Bid for Kevin Ash's BMW - and other stuff! Proceeds to the Kevin Ash Fund.

As you may remember, our journalist colleague, and all-round nice bloke Kevin Ash was tragically killed last year on a BMW launch doing the work he did so well, and left behind his wife Caroline and three daughters.

The Telegraph newspaper, for whom he worked for 15 years and for whom he was reporting when I met him on several new bike launches, set up the Kevin Ash Fund - a fund in memory of their motorcycling correspondent of 15 years. Proceeds will assist with the continuing education of his daughters. Caroline has started to sell various bits of kit that Kevin owned to help wit the fund, including a BMW K1100 that he used and wrote about. You can bid for it on Ebay HERE

So people, bid high and bid often - check the other listings for jackets and spares.

EICMA 2014 - GUZZI DUCATI MV AGUSTA AND MORE

There's a lot going on at present with the Milan Show about to kick off, and manufacturers pumping out their model year 2015 new bikes, concepts and offerings. 

We simply don't have time to post everything up here and on our Facebook page (which is much easier to use..), so if you want to see more photos from what's on offer at EICMA, check out our Facebook page which is at: www.facebook.com/ITALIANMOTORMAG

#EICMA2014

Magni Filo Rosso

The Filo Rosso, or the Red Line, is the symbolic thread that has always run through Magni's work, starting with his learning from Piero Remor in the early 1950s, to being the all-round inspiration behind MV Agusta's multiple world championships, and then going on with son Giovanni to create hand-built machines with individuality, handling prowess and charisma.

This one is no different. Ok, so it looks like an MV race bike you may say. Yes, but that's not a bad thing, is it? And this one is powered by the MV Agusta Brutale's rev-happy 798cc triple cylinder motor that needs a 13.000rpm red line.

Not often we want to just jump on a bike we've been sent pics of and just ride the bollocks off it, but this is one of those occasions. Bravo, Magni!

Taming the Ducati Cucciolo

In Issue 6 of the mag, we published a great article that was contributed by Dave our mate from Australia all about his Ducati Cucciolos. Dave has since sent us a video clip that gives the impression of what it's like to ride one of these machines at speed - and it's a bit scary. Ignore the sketchy soundtrack and imagine what it's like to sit on an old pushbike, with pushbike brakes and tyres, and a small Italian motor lashed onto the frame tube, and go as fast as you can. In fact, we reckon the wind noise is covering up Dave's screams of terror as he bowls along at an impressive turn of speed considering he's a big Aussie bloke!

The full article on Dave's passion for the Ducati Cucciolo and in particular its fascinating place as a sales success in Australia is in Issue Six. Not got a copy? Buy it here: http://italianmotor.bigcartel.com/category/magazines

Bicester Heritage Sunday Scramble

 What an idea! Buy up a historic but mothballed RAF base, then turn it into a motoring heritage destination for cars, bikes and planes - brilliant! We're lucky that ITALIAN MOTOR H.Q. seems to be close to so many fascinating and excellent places and events of petrolhead pleasure, and today was great - old planes mixing it with Ford Capris, Yank cars, old bikes, historic and important Bentleys, Porsches, and Jags, old blokes dressed as Home Guard, steam engines, old biplanes, engines, bacon rolls, and other very pleasurable stuff. The RAF architecture is fascinating and the before and after restorations of the countless sheds, hangars and engine fitting rooms are incredible and beautiful. Even the toilet blocks are retro! The owners should be congratulated on their vision, and it's easy to see that it'll become a premier motoring destination in the UK. 

Today will be just the first of many visits for us, no doubt. In fact, we'd love to set up H.Q. here too.

Enjoy the photos of just a small selection of what was there this morning.

Lovely '56 Triumph Speed Twin with original paint

Used to use the Routemasters all the time

Huge bomber hangar - now used for classic vehicle storage

This thing landed while I was standing there

Dad's Army: "Who do you think you are kidding Mr. Hitler?"

Old bomb shelter

Purple Haze... in my mind

Beautiful Mk.1 Zephyr rag top

Lovely old Ford Capri. Two a penny when I was a kid..

After...

Before...

Loved this stripped back Terrot - a real gem

These 'tools' are made from chocolate. Amazing!

Patina!

More patina!

Check their website here: Bicester Heritage