Fuel Scram Africa BMW

From Karles at Fuel, Barcelona.

Hi all, 
Just a few lines to introduce you our last build: the Fuel Scram/7 The bike was built to be ridden at the Scram Africa trip and the pics has been taken as the bike was when arrived after 2.000km of roads, trails and dunes. Hope you like! 
Kind regards 
Karles Vives 

The FUEL SCRAM/7 project started 2 years ago when Mark from Australia participated into the Scram Africa, a trip to desert for classic and neoclassic bikes organized by us.

After that experience he asked us to build a bike to participate again this year.

The donor bike is a BMW R100/7 from 1977 and the main goal was to convert that road bike into a scrambler .

To achieve that goal we start changing the entire front for a Suzuki DR 650 fork and  21”wheel. The fork was trimmed for better bike geometry and the rear shocks were replaced for a longer Ohlins ones.

To get even more height we remove the original oil pan for a new one more robust and narrow getting more height on the bike

The tank is from a BMW R27 with 17 liters capacity which gives sufficient autonomy for the stages of the trip.

We love to add to our builds some creative details…on this bike, we have added a compass at the top of the tank ..you can’t get lost in the desert!

For a better scrambler look we mount a new high exhaust pipe on the right side with a modified Ural silencer at the end.

The tires was a customer request, on the rear we got a Maxxis Maxxcross Soft  Terrain, a tyre designed for riding on really deep sand and mud and a Pirelli Scorpion MX on the front.

Inside the tires we mounted a tubeless sistem called Nuetech Tubliss, wich replaces conventional inner tubes with a small red 100 psi insert that creates two different pressure zones inside the tire itself. This increased tire stability and eliminates pinch flats. In turn, this allows you to run very low tire pressure for massive gains in traction and a much plusher ride

A high seat and rear rack gives an old enduro look and practicality at the same time.

The Fuel Scram/7 finished the 2.000km trip with no damages and Mark greatly enjoyed the ride through the sand and dunes. 

 Main Mods

-Classic trial front light

-Analogue speedometer for BMW

-70’s enduro handlebar

-Oury grips

-Ohlins vintage rear shock

-Maxxis Maxxcross rear tire

-Pirelli Scorpion MX front tire

-Handmade exhaust pipe

-Seat designed and built by Fuel

-Handmade subframe

-Odyssey battery

-New front and rear fenders

-Off road footpegs

Scram Africa photos by Manel Portugal

206mph

The on-board video of TT racer James Hillier on the Kawasaki H2R. That thing revs! G

One Week Till Dirt Quake USA

Schedule of events

Friday

Regular Castle Rock Practice

7-9pm $25.00 plus gate.

Saturday.

12-5pm Swap meet. (free with gate fee)

Castle Rock Short Track Racing.

3:00pm - Sign up

5:30pm - 6:30Practice

7:00pm - Racing Starts

DQ Parade laps

Dirt Quake Pre-party

Directly following racing

Live music, Beverages, Party!

Sunday

Dirt Quake USA.

8am - Coffee Cart Opens

8.30-10.30am - sign-ups

11:30am-  Riders’ meeting

12:00pm -  Practice starts

1:00pm 2:00pm - Halftime event

2:00pm 5:00pm - DQ Racing  

Times subject to change. All Dirt Quake riders must pre-enter. Sunday 250 pro, 450 pro, can sign up day of.

For Questions see below.

Dirt Quake FAQ..

Q: Where is Castle Rock race track

A: Located at Castle Rock Fairgrounds. Exit 49 off I-5

Address: 120 Fair Lane , Castle Rock. Washington

Q: When is Dirt Quake?

A: Swap meet and campout start Saturday june 20th at 12:00 noon. Regular races are Saturday night starting at 7:00pm, Dirt Quake racing starts 12:00 noon Sunday June 21st.

Q: How Much is it?

A: $10 to watch.

Q: How much to camp?

A: Free with gate fee.

Q: How do you sign up? and How much? $75, includes goodie bag.

A: Pre registration can be done http://www.sideburnmagazine.com/DIRT_QUAKE_USA.html

Q: Are kids and animals welcome?

A: Yes, kids are more than welcome. Kid Friendly Event. Animals on leash only. Loose animals are dangerous when mixed with racing and motorbikes.

Q: will there be food?

A: Snack shack will be open Saturday night. Sunday there is a general store ½ mile away. They serve sandwiches and burgers.

Q: Can we bring food, beverages in?

A: You can bring food and drinks to the camp lot. No outside food inside track gates. (sorry) BBQs are fine.

Q: Can we bring beer in?

A: Beer is allowed in camp lot, no outside beer inside track area.

Q: Can I bring a camper van, trailer tent?

A: Yes, big grass lot allows space for vehicles of any size.

Q: Can I make a campfire?

A: Yes, but needs to be inside a metal case.

Q: Where can I watch the event?

A: Grandstands are open seating.

Q: Can I go in the pits?

A: Yes, I believe so. Be respectful of racers and their gear.

Q: When does the event start?

A: The Dirt Quake practice starts on Sunday at 12:00 noon, but there is a swap meet on Saturday and flat track racing on Saturday evening, followed by live music.

Q: Can I go in and out of gated area?

A: Yes with proper payment you are granted in and out access. Please keep on bracelet.

Q: Swap meet?

A: Saturday from 12. noon-5pm

Q: How much is the swap?

A: $10 which covers spectating for the races to follow. (all people going in and out of track area must pay the $10.

Rider/ Racer FAQ

Q: How much is it to race?

A: $75 dollar's pre- registration. Every entry comes with a goodie bag of stuff.

Q: What classes can bikes sign up for?

A: Dirt tracker, Inappropriate road bike, chopper, women, Kitchen sink (for everything else), 250 and 450.

Q: How do I know what class to sign up for?

A: Email a picture of your bike to Dirt@sideburnmagazine.com . We will help you figure it out.

Q: Can you sign up the day of the race?

A: No

Q: Do you need a licence?

A: Nope, come race!

Q: When do I check in?

A: Sunday morning at the sign up station from 8.30-10.30am.

Q: What do I need to race?

A: Helmet, eye protection (visor or goggles). gloves, Pants, long sleeve top, over the ankle boots.

We highly recommend the best safety gear, leathers, armour, back protector, full-face helmet,  you can get your hands on. Motorcycle racing can be dangerous.

Q: Is there a safety inspection?

A: No, Make sure your bike is safe, leaks are sealed up. If we see you on the track with an unsafe bike we will Black Flag you, which means you must safely pull off track. If you are unsure ask an experienced rider to look over your bike.

Q: What time is the rider meeting?

A: 11.30, before practice starts, all riders must attend.

Q: When is practice?

A: see schedule

Q: How do I practice?

A: You will get two practice tickets allowing you on the track for four laps each try. Practice order will be posted on schedule. Have respect for other racers in practice and race situations. No one cares where you finish, but everyone has work the next day.

Q: How will the races go:

A: One heat race to determine your grid position. One main event.

Q: How many trophies are there? and when is the ceremony?

A: Each class gets 1st, 2nd,  3rd. We are shooting for 5:30, listen for announcements.

X Games Flat Track Main

Flat track (sponsored and facilitated by Harley-Davidson) was the opening sport of last week's X Games in Austin, Texas. If you don't know much about the X Games, it is  extreme sports Olympics, a made for TV spectacular and hugely popular.
Motorcycles are often featured, but normally supercross, freestyle and step-up (high jump for 450s). This is a first for flat track and is, I've heard, a four-year deal. I was in Sacramento at the GNC race a few days before the X Games and the whole of the sport was very excited about the opportunity.
The track was built for the event, as rough as a rhino's rump, and about 3/8 of a mile in length. Heavy rains the week before was blamed for the track's poor condition.
The start used an MX-style dropping metal gate, like the Superprestigio does. The heavy twins didn't seem to like it.
One of the most impressive things from a spectating amateur racer's point of view (mine) was how quickly fallen riders got off the track. It was as if a sniper was in the crowd and the TV producers told the riders that if they held up the banjo-string-tight TV schedule they'd get a dum-dum in the back of the head.

There was just one class of invited riders, 24 pros (including Daytona 200 winner, Danny Eslick), trying to qualify for a 12-rider main. This video the main and there are very few surprises in the line-up - this is the line-up, by the way, not the result.

Jared Mees             HD
Kenny Coolbeth     HD
Bryan Smith           Kaw
Mikey Martin         Tri
Johnny Lewis         Duc
Sammy Halbert      Kaw
Briar Bauman         Kaw
Brad Baker             HD
Jake Johnson          HD
Doug Lawrence      HD
Brandon Robinson  Tri
Mick Kirkness        HD

Enjoy the 20-lapper. Make sure you watch right to the flag... G

STOLEN

Please can you circulate the news that my beloved street tracker Honda FTR 223 that I imported from Japan and built up over the last 11 years was stolen outside my studio in Brixton, London, this afternoon.
Registration: PL03 AYD
Please report it to the police [or leave a note here on the SB blog]. Has SuperTrapp exhaust on the right side, the big air filter is not attached properly at the moment, sticky left grip. Death Spray Custom sticker on the front Forks.
Someone managed to start it and ride away. Clever f***er.....
Kind Regards Mark

Hillier x H2R

James Hillier, Kawasaki H2R, Ago's Leap. Today.
Reached a claimed 206mph down Sulby Straight on a parade lap. G

Wheels And Waves

Wheels And Waves starts today and runs until Sunday. Enjoy the sun. BP

UK Race Bike For Sale

Rob is selling one of his race bikes. Here are the details. It's ready to race (just needs that front mudguard removing). This sale is nothing to do with us, we're just passing on the details. It's located in Devon.

YZF450. Lowered forks, Ohlins shock , ally tank , new piston and rings last year, 19in wheels and Maxxis tyres.
£2200 
07853 009223

Umlaut T-shirt

Guy Martin features in an interesting new website from tyre manufacturer Metzeler. It covers his racing, hobbies, a visit to Metzeler's German motorcycle tyre factory, Pikes Peak and his new 'signature' tyre - the Metzeler Guy Martin Racetec RR. Check out the site by following the link.

We were pretty happy to see Guy in his Sideburn Umlaut shirt in some of the videos and photos.
You can get one of these shirts AND a free back issue for just £15 (plus post and packing) from the Sideburn webshop. Just choose the back issue issue AND the correct size of shirt you require from the drop down menu. G

Road Apples // Pemberton Speedway Flat Track

Pemberton Speedway from Blaine Connolly on Vimeo.

Becky from Canada got in touch. She pointed us to a video and her great looking blog (where I have pinched some nice photos to post below). It's a mixture of adventures on TT500s, choppers shows, women on bikes, amateur flat track and amazing Canadian scenery. Becky wrote...

I always check out your blog and thought this would be something you'd be into posting about! 

Blaine Connolly made this little edit about the Pemberton Flat Track Races that Sam Villanueva hosted. There's some photos as well as some more information on www.themroadapples.com I love your stuff keep killing it!
Becky Goebel

 Neat Street 750 racer.