Scottish Italian Car and Bike Day - 12th August

If you're up in Scotland (or further), this event looks worth attending - an amazing location, a wide selection of vehicles and of course excellent Scottish hospitality.

Go and support someone actually doing something!!

More information here: http://www.italiancarandbikeday.co.uk

'71 MV Agusta Scrambler

This is a model called 'Scrambler' from MV that was built in 1971 - and the way that motorcycle styles and fashions chop and change, wouldn't be out of place on Chris's Bike EXIF as a contemporary build. The lines of it are spot on, and even though the motor is only 250cc, it fills the frame nicely. Less than 500 of these bikes were built so they're a rare machine nowadays. We rode this freshly restored example in Italy a couple of years ago, and it was a blast, though we weren't allowed to properly scramble in the mud!

Full feature in a future issue of the magazine....

Tour de France - proud to be a Brit

There is no sporting event more gruelling and physically and psychologically demanding than the Tour de France, and it was won in emphatic style by British rider Bradley Wiggins yesterday, and fellow Brit Chris Froome coming secind overall. The finish on the Champs Elysees in Paris
yesterday was thrilling, and another Brit, Mark Cavendish, grabbed the sprint win. Makes me proud to be a Brit. I love the way Bradley Wiggins is so focused and intense when he competes - probably listening to 'Eton Rifles' by the The Jam on his mini iPod.

Rust in peace

It seems that this Sunday might be sunny so I might be able to get out on a bike for the first time in ages, since we've had half the Atlantic Ocean dumped on our shores every day for the last two months.
The cast iron discs and crap right up the front of my Guzzi T3 Cali prove that I do actually ride in the rain (though I'd prefer not to, like most), and that I can't be arsed cleaning it afterwards either.

Moto Guzzi 950 special by MOTONERO - for sale

This is John W's 1100 Sport chassis, single seat, with a 950 Spada motor. Different and brutal looking. We like what he does, because he doesn't follow the crowd.

Bike for sale too - contact John W at MOTONERO - motonero57@gmail.com

Check the MOTONERO blog here: http://motonero.blogspot.co.uk

The dictator, the carpenter, the mechanic, and the butcher

This wonderful 1933 Moto Guzzi GT16 500cc single has led an amazing, and charmed life, having belonged to all of the above.

We rode it, and it makes you feel very good.  Coming up soon in Issue Five...

Fork off

I managed to get a little time a few weeks ago to work on the mag's project MV 175 AB. The motor's already out and stripped into a thousand pieces, more on that in Issue Five coming soon (I promise!), so I'm concentrating on the cycle parts and frame.

I managed to strip the front end reasonably quickly and without needing any special tools. The forks were completely full of water - I've never seen so much water come out of a pair of forks before. My MV guru Dorian says that these AB forks are well known for it, but even so, looks like the Italian who owned this bike used to ride through rivers on it judging by the water and mud and crap covering it. All the seals are completely shot, as expected, and just as I was wondering where I might find a seal kit for a '57 MV 175 AB from, Dorian came up trumps again, as well as donating the little chrome cover for the Super Practic B throttle body too. Thanks my friend!

Remember, I'm not restoring this bike. Cosmetically it will stay as it is. I cleaned up the throttle body and that's it, original 'emmevi' grip and all. I've cleaned up the forks that though a bit corroded will be fine once rebuilt with the new seals. Just got to find the time again...

To the point

Bring me sunshine

The weather is so unbelievably shit in this country at present, and seems to have been for three months in succession, that after briefly enjoying the sun in Sardinia, I had to dig out some photos that reminded me of heat and sun. Messing about in an Isetta back in Tuscany a year or so does the job.

Sergio Pininfarina R.I.P.

Sergio Farina, or Sergio Pininfarina as he became in 1961, changing his surname by way of government degree to honour his father, has died aged 85. Legend and genius are both names that can in this case be used to describe the man who took industrial automotive design to another level, and a recognisable look that was always 'Made in Italy'.

Read more about Pininfarina and his family's work at the Pinifarina website here

If you're in London, there's an exhibition on Pininfarina design at the Italian Cultural Institute runnung currently and which ends on July 15th. More info here