Another credit crunch victim

Erik Buell has announced on thursday that Buell Motorcycles has both knees down. Yet another credit crunch aftermath victim. What Buell Motorcycles brought to the market since 1983 has always been debatable. Erik Buell and his team have certainly produced some of the most oddly designed motorcycles, but they undoubtly tried to pull the technology up with these, providing inovative solutions to mass production like in-frame reservoirs or perimetrical brake discs.

Harley Davidson is having one of the worst years in history and that probably lead them to drop partnership with Buell. If you're looking for a definition for the "sad man" expression, then you probably should look at this video.

Yamaha racing videos

These videos have been around for a couple of weeks now, but there are unlucky guys that haven't spoted them yet. For those one, here are 2 videos made by Yamaha Racing (including the MotoGP and Superbike programs) that will undoubtly make you laugh ... Well it worked for me ...

My favorite one is without a doubt the one that pictures Ben Spies, because :

- first, you get to learn the man out of track and he looks like a good bloke

- second, it' not every one that would mock himself, especially if he's great champion

- third, it's definitly well made and funny

Check out the second one too, because Colin Edwards' actor talent is an absolute must see.

It smells oil and it's a bit rusty but ...

... damn how good it is. Back in mid september I went to the Croix-en-ternois circuit to attend to the anual CAIMAN meeting with a mate of mine. It's nothing far from a conventional trackday but one only sees old riders on sometimes even older bikes. The bike range was great as it's always nice to see all of these old motorcycles in one place. And for once in Croix, the weather was sunny-not-windy, which is rather rare down there.

Here are a couple of pics from the event (this is only part 1). Enjoy !

LSL umbauten

Check out LSL website to have a quick glance at some amazing project bikes built with their products. Look at this moded Speed Triple. If I didn't want to keep it close to standard, that's not far from what'll do to mine.

Guintoli to race in WSBK !

After a promising year in BSB - probably the most desputed championship after WSBK itself - and huge crash that kept him away from a bike for several months, Sylvain Guintoli is back on some wheels and announced to race in World Superbike series. He'll be riding with team mate Lean Haslam (yet another more than promising britt') replacing Max Neukirchner for Suzuki Alstare team !

Sylvain's back on a world level. Let's wish him luck, podiums and wins for the upcoming season.

Went postal and been published !

You already noticed how much I appreciate the TWO magazine (now named "Visordown" as already were the affiliated website and forums). The recent august issue featured a nicely written "How to" section that discussed on different motorcycle-related topics and how to achieve them with style. It was a really good idea until someone decided it would make it look cooler to translate the section titles in spanish and french.

I don't know for the spanish translations, but the french ones lead to a great laugh moment. So I thought I would just write these guys an email so that they know how funny their translations were and advise them to change their translation engine. I usually never do that, but this time I could not resist. I don't think we're many french (or french speaking guys) out there reading Visordown, this is certainly what made up my mind writing.
I've received the october issue a couple of days ago now. And guess what ? Yes, my letter's been published.
Their answer is a proof, as always, that these guys are funny and approachable. Keep the great work coming down to France guys !

Bookmark update anyone ?

You like motorcycles, right ? You also like pictures. So you will more than likely love motorcycle pictures. If you do so, then stay tuned, because I will update the blog and the blog links section with some other sites you might want to have a look at, starting with this one : The rider files.

"The rider files" is a great website. Ok, its look does not do much for its content, but get over it and read on. Because not only it shows some nice pictures of past and present motorcycles and riders in action, but it also features some really nice stories (like this one).

Those who were with me ...

It's been a couple of years now since I left my parent's house. I don't know if you remember that moment when you decided to go on your own, but if you were like me you were more like fleeing the place rather than say goodbye. I packed what I thought to be essential and left in what's today looks like a hurry.

Anyways, I went back to my parents' house a couple of days ago, because I needed one of the stuffs I'd left there. It had been of no use during years and now I felt like I really needed it ... Unlike theirs, my parents had kept all of my stuffs quite in the same place I had left them. That was kind of easy for me to find what I was there for, but the viewing of that mess I left behind me made me understood why my mum wanted me to clear it all out some day.

Enough for the memories ? Well not quite for today. While I was mining in the mess I found a small box. I opened it and found that :

Those who were with me a couple of ears ago will remember the story that lays behind that broken Honda Hornet key. For the others, here it is ... shortened.
I had the bike for only 3 days and had to leave with it 2 days after to attend a convention in Paris. The bike was stuning : bright blue color, nice handling and brillliant - if a bit dull at low revs - engine.

But as often with Hondas of these years, the key was made of soft butter. It was already twisted when I took delivery and I found it already difficult to insert in the ignition socket until it totally broke into pieces. Hopefully, a Honda dealer sorted that out for me so I could leave in time. Now I remember I kept what was left of the key.

Bits for sale

Since I sold a couple of motorcycles in the past 12 months, I still have severals parts that I'm selling to clear the garage. Here's what I've got :

- 2003-2006 CBR 600 RR foot hanger plates :

- 2003-2009 SV 650 N top yoke (with bar holder) :

- 2003-2009 SV 650 brake discs :

- 2003-2009 SV 650 rearsets riser kit :

- 1999-2002 SV 650 race fairing bits :

- 1995-1998 CBR 600 F3 rear wheel (ideal for a 180 conversion for an SV650) :

- 2000-2005 FZS1000 Fazer jack up kit (25mm) :

Let me know it you find something that'd suit you.

Sold the SV

You're reading it well. I sold the SV. After a year spent on it trying to get it ready for track and only one track day with it, the decision was easy. This is mainly because of these reasons :

- the bike is finished, so the project has lost most of his appeal.

- despite incresing exprerience and lowering lap times, I don't feal the bike like I used to feel others on a track

- the "ride" part of the project that consisted in riding it as often as possible on a track really didn't start well when I had to cancel 3/4 of my riding season

- I want to taste something else

- I need cash

Just for memories, here's how it was prepared :

- Öhlins fork spring and 15W oil

- 2006 ZX10R rear shock

- Lust suspension jack-up kit (20mm higher)

- CBR F3 rear wheel conversion + 180 tires Pirelli Supercorsa

- Timing Retard Eliminator

- BMC air filter

- Yoshimura TR3 complete exhaust

- Hel braided lines

- EBC HH brake pads

Farewell little SV, you're gone with a lucky young rider. I whish you luck with him on the track.