So long, Homer

Just heard the sad news that Homer Knapp has passed away. I met him a couple of times, visiting his incredible workshop in North Hollywood, after being taken there by his good friend, Andrew Gray. I even got the opportunity to ride his 1928 Harley JD (above) at Perris, a bike we'd worshipped from afar for years.

Andrew wrote a great story about Homer for Sideburn 7. I've just read it again. If you have it, dig out your copy, give it a read and thank the world for folk like Mr Knapp.

'A down to earth, smart interesting gentleman in the best sense of the word, who while proud of his achievements isn't one to brag.'

So long, Homer. G

Gainsbourg

And on another French tip, following from Bertie's Parisian Trackmaster in SB12, I watched this film at the weekend and it's pretty bloody wonderful. It's about the life of French songwriter, singer, lover. He was, to paraphrase the great Dan Walsh, as ugly as a fight in a kebab shop, but he ended up being the nicotine-reeking lover of a succession of Euro beauties including Brigitte Bardot, Jane Birkin and Juliette Gréco.
The actor who plays the lead role is so convincing it's incredible, yet the film has fantasy elements including a huge Frank Sidebottom-esque character to play his inner, insecure voice.
Thoroughly recommended if you like a bit of 'world' cinema (subtitles and that). G

Below, the real Gainsbourg with Birkin (the English lady who 'breathed' the song Je t'aime).

Big Mac - updated!

Brilliant on-bike colour footage of Bob McIntyre riding a Norton Manx at Oulton Park in the very late Fifties, maybe 1960-'61 (the Cheshire track where he'd sustain fatal injuries in 1962). You can only imagine the size of the camera bolted to the bike. I've had this for 15 years or more on VHS but went looking for it on DVD. I'm glad to say you can get it from Duke, and it's well worth it, there's more of this lap, plus you get a full lap behind the flyscreen, and there's loads more stuff about all types of bikesport. I think it was one of those films made to show before the main feature in cinemas to stop the nation's youth from slipping into a dirty rocker lifestyle.

It's an apt time to mention that McIntyre was the first rider to put in a 100+mph lap of the TT, in the 1957 Senior on a four-cylinder Gilera 500. To mark the TT's golden jubilee, that year's Senior was run over eight laps (instead of six). That's over 300 miles and more than three hours' racing. On the Mountain Course. On a 170mph bike with drum brakes. Bloody hell. MP
PS: Don't know where the video went earlier. It's here now and the rest of the post should now make sense.

Gary Nixon RIP

Two-time AMA Grand National Champion Gary Nixon died today at a hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. The man simply known as 'Nixon' was 70 years old.
Nixon took ill while spectating at the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix at Laguna Seca and was admitted to hospital after returning to his home in Maryland. He suffered a heart attack on July 29 and died from complications from that heart attack. He had been in ICU at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Baltimore after undergoing surgery to place two stents in his arteries.
Cycle News All time classic photo by Dan Mahony

The other cool Kawasaki at Indy

From Roger...

This is the other cool Kawasaki at Indianapolis for the mile. This bike belongs to a "keep at it because you love it" kinda racer you always root for. Jason Griffin didn't make the 32 rider field at Indy on his Kawasaki, but that's not the point.
I've seen him at Lima a few times too. The point is that his right arm is missing other than a bit of a stub. The right sleeve of is leathers is sewn shut after about 4 inches. (Read about Jason in Sideburn 4).
What impressed me is just how nice this guy is and what an easy-going manner he has. The pictures are of him with my girlfriend Patty, and two of his bike.
Now look at the bike and imagine how hard it would be to race it only left-handed. I'll even give you the benefit of guessing he's left-handed, as I never thought to ask him. Take your throttle over to the left and operate it simultaneously along with the clutch. That's simple, right? Your only contact point has a grip that turns freely. Let your other arm hang loose, no moving it for balance or leverage. Race (not ride) your 450 into a cushion half-mile turn like Lima at about 80mph, or a mile like Indy where you're over 100! Even when it bucks around, all you get is the one arm to control it while sliding. 10 laps at race speed. Tired yet? Crashing hurts and is expensive and likely dangerous too..
To me, this guy is one cool dude. A racer with enough passion to do it with a huge handicap. And a grin!

The Hotshoe Man

Anyone know who shot this feature on Ken Maely, a few years ago, for French Magazine Cafe Racer?