Thursday, October 7, 2010

Reader Ride. Clean R80

I'd love to find a rider in this condition.  Some folks are a LOT better at general maintenance and cleanup than I'll ever be.  Sweet Ride.

Anthony Writes in:

Hi Steve,

Thought I'd fire you some pics of my daily ride, which is an almost stock 1989 BMW R80.

I had been looking for an old R80 that I could pull apart, and do a Ritmo Sereno style custom job on. While looking, I came across this 20 year old (at the time) machine that was in pristine condition and had only 15,000km (9,320 miles) on the clock. The bike had a full service record, original books and all receipts. Although I was looking for something to customise, I took her for a spin and fell in love.


I guess the special thing about this bike is the fact that it in such original condition, the only mods are Staintune pipes and the BMW clock and voltmeter.

I still want to get my hands on a base bike to build a cafe racer from but at this stage I think it would be sacrilege make any changes to this one.

I've had a bunch of other bikes in the past but this one is by far the best city bike I've owned. After about a year, I'm still in love.


Hopefully it's not too plain and standard for MBPOTD.

Hell No!  Thanks for the Pics!


Salty Triumph

From our old friend Murph who's still hanging round Bonneville.  Thanks Murph!



Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Ducati Desmosedici

Ducati Desmosedici
Ducati Desmosedici
Ducati Desmosedici
Ducati Desmosedici

Ducati Desmosedici

Kawasaki Ninja 250R

Kawasaki Ninja 250R
Kawasaki Ninja 250R
Kawasaki Ninja 250R
Kawasaki Ninja 250R
Kawasaki Ninja 250RKawasaki Ninja 250R

Yamaha Sport






You learn something new ever day... Reader Ride. The Sym Wolf 125.

Jesus Buisan sends in ome pictures of a very interesting bike that I've never heard of.  I did some looking around and in the USA they look to be primarily a scooter company but the base model to this bike look s pretty good.  An Jesus did a great job of tuning it up.

He Writes:

I am a follower of your blog I look every day and a big fan of classic bikes, I have a Bultaco Sherpa T 80, 1971 and Sym Wolf 125 small bike I have been transformed with minor changes until it was to my liking, as closely possible for a British bike of the 1960, I see you just hang up pictures of small bikes, but I'm sending you some pictures of my little, if you will hang them.
Greetings from Zaragoaza- Spain 


A Question/Special Request for info from the MPOD followers!

I have a special request from Matt for a bike for his wife.  I have to admit that I'm a bit stumped on this one.  My wife is 5'0" also and I can't think of a bike that would fit her frame to the specs that Matt is looking for.  Any bike that might work would still have to be lowered quite a bit.  Anyone have any suggestions?  You can either e-mail me (and I'll post it) or put it in the comments! 

Steve,
        My wife is a big fan of motorcycles.  Being 5'0" tall and 100 lbs she's pretty limited in selection, even more limited when you find out she loves sport bikes and isn't very interested in much else.  Cruisers are definitely out, and other categories of bikes typically don't meet her performance and beauty/form requirements.  The biggest bike she's owned is a lowered Kawasaki Ex500.   She's ready for her next ride, Kawasaki redesigned the 250 and dropped the 500.  We're having a lot of trouble finding anything that wouldn't need to be lowered so much that the handling is compromised, but still has more power than the lawnmower.  (no offense to smaller bikes, we love them, handling is unmatched, we're just looking for something specific here)

I'm very much a fan of your blog, and am wondering if you're willing to ask your audience for recommendations on what her options are.  Are there 500cc or greater sport/sporty bikes out there that a little'n like my wife can handle?  Once she gets moving she's a highly skilled rider, but she needs to feel comfortable stopping, walking, and maneuvering the bike with her little frame.  What are we missing?

Thanks a ton!,
         Matt (and Beth, though she doesn't know it yet)
         from Fort Collins, Colorado

Really, I can't say enough how impressed I am with the diversity and craftsmanship of the bikes you post.  It's been a continuous source of inspiration for my own projects.  Thank you.

Motor Ducati 848






Motor Ducati 848

Benelli Tornado Tre





Benelli Tornado Tre

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Suzuki SV Flat Tracker

Ohhh Baby!

Beautiful Ducati Vintage Single Racer.


Update 3: Wicked Little 2-Stroke Yamaha Tracker-Bobber

Moving this to the top for a bit since so many folks had questions about it.

Update 3:  Found the build thread!  An alert reader over on ADV rider found the build thread on this bike. A lot of folks have been asking for more info so here you go!

http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=12857.0


From the comments (Thanks SakeRacer).  More info Here: http://www.pipeburn.com/home/2010/9/9/1973-yamaha-rd250-street-tracker.html

Sorry to Pipeburn. I didn't realize it originated on their site. TONS of great stuff over there so check them out often.

My observant commentors make some good points about the classification of this bike. Tracker of Bobber? I see a lot of elements of both styles here and to be honest I'm not crazy about pigeon holing bikes all that much so lets call it a tracker-bobber. Whatever you call it it's still freaking cool!

That's got backroad fun written all over it.

Reader Submittal. Custom built Indian "Chout"

Buck Pinkerton sends in this really cool old Indian! I would love to own something like this.  Damm near one of a kind!   Thanks!

Hi,
This is a friend's Indian Chout. It was built by her father before she was born, ostensibly a 1929 Scout frame holding a 1940 Bonneville Chief engine that he just happened to find in a crate at the southwest airbase where he was stationed. The forks look to be latter day chief. Some time in the 1980s the bike passed through the hands of a "restorer" who added the H-D front fender and odd looking instrument pod. At least he painted it right and stayed out of the engine. The bike is back in the family now, and from stories I've been told it was one fast machine.


Ride safe,
Buck Pilkenton





Monday, October 4, 2010

SR500 Cafe...

Hot Damm!

Reader Ride. Sweet Parilla 250 Work In Progress.

Danilo writes in:


Love your site.  Thought you'd get a kick out of my Parilla 250 project.  Purchased it in Minneapolis last month, hadn't run in years.  Cleaned up the points, new battery and swapped out the VHB Dellorto for the original SS1 with remote bowl that came in the parts box, gave it a couple of kicks and... Nothing.  Took it out in the alley and it bump-started on the third try.

Put 50 miles on it this weekend, including a stop at Acetoberfest in Chicago.  Still bumping it, but as soon as I get new points and condenser that'll be a thing of the past.  When winter hits the frame goes out for checking/bracing, and then I'm going to give it the cosmetic treatment.


 That's a heck of a find!  Perfect starting point!  Thank for the Pics!


What  beautiful engine!