Period race rep bevel Ducati

I've lusted after this bike for more than ten years. It belongs to my friend Loreno (he built the '51 Topolino barchetta corsa in issue 1 of the mag) and he has just got it down from the mezzanine above his workshop where it has sat for ages, waiting to be brought back to life. It came out of the Ducati factory as a 750S in late '74, and was then quickly transformed into an Imola race rep in '75, along with nicely done left-hand gear shift crossover and still featuring a musty old original Magneti Marelli plug in the panino cubby hole. Loreno bought it many years ago from the original owner, so knows its history. It's a genuine period go faster transformation using parts available in Italy in 1975, so far more interesting than a standard model, and shows that blokes on Rossi-inspired R1s are just some of the latest in a long line of owners wanting to pay homage by copying factory race bikes for their own kicks. We'll be shooting it and having a ride in a future issue.

Motorcycle art

Been thumbing through a friend's collection of old posters and race programmes, found when a local mechanic was shutting up shop and chucking stuff in the Italian version of a skip. The graphics are striking, reflecting Italian design and typography which has always evolved, excited and gone its own way, from more austere and stylised 40s and 50s drawings in black only, to these in yer face 1960s splashes of full happy colour...

Flying Saucer

Most Italian blokes I've met who are into bikes and grew up in the '50s or '60s have all said that the one motorcycle they lusted after as teenagers was the MV Agusta Disco Volante 175cc. Disco Volante is Italian for flying saucer, and one look at that outrageously shaped fuel tank explains all. CSS overhead camshaft motor was rorty and fast, Earles forks were produced only on the 1954 Disco Volante models. Not particularly rare but very desirable nonetheless. Nice job Nedo!!

First stop

First stop when I arrive in 'my' part of Italy is always at my very good friend Nedo's house. We'll sit and drink an espresso, chew the fat and laugh and enjoy each other's company. He's a retired engineer for ENEL, the Italian state electric company, but he's busier than ever,  restoring and sorting out bikes. There's always something interesting to look at in his compact workshop and garages. I was up there today, and blimey, it's getting hot here in Tuscany. Nedo's just finished a '54 MV 'Disco Volante' - very nice! More tomorrow.

Off to Italy

Off to Italy tomorrow for at least a couple of weeks R&R; laying on a beach or two, riding my favourite Tuscan roads; eating ice cream and fresh seafood, and of course shooting, riding, driving and generally discussing animatedly over even more delicious food and drink, Italian motors of all types with my very good mates in Italy. I'll be updating the blog daily if possible with photos of what's going on, where we are, and what we're looking at. A presto!!

Valentino's out

It was a shock to see Valentino Rossi highside and painfully compound fracture his right leg in practice for the Mugello GP. He doesn't crash often, and it's the first time in the ten years I've been following his career that I can remember Rossi being out through injury - he'll be out for the rest of the season. Moto GP is still great to watch but it's not the same without Rossi's talent and charisma. Hope Dovizioso and Simoncelli do well this year.

Want your own 1:18 scale Guzzi dream garage??

Here it is - spotted on Italian Ebay - your own 1:18 scale Guzzi dream garage or mini dealership, depending on how you see it. Yours for just 270 euro!! He can also build you a bespoke 1:18 scale garage with your preferred auto, or any other type of workshop. My small unit feels like it's 1:18 scale most days. Good luck to the bloke - I respect entrepreneurism of all types and especially in miniature.

Check it out here: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120577269571&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:GB:1123#ht_717wt_913