Rumba Chillen

I've managed to sort out my 'office' so that I can actually get to my vinyl collection AND my turntable at the same time for the first time in years, and I've had so much pleasure from just delving into records (round and black with grooves in) that I've collected since I was a teenager, scratches, jumps and all.

One of my favourites is this collection released by Charly/Sun Records, called 'Rumble Chillen', with all the artists produced by the legendary Sam Phillips, and for which I paid a then princely £5.99 for sometime back in the 1980s - but it's aged well - would a download last as long?

 It's full of finger-tapping, foot-stomping rockabilly/blues tracks that sound so fresh again, and if you're a guitarist like me, the huge variety of guitar sounds, styles and sounds mixed up with hypnotic, almost primitive rhythms, is amazing. I was never a hardcore rockin' geezer like my brother but hung around some of the clubs with him (and a few girls..) enough to really enjoy the music, booze and the style.

Best track is still 'Rhumba Chillen' by Albert Williams, followed closely by 'Terra Mae' by Doctor Ross. And the scratches inflicted on this particular piece of vinyl over many years only make it sound better. Get a copy if you can.

Machine Moto Guzzi Le Mans 3 - finished

Matt has finished his Moto Guzzi Le Mans 3, and it's fantastic. Understated, neat lines, neat paintwork. Matt has an eye that few other possess for building this type of motorcycle. Hope to get it in the mag at some point.

We're happy to be featuring his Ducati 750 in the upcoming Issue 6, soon..

Check out Matt's blog here: http://machineshed.blogspot.com

Roll your own - simple workshop pleasures

I needed a bracket to hold up one end of the high-level exhaust on the Moto Guzzi Stornello Scrambler 160 project I've been working on for, well, months. The thing is about Italian motorcycles, especially these small Guzzi singles, and in particular the Scrambler models, you don't, or more accurately can't,  just buy the parts off the shelf. In contrast in the UK there's a huge industry that caters for the needs of Brit Iron owners - parts are remade and can easily found and ordered online, arriving next day.

Because these smaller Italian-manufactured machines were pretty much disregarded by the Italians themselves until reasonably recently, there isn't a comprehensive spares service or parts remanufacture like there is for say big Guzzis or bevel Ducatis. It's a case of trawling Ebay and the small ads websites for sometimes months, hoping the desired bits may turn up.

I haven't got months, and anyway it's August, and Italy is closed for business. So, hacksaw and file in hand, I made the required bracket myself. Much as I'd like to, I don't have access to lathes or metalworking equipment, but for a bracket, you don't need much. A bit of patience and a steady hand -  I was always pretty good at making Airfix Stuka kits when I was a kid. Forty minutes later it was done and on the bike.

Satisfaction guaranteed and problem sorted.

CRMC at Donington Park - rare bikes and some, er, dolly birds

We couldn't make it (as usual..), but Dorian went though, helping out his friends with some seriously rare Italian motorcycles and Lois took some pics as usual. Thanks Lois!

Dorian reports, "Wow, what an event this year. Definitely in the top 10 events I have ever been involved with.

Got to play with some seriously good stuff and was so busy I didn't even see any track action.

2 x Cagiva GP 500's 1 x Cagiva GP 125 (one of only 2 ever made and used as a test bed for the 500 cylinder design), 2 x Bianchi 500's, MV 500 Tre, Mondial Biabero. MV 125 Bialbero, Linto, Benelli 'four' ex Paso etc, etc...

Checked and set up the '92 Cagiva 500 for it's first ever ride by Dean. A bit of a steep learning curve but it all went great and both it and Dean put on a great show. The MV 125 Bialbero went amazingly well and could even be heard above all the other bikes out on the track!

Tons of other exotic stuff from other owners. Three Desmosedicis would you believe and of course the Britten which I didn't even get to hear running because I was so busy...ah well. The 'dollies' were actually a good laugh, all in various retro outfits and obviously able to take a joke.

Already been asked by Donnington to attend next year."
 

Love your pet puppy

Get kicks out of Cucciolos? 

So does Dave, and the story of his mini motors from Borgo Panigale and what they're doing all the way down there in Australia is coming up in Issue 6, soon...

Highway chile

Listened to this for the first time in ages - just fantastic.

Makes me want to ride off into the sunset, guitar on back.

Hailwood v V7 Sport - new book in our store - SOLD SOLD

Mike Hailwood v Moto Guzzi V7 Sport, Monza, 1971. 

We are pleased to have been given the opportunity to offer this fantastic photographical account of the day Hailwood rode the V7 Sport. Glauco Bonetti was a professional and award-winning photographer from Milan, and was sent one day in 1971 to photograph what would become a legendary occasion - Mike Hailwood riding and testing the then new Moto Guzzi V7 Sport at Monza. Present were the famous Guzzi staff of the time, including Lino Tonti, who designed, the V7 Sport, Bruno Scola, racers Mandracci, Gazzola and Brambilla, the journalist and racer Roberto Patrignani, and other technical staff.

This simple book is published using the original black and white negatives which are now owned by the Manusardi Motopix Milano archive, which now owns Bonetti's work. The book has 20 pages and is in landscape form, and the photos are wonderful - informal, detailed and historic.

20 pages - very slightly stiffer cover, measures 240mm (W) x 202mm (H)

Shipping included in the price.

You can buy it from the ITALIAN MOTOR store HERE - but be quick, only one copy for now...

HOPE TO HAVE MORE COPIES SOON, CONTACT US IF YOU WANT TO RESERVE ONE...