Moto Guzzi V7 Cafe Racer

This is the third and last of the 3 posts series started a few days ago. The third bike on the "motorcycle-I-wouldn't-mind-swinging-a-leg-over" list is the Moto Guzzi V7 Cafe Racer.

The Unrideables

ITV4 will be broadcasting the documentary "The unrideables" on 22 june. Watch the trailer and wish you had access to ITV4 ...

BMW Concept Ninety by Roland Sands

Below are some fresh picture of Roland Sands' new creation the "Concept Ninety". It's been built to pay a tribute to the glorious BMW R90S.

Speed's rear end

While there's not much improvement on the front end, the work on the rear end has jumped giant leaps forward recently. First, the 3M vinyl-wrapped seat unit has been reassembled to be presented on the bike. Then the license plate holder has now a plate on it. 

And finally, the race seat unit has arrived from Skidmarkz, though it's been ordered back in February. But don't get me wrong here, the guys have really been great providing help and apologies just when they needed to, so I won't blame them for a delayed delivery. Add to that that, unlike what we were initially planning and expecting, the race version of the Speed Triple is finally the one that still requires the most work, and you'll get why this late arrival isn't that of bad news.

This race seat unit is for the previous generation 955i, but it should fit the same way. I haven't been able to find a post '01 Daytona or Speed Triple race seat unit anywhere except in the US meaning $250 shipping costs. This one will do it fine.

Moto Guzzi Griso

This is the second of the 3 posts series started a few days ago. One other bike on the "motorcycle-I-wouldn't-mind-swinging-a-leg-over" that day was the Moto Guzzi Griso.

Random from the archive

Abstract:

Back in 2005, I was looking for another project bike. I had already played with the idea of rebuilding a Kawasaki ZX7R P model in 2001, but stayed on the reasonable path and chose a ZX6R F model instead with co-builder Tom. When I heard there was one to sell at some new breaker I had not dealt with yet, I decided to pay the latter a visit and look at the stock. The bike you see on the picture is what I've been presented with as being the said ZX7R for sale. Of course I knew this was a damage bike - after all I was visiting a breaker - but this very bike was anything but a damaged repairable. Picture this, the side displayed here is the best of both. A close inspection revealed multiple deep dents on frame, swing arm and wheels, broken triple trees, bent subframe, smashed gas tank and torn downpipes and the list goes on and on. There were not enough recoverable parts to excuse the asked price. Every time I mention that breaker to someone who knows him, the same is always said about him : "he sells dogs for gold money".

PS : Some may also have observed the smashed 955i Speed Triple on the foreground. Nothing was salvageable on that one either.

KTM 990 SMR

I'm starting a very short series of 3 posts showing photos of bikes that were at the shops last week. It happened that there were 3 special bikes from the "motorcycle-I-wouldn't-mind-swinging-a-leg-over" list that day, hence the photos. The first one is the KTM 990 SMR.

Shoei XR1100

After a bit more than 10 seasons using my faithful Lazer Fibertech Banzai helmet, I decided it did have to go for a well deserved retirement. I must say that I have been rather happy with the Lazer thoughout the years, but it's getting old and it makes it feel it. Scuffed surface, partly broken vents, scratched visors, noisy ride are enough to some for a swap, but if you add the fact that it's now 11 years old and, moreover, my need for a change it does it enough for me as well. 

After fancying an Arai Quantum UK flag for some time, I went for a Shoei XR1100 which suits my head much better. Being a nasty boy, I visited the local shops for a try and then placed an order for a XR1100 TC10 at HelmetCity where the prices were 20% less (shipping costs included) with some extra options and gifts.

Off goes the Lazer ...

... and in goes the Shoei

The (free) light-tint visor

Clear and light-tint visors compared

The tinted visor in place

First impressions are good as it feels much lighter than the Laser and looks really well finished. 

Eric Bostrom's ZX7RR

I used to have this picture as a wallpaper on my computer at work 10 years ago. I remember thinking this picture as being motorcycle racing in one of its purest form. It had so many ingredients to look like the perfect picture : a focused rider, nice details (like the heat dissipation through the exhaust pipes) and a mythical factory bike. But the truth is the ZX-7RR was so far from the production bike and the later forms of this superbike racer was down on power compared to the competition.

In its last years of use, Kawasaki had no liter bike to put on the superbike grids and the ZX7-RR was the most developed factory race bike they had. Eric Bostrom made it looked like it was a real title contender with extreme lean angles and a lot of attitude. Unfortunately, it had no real chance to win anything but a green paint contest against the newer bikes, the likes of the R7, RC51 or the GSX-R 750.