Tierra Patch/ Dirty Needle jacket last chance

Last chance to win this Brixton jacket (size M) customised by Dirty Needle Embroidery. You have until 8am tomorrow, May 1.
Just buy the Tierra patch, for £7.50 plus post, to be entered in the draw.

We will make and announce the draw tomorrow.

The prize will be sent anywhere in the world. There is no alternative prize or size.

To read more about the good cause this patch was made for, click Tierra. G

Troy Bayliss's Mile Missile

This is the first shot (or computer-generated mock-up) we've seen of Troy Bayliss's Lloyd Brothers Ducati and it looks great. I wonder what all the hipster-haters* are going to think of this Scrambler-sponsored Mile weapon with a true legend on board? They won't know whether they should love it or hate it, but they'll wait for someone to tell them.

The former World Superbike champion is scheduled to race the five GNC miles this year, the first being Springfield at the end of May. And he's team mates with long-time friend of the mag, Johnny Lewis.

We featured the original Lloyd Brothers Ducati, from which this bike is a development, back in Sideburn 4, in 2009, jut saying. G

Troy Bayliss Race Calendar –AMA Pro Flat Track 2015 Series

 24 May - Springfield Mile (Round 3)
30 May - Sacramento Mile (Round 4)
4 July - Du Quoin Mile (Round 7)
11 July - Indy Mile (Round 8)
6 September - Springfield Mile II (Round 13)

* that's haters of hipsters, not hipsters who are haters

DTRA Round 1: Leicester

This is, I think, my eighth season of UK short track racing and I was looking forward to this one more than any before. I'm not getting much better at it, while some other people are getting way better, but there is such a good crowd and atmosphere that I couldn't wait for Leicester.
That's me above in my new Icon Hypersport Stealth jacket and trousers. The jacket was lettered up by a family business in Wigan called Joyda.
Here's why I was so excited. G

(All photos: Sideburn, except the one above: Baron73)

REASON 1 - NEW RIDERS, NEW FRAMERS

The UK scene is growing like never before and there are a lot of cool bikes we've never seen before. I knew about a lot of them, but not this one. 55R is Angelo from Sinner Supply in Belgium, one of three chopper-riding Belgians who have either bought or built framers over the winter to compete. His mate 85R, David is on a self-built SR500. And there are more to come.

The last of the Belgians, who actually performed the best on the day, was Bram on his Suzuki 600. Bunch of great guys bringing even more colour and variety to the DTRA.

This is a small line-up of the DTRA's 30-strong Rookie class entry. How good do these bikes look? 77R is photographer Sam Christmas. 

REASON 2 - EXISTING RIDERS, NEW PAINT

NEW PAINT.  Existing racers getting new paint jobs. This is Leah's killer Death Spray Custom KTM.

And Ross's equally bitchin' Death Spray KTM/Rotax framer.

REASON 3 - THE VINTAGE CLASS

After a good, but steady start to the DTRA vintage class in 2014, the category has exploded and mutated. Nick Ashley has retired his Cheney Triumph for this Harley WLA. Nick designs for exclusive UK clothing company Private White VC. He races in them too.

This is Jack on his Dad's BSA Empire Star. This bike was flying until the final when it got tangled up and managed to run over poor Paul Harrison twice in the same incident. 

Another Paul looked the absolute business on his Enfield, white shirt and open-face lid. I hope he doesn't mind me saying he was so slow he couldn't catch a cold, because he was out there, doing it. Respect. And then he came off track and shoved a pie in his face to recuperate. Screw your energy drinks. Double respect!

REASON 4 - ANTHONY BROWN

If you don't know him, let me explain. He is the nicest man you'll ever meet. He organises the series, with help of a handful of other people, including Anna his other-half. He helps make Dirt Quake happen too. On Sunday he ran around like a headless chicken sorting everything, then jumped on Wilky's Triumph and won the final. Awesome! That's his dad with him, Dickie, another legend.

REASON 5 - THE VARIETY

We have hot shots like reigning champion Tim Neave - all Troy Lee'd up on the way to the playing a starring role in the most exciting final in UK history (and coming away with a broken scaphoid. Get well soon).

And, at the other end of the scale, we have Sid Snots like Milo with his pie plate on his back. 

We love them all!

REASON 6 - THE SPONSORS

The DTRA has some great sponsors including: Deus Ex Machina, DuckSmart, Nixon Watches, FTWCo, Barstow by 100% and House Industries who created the design and font for our official number plates. Oh, and Sideburn is a sponsor too.

REASON 7 - MY MECHANIC

Busy time, busy life, busy town, so it's good to spend a full boy's day out with my son. It's never the same when he can't make it. 

Next race is at Peterborough, a two-day and part of the MCN Festival of Motorcycling. There is going to be a special Transatlantic race that includes Kevin Schwantz and David Aldana and David Knight! G

Meanwhile in Mumbai

Josh getting his money worth out of an old Sideburn shirt.
Photo: Vir

Sideburn 1 and 2 on UK eBay

This sale is nothing to do with us, but lots of people ask about them, so we're passing on the info. Go to UK eBay to bid.

Sideburn was launched in 2008. Issue 2 came out six months later.

Deus Bike Build Off

Next weekend sees the Deus Bike Build-Off take place (almost) simultaneously in the trailblazing company's five main locations: Sydney, Bali, Venice USA, Milan and Tokyo.

Sideburn's editor (me) has been chosen to be one of the five judges for the Milan event and I'll be there this weekend.

You can also get involved online, by voting for your favourite. More details to follow. G

Deus Bike Build Off Milano 2014 from Deus Italy on Vimeo.

Punk Snot Dead

From the current issue of Sideburn, as seen in the Ian 'Tiddler' Turner photo album, who knows what the rest of this famous '70s forecourt sticker says? (clue: 15 letters). BP

UPDATE.... Well done 70s kids Fingersinpies, Hot Shoe and The Mouldie.

Ohio

Gregory from Ohio got in touch a few months ago saying, and I'm paraphrasing, 'I've raced motocross, I've starting reading Sideburn and this dirt tracking looks fun, but when I've tried to speak to some dirt track race people in my area they've been very dismissive and I don't know where to start. Help.'

I remembered that regular blog contributor and sometime Sideburn magazine contributor, Roger F (whose great shots from Ohio races in the 1970s are in Sideburn 7) lives in Ohio. I introduced Greg and Roger via email, and...

Thanks again for putting me in touch with Roger, Looks like I'll be racing this weekend. Really appreciate your kindness. Looking forward to many more issues with my new subscription. I included a photo of my first flat track build (Yamaha 360).

The race is at Western Reserve in Salem, Ohio. Roger said he would also be there. Looking forward to the fun. Have a good race this weekend, let me know how you do! Will you be in the states for Dirt Quake USA? 
Greg 

Sideburn - converting the world to flat track, one rider at a time. And yes, we'll be in Castle Rock for Dirt Quake USA. G

For Sale: 1972 Honda CL350 in LA

Thanks to Andrew for sending us this beauty. We don't know anything about the history, but it looks like something to buy to take over to Perris, out to Hell on Wheels and down to Del Mar...

$2600 or best offer

Go to Craig's List for more details. G

DTRA Magazine

The DTRA have worked with photographer Ian Roxburgh and journalist Ian Osborne the create a neat, free digital magazine you see here. 

Remember the first race is this weekend at Leicester. Spectators go free. G

Action Man Gripping Hands

This morning, nearly a week after stepping off the saddle, my hands still feel like rubbery, lifeless, Action Man™ gripping hands, only good for loosely holding a plastic Sten gun. Ross RootBeerBobber, took his Madame Tussauds-style hands to the physio as he's only capable of a pathetic Vulcan salute, and was told there is no remedy.

Next time I'll add a hand grip exerciser to my pre-adventure exercise regime. BP

Sideburn Sunburn Good Times

Our first Sideburn endorsed moto trip was awesome. A game-changer. We couldn't have amassed a more fun group of 14 guys from 3 different countries. Thanks to John of Moto Aventures for shepherding us so professionally. From ponderous river crossings in the High Atlas, perilous rocky cliff faces, a flat out dash across a firing range and conquering the mighty 150 meter high Sahara dunes of Erg Chebbi, we did it all - often with comedy aplomb. A happily relentless challenge to man and machine - but mostly man, as the 450 KTM EXC excellently prepared/repaired by Hussein every evening, were so forgiving.

Spectacular scenery every which where. Everyone said they would absolutely do it all again - once their bruises and blisters have healed.
Thanks too to Su and Maryam, for pre-production and real-time lubrication, ensuring everything ran smoothly. BP

GI posted a few highlights shot by various riders, whilst I was away, on the Sideburn Instagram

Fuller Moto Dirty Duc

Neat Ducati Scrambler (the original one) built by Fuller Moto of Atlanta, Georgia.
Video and photo by mrjakylworks.com

DTRA Round 1: This Sunday

The first round of the 2015 DTRA season is this Sunday, Leicester Speedway (head to Beaumont Leys, find the big Morrisons or use LE4 IDS, and follow your nose).

Spectators go free!

Huge Entry 
31 rookies; 24 Thunderbikes; 17 pros; 11 vintage, plus restricted (riders who are between rookie and pro), juniors and minibikes.

Here are some photos from the Scunthorpe practice eight days ago. G

My own Wood Rotax has had a refresh for 2015. New rings, new valve guides, secondhand Racefit Ti pipe. Death Spray paint! Same loose nut on the handlebars.

One of my favourite bikes in the series (except for its hideous front mudguard). Isaac's twin-cam Rotax with a liquid-cooled head. Can't remember which chassis it is, C&J I think. Imported from the US last year.

Tom, colour-coordinated. We have a handful of these Sideburn logo zip hoodies left.

John Boddy and the Triumph bitsa. Read more about this bike in Sideburn 18.

John's brother, James and his Ariel, first time out, few teething problems. I don't see it on the entry list for Leicester, but I look forward to seeing it again.

James and his XS650, straight into the Rookies.

Two of Survivor Customs crew chat with Geoff Co-Built. 32 is Murph, sitting; 35 is Mike Hill, checked shirt. Along with Ryan Quickfall they are all entering the Rookies on modified CCMs this year.
Mike did all the conversion work, making the exhausts, shortening swingers, twin shocking rear ends,  the whole shebang. Survivor Customs is based in Middlesbrough and looks like a good place to have a road bike converted into the Thunderbike. Mike is already well up to speed on his.

Mike Hill on his self-built Survivor Rotax. He had practiced at Redcar the day before, and came for another full day at Scunthorpe. Tank logo was handpainted by Ryan Quickfall. Behind is Ian Cramp on his own self-built CCM.

Happy Survivor crew heading back north.

See you at Leicester!

250 London

New online store (soon to be a real on the street store?) 250 London is stocking a lot of hard to find 1970s/80s inspired MX gear, and some of it is in the sale.

It includes Deus Ex Machina, 100%, Hell on Wheels, Alpinestars, Emgo...