ITALIAN MOTOR magazine

Muletto

2012-02-01T16:56:00.000Z

I can't tell you much about this photo apart from it's a photo of the 'muletto' or test car that Alfa Romeo used to develop their beautiful eight cylinder 8C with. Wonderful style, clothes and elegance on display, but note how the mechanics with oily overalls are standing well in the background. Neil Twyman used this image, and some others that belong in a collection of an Italian friend, to build his own 'muletto'. Neil used an original 8C chassis that he bought in a scrapyard in Italy while supposedly on a skiing holiday, and brought it back strapped to the top of his Volvo estate. Our feature in Issue Four shows the stunning result.

Laverda's not dead

2012-01-30T18:31:00.000Z

Been curious about these for a while now. They don't compare to an SFC, but they're not meant to.

This small company is going in the right direction...

California Lovin'

2012-01-28T19:29:00.002Z

After doing some spannering for Adam on his bike last week, I managed to grab an hour or two yesterday to work on my bike, after finally completing my tiresome tax return. I last rode my '76 T3 California through the mud and wet last September, and it's been left like that ever since. The fork stanchions are getting more rust and pitted, so I'm going to fit some gaiters to hide them (from the MOT man), even though there's no leaks from the fork seals, as the damage isn't really in that area.

Poor bike - covered in dust and crap, unwashed, unloved, paint peeling and with a couple of leaks that need attention. I'm not really a polisher, but I think I'll give it a really good clean. I managed to score a front crashbar in almost new condition for it on Ebay, so I'll fit that, once I can get hold of the right bolts and spacers. I managed to strip the front end down, with alll kinds of filthy water and oild coming from the fork legs. I'll refurbish the forks, check the calipers, and fit a new front tyre. I might even clean the front wheel (Borrani), seeing how much they seem to sell for nowadays. I think I might leave the screen off this time round. Anyway, good to get back into the bikes again...

Ducati 500 GTL

2012-01-27T09:50:00.000Z

I was flicking though one of my old copies of Motociclismo, this one from April 1976, and saw this ad for the parallel twin Ducati GTL 500. It reminded me of being at an autojumble in Italy with my mate Adam, about 16 years ago. There were a couple of blokes, from Naples I think from their accent, and they had one of these Ducatis they were trying to sell. They had started it up, and revving it, and it sounded, and looked good. I can't remember how much they wanted exactly, but it was about 300/400pounds, so not much. We stopped and looked, but said to each other, naah, who wants a Ducati parallel twin? In fact, no one did, because at the end of the day, they still had, and couldn't give it away.

I look at it now, and it's an interesting machine, and I reckon it has aged reasonably well, despite the Giugaro type square bits. It came from a time when Ducati were still able to experiment with engine configurations before sticking for good on the vee twin path. But this one didn't work. Weak crankshafts and low power blighted the motor - luckily Taglioni had had nothing to do with it.

I wonder how many are still around. It'd be interesting to ride one. Anyone out there got any experience of one?

Tea, biscuits, tools and fools

2012-01-22T20:08:00.001Z

After months of trying to fix a day, I finally went to my friend Adam's to help with a top end rebuild. I've known him for over 20 years, and it was good to see him again, do some spannering, and laugh at stupide crap. His Le Mans 2 needed some love and attention. Problem with Guzzis is that they so rarely need fixing that you forget in the meantime how to fix them, so we figured two idiots were better than one. The end result was a smooth running, crisp-revving bike. We were both amazed!

Mystifying

2012-01-20T09:51:00.001Z

Someone sent me a YouTube link to some videos that show motorcyclists and cars negotiating some nice looking bends in I think California somewhere. I just couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the standard, or lack of it, of the riding skills of these people. How did they get a licence? If only we had a nice, sunny, dry set of bends like that over here! Obviously this set of bends is famous as it seems like people stand vulture-like waiting for an off.

As a biker I don't particularly condone videos of people crashing, but they're all low speed offs, but you watch wondering 'how did that happen?', while trying hard not to laugh. Check it out, and some of the others on his channel. Some of the car driving is just unbelievably bad..

Better than the original?? Moto Guzzi 1000S v S3

2012-01-18T10:07:00.000Z

A very nice looking Moto Guzzi 1000S, with cast wheels and some non-standard but better looking seat and Conti silencers, recently reached £8,000 on UK Ebay: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1990-Moto-Guzzi-1000S-/320824003442?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item4ab299cb72#ht_1123wt_1398

A handsome bike without doubt, but the final sale price was a shock, to me at least. A bike is always worth only as much as someone is willing to pay for it, and in this case, seems someone fell in love with the bike and wanted it, no matter what. It must set a precedent for the values of the 1000S models. I remember when they came out - they were generally disregarded by the mainstream motorcycle press as just Guzzi trying to make a few quid when things weren't going particularly well for them. I didn't think much of it either, just a late Le Mans dressed up, a copy - and I found it amusing that it sported the same paint job as my older S3.

This is an article that came out in late 1990, and I remember buying it when I found my S3 as I was interested and curious to see why Guzzi were bringing out new bikes that were looked just like their models from 15/20 years earlier. The article infers that there's not much between the two bikes, despite the years that seperate them. So if a non-standard 1000S sells for 8 grand (and generally speaking, original bikes that appeal to collectors fetch more), what does that make the S3 worth nowadays? Maybe the 1000S is simply a better bike?

Funny how twenty years on, Guzzi is still selling loads of bikes that look like they came from 30 years ago or more..

ALI

2012-01-17T11:16:00.000Z

Muhammad Ali is 70 - and still the greatest. The 'Rumble in the Jungle', Ali's fight in 1974 against George Foreman is considered to be the most historic boxing match ever, and though I was only 7 at the time, and was probably in bed, I remember kids at school discussing it excitedly that week. Ali knopcked out Foreman in the 8th round to become World Champion. Boxers, like wrestlers, like Evel Knievel, and like footballers, were larger than life characters to us. If you haven't ever seen it, watch the documentary film "When We Were Kings" which conveys brilliantly the sense of occasion, history, heat, sweat and blood, dark forces, evil and triumph that took place in the then Zaire, now the Congo.

When I played guitar in a punk band some years later, we designed and made some tee shirts that featured a life size print of Ali's clenched fist. Our drummer and singer were from Holland, the bass player from Sweden, and me from London - so a bunch of disparate foreigners, but we had all grown up knowing about Ali, and he was a cool and inspirational figure to us.

Ducati 900 Baines Imola for sale

2012-01-15T17:39:00.000Z

We featured Nick's Baines Imola 900SS in Issue Four of the magazine - it's a beautiful bike and fantastic to ride.

They don't seem to come up for sale often, so here's one that is. Bob Hedges emailed us and sent some pics of his lovely Baines Imola, which is bike number 6. Wish we had the money.

Bob's description is below, and you can email Bob directly here for any more information including price. The bike is here in the UK.

1993 904cc Ducati Baines Imola Special

Donor Bike: Ducati 900 Superlight

Starting out life as a 1993 904SL, this machine was converted using the well known Baines Racing Project-Imola kit. The kit sought to emulate the style and nimble feel of the bevel drives whilst retaining the performance, reliability and simplicity of the modern 900SS belt drive machines. A lofty ideal that appears to have been achieved in this achingly beautiful machine. The Baines kit consists primarily of the bodywork, frame, swinging arm and sub frame along with pegs, levers, exhausts, aluminium fuel cell etc, a full specification is supplied in the history file. The modification was carried out by the vendor and then checked over by Baines Racing. The engine was also worked on with new bearings, seals and belts and Arais race pistons, paintwork was carried out by Morley Brothers of Milton and the over all result is suitably head turning bearing the plaque “No.6 Baines Imola”. Much more than a collection of parts the black and gold 80BHP Ducati is offered for sale with receipts, MOT and tax and V5C documentation.

The bike has recently undergone a cosmetic refurbishment: new paint, stainless steel bolts and bight nickel frame by Harris Performance.

Griso love

2012-01-12T16:09:00.002Z

Just got some PR pics though from Piaggio. This is the 2012 Moto Guzzi Griso SE - and I think it's beautiful. I went on the SE launch in Italy a couple of years back, and the Griso rides and excites as well as it looks. Interesting they've used a double stripe pattern that harks back to the 750 S/S3. Apparently it's a ' ‘Black Devil’ scheme,comprising of a black and gunmetal paintjob and subtle red detailing'. The Bellagio is also back in the list, which is also a good thing as it's a lovely motorcycle.

Wish I had 10 grand spare..

Number 12

2012-01-12T09:49:00.003Z

So, so good....

MV sounds mood

2012-01-11T12:38:00.002Z

Listen to this.

Ever wondered how to say MAGNI?

2012-01-11T09:48:00.000Z

Watch this film, listen and learn. I've been reading a lot about Arturo Magni this week while researching an article on MV fours - he has some stories he has to tell...

The Sun seyz

2012-01-09T14:51:00.001Z

I love a good headline from The Sun. Today's is obvious, but a classic all the same. What's the world coming to? Rich and famous chefs nicking cheese from Tesco? There for the grace of God go I...

German Guzzi frame mono shlock

2012-01-03T11:28:00.001Z

Anyone out there know any more about this Guzzi frame monoshock conversion? Or got a bike fitted with it? Or can translate from the German?

Have your birthday cake and eat it..

2012-01-02T19:47:00.004Z

Today has always been a weird day for me to have a birthday. When I was a skinny 24, I had a fantastic cake shaped like a guitar (just like Elvis..) and loads of expectations. Nowadays the cake is tiny, no icing, and just one candle - and I'm just happy to be healthy and surrounded by my wonderful family. Top presents included a flask of nostalgia for my shed tea and classy Moto Guzzi mug from my brother and his family - thanks bro! I also appreciated the badge (pin) too that I was given. Zimmer frames rule!!

S3 on tour '93

2011-12-30T18:17:00.003Z

My S3 packed up like a carthorse in July 1993, crossing the Alps leaving Italy and into France. I had done the same journey the previous January. Open face piss pot lid, Scott skiing goggles and Swagman panniers. Who said these bikes aren't tourers?

Minarelli motor - but which bike?

2011-12-28T10:32:00.001Z

Marcelo from Brazil sent me a photo of one of his bikes. He says:

"Hello, I´m from Brazil and would like to kindly ask you help to identify the brand and model of one motorcycle I have here. The engine has a "Motori Minarelli" plate .
I really appreciate if you can take a look on the pictures and let me know any information.

Thank you and best regards,

Marcelo

Anyone got any ideas? I haven't - Minarelli motors were used in so many bikes..

Happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year from ITALIAN MOTOR magazine

2011-12-22T09:10:00.000Z

I'd just like to say to everyone who has bought a magazine this year, all the great people we've met this year while shooting bikes and cars for the magazine, everyone we've chatted to at events and shows, anyone who has taken the time to comment on the blog posts, all our great advertisers without whom the mag simply wouldn't be printed, all our friends and supporters, and to anyone who has taken interest and generally given a shit:

Happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year to you all from ITALIAN MOTOR magazine!

The only way to learn

2011-12-21T09:38:00.001Z

In my late teens and early 20s I had no money - nothing's changed there - so I had to work on my bikes and old cars myself as I couldn't afford to pay anyone. With judicious use of my dad's garage when he was away, I'd get my bike stripped down, using a motley selection of tools. In this photo, taken I'd say in 1990, I've pulled the top end of my old black V50 down and it's spread around the garage floor. I can't even remember why or what the issue was. I rode that V50 to Holland, France and back and it gave me no problems. My mates called it the Tiger Moth because it sounded like one at full chat on the motorway.
I sold it on for a 500 quid profit once I found my S3 not long after. Anyway, I learned so much by doing it myself, and ended up working in motorcycle workshops with the knowledge gained. Do it yourself!!

Demm were the Dick-Dick days

2011-12-16T12:11:00.004Z

Up near my way, once a year in summer, a local village is given over to motorcycles, and this year, this lovely Demm Dick-Dick turned up. 50cc of class Italian cafe' racer moped. Great unrestored condition too, let's hope he keeps it that way. I used to see loads of Demms in Italy, but this is the first I've seen over here.

Did Demm change Dik-Dik to Dick-Dick to skirt around possible antelope copyright and patent issues?

Snorkel Parka Pleasures

2011-12-14T10:33:00.001Z

Maybe you will have to have been a kid growing up in Britain in the 1970s to understand what I'm going on about here. The snorkel parka or anorak was de rigeur for kids my age, whether in blue or green (and some even black.) Snorkel, beacause the hood zipped right up, leaving just a tunnel of polyester and nylon fur and orange quilting. Lovely and snug in those cold UK winters of discontent, though wearing it 'full snorkel' cut off the peripheral vision completely, making it hard to perceive cars speeding outside the playground gates. A large, meanly-compacted snowball deftly inserted with force into the 'full snorkel' was also an always present hazard for the wearer. I have vivid memories of trudging to school in thick snow with submarine periscope vision, then greeting my friends in the playground, all similarly attired and wandering around clumsily in full snorkel mode, until we were eventually called inside.

Everyone, and I mean everyone had one in those days. They were just cool, and were literally big, warm, survival suits for kids, and easy for parents to get their kids to wear then. My brother had one which I considered to be better than mine, and I was so happy the day it was handed down to me. I had always wondered what happened to our parkas. They were like old friends that had disappeared over the time.

Imagine my surprise and joy then this week when I walked into our local charity shop (thrift store) and found this. A new, old stock, never worn Campari Snorkel Parka. Orange quilted lining, buckle on the hood, internal drawstrings, leather reinforced pocket seams, elasticated cuffs...I had forgotten what details these parkas had. Faux fur hood and polyester lining. All 100% nylon. As kids we were walking fire hazards, and by the time we had discovered cigarettes, we had - luckily - moved on to Harringtons, leathers or army jackets.

In a large size 40 and for just £10, I snapped it up without a second thought - and I'm now reliving my childhood winters in my new parka. My daughter gets scared when I peer at her through the snorkel. It's so warm, and comfy, and practical. And brings back very happy memories. Apparently they go on Ebay now for good money, especially the Lord Anthony ones. But I always remembered the Campari, England label (though it then says 'Made in Korea' on the label below..). Good parka info here

To appreciate how virtually all kids wore parkas in those days, watch this classic and famous clip from a football match when Hereford knocked Newcastle out of the FA Cup, from 1972. The pitch invasion is carried out by young parka kids in parkas, strangely enough mostly green in this case, and with some kids with hoods down and some in full snorkel. Classic.

Projects stalled

2011-12-12T15:15:00.000Z

One is in a pile of bits on the floor, and the other has stopped dead in its tracks due to a seized sprocket. And how do you rebuild bikes with no money or time? And a fine layer of dust every time you go back to the cow shed we call a workshop. Answers on a postcard please.

Stubby black Guzzi silencers from Italy

2011-12-08T10:54:00.001Z

For as long as I've owned a 750 Guzzi from the V7 Sport/S/S3 range, and in my opinion the best looking 'modern' Guzzis ever built, I've also been fixated by short, black, stubby silencers for them after seeing photos. Factory and production race machines from the early '70s featured all types of silencers and exhaust systems, from long cigar shape, to yawing open wide cut down black things that always look like they were knocked up that day on the test bench. Bruno Scola's race bikes (above) usually featured matt black silencers and they always, to me, looked the bollocks - purposeful and to the point.

I found a (now) very rare full Stucchi system from the 1970s in Italy about 20 years ago, you can hear how it sounds on my S3 here:

I've just bought another two sets of nice period stubbies, for a very good price, from a bloke who was advertising one set on Italian Ebay. It is handy to be able to write in Italian to communicate with sellers over there, because it's stuff you just don't really come across here. One set, with the rounded ends, are period piece silencers for the Guzzi 750s of the time. Yeah a bit battered but who cares? I've seen them on various bikes over the years, and they also sound great, deep and different to the Lafranconis. The second set are also short and stubby, and kick up, not quite as pretty as the others, but interesting nonetheless. I now have great choices for my Le Mans 2 special, and will probably end up selling one of the sets if silencers to pay for other bits. The seller Franco also included a sticker in the package, which would originally have gone on the tank of my S3, advertising the fact the bike had (and still does) have linked brakes. Grazie mille Franco!!

Florio - original Motogiro and Milano-Taranto works rider

2011-12-05T11:21:00.001Z

I've met a lot of people around bikes in my time, but Florio Monti is still the best person I have interviewed, and I return to the set of shots I took of him at his workshop in Tuscany often. I was so proud to have him at my wedding, as we all rode in to the church together. He's living history and absolutely fascinating. At 90, he still goes out jogging every day, and continues rides his bikes. He rode in all the big road races in Italy in the 1940s and 1950s, and has some stories to tell.

Full story of Florio Monti in Issue Three

More ITALIAN MOTOR on Bike Exif

2011-12-02T09:53:00.001Z

It's great getting our feature bikes up on Bike Exif, which if you don't know, is the motorcycle site which features a different classy motorcycle every other day, and reaches tens of thousands of people. More importantly, it means more publicity for the mag, which in turn means more sales, and therefore more chance of the mag being able to continue in the face of perma-economic global depression.

It's also flattering on a creative/personal level because Chris (who runs Bike Exif) doesn't really accept any old bike, or photos, as his stipulation is that the photography must also be of a high standard. One of the main aims of starting the magazine was photograph Italian motors and present them as well as possible with the gear available at our disposal within our budget (i.e. no, we don't own a top of the range Canon EOS-1D X though it'd be nice..), and the fact that we've had a fair few feature bikes on Bike Exif means we must be doing something right.

Nick's beautiful Baines Imola was up there last week, and got a very positive reaction.
Check it out here: http://www.bikeexif.com/ducati-900-supersport

Here's a couple more shots that didn't make it into the mag. Still one of the most enjoyable Italian bikes I've ridden.

FTW today

2011-12-01T11:13:00.001Z

Must be the time of year....

Talent spotting

2011-11-29T10:06:00.001Z

We spotted Radical Ducati's slinky little Ducati 50 a good couple of years ago, and featured it proudly in Issuer One of the mag in May 2010 - now it's up on Bike Exif, the holy grail of nice bike shots.

Original blog post here

Full feature on the bike build in Issue One here, or click on the Issue One cover on the right, to buy it...

'31 Gran Sport

2011-11-27T12:58:00.001Z

One of the best bikes Gilera ever made - and fantastic to ride. Article sometime in the future...

Triffic

2011-11-25T09:16:00.001Z

I went to friend's funeral yesterday. He died young and was one of those people who I admire because he was just a nice bloke to everyone, and did a lot for other people. It was a strikingly English funeral at a beautiful medieval church - so packed (unsurprisingly) that speakers relayed the service to the people standing outside. The graveyard is up on a ridge and overlooks beautiful unspoilt English countryside, so Chris was buried in this magnificent setting in the old fashion, under a sunny winter sky and a cold wind.

Then we all retired to our local village pub afterwards. It has recently been bought by the locals to be run as a free house, and Chris was instrumental in this. And there on the bar when we all piled in was a beer pump handle bearing the words 'Triffic', which was Chris's favourite expression. And it's been decided that this new and lovely, nutty ale, brewed just up the road and named in honour of Chris, will be kept on pump as tribute.

And I for one shall be downing pints of it regularly, starting this evening, in tribute to Chris.

Cheers Chris! Triffic!

Roaring Rumi

2011-11-21T11:59:00.001Z

There are many incredible Italian motorcycles and manufacturers, but one of the most fascinating and fabulous has to be Rumi. Donnino Rumi was an artistic, extravagant yet painfully shy Salvador Dali-type character who joined his father's metal foundry Fonderie Officine Rumi.

By 1949, the Rumi Turismo 125 was the result of high art meeting molten metal and this is it - incredible, especially considering these were gloomy post-war years in a country heavily bombed and torn apart by political differences.

Add a fruity two-stroke parallel twin motor, and you have a motorcycle that looked, performed and sounded like no other in 1950. They also won races so weren't just for show. Like a bright star, Rumi appeared, burned brightly, and by 1962 disappeared. No wonder they're rare now.

We'll be featuring a Rumi or two in a future issue of the magazine.

You'll always find me in the kitchen at parties

2011-11-17T10:26:00.001Z

This is another bike I own and used to live in our kitchen as I had nowhere else to put it. My wife was very understanding, bless her.

It's a '72 Moto Guzzi Stornello Scrambler 125, in completely original and untouched condition. I got it for nothing really as part of a block purchase of a few bikes while living in Italy. It's a single cylinder four stroke, really simple and robust. I cleaned it, oily ragged it, changed the oil, put on a new battery and off it went. Brought it back to the UK and used it to ride round London for a year. Lovely!

Finger Lickin' Good

2011-11-16T09:23:00.001Z

Spent a very pleasant sunny Sunday shooting Cutter's Ducati Monster special, which has finally emerged from the Chicken Shack shed. Based round a well past it '96 Ducati Monster 900, the bike is a cracker; stripped down, fast, essential and full of well thought-out details and lovingly fabricated handmade parts that give it an individuality that you can't buy in a bike shop.

Cutter's been riding for 30 years but this is also his first bike build, and as always we at the mag love and encourage the fact it was done in a shed at the bottom of the garden - in Cutter's case, the Chicken Shack. What a result! Read his blog here and learn more. Thanks too to Graham and Barry.

Full feature in the next issue of ITALIAN MOTOR magazine.

Bye Bye Berlusconi

2011-11-11T15:50:00.001Z

My father-in-law in Italy sent me this cartoon. It shows the relief over there that Berlusconi is finally letting hold of power after so many years. The phrase reads "it doesn't matter how he falls....as long as he falls.", followed by the different ways it's possible to go. It's the end of an era and incredible that it's the economy rather than his dodgy dealings with the Mafia or Moroccan prostitutes that has precipitated his final downfall. I'll miss those great shots of him leering at various female world leaders

Motore V7 nuovo

2011-11-10T10:54:00.002Z

Don't think it can be said it's a thing of beauty but it's good to see that Guzzi is 'developing' its motors. A change from twin to a single injector could be a good thing...we'd have to ride it and compare it to the V7 Classic and Cafe'/Racer models. Technical blurb below. What happened to the Scrambler though??

- For the first time in years, the “small-block” Moto Guzzi V-Twin has been extensively refurbished to produce more-adequate power and torque. The internal changes are immediately apparent via the engine’s largely revised exterior. New valve covers and, most important, vastly extended finning on heads and cylinders improve cooling in response to an increase in compression from 9.2:1 to 10.2:1.

Since the V7 engine uses a Heron- type combustion chamber, new pistons were adopted featuring a revised design on their dished-out crowns. The pistons also are lighter and stronger. In addition, the V7 now breathes through larger valves and a revised induction system that uses a single Y-shaped 38mm throttle body that splits into two 36mm runners where the individual injectors are located.

As a result of these changes, claimed output has increased to 51 horsepower at 6200 rpm and 42.8 foot-pounds of torque at 5000 rpm. Throttle response from low revs is vastly improved, thanks to the ram effect of the aforementioned longer manifold and cooler air inhaled by the relocated airbox.

The upgraded 750cc Twin powers three models: V7, V7 Special and V7 Racer. All three machines are based on the previous version but feature new graphics. The rolling gear remains unchanged, but the overall quality of the bikes shows some meaningful improvements.

My One Desire...

2011-11-09T09:35:00.000Z

Would be to go back in time to see the Cats live again (and be able to play as good as this..)

Italian bikes at San Francisco Airport: No check-in or boarding card required

2011-11-06T08:14:00.000Z

Tim O'Brien at the San Francisco International Airport Museum (SFO) emailed me about a fantastic exhibition that will be held for the next six months in the main departures lobby. What great idea - wish we had something like that at Luton Airport. Wish I was flying into SF fro a few days to have a look.

Moto Bellissima: Italian Motorcycles from the 1950s and 1960s: Moto Bellissima: Italian Motorcycles from the 1950s and 1960s is located pre-security in the International Terminal Main Hall Departures Lobby, San Francisco International Airport. The exhibition is on view to all Airport visitors from November 5, 2011 to April 28, 2012. There is no charge to view the exhibition.

More info and some great photographs here

This is more like it

2011-11-04T13:36:00.000Z

This is the new MV Agusta Brutale 675 that will be unveiled at EICMA in a few days. Though still not something I'd buy, it is infinitely more pleasing to my eye than the messy Brutale R 1090 I commented on, and many of you discussed, in post a few weeks ago.

It just looks cleaner and more thought out. What do do you think?

Simple pleasures

2011-11-03T10:10:00.000Z

John W (he builder of Guzzi cafe' racer, Issue Two) sent me an email the other day.

I'm sure he won't mind me reproducing it as it shows that our passion is important. It also shows you don't need CNC machines and TIG welders to make good-looking stuff for your bike, just curiosity and desire (ok, so a jigsaw helps too..). I wish I could find the time too to make stuff like this.

"Hello Adam,

I cannot believe how pleased I am with myself after the few hours I have actually spent doing something useful for a change...........see attachment. I even felt the need to make a point of showing it to the missus knowing full well it really would be of no interest.

The headlamp bracket has been broken for at least a couple of years on my black Guzzi Roadster, but hidden behind a Mk 1 Le Mans fairing it has been held together with cable ties. Now that the cafe' racer is off the road the Roadster has been put back in use. I will be fitting a new headlamp glass/reflector and have already removed the fairing to allow access. My thoughts are to leave the fairing off (when originally built this was how it was) so something had to be done with the bracket. Yes, I have had all summer to do it, but sometimes I need a kick up the backside.....

I know it's not perfect,but I don't think it's bad and I am really chuffed to bits that I have actually just got round to doing something that I have put off for so long. SIMPLE PLEASURES !!!

I hope all is good at your end?

Cheers

John"

Issue Four on its way to subscribers

2011-10-31T17:33:00.001Z

If you're a subscriber, the mag's on its way to you, so you'll be getting it first. If you're in the US, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Africa and the rest of those faraway countries, it'll be with you in a week to ten days, if not less. Europe hopefully three days or so, UK, should have been there today. Sneak preview above.

Now then now then - RIP JImmy Saville

2011-10-29T20:00:00.002+01:00

You'll probably have to be a Brit and a child in the 1970s to have known what a star Jimmy Saville was. Outlandish white hair, big cigar (those were the days when there was tobacco on kids' shows, let alone TV in general) and trademark treacle-thick Leeds-accented catchphrases 'now then now then', and 'clunk click every trip' an ad advocating seat belt use, Jimmy was a fascinating person. He claimed to have started the first disco in 1948, was pro wrestler, and of course start presenter on the best Top The Pops there were (in the early to mid '70s) and of course, the seminal Jim'll Fix It. Kids could write in askl for their dream to be made true. Me, or my brother, can't remember which, wrote in to ask if we could go to school on the back of a camel, but Jim never fixed it for us. He earned millions for charity with his marathon running, and there's a statue of him outside Stoke Mandeville Spinal Injuries Unit, where he was a hero. He was a bit odd (see Louis Theroux's great documentary on him) but everyone loved him, and he's ceratinly a cultural icon for middle-aged kids like me.

RIP Jimmy Saville

Issue Four is here - praise be!

2011-10-27T10:00:00.000+01:00

Finally, Issue Four has arrived and the boxes are filling my living room floor. It's looking very nice.

Subscribers wil be getting theirs first - once I've spent time filling envelopes - I'll update soon on posting out times..

Issue contents are, briefly, as follows:

BAINES IMOLA ONE
Nick's Ducati is hard to fault,  and John Baines tells the truth

LAM CHOP IS MINT
First scooter for the mag and it was time. Paolo's Li is a beast

MACHINE LE MANS
Matt's building some of the best bikes on the globe - Guzzis too

REGGIO EMILIA 2011
Must-see from our favourite
mostra scambio in Italy today

COSMO'S COBRA
Benelli kept afloat making bikes
like the Cobra Scrambler for the US

'31 ALFA ROMEO 8C
Built up from a chassis, this Alfa
is a beautiful red monster

STELVIO AND NORGE
Lovely 1200 8V motor is in both.
Is Guzzi on track after 90 years?

DUKE FLAT TRACKER
Simply stunning Ducati XR. We
think Peter Koren is a genius

MV AGUSTA 600 FOUR
Ugly or a beauty? A rare bike, still original and unmolested

MODIFIED MORINI
Julian's Sport is how he wants
it; fast and stops on a sixpence

SHED SOME LIGHT
More photos of bikes in Italy
in sheds going nowhere

We got ITALIAN MOTOR stickers

2011-10-26T13:14:00.001+01:00

Got a limited run of stickers done - if you're a subscriber you'll be getting one in the envelope with Issue Four (unless they run out, hope I've done my maths ok), which I hope will be arriving today.

Sort of a sweetener for being so patient! 9 x 7cm, printed on sticky vinly so ideal for your greasy toolbox or stick'em on your bike - they won't come off in the rain!!

Ciao SuperSic

2011-10-25T10:39:00.001+01:00

This is a brief snapshot of Coriano, the small Italian community in mourning for Marco Simoncelli who grew up there and gives a sense of the shock the place must be feeling. He probably hung out with the other kids on mopeds outside the bar in the town square when he was younger. It reminds me of the place I used to live in Italy. His death in such a brutal manner makes me realise that with all the glamour, sponsorship, logos, branding, dolly brollies, money and fame, MotoGP, or any motor racing particularly in the public eye can sometimes seem over-sanitised or bland - take Formula 1 as a good example - it takes a split second and just a bare minimum 1% of bad luck, and it can all mean nothing. My good friend Gyles died after a freak accident on his bike on a race track, and Simoncelli's death brings back images of grieving family and sadness.

But racers would never not want to race. Fact.

Can't believe it..

2011-10-23T19:23:00.003+01:00

Just got in late and seen that Marco Simoncelli has been tragically killed at today's MotoGP race at Sepang. What a character he was, and what a fucking waste of a talent. RIP Marco Simoncelli

We fade to grey (and silver)

2011-10-21T12:48:00.003+01:00

I had to go to a couple of shops this morning in our local small town centre, and when I returned to the car, I was stopped in my tracks by this sight of around 10 cars parked up in line - all silver, or a shade of grey (including my own).

How bland have things got? I used to own a maroon Triumph Vitesse convertible and an Escort van painted sky blue with a dark blue Starsky and Hutch stripe painted down each flank. My dad's Cortinas were metal flake lime green and brown with added vinyl roof decadence. Nowadays it seems that unless you buy a red Ferrari, it's 'any colour you like sir, as long as it's silver or grey'..

'32 Junior Sport

2011-10-20T14:15:00.000+01:00

This fantastic unrestored bike might be JAP-engined, but apart from that it's made in Italy all the way. There's a fascinating story behind this bike and the marque, which was based in Livorno where I used to live. There'll be an article in the mag as soon as I get out there again to shoot it properly.

Living out someone else's dream

2011-10-18T15:29:00.001+01:00

That was a lyric to a song that I now don't remember the title of, but I reckon Matt at Machine has this life thing sussed. Check out his beautiful Mk1 Le Mans special soon in Issue Four, and watch his film below for a taste of a good life.

MACHINE from matt machine on Vimeo.

Issue Four cover

2011-10-17T14:29:00.001+01:00

It's on its way...

Chopworks Guzzi Chop

2011-10-13T09:12:00.001+01:00

My brother Guy at Greasy Kulture magazine put me onto this one - built by Frankino at Chopworks, Italy - and the more I've looked at it the last few days, the more I like it. It's not easy to hardtail a Guzzi frame - shaft drive just doesn't facilitate it like chain drive - but in this case it's worked really well, and I respect anyone who gives it a go.

Pics via the great MotArt journal blog here

Band practice

2011-10-11T10:08:00.000+01:00

Seen on DicE blog, from Cycle Zombies blog

Bye Bye Bert Jansch

2011-10-06T08:49:00.002+01:00

One of my favourite guitarists, Bert Jansch, died yesterday. He was truly unique (ask Jimmy Page why) and I was fortunate to have seen him play live twice. He alone has made me play more acoustic than electric guitar over the last few years. See why here:

Issue Four off to the printers - and we're off too..

2011-09-25T18:48:00.001+01:00

Finally Issue Four has been completed and has gone to the printers, but we're off too for some rest until late next week. We'll hopefully start posting out copies to subscribers the week after that - see you then!!

I just can't get it

2011-09-22T15:26:00.000+01:00

These are shots sent to me by the MV Agusta press office. They're of the new MV Agusta Brutale R 1090.

Now I bet that it's an awesome (to quote our US cousins) motorcycle to ride with 144bhp on tap, and I'm sure if I had one parked outside the house, I'd be mighty proud.

But looking at it, it leaves me completely cold MV says it has 'unique design.

It looks a mess. It reminds me of a Honda Hornet. Is this wrong?

Moto Guzzi at 90: rumours in the sauna

2011-09-20T14:21:00.001+01:00

The 90th anniversary bash has just taken place, and it appears that there have been announcements here and there about a new factory being built at the Mandello site with the old one being retained as a tourist attraction. Someone also spotted a photo playing as part of a presentation at an impromptu sauna session on the shores of the wonderful Lake Como (!) with Colannino, Piaggio chairman, that showed the current 1200cc 8v motor (as in the Stelvio and Norge) shoehorned into a V7 racer/Classic type frame. So looks like they'll be doing what everyone has been asking for, bigger motors with the retro clothes (even though it was denied tome personally three years ago.)

Anyway, with sales up 31% on last year, things are on the up for Guzzi which is a good thing - though it must also be said that many owners would want that some money was reinvested in sorting out their attitude to customers needing spares or service after they've purchased a new Guzzi. I sometimes get to go on some Guzzi launches so will report any substance when I'm next out there.

Looks like Leo got to Mandello on his supercharged 500cc Falcone, which we featured in Issue Three, despite its appetite for pistons. Good job Leo!!

My friend Paolo

2011-09-19T13:30:00.000+01:00

This is my friend Paolo Cei of Livorno, hard at work at an autojumble/swapmeet/mostra scambio selling Lambretta bits and other stuff. He loves Mods (which is a shame as I'm more of a rocker..)

His fantastic Lambretta Li 150 special is in Issue Four, coming so so soon.....

More Mondial to tease Mick

2011-09-16T13:29:00.000+01:00

Mick's a reader of the mag and is looking for a winter project. Well Mick, how about this Mondial 175 sat in a garage (in Italy)? Almost too good to restore. Problem is, I don't know if it's still there or not. Should have bought it when I had the chance. Blimey, it's lovely...

Ducati scrambling through Tuscany

2011-09-15T10:42:00.001+01:00

My pal Ugo in 'my' corner of Tuscany rebuilt this 450 Scrambler and I rode it. Just wonderful. Decent weather always helps. I put together an article on it for 'The Classic Motorcycle' magazine but they recently published it in a crappy much cut-down effort recently so I'll stick it in the mag some point soon to give Ugo's skills, and a fine motorcycle from Ducati, some justice.

Riff Raff

2011-09-13T11:51:00.000+01:00

I ain't no headbanger but....these four AC/DC albums are some of the best music I have. I've been travelling a lot for work the last few days and been listening with intent again.

Thanks John 'Cavie' Webster for telling me about them back in '83 and to bandmate Stan Stammers for confirming in '86 that it was ok to love AC/DC and still be a punk and not a 'banger..

Mal's Guzzi 1100 cafe' racer for sale

2011-09-08T09:22:00.000+01:00

Mal is selling his fantastic 1100 Guzzi special. Like John W's, this one has the right lines and proportions. Wish I had some spare cash. He says:

"Based on a Jackal 1100, Y reg, 33,000 miles on gearbox & rear drive but engine has only done 3,000 miles (fitted by Moto Corsa - Jackal was supplied by them).

Tank shop alloy body work, Moto Spezial adjustable clip ons. Maxton rear shocks. Keihan stainless big bore exhaust. Wheels built by Central Wheels - alloy black rims with stainless spokes. Powder coated hubs. Gel seat. Fitted with a brand new set of Brembo discs (twin front) pads just 3,000 miles ago. New clutch. Recent UJ & support bearing, head bearings & wheel bearings. Reluctant sale but I have a new project and could do with the space. Currently sorn'd. £3,500 ono"

Bargain!!

More photos here

Email Malcolm if you're seriously interested here

Solace - cavolfiore gratinato (cauliflower cheese)

2011-09-07T10:10:00.001+01:00

Breaking rare motorcycle parts and crappy winter-type weather needed winter food and a nice glass or two of red last night. Hope the weather sorts itself out before my trip up to Aberdeen later this week...

Oh dear!

2011-09-06T10:05:00.002+01:00

Oh dear! (as my daughter has started saying.)

Anyone out there got a front sprocket for a '56/'57 MV Agusta 175 AB??

Washout

2011-09-05T11:05:00.002+01:00

Left the house at 6.30am to be at the Honington Car and Bike day yesterday. What a crap day. Mainly because the fine English weather pissed down rain for most of it. But even before it was raining, no one really turned up. Even the cars left early. "We only heard about it yesterday" a few people said. I had said I was going so went, though next time if there's any mention of rain in the forecast I just won't bother.

I could only be bothered to take two photos, one of Steve Harvie's great vintage Gilera leathers, and one of his rare Gilera Saturno 500 - lonely in a damp field.

There were some other bikers there, on various newer Guzzis and Ducatis. Probably only one of them bothered to walk the 20 feet over to where we had the mag stall, and my 750 S3 Guzzi, to have at least a look or have a chat. They preferred to look at each other's bikes.

I know the weather wasn't hot and sunny but what do you have to do to create a little interest to stir the apathy? A day to forget...

Arrivederci Gigia...

2011-09-01T12:20:00.000+01:00

Our much-loved old Italian cat and faithful companion Gigia has left this mortal coil. Abandoned and left starving by her previous elderly owner, we took her in when living in Livorno in 2000, and she was probably already 8 or 9 years old. She already had a bit of a limp but was a real character and a feisty lady. She'd come and investigate and get her paws grubby while I'd be in the garage working on some old bike, or she'd come on the bed and lick your face and wake you up with her cat breath. She didn't like it when we fostered some kittens, also abandoned, but once they went to new homes, didn't resent us for it. She couldn't bothered with hunting - food, sleep and a warm bed was what made her happy.

She ended up living a life of luxury at my in-laws' house in Tuscany, and provided company for my wife's very elderly granny. She was loved by everyone. Eventually, old age and her bad leg took their toll, and the vet decided it was time for her to sleep.

My father-in-law has buried her in the garden in a suitably dramatic Italian plot, under the shade of a beautiful rose bush. She would have liked that.

Ciao Gigia, e arriverderci!!

John W's stunning Moto Guzzi Cafe' racer - for sale!!

2011-08-28T09:40:00.001+01:00

We featured John's beautiful Moto Guzzi Cafe' Racer in Issue Two of the magazine - he's now decided to sell it as he has other projects in the pipeline. We rode the bike and it goes as good as it looks. It's a hand-built work of art, and considering some of the dross you see on Ebay for sale for absurd prices, John's Guzzi looks like good value. All details on his Ebay ad here, or you can contact him via us at this blog too or at www.italianmotormagazine.com

ITALIAN MOTOR out and about

2011-08-23T17:28:00.004+01:00

Got a busy couple of weekends coming up, dusting down our table, putting up our banners, making sarnies and packing flask - ooh lovely - we'll be at the International V Twin Rally this weekend at Fordingbridge, on the Saturday only, selling the mag and talking nonsense. All camping tickets will have been sold months ago but it's ok to roll up on the day and have a look at the bikes, and V twins of all types, not just Italian stuff. There's always Indians, Harleys, odd Brit stuff...photos from last year here

Then on the following Sunday 4th September, we'll be down at the Italian Car and Bike Day at Honington, Kent. Have a look here for photos from last year, which was fantastic. It'll be bigger this year, and I think it'll become a big Italian day for the future. There's also a country fair with animals, quaint English stuff like duck herding, ferret racing etc., good food, beer etc, so ideal if you want to (are forced to) take the whole family!! More details here: http://www.honningtonevents.com/italiancar.htm

More Mondial 175 barn find

2011-08-22T12:54:00.000+01:00

Having posted the other day about my barn find Mondial 175, I then started to look at more photos of it and thought I'd post some up here. It's a pushrod 175 Superturismo, so not a glam OHC version, but it's still sporty looking and handsome all the same. The castings are just exquisite, and the lines of the bike from fuel tank to seat to bars to rear light are just perfect.

I actually want to keep the bike unrestored but get it running well. Look at the rusty Santa Rita good luck charm strapped to the top yoke. Or the original decal showing how many race wins Mondial achieved in 1957. And the sadly partly missing original dealer decal on the front mudguard, showing that the bike was supplied by Migliorini of Colle Val D'Elsa, which was 20 miles across the beautiful Tuscan hills from where I lived in Italy, and where the bike ended up in its final resting place.

I don't think I am able to erase these things. What would you do??

Mondial barn find

2011-08-19T09:28:00.002+01:00

This is how I found my Mondial 175 about 8 years ago. Jelly mould tank, original decals and the motor ran after me spending a little time on it. It's now in pieces awaiting my attention. One day I'll ride it.

"I bought back MV Agusta for 3 euros"

2011-08-17T17:03:00.002+01:00

It's very sad to note the death of Claudio Castiglioni early this morning in Varese.

His recent re-purchase of MV Agusta back from Harley Davidson after just two years for a symbolic 3 euros payment was typical of his business style, nous and capability to be - as they say in Italian, azzeccato - able to make correct judgements.

Like most Italian industrialists, Castiglioni was a larger-than-life character, and though he had his detractors, he was giant in Italian motorcycles. I met him briefly a couple of times and he was kind and patient enough to listen to my London accent-tainted Italian questions full of bad grammar.

Cagiva 500 GP bike, Cagiva Elefant, Cagiva Mito (one of my favourites), Ducati 851, Ducati 916, Ducati Monster, MV Agusta F4, MV Agusta Brutale; just a few of the important motorcycles he was responsible for. Most importantly, he was a grandissimo appassionato with a genuine love for motorcycles. R.I.P.

M1 accident emergency lane blocked

2011-08-16T10:09:00.002+01:00

Came across this by chance. This guy is great, reasoning with intelligence with idiots. You also need some balls to do something like this. He should be on TV...

From the frame up - Egli inspired Ducati special

2011-08-12T08:45:00.000+01:00

Chris Baglin sent me some pics of his Ducati special work in progress - look at that frame!

"Thought you may like to see a couple of pics of my project. It's kind of an Egli inspired bevel, my frame, swing arm, engine plates, yokes etc with Ohlins rear, WP front, 18" Dymags. The 900GTS engine will be fairly high spec though, crank has been done to race spec by Kamena in Germany with late SS rods, 10.5-1 Omega pistons and fast road cams, ported and polished with 40mm Dell' Orto's and Silent Hektik ignition, so should be good for about 75hp or so - should be cool when done, will be finished with Imola style tank and short fairing. Probably not to everyone's taste, what with the old and new, but something I have been wanting to do for a while now. Hope you like it."

I love it and it's definitely to my taste. In case you missed it, Chris fabricated the incredible frame and swinging arm himself. Mind you, he does work on vintage aircraft and racing cars. We hope to have a ride when it's done, though Chris warns us it'll be a while. We can wait!

Check out more of Chris' incredible welding work here

Life's a riot

2011-08-10T18:31:00.000+01:00

Amongst all the tragedy, destruction and shitty pointlessness of what's happened in the UK over the past few days, some positivity and humour can still be found. Mass groups of people wielding brooms have turned up to clear smashed-up streets. People standing together to protect their homes and livelihoods. And people doing silly things with Photoshop - us Brits are known for having humour in the face of adversity, and we certainly need it now. I just laughed out loud looking at these, and it took my mind off friends and old neighbours who have experienced the most terrifying hours of their lives for just a few minutes. More here

London's Burning

2011-08-08T13:23:00.002+01:00

Not just the title of one of my favourite Clash songs (or should that be White Riot?), but the reality of what has gone on in Tottenham over the weekend. As a North Londoner born and bred, it's sad to see what's happened, though it's weird to see how age changes you - when the last riots happened in 1981/1985 I was all up for joining in. Now I just see it as destructive waste. Pleased I moved out a few years back.

Not interested in the why or the politics of it all but two photos that affected me personally (pics by The Sun):

1) PC World was cleared out by looters but they still left the 27 inch iMac. Pleased to see that the Rolls Royce of computers is still the tool of an enlightened few.

2) What the hell does my beloved Tottenham Hotspur football club have to do with it?? Leave it alone!!

This Saturday - ITALIAN MOTOR at CORSA ITALIANA's open weekend

2011-08-03T18:25:00.001+01:00

Piaggio UK asked if ITALIAN MOTOR magazine would like to come down this weekend to Corsa Italiana's open weekend at their new dealership, which we understand is now the biggest Guzzi shop in the UK. I said yes as Brian and Paul at Corsa are top geezers, they've supported the mag from the beginning with their advertising, and they also do things differently and tread their own path, which I like. They also happen to build lovely Guzzis - check a full feature on their bikes in Issue Two of the mag. The event is also raising money via donations for Help For Heroes.

Come along and say hello if you can - I'll be there on the Saturday, but not the Sunday. More details and address here: http://www.corsaitaliana.com/index.php?f=data_new_shop_info&a=1

CORSA ITALIANA LTD NEW STORE OPEN WEEKEND

SATURDAY 6th August 9am-5pm - SUNDAY 7th, August 10am-4pm

Charity event for Help for Heroes, Raffle, Auction and Donations for Tea, Coffees etc welcome. Demo rides available on Griso, Norge,Stelvio,V7 Classic,V7 Racer.Please call to book your test rideCome and try a new Moto Guzzi, you will be suprised..

Bikes for life for the wife

2011-07-31T22:37:00.004+01:00

My wife has been hanging round bikes a lot longer than I have. This is her aged about 2 I'd say (judging by her resemblance to our almost 2 year-old daughter) on her dad's Morini 175 in about 1972/3. She still keeps an unrestored '74 Gilera Trial 5V in her parents house in Italy for good measure, I'll try and dig out a photo.

'Til death do us part

2011-07-25T10:42:00.002+01:00

There's an inextricable link between death and motorcycles, so it was fitting to shoot Terry's fantastically customised Cagiva Mito in his workplace where he keeps and maintains it. Terry's an undertaker as well a passionate biker, and he built this pimped-up Mito up with no mechanical experience but loads of drive and passion at work with the blessing of his boss, inbetween driving a 20-foot long Jaguar limousine, or putting the last nail in coffins. Undertakers also have a dead funny sense of humour as I found out, as Terry insisted on putting his 'RIP" show plate on the Mito for the shoot. He also sorted out something very comfy for me to lie on the floor while taking shots too as you can see, otherwise I was in grave danger of doing my knees in. And no, those coffins weren't occupied..

Terry's Cagiva Mito is not just show but has plenty of go too, and the boost bottle and race air box fitted give an already-mad stroker much more guts. Big bike performance for small bike money. There's a great story here too of young people getting into bikes and building their own thing - all coming up in a future issue of the mag!

Supermonofragilisticexpialidocious

2011-07-20T12:39:00.002+01:00

Alistair Wager is part genius, part mad professor and one more part motorcycle design and techno-visionary but he knows his Ducatis inside out - it was Alistair whom Paul Smart trusted to get his legendary Imola-winning 750 up and running after gathering dust in the Ducati museum for many years (read the 750 Imola track test in Issue Two of the magazine).

Alistair is building new Ducati Supermonos to order, and the magazine has been following one customer's build over the last few months. Designed by Bordi, Domenicali and Terblanche, Ducati built just 67 Supermonos between 1993 and 1995, and though they were on sale for just £16,000 at the time, by now they're desired and collected by people with deep pockets.

Last week I was utterly utterly excited and privileged to ride Alistair's road-going Supermono - single-cylinder Ducati motor giving out 75bhp at the rear wheel and an overall 295lbs/134kg weight of the bike makes for probably the best-handling, most exciting single cylinder motorcycle available new today. It's a race bike for the road, simple as that. I sadly can't afford one but if you want one, ask Alistair here: http://www.britaliamoto.com

See dear reader how just for you (and us) ITALIAN MAGAZINE rides the bikes that others simply dream about? Full article in a future edition of the mag. 'Supermonocalifragilisticexpialidocious' ©IM

Better than the real thing

2011-07-18T16:23:00.001+01:00

Forget the Ducati retro bikes - this is the one to have - ask Federico Minoli what he thinks.

Best looking, best handling, best accelerating Baines Imola. Coming up very soon in Issue Four...

De-seized de-constructed de-lightful

2011-07-15T15:09:00.001+01:00

Finally got the front engine bolt out of the project Le Mans 2 - a mate had suggested an acetone and ATF mix after having read about it on a forum somewhere. Well, cheap nail polish remover was the nearest I could find to pure acetone, so mixed it up with just as cheap red ATF to make a foul-smelling but fascinating potion. Slapped it on all over the bolt, left it to soak, slapped more on, etc. etc. for a week or two, also painted some on the stator housing that had rusted solid to the timing cover.

After about 10 days, went back, lots of heat, big lump hammer, scaffold bar on my breaker bar, and the bolt came out easily, having had to grind off the shite end nut that had begun to spin on the thread (probably after me whacking it in frustration so many times...)

The stator also dropped off just by me giving it a dirty look. Motor finally out of frame, progress made. I'll be using acetone/ATF from now on

Some mornings

2011-07-07T09:59:00.007+01:00

Some mornings I just need to listen to certain music. This is one of them, and the Circle Jerks will do just fine. I was in their support band at the Irving Plaza, Lower East Side, NYC almost 25 years ago and it was one of the maddest and exciting evenings of my life.

Small Italians Up North

2011-07-02T19:28:00.002+01:00

Our correspondent 'up north' Pete S sent us these pics of some cute Italian tiddlers for sale at Rufforth autojumble today. Look like a nice Cimatti Sport 50 and a Moto Guzzi Dingo of some sort, and a Gilera 150 too. Good stuff - thanks Pete!! Check out more good stuff at Pete's blog here

Father-in-law

2011-07-01T10:18:00.002+01:00

Weird how life goes. My destiny (if you believe in such a thing) before I even knew what a motorcycle was, was that I would end up with a father-in-law as cool as this. On his Morini 175, around 1964.

Black Pig

2011-06-29T11:19:00.002+01:00

This '67 MV 600 is one of very few built, but is it also as ugly as it is rare?

Full feature coming up in Issue Four soon...

Hammer time!

2011-06-23T14:40:00.001+01:00

My friend John W (who built the stunning Guzzi cafe' racer in Issue Two) came up from Bristol way yesterday to provide motivation and some tunes (Otis Taylor - 'Truth is not Fiction - what an album) for my Guzzi Le Mans 2 special.

Everything was going swimmingly until we discovered the front engine bolt is seized in. Solid. Luckily John had brought the special Guzzi tool no. 3865 for removing said seized bolts with him by strapping it on his back - so we cracked it out and got going. Hammer time! Suffice to say it didn't do the job, so we gave up, and like most frustrated Englishmen, decided the next best course of action was to retire to the local to discuss a course of action over a pint of fine ale. Then it was on to another local boozer which has regular bike nights. Only other Italian there was a 'chocolate' brown Jota. Royal Enfield Constellation was lovely, as were the two Indians, one of which (the blue Chief) I have ridden, and is a blast.

John then discovered he had no lights so a quick blast back before the sun came down and a last pint in my local before closing time. Thanks John for the help and a good time - hope you didn't get too wet on the way home......

FMB Telaimotor 'America'

2011-06-22T10:30:00.000+01:00

Rare and Yankee market-inspired 'America' model from 1963, spotted at this year's Reggio Emilia mostra scambio.

FMB Telaimotor (literally 'framesmotor') was one of the myriad companies in and around Bologna through the '50s to the '80s that specialised in building their own chassis, and buying in motors to suit - FMB was based at 38 Via Fossolo, but sadly now there's a company building lab equipment instead.

The motors used would often be Minarelli 50cc strokers, but I reckon in this case it's a 125 Mondial four-stroke motor, and I'd expect to see 'Mondial' cast into the cases on the other side of the bike. Buckhorn bars, white grips, chrome tank and studded Roy Rogers-type saddle flaps vie for the attention of potential US customers. Wonder how many they sold in the States - anyone out there own one?

More bikes from Reggio Emilia coming up in Issue Four soon.

8 cylinder supercharged aural Alfa pleasure

2011-06-20T19:28:00.004+01:00

More on this magnificent beast coming up in Issue Four soon...

Comic nostalgia

2011-06-19T21:57:00.001+01:00

Saw these issues of 'Commando' magazine today in my local newsagent and was pleased to see it was still running, 5oth anniversary this year. As a kid growing up in the 1970s, this was what we were into, tales from World Two, which wasn't so far away in those days - everyone knew someone who was involved. We all preferred the German uniforms, Tiger tanks, Stukas and BMW with sidecar and MG42 machine gun, though in play, the Brits always won. I couldn't afford to buy these small comic books new so would pick up piles of faded, dog-eared ones for pennies from local church jumble sales (sorry, not sure if you have/had jumble sales where you are - er, garage sale type thing.). Nice to see we haven't gone so PC in this country that we can't still have some decent WW2 stuff on the shelves for kids.

Paradiso

2011-06-16T19:45:00.000+01:00

Today I have spent mainly in automotive paradise - but someone has to do it.

Moto Guzzi do themselves no favours...as usual

2011-06-13T09:53:00.062+01:00

As you might have realised by now, I have a penchant for Moto Guzzis, mainly the older twins and pre-war singles, but I have been particularly impressed by some of the new bikes from the last three years or so. The Stelvio 8-valve NTX 1200 is a fantastic motorcycle, and I was very impressed with it on the launch in Italy a couple of months back - hopefully there'll be my review of it in the upcoming Issue Four. I've always tried to be very positive (but honest) about Guzzi's products in any article or test published in my work as a journo because Guzzi's bikes are good but misunderstood, and you can't keep flogging bikes to a small band of already converted punters.

So it's sad to read an article in the latest issue of Italy's most influential bike rag 'Motociclismo'. They carried out a massive and comprehensive 28 page mega-test in Sicily of the current enduro tourers on the market, including the MBW F800GS, BMW R1200, Honda Transalp 700, KTM 990 Adventure, Triumph Tiger 800XC, Yamaha Tenere 660 and the Yamaha ST 1200.

I started to read the spread (as posted above) assuming the Stelvio would be in there - after all, the test was in Italy, and these bikes are its main competition. Then I noted the small panel on the bottom left hand page, with the headline 'Guzzi Stelvio - Absent without Leave'. It continues (imagine terse, tight-lipped speaker) 'The Italian contender is missing from our comparison: we asked Moto Guzzi for the Stelvio, but the bike was delivered extremely late, when we were already well into our test in Sicily'.

Obviously I don't know the details of why Motociclismo didn't get the bike in time, but if five other manufacturers can get their bikes sorted, why can't Guzzi? Or is it Guzzi's masters Piaggio that don't care? It's sad because the Stelvio is easily as good as the BMW 1200 GS (I've ridden both) and probably better than some of the other bikes on test here, but now the readership of Italy's top bike mag aren't going to know that, and people who might have bought a Stelvio might now buy a Bimmer instead.

Talk about shooting yourself in the foot.

The one that got away

2011-06-10T09:11:00.016+01:00

... and I've been chasing the story of this one for about five years now. I first saw this amazingly patina-ed GT 750 at the Ace Cafe some years ago, chatted briefly with the owner. Was apparently found in a shed with an SS too. It ran beautifully. Saw it again two years ago, didn't see the owner. Saw it for sale in some bike small ads, called the owner. Yes, he was selling, but yes he'd be interested in maybe getting it into a mag. I left him my number. And that's the last I heard or saw of it. Shame.

Paperino

2011-06-08T12:07:00.012+01:00

One of the treasures spotted by us at Reggio Emilia mostra scambio (autojumble/swap meet) this year - much more coming up in Issue Four. Florio Monti used to drive truckfuls of these for Piaggio around Northern Italy in 1944, trying to avoid German SS patrols and partisan ambushes at the same time.

Read his amazing story as a bike racer in Issue Three

Idrobad internals for pushrodmofo

2011-06-07T09:13:00.012+01:00

It's not much clearer to me how it all works either, but we aim to please...

Thanks again to Dorian who is the incredible source of all this information.

TECHNO UPDATE: Here's a great explanation as recommended by Oldtimerworkshop below - thanks man!!:

Mystery MV revealed - 175 Idrobad prototype

2011-06-06T09:28:00.021+01:00

Your guesses as towhat this rare MV Agusta 175 might be and why it's unusual were excellent, andmost of you deduced that it is a motorcycle with some kind of automatictransmission, hence the obvious lack of any kind gear change pedal on the rightside of the machine where you'd normally expect it to be.

This is what wasofficially named by MV a "Motoleggera MV 175cc 4 tempi, con cambioidraulico progressivo (Licenza Idrobad), but for short the 175 Idrobad. Itfeatures a hydraulic transmission unit, designed by Sig. Badalini, so has nogearbox (so no pedal). The infinitely variable hydraulic transmission iscontrolled by the left hand twistgrip, whose cables run down into the motor notunlike those of an MV Pullman - in fact the handlebar cable mechanism lookssimilar at a glance. This Idrodad features a small button also on the left handtwist grip that allows the bar to be pulled in, and kept in, as a sort ofneutral, handy for sitting at traffic lights and so on. At its simplest (it'snot simple, it's complicated!!) the Badalini transmission used a hydraulic pumpand hydraulic motor, both of a swash plate type - a ring of pistons is actuatedby an inclined disc to give the variable part of the drive - like a belt on acone in a modern CVT system I guess.

A specialprototype of a modified 175 CS Sport had appeared on MV's stand at the 1954Milan Show, and there's a photo of this bike in Mick Walker's book on MVAgusta (see above). The bike in this photo looks exactly, and I mean exactly like the bikeI rode last week, and photographed. Another strong link to this prototype showbike is that the bike I rode has a lacquered fuel tank - MV didn't lacquertheir tanks on these models, so it was probable it was done for a specialpurpose, like putting the bike on show.

I think it's oneand the same bike, which makes this rare bike even more special, especially asit is in superb, original and conserved and UNRESTORED condition, which is howit should be left.

Watch a small video we made here on You Tube which will help to explain how it works.

There'll be a fullfeature on this very special motorcycle in Issue FIVE of the magazine.

Thanks as always to Dorian for making this very special MV Agustaexperience possible.

Italian food interlude

2011-06-04T20:28:00.010+01:00

I know this is the kind of junk people post on Twitter but had to leav ethe mystery MV scenario to go and take a break and make dinner, spaghetti bolognese - my wife is Italian, and from Tuscany, so I have to make it well otherwise I'm in trouble. Her parents are over from Italy next week, and I'm hoping they'll be stashing some good stuff (food stuffs that is) from Tuscany in their bags, mm mm..

Right, spaghetti's almost done, gotta rush..

World exclusive for ITALIAN MOTOR - but what's wrong with this bike??

2011-06-01T12:35:00.020+01:00

Thanks again to my friend Dorian, I've managed to photograph, and in this case document for important reasons, a very rare MV Agusta.

In fact, in this case we're talking about a genuine world exclusive for various reasons, and I'm very honoured that ITALIAN MOTOR magazine will be the first magazine, on the whole planet no less, to run a full feature on this machine in the near future.

But what's strange about this bike?

NB: Photo is copyright JA BOLTON/ITALIANMOTORMAGAZINE 2011.

UPDATE: Ok, here's another photo - you're all very close, I'll be posting up a small video soon that shows all.....

UPDATE number 2: Here's another!!

Finger lickin' good

2011-05-28T19:06:00.018+01:00

Not just good, but finger lickin' effin' superb - I went today to shoot Peter Koren's Ducati XR 900 flat tracker - and it is just fabulous. You will just have to read the full story on this bike, and that means getting hold of Issue Four when it's out. If you read the mag regularly you'll know by now that I have a penchant for specials and home-built bikes, not just stuff or stories you've already got in your reference books on your shelf at home, and this 860-based special is one of the best I've ever seen. It's bikes like this that give me renewed enthusiasm for putting the mag together.

I'm so excited about Issue Four because it'll be packed full of very special motorcycles, and I guarantee you're gonna love it......

Another great little film - Deus V Twin Festival

2011-05-25T08:53:00.001+01:00

The wonderful http://www.rustrockets.com put me onto this one - nice film, lovely V twins, Italian, American and British, and great music too - reminds me of bands I used to play in when I was 15

Deus Ex Machina - Festival Of The V-Twin from Deus Customs on Vimeo.

They were right all along

2011-05-23T10:37:00.018+01:00

When my other motorcycle-riding friends who I used to ride with regularly started to drop off the scene because they'd had kids, I used to think "Yeah, but I'll always ride my bike regularly no matter what!" How wrong I was. How right they were. 19 months into fatherhood and I love being a dad to my little girl dearly but this year the only chance I've had to ride my bike was to the MOT man in March. I have to look at photos of it on my desktop to remind me what it looks like. I'd so like to ride off onto the continent for a couple of weeks this year but it just ain't gonna happen..

Photo of my S3 nicked from Nick's Guzzi Cafe' Racer Build blog here

A kind of passion

2011-05-20T12:26:00.020+01:00

This is a beautiful little Spanish film soaked in atmosphere and accompanied by suitably atmospheric music by the wonderful Johnny Cash at a classic bike race event made by Squadra Sutge

The blog is full of stuff to look at too, though sadly I understand very little of it.

A KIND OF PASSION, a tribute to classic motorcycles and the people who love them from Squadra Sutge on Vimeo.

Wish we were there

2011-05-17T09:20:00.000+01:00

Two events we'd love to have been at - the old Time Show 2011 at Forli' back in March, and the ASI Motor Show at Varano, near Parma that was on this weekend - we reported on last year's ASI show in Issue Two of the mag. Really miss this stuff from when I lived in Italy...

A few photos and some Italian practice for you at the links below:
http://civorrebbeunamoto.blogspot.com/2011/05/asi-moto-show.html
http://www.motoblog.it/post/28715/old-time-show-2011-un-salone-che-profuma-di-storia