low 11s at 120 mph on the quarter-mile.

I used to drag race a little with a non-wheelie bar streetable Sportster that had a 120 ci S&S engine which turned low 9s at 147mph on the strip.
2006 was my last season so far racing a Harley Destroyer in the first European Cup, it was good fun, especially in Hockenheim.
Happy New Year and keep up with the good work. Maybe see you around.
Cheers,
Martin, Berlin

Old Empire Motorcycles

2012-01-06T20:56:00.004Z

Just been sent this. Good luck Alec.

Hi there, thought id drop in an e-mail to inform you of a new motorcycle business only recently founded here in the UK, where we are striving to bring a fresh lease of life to british motorcycle design and manufacture.

Old Empire Motorcycles is a fledgling custom motorcycle enterprise at the moment and still finding its feet.We have only really been fully operational for a couple of months now, but its taken a full year to get prepared, as in the workshop, equipment
etc. Regular updates are put on facebook/twitter and a website is currently under construction, aswell as other promoting material. Three bikes are under way in the workshop, a Triumph, Yamaha and a Royal Enfield, two of which will be done by end of Jan 2012.
If you have the time check out the Old Empire Motorcycles facebook page, there is some background info on the brand and what we are aiming to acheive. I will attach a picture of the
Tempest and the Pup as both are looking really promising, as well as our insignia. I suppose the reason im really contacting you is the possibilty of getting some interest from a wider audience than just locals and friends and family. Dont get me wrong some feedback is better than no feedback from the work im doing but it would be nice to get some other views!

Anyway thankyou for your time,
Alec Sharp
Old Empire Motorcycles

UPDATE: Y Niwl

2012-01-06T10:16:00.009Z

Twangy Welsh surf band Y Niwl play Cafe Kino in Bristol tomorrow night (Sat 7 Jan).

UPDATE: DUE TO BAND ILLNESS THE SHOW IS CANCELLED

Review from the Sunday Times

Digging

2012-01-06T08:40:00.004Z

Went with GI to Bromsgrove to meet up with Benny Boneshaker, and do a feature for SB#10 on a tasty Harley 'scrambler' he has built before it gets crated off to its new home in Italy. Then we went to his new dream workshop and fell in lurve with this groovy 750/4 digger he is building. BP

(Yes, Peter Sutcliffe came too)

Day of the Dead

2012-01-05T22:23:00.004Z

I can't get enough of Korero's lush art books. We started stocking Korero's kustom kulture titles, then decided to get a few more in (even though they don't have anything to do with bikes. We're treating that webshop as if it was a real one on a high street and we'd definitely stock and bunch of stuff like this in limited quantities...).

Anyway, Day of the Dead is all inspired by Mexico's healthy/unhealthy handle on death as interpreted by a huge roster of artists in a variety of different media. Buy one at the Sideburn webshop and celebrate being alive (or get really maudlin and drink too much). G

Slowburn

2012-01-05T13:15:00.003Z

Every bike shop owner (and those working in them every day) I've ever known, never seem to find the time to build their dream bikes, and more often than not ride a not so glamourous but reliable hack. They have all the bits squirreled away but somehow making private time for a personal build seems impossible. Wieger has amassed a few minutes here and there over the last 2 & 1/2 years, and his Indian is finally running. Savour the flavor, it should be worth the wait. BP

Yamaha BW200

2012-01-05T07:47:00.001Z

From Neil (who also made the incredible Rollerball Action Figure)...

Hey there, I saw on your blog you were interested in fat wheeled bikes.
I had a Yamaha BW200 until last year, when I sold it to a mate who still has it.
They were made in the mid 1980s, off road only, with a 200cc engine and then later with a 350cc.
If you look on my blog manisatthewindow.blogspot.com, the very first picture posted is that bike. (Won't take long to find, I haven't posted that much).
They are pretty rare in the UK, mine was the only one I ever saw.

CFM on the web

2012-01-04T22:56:00.008Z

We talk about CFM a lot on this blog. Carl (the C of CFM) is definitely a Sideburn brother. He rolled our turd of an FT500 in glitter (that's him testing it below), then did a lot of the hard work on our project Royal Enfield. He's also worked on all the other bikes I've owned in the last three years.

Carl is a low-overhead thinker, a do-er, a fixer, a specials builder and practical sorter-outer. He loves bikes. He races bikes. He likes Twisted Sister too. Don't hold that against him.
Anyway, CFM now have a website - CFM-Ruskington. If you have a project you've stalled with or would like a bike modifying, it's worth bookmarking their site. Above is the Dresda Triumph he built a few years ago. Tasty, eh? G

New Year's Day ride

2012-01-04T14:17:00.000Z

Some of our Japanese friends (from Tapo's Blog and Deluxie) having fun. Ride them, don't hide them! G

Frakenstrange Bonnie

2012-01-04T08:58:00.006Z

Frank's interesting Hinckley street scrambler/tracker with its one-off, homemade frame

Hey Gary
Here are some pics and info that you wanted for your blog.
The bike started life as 01 Bonneville that I've owned since new, the frame I built is out of 4130 chromoly, silicon bronze welded it to preserve spring back.
The motor I worked over extensively balanced/printed ported and flowed.... big cams etc......anyways I should be finishing the glass up by the end of the month.
Thanks.
Frank
Frankenstrange.blogspot.com

Free Minx

2012-01-03T13:39:00.006Z

Everyone knows you get a free Minx and Stevie A3 poster with every Sideburn 6, right? We have about three of the orange T-shirts (with 9 on the front, not the original 13 edition) left, too. G

Chuck and Gary

2012-01-03T08:58:00.002Z

Counter Balance Work Space

2012-01-02T10:19:00.000Z

Spent too long looking at blogs again, but it means I found, and liked, this work area belonging to Counter Balance in Rhode Island. Nice, eh? G

Vinyl Revival

2012-01-02T02:54:00.001Z

There was a great show on BBC Radio 6 yesterday about the comeback of vinyl in the digital age. It was fronted by singer Richard Hawley (above) but had features from three or four reporters. A good variety of music too.

It's up online for another six days at 6 Music. It's not a podcast, you have to listen to it online, I think.

If it gets you excited about vinyl you could sate your lust for 7 inches of goodness by buying The Stags anthemic single on Sideburn records. Oh, yes. G

Dirk's New Bike

2012-01-01T19:32:00.007Z

This has been on my desktop for months. Jan-Willem Dutch Brother sent me it. It's Dirk's new bike, a Wood-Rotax on lovely Performance Machine 8-spokes. He bought it after seeing an advert on VFT then imported it. A steady dribble of framers are coming to Europe from the US and,of course, more are being built here by companies like Co-Built, Zaeta and Red Max.

If anyone has those PM wheels for sale, let us know, please. G

Wonderful Hauler

2012-01-01T12:36:00.002Z

From Front Street Cycle. G

2012

2012-01-01T09:42:00.000Z

Have a brilliant 2012. Lightbulb candle by Jano in Brussels. BP

Sideburn: 2011 Report

2011-12-31T17:00:00.004Z

In the last 12 months Sideburn has:

Published three issues of the magazine. The first time we've done three in one year.
Helped bring David Aldana over to the UK to race and organised a night for him to tell stories.
Made four different free stickers to send out with orders (weatherproof Soul, Don't Limp, Zombie and Margo).
Had a great London street party at the Reilly Rocket.
Raced at every UK flat track race (either me or Ben, sometimes both of us).
Built a Royal Enfield project bike (with big thanks to Royal Enfield UK and CFM).
Made a few T-shirts, a scarf, patch, art print and a sweatshirt.
Signed up some new dealers (but we'd like more).
Given Dave Skooter Farm the official title of Entertainments Officer. His first big job was Rollerburn and it couldn't have been much better. Well done Dave.
Travelled to Italy to have a stand at the Motor Bike Expo, Verona. Back there in a few weeks.
Had a 7in record pressed.
Found out who our friends are.
Posted 763 blogs.
Commissioned three short films (Rooster, Rollerburn preview, Rollerburn: The Documentary).
Bought a few different books, zines, patches and accessories from around the world we really like to sell through the webshop.
Dipped a toe in Facebook.
Had a special edition Deus x Sideburn T-shirt made by Deus Ex Machina.
Met a bunch of great people and some exciting companies.
Worked with fantastic writers, photographers, artists and illustrators.

We know times are hard for some people, but if you like what we do, support it when you can (at the Sideburn shop). We're not a big business, we're a tiny kitchen table operation that likes to do things properly or not do them at all. We have day jobs and families and do this in our spare time. It's not easy, but not much worthwhile is. And we're not complaining.

Rough plans for 2012:

Make three more issues of Sideburn.
Have a stand at Motor Bike Expo, Verona
Have a party with Mr Martini and some of our Italian friends
Promote a race with Short Track UK.
Get the Royal Enfield wired up properly.
Have a stand at the Flat Track day at the Ace Cafe (Feb 26)
More racing.
More stickers, T-shirts and stuff.
Go to Finland.
Find more books and stuff we love to sell in the webshop.

Have fun in 2012 and keep us informed with what you're up to.

Thanks for all your support.

Gary, Ben, Mick and Dave

2012 UK Short Track Dates

2011-12-31T08:37:00.001Z

Some of these dates are still to be confirmed. Sideburn is planning to co-promote one race. If it comes off we'll add a few twists to make that one round even more exciting.

There are a couple of TBCs in there. There will also be at least one International race and perhaps one or two more non-championship rounds. Get along and see a race. As I understand it, the club race will run in the afternoon - so juniors, novices, short track and experts, then the Thunderbikes and GNC Short Track will follow on after. So about eight hours of racing to choose from.

Leicester Speedway Stadium, Sunday 1st April,
King's Lynn, Saturday 21st April
Coventry Brandon Stadium, TBC, Saturday 19th May,
Moto GP Silverstone, TBC, Saturday 16th June
Buxton Hi Edge Speedway, Sunday 22nd July
Scunthorpe Speedway Stadium, Sunday 19th August
Rye House Speedway, Sunday 16th September

For more details go to Short Track UK.

Dro-Built

2011-12-30T20:16:00.002Z

Drogo's Co-Built racer is coming along...
Read the Co-built story in Sideburn 9. G

Mexican Graphics

2011-12-30T12:13:00.006Z

Adding to the selection of heavy weight hard-backs we've already stocked from Korero is this cracker Mexican Graphics. 256 pages of mustachioed skeletons, wrestling he-men and carnivorous pin-ups. Apart from the obvious Mexican influences, the breadth of styles from colourful computer based hard edge, to freer painterly artists, makes this book a proper five course feast. The 40 contributing artists, including Dr Lakra, Dr Alderete, Sergio Mora, Palehorse and Pooch, come from Mexico and beyond. BP

Rumour?

2011-12-29T21:03:00.000Z

Sideburn at Rossi's Ranch

2011-12-29T14:44:00.001Z

Rossi's new dirt track training area has been nicknamed the Ranch (a nod to Kenny's Roberts' place). This - Marco Belli's sweatshirt (a one-off in maroon) - is the closest we've been to it. So far... G

Vermont is for lovers

2011-12-29T07:25:00.004Z

From Scott in Vermont

Hey guys,
hope you're enjoying the holidays over there. My dad (Frank, #39) and I went out for a quick rip around the backyard on my sister's Honda on Xmas day, and happened to get a pic of me wearing the Sideburn scarf I'd just unwrapped. Merry xmas indeed, it's my new favorite scarf.
Cheers, and happy new year!

Scott Rounds #12,

ps. I just got a chance to read your latest issue cover to cover. Thanks for the terrific piece on Hugh and Sixth St Racing
. Mike wrote a great article and it's cool to see our scene laid out on your pages.

Shaggy Dog/Monkey Story

2011-12-28T09:21:00.010Z

So this is my (most recent) object of desire. Unearthed on the Japanese Daikoube blog with no decipherable info. So I sent out questionnaires to those in the know...
Ben Wilson revealed "Looks like Suzuki RV90/125 wheels, tyres, forks, swingarm & maybe frame with unknown Honda lump [me now thinks is an 1990s XR100] & Yamaha tank. You could use a TW125 as a donor instead."
Adrian Apart in Buenos-Aires was foxed and added this Yamaha BW200 bog bike to the debate:But then trumped with: "I just bought a new version of an RV yesterday. It's made by Mondial under license from Suzuki - its an exact replica of the 90 but with a 125 engine - they're bringing out a 250 version next summer. it's an Italian company based in Argentina, manufactured in China and assembled in Buenos Aires and probably going to be sent by me to the UK as i think it'd sell well there - do you ?
Small world here - Jezza and i have been hanging out a lot with Alejo Pichot - he's the Triumph guy you were in touch with.Jezza choppin' me bars down (without adult supervision) for easier traffic work. xA"BP

Dainese magazine

2011-12-28T05:13:00.000Z

I did a couple of stories for Dainese's new magazine, Speed, with Sam Christmas. That's Guy Martin and Rossi on the cover, with a skier or two.

See bits of it at Dainese. It's available through some of their dealers. G

Gold Star Flat Tracker

2011-12-27T17:24:00.000Z

From regular correspondent, Nick . Nick sent me an article about Al Gunter. Fascinating bloke, Dick Mann's mentor.

Bob Birdsall's Gold Star flat tracker, with an Al Gunter tuned engine. It's a DB rather than a later DBD. The inlet port has been moved to a more central position, it has a billet crank and Carillo rod also it has some unusual roller cam followers, all the best to you
Nick

Telstar: The Joe Meek Story

2011-12-27T07:47:00.002Z

Telstar is an excellent film about the story of talented fruitcake and music production pioneer Joe Meek. Characters like Screaming Lord Sutch, Mitch Mitchell (Jimi Hendrix's drummer), The Beatles, Gene Vincent and Billy Fury are all intertwined. There are a bunch of British TV regulars, plus Kevin Spacey. It's the directorial debut of Nick Moran, the star of Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, and it was financed by, I think, Simon Jordan, who was the chairman of Crystal Palace. Now you can't get more British than that. Well worth hunting out. G

M&M's BSA Scrambler

2011-12-26T08:46:00.003Z

A lovely job from one of our favourites - M&M's.

M&M's Motorcycle Blog. G

Things I love about this photo

2011-12-25T15:44:00.001Z

The huge bubble on Gary Nixon's Kawasaki.

The cigarette in Gary's oily fingers.

Miss New Hampshire's incredible Vivienne Westwood-esque tweed, plus Kawasaki green rollneck combo.

The tear-offs left on the helmet, pointing to the likelihood Nixon led most of the race.

Nixon's Bell helmet.

The disembodied hand handing over the bubbly.

The fella on the right's wonderful mix of pork pie hat, wraparounds and pink shirt with fierce collars.

Those trophies.

The fact three of the four people in shot are redheads.

The flowery wreath.

The glimpse of the Triumph tank.

The strange look on Gary's face. What is he thinking of? G

Photo found at Speed Junkies, but don't know where he found it.

Merry Christmas

2011-12-25T01:12:00.000Z

The same card as last year.

Thanks again to Tim Beaumont Designs for the artwork.

Sonic Seb c'est tres cool

2011-12-24T17:52:00.005Z

He rode from Paris to Rollerburn on this BMW. Read about him and his XS650 in Sideburn 7. Check his blog Ze Last Chance Garage du 7-8.

Photos by Ami Sioux. G

Deathbox Update

2011-12-24T10:19:00.003Z

From Thomas in Wisconsin

About a year ago you put up a picture of my ratty yamaha (89 FZR600) in all black. Made a little more progress this year. This was/is originally inspired by your stories of the Mablethorpe sand races.
The tyres (tires in the US :)) are Pirelli Scorpions. They have held up really well. Probably not sticky enough for track day, but great 50/50 rubber none the less.
Our blog is Killin It
Thanks again and take care!
Thomas

For Sale: Pinball By Merinero

2011-12-23T20:39:00.004Z

The mighty Antonio Merinero made one of his incredible 3D pinball artworks to show at Rollerburn. The art is now for sale. It's up for €1000. The artwork is about 4ft high (1.3m).

If you're interested get in touch with the artist through his blog ByBike-AntonioMerinero.

See more of Antonio's pinball art here. G

Antonio and Guy Martin at Rollerburn.

Totti Gran Ferro

2011-12-23T08:27:00.006Z

A radical masterpiece from Totti Motori that I saw at EICMA. I've got to be honest and say I can't place where the motor is from. Check out the radical fork design.

Looking forward to meeting up with Roberto and Cinzia at the Verona Show. G

UPDATE:- I would have said XT too Anthony - but not when you see the otherside. It's something slightly more modern. BP - well spotted Griff

Hammarhead Jack Pine

2011-12-22T23:24:00.004Z

This Hammarhead Jack Pine's been around a while. And so has this video, but if you haven't seen it it's worth watching. Cycle World's Mark Cernicky rides like a mother-lover! G

Trailbreaker

2011-12-22T11:43:00.009Z

In my next life I want to live up an inaccessible goat track. Even going to the shops will be a 2WD motortractor adventure. Hell might even get to shoot summat. BPUPDATE:just like Motorcycho Norm uses to till his maize.

He's wearing a long-gone Sideburn shirt, but I think we have four or five similar ones left from Rollerburn. Check them out here.

JvB Urban Motors Brit Bob

2011-12-21T14:32:00.006Z

Jens com Brauck sent us this cracker and the press release below. We're big fans of JvB. Read all about him in Sideburn 8.

Sideburn's blog regularly brings the best bikes in the world to you first, then other websites pick up on them. No problem, we're not even bothered they don't namecheck us, but if you like what our blog does, please click a link on the side to buy something, we know you'll like that too. This blog only started to promote the magazine. We don't sell ads on the blog (but we do push our own stuff), we try keep it simple and inspiring. No mag, no blog.

Over to you, JvB...

There is a paradox at the centre of the British character that is hard to explain - it's the gentleman and the hooligan, it's country houses and edgy pop music, and sometimes it takes a foreigner to express it. Jens vom Brauck the Cologne based designer, working with the Berlin bike builders Urban Motor, has taken a polite, old-fashioned Triumph Thruxton and given it some street attitude. The high bars, low slim seat, sleek side-panels and neatly integrated short mudguard have changed the proportions completely – it looks like it's been working-out. The engine and tank look bigger and more muscular and the rest is slimmed down and taut. You sit low and relaxed, but the bars (Jens calls them chopped down ape-hangers) bring your fists up in front of your face. Start the engine and even at tick-over the the two-into-one high-up exhaust has a hint of menace that you don't expect from a Thruxton motor. It's daring you to pump up the volume. Peter Dannenberg, the boss of Urban Motor, is really pleased with the result, “The Triumph is a great basis When you strip it down, underneath you find an authentic motorbike in it's purest form.”
All the details are as clean and elegant as you'd expect from JvB, but there's a toughness there and this mixture of rough and refined is as British as Daniel Craig.
The front has been lightened up with the designer's trademark headlight and there's an old-school mini speedo from Motogadget. But it's at the back that the biggest changes have been made, “I put a lot of work into sharpening up the rear,” says Jens, “on Hinckley twins the seats are wide, and long enough for 3 rugby players - I've changed everything.” The seat, side-panels and mudguards are hand-made by the designer.
“As soon as the Brit Bob was finished I wanted to try it out, and we went down to the river and hooned around a bit, took a few photos. The handling's sorted. We've got the weight down to about 200kg, the centre of gravity is low and it drifts like a good'un.”
You can already order a Brit Bob and there will soon be kits and parts for Triumph twins. JvB-Moto and Urban Motor are also making plans for new projects.

Technical data: JvB URBAN MOTOR Brit Bob
Basis: Triumph Thruxton Details: stainless steel exhaust system, seat, rear frame, handlebar, instrument motogadget tiny, side covers, headlight, fender, footrests, wheels, bellows (gaiters)
Weight: < 200 kg
Suspension: Original fork, spring preload, suspension struts YSS, spring preload, height adjustable
Tyres: Bridgestone BT45 Front: 100/ 90-18 Rear: 150/ 70-17
Price: from 15.000,- €

Urban Motor
JvB-Moto

Cagiva Gran Canyon

2011-12-21T09:57:00.003Z

Captain Simon's DIY street tracker is wishing for a white Christmas. I'd rather hear that R6 Remus can wailing at my door, than a bunch of carol singers. BP

Here Gallery Re-Stocked

2011-12-20T14:29:00.001Z

Here Gallery Bristol, finally now has Sideburn #9. BP

Military Spec Goggles, Mudscrapers and More

2011-12-20T05:35:00.004Z

We got the chance to buy some brand new MilSpec Ariete goggles in black and NATO green, so they're up in the webshop. They are the same shape as Ariete's MX goggles, but have ballistic lenses and are plain black with plain straps or plain green with, yes, green straps. Very understated.

We also picked up some handy mudscrapers (below) and brake clips. Treat yourself.

Mr Martini & Sideburn, Verona now FRIDAY

2011-12-19T22:15:00.007Z

Ok, so Dice and Lowride said they were having their Motor Bike Expo party on Friday, and advertised it for months, so we thought, ok, we'll do something on Saturday. Then they say, 'Oh ours is Saturday we didn't tell anyone,' so Mr Martini has agreed to change ours to Friday. And Chris has changed the poster.

So it's Friday. Got it?

We're having a few of these posters made, A3 size, on heavyweight 300GSM paper. Lovely.

More Motorcycho and new Rub-ons

2011-12-19T18:11:00.006Z

There will be lots going on in the Sideburn webshop over the next few days. First up is a restock of Motorcycho. We also have a few of issue 18 and 20 that we've never had before.
Remember, every order from us gets a free sticker. The current sticker is Margo.

We also have new rub-on stickers in the Rollerball font. Black or orange. This shows it on a medium Arai full-face. Make sure you choose the correct style for what you want. OK? Go! G

The Buzzard

2011-12-19T09:55:00.005Z

Wet weather, dry weather, the Buzzard is truly all terrain. Admittedly a little tricky to park on the high street after a few too many mulled wines. BP

The Cockroach

2011-12-18T09:33:00.007Z

I needed a winter bike. Well, I needed a bike to ride until the Black Arrow is finished. After having to get rid of one British automotive design classic a little past its best, I decided to buy another. This is a 1999 T595 Daytona in Speed Triple trim. It's rough. I've named it the Cockroach.
It has a bad rattlecan paintjob, the indicators don't work, nasty enduro front light, broken gear lever, the ugliest stick-on tank protector in the universe and uncomfortably low bars, but it has a couple of month's tax and test, it runs and starts really well, sounds great and, the clincher, it was £730. Yes, 730 quid! G

Red Max Streetbikes for sale

2011-12-17T15:17:00.003Z

From our friends at Red Max Speed Shop

Storz XR1000 Harley £8750
And a XS400 Streetscrambler £2550

UPDATE: Mr Martini & Sideburn, Verona

2011-12-16T20:42:00.007Z

UPDATE: THE DATES HAVE CHANGED. LOWRIDE/DICE IS NOW SATURDAY AND MR MARTINI/SIDEBURN IS FRIDAY.

Last year we were desperate for a night out after a long day in the Verona Motor Bike Expo, this year there's two. On Friday there's the Dice party, oh yes, hard liquor, tattooed women, cut-off denim.

On Saturday night our good friend Mr Martini has asked us to co-host a soiree at his shop (the most beautiful bike shop in the world) - portable record player, men in cravats, Aperol spritzers.

It's only a little do, very limited numbers, so email us or Mr Martini if you want to come.

Big thanks to Chris Watson for the stunning artwork at very short notice.
Verona's going to be cool! G

Enduro Chic

2011-12-16T08:17:00.002Z

Part of a cracking series of 11 pages of photos in this months French GQ #46, by Dimitri Coste, impeccable in front and behind the camera. BP