When Dinosaurs Roamed the Beaches

From Harley in the Isle of Man

I was nosing through some old photos and came across this monster, taken at Mablethorpe at least 25 years ago. I’ve no idea who was at the controls but they really don’t make ‘em like that any more. 
Happy New Year 
Harley

Giuliano Segoni

Having invented the beard in Florence in 1969, Giuliano Segoni went on to design this exciting stressed-member Laverda. pictured here in 1971 with his architect brother and test rider Augusto Brettoni.

In 1973 he went crazy and came up with this monocoque frame for the SFC.

Ohh err on the engine turned finish

Then in 1974 he discovered funk, and things calmed down a little. This Kawa Z900 (he mysteriously badged K900 - maybe discovered pipe smoking?) was shown off at the Milan show.

He gained some endurance success. Beating the official factory team in 1975 at the 24hour Bol D'Or - even being the sole Italian team to finish. Dude. BP

Meanwhile, in Austin, Texas

Russ, Beast T-shirt and Laverda.

Lima Laverda

Very unusual SF750 based flat tracker snapped by Roger at Lima. The photos are a bit dark, but it's still worth showing.

From vintage display behind the grandstand. I didn't meet the owner, but I love the tank! Roger

Show Down Bikes

Mr Martini's Honda XL. Loved it.
The best W650 I've ever seen.
Vyrus
Davide's latest Guzzi project. Ben will have better photos.
Laverda twin
Free Spirit XR1200
Royal McQueen SuperNaag Royal Enfield

TPR Triumphs

Just got back from a fantastic Euro road trip. Well, I'm home, Skooter Farm Dave is still driving and won't be home for a few hours yet. There are going to be dozens of post over the next few days. A lot happened.
These are some bike snaps from the Custom Sickles/Rumblers-organised Milano Show Down. The show was small but attractd the cream of Italian street bike customisers. It was right up our street.
Thanks to Romano, Paolo C and the Mermaid Crew. More soon. G

N-130 Basque Country

Picking up Meyer Ranch's comment from GI's roads post, I can vouch for the same road in my top 10. NB it's essential to take the N-130 that goes through Lizartza, a truck-stop village on the old national road. Things to watch out for: post siesta drunks on the wrong side of the road; especially blind corners. It's safest to ride from 12:00 - 15:00 when the natives are tanking up. Also eat lots of carrots as it's impossible to adjust your eyes when wearing sunglasses to combat the blinding sun but then enter a pitch black tunnel at full tilt. Also watch for loose masonary / rocks that litter the road after storms.
I went to Pamplona in 2000 with 3 biking friends from Amsterdam, and my wife to be. A Guzzi, a Laverda SFC, and the then brand new Ducati MHe. The dead-weight of the Guzzi got me trounced on the mountain section. My testicles are not large enough to run with bulls (or my survival instinct logic is adequately developed enough to realize better).
What's the name of the intoxicating crushed ice drink consumed locally by the jug full? Possibly related to Hemingway's Death In The Morning? More of the same please. BP

Classic Bol d'Or

A fella I met through Performance Bikes, Bob Sparkes, who I think had an old Harris, sent these shots in from his trip to the Classic Bol d'Or, at Magny Cours. He spannered for the ARSE team who scored a good finish. They're nothing to do with the oval racing we focus on, but they're just too good not to share. There are no rules here. Or not many. We post what we like. We know 99% of you will like them too.
Go here to see more.
Thanks Bob! GI