Sideburn on Instagram

Even if you don't have a smartphone or tablet device, you can still see what we put up on our Instagram feed by clicking the instagram icon (little brown camera thing) at the bottom of the right-hand column of this page (just above the list of blog posts - going back to early 2008!) or by clicking Sideburn Instagram.

If you do have one of those things, you can download the instagram app for free and follow @sideburnmag

Instagram is like twitter, but with more of a focus on images. Loads of stuff we put on Instagram doesn't get posted anywhere else. It's more content we throw out as freely as breadcrumbs to the ducks, in a sometimes vain attempt to get people to buy our under-priced, over-specced print magazine.

If you haven't bought the mag ever, or for a while, please do - here: Sideburn shop. It is incredible value for money. G

Leningrad Cowboys x Russian Red Army Choir x Tom Jones

One of the more bizarre cultural mash-ups of all time.  G

The Speed Merchant Thresher

This is The Speed Merchant Thresher and, as far as we know, it is the first ever custom Harley-Davidson Street that wasn't created by the factory themselves. We previously posted the Harley-Davidson Steeet 750 dirt track race bikes. 

H-D gave the bike to The Speed Merchant crew to build for the huge Californian custom show, Born Free. 

This started out as the 500cc version of H-D's new entry-level, liquid-cooled street bike. 

The Thresher features...

Raised tank

Modified sub frame
Handmade alloy seat pan and tail
Custom exhaust
Ohlins shocks
Chain Drive Conversion
Custom Sprocket Cover
Handmade battery box
Speed Merchant 39mm Mid Glide Trees
H-D 48 forks with Speed Merchant Preload Adjusters
Speed Merchant radial caliper bracket with Tokico calliper
Custom Aluminum Number Plate
Speed Merchant foot pegs
Sun rims laced to HD hubs
GSX-R controls
Built by: Brandon “Brawny Built” Holstein (one of the three founders of The Speed Merchant)

Underdog Show, London

This from Drew at The Black Skulls...

We are involved in a small event down at the Underdog Gallery next weekend and was wondering if you could do us a big favour and stick the flyer up on your social media? It's basically gonna be an art show with live bands, DJ sets and we are putting a mini bike show on of around 10 bikes plus a pop up shop. 
Underdog Custom Show
Underdog Facebook
Thanks Drew

DTRA Amman Valley Report

Last weekend the DTRA headed out to South Wales to race the half-mile trotting track at Ammanford. With the tail of Hurricane Bertha threatening it was touch and go, but we just about got away with it.

Guto Llewelyn, (camera on his helmet) who has raced with the DTRA on and off for years, entered his first race of 2014 on a borrowed Co-Built Rotax. A very exprienced grasstracker, the rough, long track suited his style and he won the Thunderbike final. Classy.
In the morning the dust was a problem. Then, after two very heavy showers, mud and spray made it difficult for anyone who wasn't in the lead (or didn't have a front mudguard).

Juniors head out on the big track.

Restricted grid. Stu, 84R, made a comeback on a Honda SLR650-based new build.

Guy Sutherland on his recently imported Triumph. It's a replica of a Redline frame, made by VMC Racing frames. The engine is a T120 taken out to 750. When this bike is properly sorted it'll fly.

Kawasaki UK-supported rider, Ollie Brindley. Love the Co-Built low-pipe on this 450. This was when the track was dry.

And this is a few hours later... #76 is The DTRA's only girl junior Skye Adams (though we have a lady rider in the Restricted class, Leah Tokelove). #17 is Jordan Lee Miller.
PHOTO JAMES BODDY

Vintage class grid. The JAP-powered Ariel, ridden by Guto Llewelyn, didn't last the day unfortunately. The final was won by Frank Chatokhine (chequered helmet - read about this Metisse T100 in Sideburn 17). Second was Guy Sutherland on his Triumph framer. Nick Ashley was third on the Cheney Triumph. John Boddy turned up on an ironhead Sportster, obscured in this shot, but it never got quite up to speed.

Geoff Co-Built had another good day, coming in second in the Thunderbikes - he's second in the championship - behind Dave Chadbourne, who had an uncharacteristic fifth place finish.

I (GI) made the Thunderbike A final despite a few bike problems during the day. Came in 8th in the 12-man final. Could've been worse. Currently fifth in the championship.

The Pro Class main was wild. With series leader, Aidan Collins racing in Europe, twin brothers Tom (#68) and Tim Neave (#14) cleared off at the front, with Ollie Brindley (#24) behind them. Tom took the flag, but due to the final being a double points deal (because there were only 11 not 12 riders in the final), his brother took the maximum points.
Both Neaves have leapfrogged Collins in the championship, with only one round to go. If Tom Neave comes third in the next race, no matter what Tim and Aidan do, he's won the title.
It'll be dramatic.

The final round is Rye House, Herts on Sunday 21 September. Spectators go free.
For more info go to www.dirttrackriders.co.uk. G

Photos: Ian Roxburgh/Design 147 (except where stated)

Sideburn x Iron & Resin T back in stock

Limited quantities of this shirt, that Iron and Resin made for Dirt Quake USA, are back in stock.

M - XXL. 

Go the Sideburn x Iron & Resin to get yours. Size chart is the photo gallery. 

2014 International Dirt Track Festival

Following the success of last year's Noyes Camp International Dirt Track Festival at the Motorland track in Aragon, Northern Spain, there is another, this October.

There are a number of different options an packages for schools, schools and racing or just racing.
They cover Rookies and experienced riders. There are school bikes or you can take your own.
Prices range from €220 to €550

For all the details, go to flattrack.org.

Poster art by Ryan Quickfall

2014 Indy Mile Main

From this Friday night. The race is from around 9 mins to 24. Introducing the riders before, victory lap and podium after. G

Dirt Quake III by Bubble Visor

Lenny from Bubble Visor came over from Amsterdam to Dirt Quake III and shots hundreds of photos, some of which he's posted over 18 separate blog posts. See them all at Bubble Visor. G

That's What You Call a Rain-off

Dirt track tyres can't cope with waterlogged tracks, so there's always a risk a race may be rained off. It happens about once every ten races in the UK.

This is a photo of the track at Rapid City Speedway this week, where the GNC were supposed to race the Black Hills Half-Mile on Tuesday night as part of the huge Sturgis bike week event.

This followed a rain-off at Castle Rock the weekend before, but the organisers at the Washington track were able to postpone the event for one day and still hold the event.

After seeing this biblical storm, the whole paddock packed up and headed straight for Indy for TONIGHT'S Mile.
There's a GNC round every weekend till the end of August now.

Remember, the DTRA visit Amman Valley in Wales this weekend. Saturday looks fine. Sunday, not so good. G

Photo: AMA Pro Racing