June 2012 - CityBike

Transcription

News, Clues & Rumors
Volume XXIX, Issue 6
Publication Date: May 23 , 2012
On The Cover:
Celeb Chef Tyler Florence gives
photographer Joshua Ets-Hokin’s lens a
steely eyed gaze. Josh’s excellent work ups
our standards; too bad we can’t afford him
every month.
WARNING: This issue contains repeated
usage of the word ‘priapism.’ If you read it
for more than 4 hours, consult a physician.
Contents:
NCR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
New Stuff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Chef’s Special . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Quail Show 2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
1957 Triumph TR5/R . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Evan Wilcox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Priller Dorso 1200 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Mini Cafes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Gabe Ets-Hokin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Ed Hertfelder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Maynard Hershon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Dr . Frazier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Tankslappers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Marketplace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Atom-Powered Hoverbike . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
CityBike Staff:
PO Box 10659 Oakland, CA 94610
Phone: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 415/282-2790
E-mail: . . . . . . . . . . . . . info@citybike .com
Find us online: . . . . . . . www .citybike .com
News ‘n Clues: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Staff
Editor-in-Chief:. . . . . . . . . . Gabe Ets-Hokin
Senior Editor: . . . . . . . . . . Robert Stokstad
Contributing Editors: . . . . . . . . . John Joss,
Will Guyan
Chief of the World Adventure
Affairs Desk:. . . . . . . . Dr. Gregory Frazier
Staff Photographers:
— Robert Stokstad
— Gary Rather
Art Director: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alan Lapp
Advertising Sales: . . . . . . . . . Kenyon Wills
Contributors:
Dan Baizer, Craig Bessenger, John Bishop,
Joanne Donn, John D’India (RIP),
Mike Felder, Dr. Gregory Frazier,
Will Guyan, Joe Glydon (RIP),
Brian Halton, David Hough,
Maynard Hershon, Ed Hertfelder,
Harry Hoffman, Otto Hofmann, Jon Jensen,
David Lander, Alan Lapp, Lucien Lewis,
Ed Milich, Courtney Olive, Larry Orlick,
Jason Potts, Bob Pushwa, Gary Rather, Curt
Relick, Charlie Rauseo, Mike Solis, Ivan
Thelin, James Thurber, Adam Wade.
GET WELL NICKERS!!!
beat-to-hell hand-truck, a pile of pipes and
no? The illustration is a gigantic piece of
parts donated by Hayward Cycle Salvage
wall art hanging in the shop. It features a
You can read about the super-fun AMA
big pink fist on the bike in the color version. and a pile of magazines and asked him to
weekend at Infineon Raceway below, but
fabricate something that they could roll in
you’ve probably heard Munroe Motor’s
Rich told us the story of the drawing:
at night, designed to attract attention to the
Nick Hayman crashed hard during
“Shawn Parker asked if I could do a large
fact that we’re available there. Sounds like
Sunday’s SuperSport race. Witnesses report image of sorts for Tokyo Moto, so I asked
how Rich was let loose to create his art as
AFM/AMA racer Nadr Riad went wide
him if there were any restrictions on what
well, right? In Ryon’s case, we handed him a
after attempting an outside pass in Turn 3, I could do. He replied back, ‘anything you
postcard with Rich’s illustration and asked
cutting Nick’s Ducati 848 off. (Nadr told us want so as long as it’s business friendly.’
that the rack be “difficult to run down the
in a statement, “Nick Hayman and I were
Long story short, I was inspired in part by
street with” and somehow tied into the
involved in an unfortunate racing incident Akira, Tank Girl, and that funky Bosozoku
theme that TM already had going.
that resulted in both of us crashing. I slid
style found in Japan. I wanted to draw a
into hay bales, Nick slid into a tire wall…
The result is a multi-piped rig with various
bike that made absolutely no sense and
it is unfortunate that there was no air-fence as long as I kept laughing while drawing
motorcycle parts (including a front wheel)
in-front of the tire wall… My thoughts and it, that’s all that mattered. I had a lot of
that is so visually interesting that people
prayers are with him and his family as he
were driving down Editor Wills’ dead-end
fun drawing it with all the pipes and pink
is recovering.”) Nick’s front tire contacted rubber fist. I think the pink rubber fist was residential street to ask what it was when
Nadr’s bike, according to the witnesses,
it was out on his driveway before it was
the first thing I drew on the bike.”
and he and his 848 slid into the tire wall at
delivered. The stunt worked so well that
Ryon Gesink is a metal fabricator who runs the folks at Tokyo Moto were promptly
the edge of the run-off area. He was lifeMoto Furniture (an advertiser in CityBike). complaining that even after tripling the
flighted to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital
for treatment of head, arm and leg injuries. Ryon has created motorcycle-part-based
number of magazines that we normally
metal racks that have delighted shop
deliver, they were out in two weeks. A
Head injuries are always serious business,
proprietors and CityBike Magazine picker- problem we gleefully hope will be visited
but thanks to the medical team’s work—
uppers alike.
upon other distribution points as Ryon
and maybe Nicker’s legendary toughness—
continues his work to create visually
A
few
months
ago
it
became
obvious
he has since made an incredible recovery.
arresting moto-rag-dispensers.
that Tokyo Moto needed a CityBike rack.
His broken arm has been set and he is
There isn’t really space for something
communicating with doctors and family
If you’ve got a shop, a pile of CityBike
conventional, so CityBike handed Ryon a
and is eating on his own and sitting up.
magazines, a pile of parts, and a gleam in
your eye, Ryon is available on a paid basis
A fund was set up by friends and family
(hey, that’s what he does!). He’s open to just
to help Nick with recovery expenses,
about anything. Motorcycle-parts based
with the excess (over $5000) going to
queen-sized bed, anyone?
the AFM Benevolent Fund. AS of May
16, over $6300 has been collected. Go to
CBD II
munroemotors.com for the latest news and
Join the cast and crew of the CityBike
a link to the donation page.
Magazine Reality Show as they try to shake
hands with every rider who turns out for
RACKENSTEIN
this year’s episode of CityBike Day.
Rich Lee, a well-known and highly
talented local illustrator likes (and
Really an excuse for a good ride
draws) motorcycles quite a bit. He has
interrupted by a party and get-together,
a connection to local shop Tokyo Moto
this annual event is a three-hour deal that
and illustrated the shop’s promotional
features prizes for the oldest bikes from
postcard. It’s a Japanese-themed picture
each continent (with a special prize just
of a cigarette-smoking dude riding an
for oldest British, since they break more
outrageous motorcycle while being trailed
and we don’t really expect anything made
by a black helicopter of some sort. Good fit,
before 1980 to make it up the hill under
considering the name of the shop and the
its own power anyway). Prize for oddest/
sorts of things that get taken apart inside,
nerdiest/coolest homebuilt to arrive under
Moto Furniture's Ryon Gesink and his creation.
its own power, too.
Fun people and stuff:
This year’s exhibitors will
include Tri-Valley Moto’s new
adventure bikes (Triumph,
BMW, KTM), Arlen Ness
Motorcycles and the new
Victory Judge (which will be
featured in the July issue and
is a cool bike), Motion Pro’s
Motorcycle Snake Oil and
Magic Tool Tent, California
Speed Sports’ Can Am SpyderRiding Circus, Advanced Cycle
Service and its mobile dyno,
Can Akkaya, Superbike Coach
will be presenting a seminar
on braking, A&A racing’s
new high-zoot Street Tracker
custom that everyone at the
magazine wants to ride.
CityBike is published on or about the third Monday of each month.
Editorial deadline is the 1st of each month. Advertising information is
available on request. Unsolicited articles and photographs are always
welcome. Please include a full name, address and phone number
with all submissions. We reserve the right to edit manuscripts or use
them to wipe our large, fragrant bottoms.
©2012, CityBike Magazine, Inc. Citybike Magazine is distributed
at over 150 places throughout California each month. Taking more
than a few copies at any one place without permission from CityBike
Magazine, Inc, especially for purposes of recycling, is theft and will
be prosecuted to the full extent of civil and criminal law. Yeah!
CityBike magazine is owned by CityBike Magazine, Inc and has
teams of sleep-deprived, coke-addicted attorneys ready to defend
it from frivolous lawsuits, so even if you see Lucien Lewis doing
one of his wheelies on the cover and decide you want to do that too
and then you hit a parked car and your bike is wedged under a van
and it catches fire and the Vallejo FD has to come and extinguish
the resulting blaze and four cars and your bike are melted into
slag and you suffer permanent trauma including a twisted pinkie,
sleeplessness and night terrors, it’s not CityBike Magazine Inc.’s fault
and we don’t have any assets so just suck on it. You know better.
sleeplessness and night terrors, it’s not CityBike Magazine Inc.’s fault
and we don’t have any assets so just suck on it. You know better.
June 2012 | 3 | CityBike.com
Zooni Leathers in
Santa Clara, Mission
Motorcycles in Daly
City, Mojo Town in
San Rafael.
Warning:
Moto Shop will have a freestanding DIY
Service Bay with tools and a lift (probably
necessary for the British vintage bikes
that we mentioned earlier, even if they are
competing with Italian-made machines
to get on the lift), Ural Sidecars jumping
through flaming hoops, RKA Motorcycle
Luggage Magic Show, and the Brown,
Koro & Romag Legal team will have BAM
Cards on offer for on-the-road support
when away from home. Uniform Speed
Military Racing Team, Charlie O’Hanlon’s
band (which has at least one instrument
made out of old Honda parts), and other
wonderful people from the local shop
scene who are too shy to commit at press
time (Mike Felder said he’s gonna be busy
rearranging his sock drawer, but we don’t
believe him). CityBike will have CB Shirts
for sale (new ladies’ shirts, too!) and we’ll
be running the Motorcycle Trivia Contest
over the PA.
The roads leading
to The Junction are
serious business.
They are challenging,
and the road surface
varies widely so pay
attention. This isn’t
a basic beginnergrade route, and the
only way out after a crash is usually by
helicopter, so wear protective gear and give
yourself a little extra breathing room. Be
safe. The road will bite the inattentive, so
please ride within your comfort zone and
be safe (but have fun too).
The gumshoes went to the CG store in San
Francisco, where an unnamed employee
told them that style helmet had only been
available since April, which quickly led to
more surveillance footage of the gunman.
The Mill Valley victims positively
identified him (one of them had dated
the guy, it turns out), which led to a stake
out of the 17-year-old suspect—whose
name is Max Wade, and no, he’s not a porn
star—and his storage locker.
Turns out the Lambo was stolen last year
from the dealer on Van Ness—the thief
apparently rappelled down through a
skylight. Additionally, Wade apparently has
a record of selling fake IDs, breaking into
Wade drove out of his storage locker
houses and head-butting classmates. He’s
in—get this—the stolen Lamborghini of
celebrity Chef Guy Fietti, and the fuzz saw in Marin’s juvvie waiting for two million
a black Honda CBR parked deep within as bucks in bail and is looking at 30 years for
well. Wade was soon arrested, with a loaded the laundry list of charges.
gun on him, of course, along with fake IDs
and $1500 in cash. A search of the storage
locker revealed a teen-fantasy funhouse:
SMELLS LIKE TEEN
SPIRIT, 2012
Here’s a hell of a thing you don’t often
hear about in Marin (or anywhere else):
On April 13, a mysterious gunman,
riding a Honda CBR600RR and clad in
black moto-gear, shot up a pickup truck
with two people in it in Mill Valley—
nobody was hurt, but jeez: Mill Valley?
Investigators found video surveillance
footage from the Chevron station in
Strawberry that showed a “Bilt” logo on
the helmet—Cycle Gear’s house brand.
Prizes:
$100 gift certificates from
local sponsors for the oldest
bike from each continent
(plus Great Britain, a
continent in its own right
motorcycle-wise). Oldest
bike contestants must
ride their bike up from the
bottom of the road (not from
the bottom of the driveway),
and the oldest bike in each
category wins. Ties in bike
age will be decided by
feats of skill made up on
the spot by sadistic event
promoters. A $100 prize for
best homebuilt/crackpot
engineering bike (we’re
hoping Julius Farnum and
Jim Davis show up!). This
class is wide open and
subject to the whims of the
publishers of CityBike, who can be bribed
with single-malt scotch or chocolate milk,
but not much else.
Sponsors:
American & Homebuilt: Addiction Motors
British: Rabers Parts Mart
European: Zen House
Japanese: Hayward Cycle Salvage
Group rides starting from (check back in
the July issue or call the shops direct for
times):
Addiction Motors, Emeryville. Moto Shop,
South San Francisco. Helimot, San Jose
Tri Valley Moto, Livermore. Zen House,
Point Arena, RKA Luggage, Santa Rosa,
weapons, an SFPD uniform complete with
badge, a dissasembled AK-47, electronic
equipment and, according to the San
Francisco Chronicle, “a mask that police say
is similar to the garb worn in a recent series
of unsolved bank robberies.” and they say
kids today have no ambition.
Anyway, the CoCo DA tells us that the
pre-trial conference is proceeding on May
30th in Walnut Creek (640 Ygnacio Valley
Road) in Dept. 29. “The hearing’s open to
ALL THE RAGE
the pubic if you wish to attend. It is on
for Pre-Trial Conference.
If you recall, a reader named Mike
What that means is
Carbiener was involved in a road-rage
incident last year (“Tankslappers,” January the deputy district
2012)—but he managed to actually follow attorney who is
appearing in court
the car—a Honda hybrid driven by a
that day (handling
middle-aged guy—and get the CHP to
multiple cases) and the
make an arrest.
defendant’s attorney
Not so satisfying—the Contra Costa
confer to see if the case
DA told us the office wouldn’t charge
will be resolved with the
the defendant with assault, as Carbiener
defendant pleading guilty
wanted, but instead referred the case to the to a charge. If no agreement
misdemeanor department. Still—it’s pretty can be obtained and
rare a motorcyclist gets any kind of justice the defendant wants
in a case like this.
Anyway, big kudos to Cycle Gear S.F. for
helping bring this nutcase to justice before
he killed somebody.
a jury trial, then the case is set for trial.
If there is need for a further pretrial
conference then a new date is set for
further discussions about the case. If you
can’t attend (it’s always good to show
helmets in the courtroom to let the
DA know we’re watching), we’ll let
you know what happens.
ERECTION SEAT
Our friends at Corbin may be winding
up in court themselves, thanks to the
seemingly endless absurdity of the
U.S. civil justice system. A San
Franciscan named Henry Wolf is
suing our friends at Corbin—as
well as BMW Motorrad—for
causing painful priapism after
riding a 1994 BMW motorcycle
equipped with a Corbin saddle.
The priapism—which, if you
don’t already know is a boner that just
won’t go away—has endured for almost
two years, and, according to the lawsuit,
was caused by a “ridge” on the seat.
advertiser) who hosted the event. Innocent
selected a pair of custom-fitted Wesco
linesman’s boots for his trip.
“I felt like I was wasting my life—I
needed to do something interesting and
important,” Innocent told News, Clues.
They expect to be gone about eight months,
and will be blogging and posting about
hteir trip on the Stompers Facebook page
(facebook.com/stompersboots) and on
ADV rider: bit.ly/sf2tdf. Given Innocent’s
lack of riding experience and the already
worn condition of the motorcycles they
left on, it should be an interesting trip
packed with adventure. Daren, a little more
experienced, has simple expectations: “We
hope it’s a round trip.”
JAM-PACKED
[Thanks go out to the scores of faithful
readers and race fans who attended
CityBike’s Ride to the Jam to attend the
AMA Superbike races at Infineon Raceway.
The ride was pleasant and netted preferred
parking and discounted admission for our
Husband-and wife racers Josh Hayes and
Melissa Paris share a pre-race smooch.
Photo: Will Guyan.
the weekend. He drafted Bartel’s H-D
teammate and local boy Tyler O’Hara
until they were rounding turn 12, when
he inched past on the front straight for
a photo finish—classic Harley-racing
stuff.
Further back in the pack, local racer
Michael Hannas was duking it out for
11th place—on a rented bike. Let’s hear
his story:
ELEVENTH PLACE WAS MINE
By Michael Hannas
Will Guyan got some remarkable shots of Hayes not-quite saving his bike from a lowside in the
bus-stop chicane.
We asked Corbin about this and we could
practically hear the eye-rolling through the
email: “There is no official comment at this
time.” BMW is similarly mute.
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The Jam itself was fun—intimate for a
national-level event and packed with
great racing and activities. The Superbike,
Sophomoric giggling aside, we call on Mr. Supersport and Daytona Sportbike racing
Wolf to drop his case. We are sympathetic was close, competitive and exciting, of
to your pain, especially after doing a
course, with the Team Amsoil Hero
Google Image search for “priapism,”
Buell 1190Rs piloted by Geoff May and
(hint: never do this) but it seems a stretch
Danny Eslick making very strong top-ten
that your condition was caused by the
finishes and local boys packing the top-ten
motorcycle saddle (and if it was caused by
spots in the middleweight classes. The
the saddle, why are you suing BMW too?). TTXGP electric race was, well, not exactly
Corbin is a good company that behaves
rousing, but we were very impressed
ethically and makes a fine product—and
by two things—one, the availability of
not a lot of money. Please don’t kill a local
turn-key street-based racebikes from Zero
motorcycle company.
motorcycles that could finish an eight-lap
race at an undulating, up-and-down track
STOMP AROUND THE WORLD
like Infineon, and two, the impressive top
speeds and lap times of winner Michael
News, Clues attended a sending-off party
Barnes, who could have finished top-ten
for Erik Innocent and Darren Cormack,
in the XR1200 race on his Lightning
two guys on a mission. Innocent, who
(given it could go 3 extra laps) with his
started riding just a few years ago, has
decided to quit his computer-programming 1:51 laptimes. Sadly, the Brammo team
was kept out when
job and take off
rider and motodown to Tierra Del
journo Steve Atlas
Fuego on his wellhad a nasty practice
worn Kawasaki
crash and other teams
KLR650.
dropped out because
Accompanied
of technical issues.
by good buddy
Cormack, the duo
Shortly after the
are sponsored by
TTXGP, the 43-yearStompers Boots,
old Barnes managed
the specialty
to turn 1:46es in the
South of Market
XR1200 race, which
boot shop
may have been the
(and a CityBike
most entertaining of
And when we say “big,”
we mean the 120-mph
craziness that is a milelong dirt track. First up is
Sacramento on July 28th,
and tickets are on sale now,
starting at just $20. But
why cheap out? For $95,
you get the skybox seats on
top of the grandstand, and
I only got one practice session and one
it includes a buffet dinner.
qualifying session on Saturday to figure
CityBike will be there—
out how to ride a Hog, and one more
so you should go. Go to
20-minute warm-up Sunday morning
sacramentoflattrack.com
before the race. The first practice was
or call 707/703-3633 for
definitely an eye-opener; I had no idea what tickets.
I had gotten myself into. While turning in
Santa Rosa is also hosting a mile on
on the brakes the bike would wallow and
September 30, 42 years after the last mile
wobble to the point of throwing my butt
event at the Santa Rosa fairgrounds. Go to
out of the seat, and it took me the whole
session to figure out the only way to stop
the wobbling was to get back on the gas.
Okay, no problem, I thought, just take
everything I’ve learned in 15 years of road
racing at Infineon and throw it out the
window.
their name on it! This seemed to get a few
more people interested, with a few friends
throwing down. Within a couple more
days I had enough raised to at least cover
the rental fee, and I had another paycheck
coming before the weekend, so tires, gas,
and entry wouldn’t be a problem. My
personal bills at the end of the month were
looming, but who cares, I was going racing.
It’s Wednesday morning the week before
the AMA Superbike event at Infineon
Raceway. I’m sitting at work surfing the
‘Net for the latest motorcycle news when
I come across a press release from Kyle
Wyman Racing about a new rental program
for Harley Davidson XR1200X racebikes.
I quickly called Kyle to find out the
details: $2000 rental fee for the weekend
included the fully race-prepped bike, tools,
stands, and pit equipment, along with
technical support. I was to provide my own
mechanic, entry fees, gas, and tires, as well
as riding gear. I told him count me in.
Now I had about a week to get my license
and entry handled, and more importantly,
to raise the funds to make it all happen. A
quick call to the friendly folks at AMA and
some overnighting of documents had the
license handled, and since post-entry is
allowed for the XR class, we were set there,
too. Now how to raise the money?
I threw a post up on my Facebook page
announcing I would be racing an XR at
Infineon and that the first 10 people to
kick in $200 would get their name on the
bike I had a few folks hit me up within a
couple hours, and had about a third of what
I needed raised by the end of the day. With
not much time left, I began to panic and
threw up another post stating okay, how
about the first 100 people to kick in $20 get
I ended up qualifying 12th on the grid, but
wasn’t happy, as I knew I should have been
a few spots further up. I got a pretty good
start from the outside of the fourth row
and just kept it pinned up the hill to Turn
2. After the first lap I seemed to be in about
the position I started, but was actually
ahead of one of the guys who out-qualified
me, Pete Demas.
On a normal bike I wouldn’t have much
trouble staying ahead of Pete, but on
the Hog it took everything I had for 11
laps straight to keep him behind me. He
definitely knows how to ride one of these
things. I had to brake as late as possible for
every turn and maximize every drive to
keep him at bay, but when I finally saw the
checkered flag I knew I had him. 11th place
was mine. I wasn’t too proud of myself, but
hey, at least I beat Pete!
Special thanks to: Lilly Mae’s Cinnamon
Rolls, Mach 1 Motorsports, Borup Only
Suspension Service, Addiction Motors,
Bert Toth, D.L., 3Js Motorcycle Days,
and Ace Racing for all the help; also
to Kyle Wyman Racing (xrrentals@
kylewymanracing.com) for creating the
rental program and being such a good
teammate for the weekend.
MILES AND MILES
If you haven’t gotten enough booming
Harley racing action for the year, don’t
worry. We’ve got some big flat-track events
coming up that are not to be missed.
santarosamile.com or call 707/703-3633
for tickets. Both the Sacto and Santa Rosa
events include the big XR-based Twins
and factory-based 450 Singles classes. It’s
a full evening of racing, so be prepared for
a late night.
Still not enough hot-shoeing? Eddie
Mulder’s vintage dirt-track series will be
at the Sacramento Mile on the 29th of
July, the Sunday after the AMA event, and
in Bakersfield for a short-track event on
September 15th. Go to eddiemuldercvdts.
com or call 661/944-1184 for info.
“MotoSFO brings all my favorite activities
and areas of expertise together,” says King.
“It combines motorcycle touring, travel,
writing, editing, photography, and web
design, all in my favorite place to live and
ride in the world, Northern California.”
Visit it at motoSFO.com
LAGUNA AND INFINEON
NAMING
BARFING CLUB
This may have been the last year we call
the storied raceway “Infineon.” The giant
technology company signed a 34.4-million
deal 10 years ago. That deal expires in May
and the German firm isn’t renewing, and
Speedway Motorsports (the raceway’s
owner) doesn’t seem to have a firm buyer
for the naming rights. It’ll be nice to say
“Sears” again, if only for a while—sports
venue naming rights are big business,
especially when the venue hosts a popular
NASCAR event.
Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, however,
doesn’t have that problem—Mazda has
re-signed with SCRAMP and the county
to continue with the naming rights at least
until 2016. Zoom zoom…
MOTOSFO
Friend of CityBike Carla King has a new
website devoted to motorcycle touring in
Northern California. She developed the
site for her Motorcycle Misadventures
blog readers and others who asked for
information and advice about motorcycle
travel in this very popular tourist
destination. The site combines travel stories
with maps, resources, news, and events of
specific interest to motorcyclists.
Don’t call the AMA behind the times:
apparently the AMA has a new program
for “chartered online motorcycle
communities,” affording AMA recognition
to Internet-based groups. And Bay Area
Rider’s Forum (known as “BARF” and
located at bayarearidersforum.com ) is the
very first such group, with AMA O/MC
number 0001. “I am stoked that the AMA
feels our community is worthy of this and
really happy for all that you guys do to
make barf stand out,” wrote BARF owner
Bud Kobza. BARF has a fundraising and
AMA membership drive going now—go
online and check it out.
JUPITER TRAVELING
Finally, news from one of
CityBike’s favorite
adventure riders, Ted
Simon:
Six more months
have passed,
with not a word
from me. No,
I’m not dead, I
checked. And now,
at last, there’s news. I am the
proud father of another book
and though the labor was long
and, at times, agonizing, my latest offspring
has finally gone to press and looks lovely.
Because it is all about my journey through
the British Isles there are no plans yet to
publish it in the USA, but that doesn’t
mean it wouldn’t interest American
readers, at least not the ones who have
followed me on my other journeys. It is
more than usually autobiographical and
I’ve finally let rip with my opinions and
prejudices.
Please go to my website jupitalia.com,
and read all about it. I should be able to
get some copies over here soon, so let me
know if you want on, signed of course. I
don’t know about prices yet, but hey, what’s
money for?
NEW STUFF JUNE 2012
AIRHAWK
The Roho Group, manufacturer of medical
dry flotation and seat cushioning devices
have released the Airhawk R
(starting at $200), an updated
version of the Airhawk
seat ($190 and
up) specifically
designed
to reduce
pressure on
sensitive areas
such as the
tailbone and
prostate, and
the Airhawk 2
line (starting at
KARI’S KORNER
Top Case
By Zina Deretsky
To those who deem it a disgrace
To ride preceding a top case:
I say to them “Embrace, embrace
This clam-shaped capsule lacking grace.
“Within its maw what not you place
Will be ground down to naught apace,
“Like protein gnawed by protease…
And now your things you must replace.
“Now should you really want to race,
It will drag down your riding pace…
“Still, the facts are staring in your face:
Among containers, ‘tis an ace!”
And now that we’ve printed this poem, we feel
debased…—ed.
$92), a value-engineered version with a
lower retail price.
I’ve been a loyal customer of Airhawk
products for more than 15 years. In fact, I
still have the first one I bought, although
it needs repair. My wife and I own 4
Airhawk cushions. I received an Airhawk
2 medium cruiser size for review. I have
used the seat cushion for a month on a
couple different bikes.
The inflation bladder of the Airhawk 2 is
made of thinner polyurethane material,
and has fewer and larger flotation cells than
the traditional Airhawk line. The Airhawk 2
is also significantly lighter.
How do they compare in use? The
Airhawk 2 results in markedly improved
comfort over the stock saddle. The
difference in comfort with fewer cells
is almost imperceptible. The only true
deficit is that the textured material on the
bottom of the cover is less grippy than
the other models, allowing the cushion to
shift on the stock saddle, an annoyance
since there is a definite “sweet spot” for
cushion placement.
Does the Airhawk 2 represent a good
purchase? They are a unique product in
the marketplace, and are, quite simply, the
best-performing seat amendment I’ve ever
used. The only question is durability. The
regular Airhawk products I’ve owned have
lasted well. Roho is known to make quality
products, and I believe and trust that they
would not risk their sterling reputation
with inferior goods.
– Alan Lapp
For more information, go to the on-line store at
therohogroup.com or call 800/851-3449.
SCHUBERTH S2
Oh, man, but some of those BMW guys
really love their old BMW System helmets,
to a literally unhealthy degree. That’s
The Ultimate Sport-Urban-Adventure-Tourer
by Torrey Nommesen
I had the privilege of going to the
unveiling of the Empulse, the new
electric motorcycle from Brammo, at a
swanky club in Hollywood. There was
booze, photo-booth girls and dancing
as well as the unveiling of the new
electric sportbike.
150 horsepower
15,000 mile service intervals
Traction Control
Plus available ABS
Here’s 5ive things that I learned about
the Empulse:
Electronic Suspension
5. It looks like a motorcycle.
Luggage System
Modeled after sportbikes, streetfighters,
and cafe racers, it actually looks pretty
sweet. I’d put more faring on it to hide
the battery, and the instrument cluster
sticking up above the front housing for
the headlamp looks a little wonky, but
that’s nitpicking.
4. It acts like a motorcycle.
It has a six-speed transmission.
Electric motors don’t really need gears,
but Empulse put them in to give it a
more sportbike-like powertrain. With
a claimed 46.5 ft-lb of torque, it’s up
there with a 600cc sportbike. Also, it’s
liquid-cooled.
3. It’s expensive!
At $19,000 for the Empulse R, and the
regular Empulse at $17,000, it’s not
something for the casual rider. The R
model is expected out by the end of this
year, and the regular one will come out
next year. As far as I can tell, the only
thing you get for $2000 is carbon fiber.
2. But they’re selling like hotcakes.
One thousand of them have been
pre-sold. I’d like one. If I was a dotcom millionaire (apparently the target
market) I’d buy two of them.
Call to schedule a private demo ride
1. Brammo knows how to throw a party.
Complimentary ‘Brammo Bulls’
(Red Bull, Vodka, splash of
grenadine) and crazy hors d’oeuvres
were served by hot waitresses. They
rented out a Hollywood club and the
music was pumping. Dancing was
going on until the wee hours, or at
least way past my bedtime.
412 Valencia, San Francisco
www.munroemotors.com
3600 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz
www.motoitaliano.com
1289 W. El Camino Real, Sunnyvale
www.hondapeninsula.com
(415) 626-3496
(831) 462-6686
(408) 739-6500
Schuberth’s goal with the $699 S2 was to
develop an “ultra light, ultra-quiet highend all-around full-face motorcycle helmet
with integrated sun visor and internal
antenna.” That’s a mouthful, but I think
Hey, don’t start crying. It’s okay. Schuberth, they nailed it.
Germany’s maker of fine motorcycle,
To achieve these things, Schuberth started
car, military, construction and riot
with a technology the company calls
police helmets is back in the USA and
“STRONG”—an acronym for a lot of stuff
once again selling its wares in BMW and
independent dealers. The new C3 modular that refers to the shell-making process. The
shell isn’t hand-laid; instead a proprietary
helmet is receiving rave reviews as one of
bag-molding process is used to get a
the quietest, lightest flip-front helmets
stronger, more consistent shell while using
on the market, but Schuberth wanted
less materiel, saving weight and allowing a
CityBike readers to know about its all-new
more compact, aerodynamic shape. Other
S2 full-face helmet so much it sent its
shell features include an “Air Extraction
communications manager, Sarah Schilke,
System” touted to pull 10 liters of air a
up to visit us with a new S2 and a handy
second through the helmet at 60 mph and
power-point presentation to show us the
an integrated Bluetooth/FM antenna. The
awesomeness of its new lid.
because helmets age and lose their protective
capabilities. Dude: throw that smelly old lid
away. Sure, it was expensive back in 1996,
but you got your money’s worth.
helmet isn’t Snell approved, but it exceeds
both ECE and DOT standards. Schuberth
says the ECE standard is a very through
and proven standard.
Plenty of energy was devoted to making
the helmet quiet. A close-fitting collar fits
between neck and helmet to block out
ambient sound, there are little aerospacederived “turbulator” doo-dads on the visor
to reduce whistling wind noise, and a trim
spoiler and rear spoiler reduce drag and
noise. Schuberth has its own wind tunnel
and isn’t afraid to make journalists watch a
video of wind-tunnel testing to prove it.
Blah, blah, blah. Every helmet maker
goes on and on about helmet features.
How good is it? It is light—take the
bottom collar off and it’s lighter than
the polycarbonate-shell HJC IS-16 by 2
ounces, and just an ounce heavier than the
carbon-fiber HJC RPS-10—which has no
internal sun visor. The interior is plush,
washable Thermo-cool and Cool-Max
fabric and feels nice on the skin. The fit was
comfy, and sizing seems a little loose—the
small is a little big for me.
Riding with the helmet for the first time,
I wasn’t impressed by the helmet’s soundsuppression claims—until I looked at
my speedometer. I was going a lot faster
than usual. This really is a really quiet
helmet, and it’s even comfortable enough
to skip wearing earplugs below 60 mph.
With plugs you can hear the turbulence
generated by the big air-scoop thing on
top, but the helmet’s good stability and
aerodynamics make up for it. Ventilation is
good, too—you can actually notice airflow
when the vents are open at legal speeds.
There are lots of other nice features. An
anti-roll-off system uses additional straps
to keeop the helmet from coming off your
head in a crash, and a Pinlock anti-fog
insert is included. Optical clarity of the
faceshield is excellent, as is that of the
internal sun visor. The neck collar really
cuts down on noise, but it also makes the
helmet harder to don and doff—my only
real complaint. I couldn’t test the internal
antenna; that will have to wait until
Schuberth sends
Sarah back to
Oakland to
show me
the
Power Point presentation for its integrated
Cardo-developed SRC Bluetooth system.
She’s also told me some more interesting
color options besides matte black, silver,
white and black will be coming soon. There
are two shell sizes to accomodate the full
range of sizes from XS to XXXL.
So it’s a pretty good helmet—but is it
worth $700? I’d say yes, for the right
buyer—somebody who knows the quality
and obsessive engineering of the Schuberth
brand. That’s about what top-of-the-line
helmets cost these days. If I could shell
out that kind of money on anything but
student-loan payments I’d feel confident
that Schuberth’s commitment to quality
and safety are bringing me one of the safest
and best-designed helmets on the market,
so what’s your head worth? $700 at least,
right? Go to schuberthnorthamerica.com
or call your local BMW dealer to reunite
with your loved one.
PIPE DREAMS
Hey kids! Want to soup up your 2008-2012
Ninja 250R or 2011 and newer Honda
CBR250R but don’t have a lot of cake
lying around? Local company LeoVince
EVENTS APRIL 2012
First Monday of each month
(June 4, July 2):
2:30 – 10:00 pm: Northern California
Ducati Bike Nights at Benissimo (one
of Marin’s finest Italian Restaurants), 18
Tamalpias Dr, Corte Madera. NorCalDoc.
com
6:00 pm: American Sport Bike Night
at Dick’s Restaurant and Cocktails,
3188 Alvarado Street, San Leandro. Bring
your Buell and hang out with like-minded
riders. All brands welcome! Our meeting of
Buell and Motorcycle enthusiasts has been
happening the first Monday of the month
for the last 12 years, without ever missing
a meeting. We have had many local and
national celebrities from the motorcycle
world grace our meetings. It has been fun
and exciting. americansportbikenight.net
6:00 pm: California (Northern, East
Bay) NORCAL Guzzi Bike Night at
Applebee’s at McCarthy Ranch Mall, off
880, in Milpitas, California. All MGNOC
members, interested Guzzi riders, and all
other motorcycle riders always welcome.
More information, contact Pierre at:
408/710-4886 or pierredacunha@yahoo.
com.
Second Tuesday of Each Month
(June 12, July 10)
6:30 pm to 10:00 pm: East Bay Ducati
Bike Night at Pizza Antica (3600 Mount
Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, 925/299-0500)
Bike parking on the street right in front of
the restaurant, indoor and heated outdoor
seating, excellent wine list. All moto brands
welcome. Bring your appetite and a smile,
be prepared to make new friends.
Every Friday Through September 2012
5:00 pm: Primetime Classic Autorama
show (1551 Sycamore Ave, Hercules: Home
Depot parking lot) Always FREE to show/
attend. Bring all your classic rides: cars/
trucks / motorcycles / big rigs / military.
ALL ARE WELCOME! BBQ / vendors
/ and a raffle. Call Professor J at 510/4553093 or hit professorj.biz
First Saturdays of each month
(June 2, July 7)
Mission Motorcycles (6292 Mission
St. Daly City, missionmotorcycles.com
650/992-1234) has Brown Bag Saturdays:
15% off all parts and accessories you can
stuff into a brown paper sack.
Third Sunday of each month
(June 17, July 19):
9:00 am: California (Northern)
Moto Guzzi National Owners Club
(MGNOC) breakfast at Putah Creek
Cafe in picturesque Winters, California
(Highways 505/128) MGNOC members
and interested Guzzi riders meet for
breakfast and a good time. The Putah Creek
Cafe is located at Railroad Avenue. More
information contact: Northern California
MGNOC Rep, Don Van Zandt at 707-5575199.
There is no charge to view the exhibition.
Evenings: Moto-Sketch at Tosca Cafe:
come and sketch a live model draped over a For more information, please visit flysfo.
custom bike. $7 to sketch, free to just watch. com/museum.
Tosca Cafe, 242 Columbus Ave. in S.F.
Every day through July, 2012
Moto Bellissima Exhibit at SFO
The Italian propensity for artistic design,
historically demonstrated in a wide range
of manufactured goods, has perhaps
never been better exemplified than in
the beautiful motorcycles that graced
Italy’s racetracks and roadways in the
1950s and 1960s. Over the course of two
decades, an unprecedented number of
Italian firms, many of them lost to history,
produced a dizzying array of small-sized
motorcycles for a country with a desperate
need for mobility after World War II.
These machines were created at a time of
impoverished resources, but consistent
with a characteristically Italian insistence
on producing, and demanding, objects of
extraordinary design and beauty. Nineteen
motorcycles, ranging from singularly
produced racers such as Carlo Ubbiali’s
1951 Mondial 125cc Bialbero Grand Prix
to 50cc production bikes from the late
1960s, demonstrate that while necessity
breeds invention, the results can be truly
stunning.
Friday, May 25 to Sunday May 27
Moto Bellissima: Italian Motorcycles from
the 1950s and 1960s is located pre-security
in the International Terminal Main
Hall Departures Lobby, San Francisco
International Airport. The exhibition is on
view to all Airport visitors until July, 2012.
River City Beemers Spring Ridefest:
(Gold Country Fairgrounds, Auburn, CA)
Daily poker runs, door prizes, camping,
food, nightly entertainment, event pin,
50/50 drawings, daily dual-sport rides and
BMW rally-like event. The event includes
USA has some options. For the Ninja,
you can choose an aluminum ($199) or
carbon-fiber ($239) slip-on exhaust for
that throaty sound and lighter weight. You
can also go whole hog and opt for the full
system with aluminum ($569) or carbon
($599) mufflers—which LeoVince claims
will net you a 7 horsepower gain. That’s a
28 percent bump over stock, plus you
(actually, your motorcycle) drop
9 pounds. Yow!
For the Honda, the
prices are the same for
the slip-ons, but the
full system is less—
$299 for aluminum
and $339 for carbon.
You’ll lose a lot more
weight (13 pounds), but
you’ll only pick up 2 hp.
The good news about
LeoVince’s products is
they are European quality,
fit nicely and easily, have
removable quiet inserts
and require no tuning to
work right, although tuning
is recommended to get the
fueling perfect. Go to your local
motorcycle shop or the LeoVince
USA website at leovinceusa.com or call
510/232-4040.
The Dainese D-Store San Francisco will
be partnering up with Mazda Raceway
Laguna Seca this 2012 MotoGP season,
giving local fans a place to purchase
tickets directly. The D-Store hosts race
viewing parties on its big multi-screen
video wall for the entire season and
Mazda Raceway will be present at the
store on specific race viewing days to sell
general admission tickets.
Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca will sell
tickets at the D-Store from noon–3:00
pm on the following dates: June 3rd and
17th, July 8th and 15th and you’ll save
$20 over paying at the gate.
3-day (Fri/Sat/Sun) General Admission:
$80
2-day (Sat/Sun) General Admission: $75
Friday General Admission: $35
Saturday General Admission: $45
Sunday General Admission: $55
camping at the Gold Country Fairgrounds
in Auburn (off-site hotel options exist for
the non-camping set), breakfast and dinner
each day, plenty of self-directed riding
(both road and off-road routes available),
optional entertainment each evening, and
opportunities to win awards and prizes.
Saturday, June 16th
9:00 am-3:00 pm: Primetime Classic
Autorama show at Infineon Raceway
(Hwy 37 & 116, Sonoma) Always FREE to
show/attend. Bring all your classic rides:
cars/ trucks / motorcycles / big rigs /
military. All are welcome! BBQ / vendors
Participants will pay $85/person and receive / and a raffle. Call Professor J at 510/455a commemorative pin. T-Shirts are available 3093 or hit professorj.biz
for an extra cost. More information at rcb.
Friday, June 15-Saturday June 16
org/ridefest.
NOTE- National AMCA Judging, All
entries must be 35 years old or older.
Vendors must be AMCA members. Public
invited to attend. Spectators free, donations
accepted.
For complete details please visit
amcafortsutter.org or call 209/368-7259 or
916/452-9847
Sunday, June 17th
1:30 – 5:00 pm: Stompers Boots Boot
Both Days: Fort Sutter Chapter of the
Party (323 10th Street, San Francisco,
Sunday, June 3rd
AMCA National Antique Motorcycle
415/255-6422) All boot-wearers are invited
Swap Meet and Show (Dixon Fairgrounds, to stop by Stompers to celebrate all things
Mopar Alley 22nd Annual Rally at
655 S. 1st Street, Dixon, CA)
boot-related. Pizza, beer, sodas and talk
Stevens Creek Chrysler (4100 Stevens
about boots with the Stompers folk! Get a
Creek Blvd. San Jose, 888/838-6705)
Activities include-Friday: Swap Meet,
boot shine from International Boot Black
LArgest one-day Mopar show in California, Vending, Technical Seminars, Bike Corral
champions Ms. V and Ms. Luna while
and an evening Banquet. Saturday: Swap
with over 350 cars annually. 36 classes,
you’re there.
Meet, Vending, Technical Seminars,
125-plus prizes awarded, goodie bags for
Bike Corral, Field Meet and National
5:28 pm: Joint birthday celebration of
first 200 entries. Food, drink, raffle, prize
Judging with Awards. Food, T-Shirts,
CityBike Editor Ets-Hokin and former
drawing. Spectators and parking are free.
House Speaker Newt Gingrich (top
Call 408/981-3326 or go to moparalley.org Commemorative Pins, Camping and RV
hook ups also available at the event.
of Mount Aetna, 95012 Castiglione di
for more info.
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LAP
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With A er $500!
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We stock a large selection of
heavy duty jackets , pants,
chaps, & bags.
Custom garments and accessories.
We repair, alter and
clean leather products.
Our leathers are guaranteed
against defect for life.
We make
custom 1 & 2 piece
1833 Polk St. (@ Jackson) San Francisco - johnsonleather.com
leathers!
(800) 730-7722 • (415) 775-7393
Forcefield Body Armour, The worlds
leading “Soft armour technology”
Body protection system specialists.
Sicilia Catania, Italy +39 095/821111)
Observe from 30 miles away as the Editor
and the Speaker are wreathed in a bright,
shimmering light and summoned up to be
seated among the gods. Burnt offerings,
virgin sacrifices, a great wailing and
gnashing of teeth. Rend your garments!
Light refreshments and time-share sales
presentation to follow.
voting with awards to follow). This year
we will feature Bridgestone Motorcycles.
Pre-register and get a gift bag filled with
moto-goodies!
Monday, June 18th
2012 NATA Rally at Mt. Madonna
County Park in Watsonville (Mt.
Madonna County Park Manzanita Camp
Site 7850 Pole Line Rd Watsonville,
408/842-2341)
21st Annual Motorcycle and Scooter Ride
To Work Day
To encourage record setting numbers of
riders to participate in the 2012 Ride To
Work Day, spread the word by every means
possible—word of mouth, print ads, web
banners ads, blog posts, news and magazine
articles, press coverage, Facebook, Twitter,
YouTube…Together we can make this the
largest, most impactful Ride To Work Day
to date!
Public service ads, web banners, posters and
other free downloadable propaganda
material is available at: ridetowork.org/
ride-to-work-day-ads
Pease help spread the word. Thank you
and safe riding!
Sunday June 24th
9:00 am-4:00 pm: Bikes on the Bay,
Capitola (Capitola Mall Parking Lot
off 41st Avenue in Capitola) Bring the
family and check out hundreds of pre1988 American, British, European and
Japanese motorcycles and scooters. Find
the part you’ve been looking for at the
Motorcycle Swap Meet or purchase your
dream motorcycle in the Bike Corral
where used motorcycles and scooters
will be for sale. Vendors showcase the
latest in bike accessories, clothing, parts
and services. Enjoy entertainment,
food and awards. Admission is FREE!
More info: bikesonthebay.com or call
831/475-6522.
Bike Show entry forms: Roger
at [email protected] or
408/933‐8784
Friday, June 29-Sunday July 1
The 2012 NATA-RALLY is a non-profit
Not-A-Rally gathering of motorcycle
enthusiasts organized by a group of mature
and experienced Moto Guzzi riders
and enthusiasts. There will be plenty of
motorcycle rides and camping surrounded
by the local redwoods. All proceeds will
be benefiting the Children’s Hospices
& Palliative Care Coalition located in
Watsonville.All proceeds will be benefiting
the Children’s Hospices & Palliative Care
Coalition located in Watsonville.
guided rides, activities, games and food as it
becomes available: nata-rally.org.
Sunday, July 1st
Zen House Assen MotoGP (215 Main
Wine Bar, 215 Main St, Point Arena,
facebook.com/215main 707/882-3215)
Doc Wong Clinics!
CityBike says if you haven’t done a Doc Wong clinic, go do one ASAP. It’s fun, free and
will make you a better/safer/happier rider. Register by emailing [email protected] or
call Full Motion Chiropractic at 650/365-7775.
Ride the twisites up to Point Arena, then
spend the afternoon watching MotoGP.
Call Zen HOuse for details: 707/882-2281.
Friday night June 8 “Basic Suspension Part 1” 7:15pm
Sunday June 10 “CPR and First Aid for Motorcyclists Class” 9:00 am-3:00 pm
Friday June 15 “Riding Position and Ergonomics Workshop” 7:15 pm
Sunday June 17 “Smooth Riding - Body English-Weight Transfer” 9:00 am-2:30 pm
Friday 7:15 pm and Sunday 9:00 am June 22-24 “Dual Sport Adventure Riding Clinic”
Saturday, July 7th
More info: docwong.com
10:00 am to 5:00 pm: NorCal Knockout
(Solano County Fairgrounds, Vallejo, just
by I-80 and CA-37). A nostalgic rock’n’roll
bike and car show. Pre ‘70 American-made
hot rods, customs, race cars, bombs. ‘40s
to 60s traditionally styled motorcycles.
Displays, exhibitions, lots of vendors, hot
food, cold drinks, tattoo artists, pinstripers,
live garage rock’n’roll and rockabilly.
Moustache contest, speedboats, trophies,
food vendors, more! Kick back among the
many shaded tree areas, enjoy live music
from the stage and great dj’s.
starts at 3:30 at the OMC HQ: 742 45th
Avenue, Oakland. Call 510/537-5392 for
more info or email [email protected] for
more info.
Save the Date: Sunday, July 22nd
11:00 am-2:00 pm: CityBike Day at The
Junction (The Junction, 47300 Mines Road,
Livermore, thejunctionbarandgrill.com,
408/897-3148)
Join the cast and crew of the CityBike Reality
Magazine Show as they try to shake hands
Entrance for walk-ins is $10, Pre-registrered with every rider who turns out for this year’s
vehicles, $20, at-the-gate fee $25. More info: episode of CityBike Day, an excuse for a good
Pricing is $18 per motorcycle each night
ride interrupted by a party and get-together
(Friday and Saturday). Due to limited space, norcalknockout.com
Static displays of motorcycles from Tri-Valley
camping is by pre-registration only. Please
Saturday, July 21
Moto, Tri-Quest sidecars, A&A Racing,
register for camping at the Manzanita camp
Uniform Speed Racing, braking clinic with
9:30
pm:
Oakland
Motorcycle
Club
site by emailing: registration@nata-rally.
Superbike Coach Can Akkaya. Prizes (with
org. Day visit is $6 per motorcycle each day Three-Bridge Run
actual valuable prizes!) for oldest bike from
(Friday, Saturday, and/or Sunday). Day
All riders and guests welcome to OMC’s big each continent, plus best home-built. In
use visitors are very welcome all days. RV
social event of the year! Barbequed burgers, addition to booths and displays from our
and/or Yurt camping also available, go to
live band, 50/50 raffle, trophies, poker run! many other sponsors, there will be a trivia
gooutsideandplay.org to make reservations. $20 ticket includes food and music. Sign-in contest, live music by Charlie O’Hanlon’s
We will be adding more information about
Saturday, June 30 and Sunday, July 1,
2012
17th Annual Classic Japanese
Motorcycle Swap and Show At the
Gold Country Fairgrounds, Auburn
(Hwy. 80, between Sacramento and
Reno). Enjoy food, fun and the fantastic
bikes at the West coast’s largest strictly
Japanese motorcycle event. Presented
by the Classic Japanese Motorcycle
Club. Details at cjmc.org (see our
calendar section).
Saturday: The Swap Meet
Repair & Service
We Ship Worldwide
CALL
US
FIRST!
Salvaged & New Parts!
Tue–Fri 10–6 Sat 9–5
(starts at 7:00 am and continues
through Sunday) Find the parts you
need Bikes for sale at the Corral Hear the
sweet sounds of Japanese horsepower
(new event) Learn at the afternoon tech
sessions (new event) Don’t miss the
sunset group ride.
Swap info: Chal at [email protected]
or 530/559‐0350.
Sunday: The Bike Show
(10.30 am –2:00 pm)
See Vintage, Classic, Race, Café,
Custom, Off‐Road, Future Classic and
other bike categories (people’s choice
Take it to the track! Catch some of the
best, most varied, most competitive
roadracing anywhere with our local
racing club, the American Federation of
Motorcyclists.
For racetrack and spectator info or
to find out about corner-working
opportunities or how to get your race
license, go to afmracing.org or call
510/796-7005.
June 2 and 3: Thunderhill
June 30 and July 1: Infineon
August 4 and 5: Thunderhill
September 1 and 2: Infineon
October 6 and 7: Thunderhill
band and the warm pleasure of meeting staff,
contributors and readers of your favorite
magazine. Don’t miss it this year!
For more info refer to this issue’s “News,
Clues” or go to our Facebook page or our
website: citybike.com.
The Chef’s Special: Tyler Florence’s Triumph Bonneville Cafe Racer
Whipping up something tasty in Marin.
By John Joss, Photos by Joshua
Ets-Hokin
I
t sits silent on its tires, but with
character and attitude—lean and
mean, all business. A fighter. This
‘California Bruiser’ was created by a
bike chef, Michael McDonald, who
had virtually a free hand to cook up a
masterpiece for an appreciative celebritychef owner, Tyler Florence.
Creating a new and original production
motorcycle costs millions—millions of
dollars, euros, yen, pounds or lire, tens of
thousands of man-hours, years of effort.
Those two co-conspirators in Marin
County, California, did it in months,
for peanuts, running on passion and
commitment. Quite a few peanuts, in all
probability, but considering the cost of
original art, original
anything, probably
not that many.
Actual cost of project
bikes depends on
the level of custom
fabrication and labor
hours involved, and
they’re not telling.
Big-name original
art sells for millions.
Of course, as the old
saying goes, if you
have to ask how much
it costs…you can’t
afford it.
The men, the passion, the
commitment
Michael McDonald—“51 going on 15,”
as he puts it, originally from San Diego—
learned to love motorcycles at his father’s
knee, starting at age five. Tyler Florence,
41, got hooked on cooking as a boy in
South Carolina, became a great chef with
restaurants in New York, San Francisco,
Napa and Marin, and is a TV cooking star.
Both now call Marin County home.
Each worked for years, each establishing
his reputation, each without knowing the
other, until they came together a year ago to
create a unique and beautiful motorcycle.
No doubt smiling tacit approval back in
Hinckley: Triumph’s John Bloor, who in
1984 resuscitated an iconic marque with a
unique line of modern machines.
A motorcycle chef-builder’s
cooking recipe
Tyler Florence: passion,
intensity
❍ Take one new Bonneville T100, keep
the frame and stock engine, remove
everything else.
He seems affable and easygoing but this
passionate, intense man wants to live fully,
devising original…everything…based on a
voracious appetite for inventing signature
food and wine. Now: motorcycles. “I was
captivated by motorcycles going back to
my boyhood. They looked to me like birds
in flight. The freedom, the control, the
connection between machine and body,
reached out to me.”
On creating his Triumph: “This [project]
haunted me for a decade, based on my
idea of ‘one of one.’ When I get a vision
I have to get it out there. I met Michael
McDonald in Napa and I started from
minute one to think about having him
earlier motorcycle art include his $140,000
NCR Ducati (“Hattar Moto’s NCR Leggera
Special,” June 2010) and a gorgeous
Triumph Scrambler-based street-tracker, its
power raised from 39.4 horsepower on the
dyno to 100-plus.
Michael has created seven groundup custom bikes since 2008. Current
projects still in his ‘kitchen’ include a
full-custom NCR M4, a Harley Bobber,
another Triumph café racer and a hushhush NCR project he can’t talk about yet.
Watch this space.
Get right down to it, Tyler Florence
is toying with our taste buds and
Michael McDonald is messing with our
motorcycling minds. Both ways, we win.
Yet for chefs and restaurateurs, as for TV
stars or custom bike builders, standing out
as a unique contributor in a competitive
world is a daunting challenge.
Custom bike builders face
the same challenge. For
McDonald, starting with
special paint on select
bikes, it was a different
dream: “Complete bikes.
❍ Ceramic-tape wrap the pipes for
scale, and fit Norton Commando
‘peashooter’ tail pipes.
❍ Re-valve the forks and use Öhlins’
few-off ATV race shocks at the back.
Michael McDonald and his remarkable NCR
Ducati. Photo by Bob Stokstad
your skill levels?’ and I answered: ‘I think
I’m dangerous.’
“I’d ridden scooters since I was 12, so
two wheels were comfortable for me. But
[motorcycles] are much
more. I loved the learning
process but it can’t be taken
lightly—these machines can
kill. You have to know your
abilities, the way you interact
with cars—you’re competing
with them for road space.
The bike becomes an
extension of the body as
you acquire confidence
in your riding ability. It’s
about personal freedom,
something that I do for me.”
Something he’s doing
for others, including you
and me? In his 16th year
on television’s ‘Food
Network,’ he’s participating
in the ‘Great Food Truck
Race’ from Los Angeles to
Maine. Tune in and prepare
to be amazed.
Toying with our taste buds,
messing with our minds
McDonald, Service Manager and Special
Projects Coordinator: “Here at Hattar—
soon to become Marin Speedshop—we
cater to individuals who want a unique,
personalized bike. Tyler gave me essentially The haute cuisine ‘names’ are legendary, a
free rein to pursue my concept, based on
short list of perhaps 50 whose creations,
our meeting of the minds.” McDonald’s
whose style, have vaulted them to global
prominence. Think
Wylie DuFresne, of
Michelin-rated WD50 (50 Clinton Street,
New York), a ‘molecular
gastronomist’ from Rhode
Island who reinvented
cuisine through attention
to detail (example: his
outrageous re-imagining
of Eggs Benedict). Or
Frenchman Eric Ripert, of
New York’s Le Bernardin,
also Michelin rated (three
stars, consistently on lists
of the world’s greatest
restaurants), an artist who
‘eats, sleeps and lives with’
fish. Or Thomas Keller
or…Tyler Florence.
No bolt-ons. It had to be an original. In the
case of Tyler’s Triumph, it had to be all-Brit,
Triumph as much as possible.” Voilà.
❍ Install a 17” front
wheel (vs. the stock
19”) and fit an
assertive front tire.
❍ Marinate the freshly sanded steel
tank and tail section in a 15-gallon
tub of balsamic vinegar—five
hours, 150F.
❍ Remove, wash and dry the tank
and tail to ‘cure’ for two hours.
❍ Dunk for another two hours to ‘fix’
the correct patina of an old chef’s
knife blade.
❍ Clear-coat and install tank and tail
(with appropriate leather seat).
❍ Design and install
‘button’ switches
within the bars.
❍ Find a 1970s-style
tank, based on the
legendary Slippery
Sam Trident (a
consecutive ’72-’75
TT title winner),
reshaped by
Ukiah’s brilliant
Evan Wilcox.
❍ Dig up original Triumph (logo)
tank nameplates.
❍ Have Wilcox hammer out a
steel tail based on Ducati’s 750
Supersport bevel-head.
❍ Under the headlight, fit a quickly
detachable leather pouch
containing—what else?—the
owner’s chef’s knives (beyond
art, this bike can be working
transportation).
❍ Fit side number plates—‘8’—
❍ Find the perfect tail light (clue:
celebrating Tyler’s daughter
See that boat trailer, in traffic, with
Dorothy, born 8-8-08 at 8:00 am.
clever little rear lights? Now scour
boat shops until you find one).
❍ Stand back: you’ve just created a
memorable original.
❍ Select three genuine, certified
virgins for a delicate cooking
—John Joss
process (there are three genuine,
certified virgins in Northern
California, none in Marin).
do something special for me, based on
the ’50s and ’60s café racers. We took my
T100, whose stance and attitude I liked,
and kept taking off pieces until we had
captured its essence, then built it back up
as the one-off hybrid you see here—the
tank, the bars, the tail, a machine that
wouldn’t be instantly recognizable, a bike
that provoked questions, a unique road
spirit, unlike chromed-out American
bikes. I like to work with teams of bright
people. Michael McDonald and Evan
Wilcox were the right team.”
This building of a unique motorcycle
matches Florence’s meticulous
approach to food and wine, working
systemically from the basic elements
to the consumer’s palate—the specific
nourishment of his ‘bespoke’ chickens,
the carefully chosen beef-drying facility,
the terroir of his wines. Think of him as a
highly motivated perfectionist.
Learning to ride: lessons for
us all
On learning to ride, taught by San
Francisco’s Mike “Moto” Ritter: “When I
started learning to ride motorcycles, my
instructor, MotoMike asked me: ‘How are
Quail 2012: Vintage Class
Twin, the best motorcycle produced in the
U.S. at that time. Nothing else on the road
could touch it.
The Crocker moved one to tears, but then
the fickle moto heart saw that exquisite
red Vincent and its coach-built sidecar.
Oh, so many rarely-seen machines all
together on the California grass. Schacht
straddled that Crocker, a cigar stub gripped
between his teeth as the engine spun to
life. The guy had the skin of a lifelong rider
and fabricator. Suntan by welding arc.
He looked like he stepped right out of the
30s. I’ll never forget that scene, nor that
provided by Michael Czysz years ago.
415-970-9670
Service & Repair
While we are well-known
for our work on Ducatis, we
provide outstanding service
on all brands and all models!
Plus, it’s a friendly place...swing
by on a Saturday for a cup o’
coffee and some bench racing.
A
t an event like Quail, you see a
lot of very expensive stuff, the
collected dream bikes of platoons
of millionaires. Motorcycles that have
been lovingly stripped to the tiniest
components and then rebuilt by experts
to be better than new, spotless examples
of the finest two-wheeled engineering
mankind can produce.
Dickerson’s champion basks in its fading glory.
By Will Guyan
Photos by Alan Lapp
It was a pleasant May trek to Carmel valley
where many hundreds of motorcycles,
collectors, builders, and enthusiasts of
motorized treasures gathered upon the
green turf of summer. I mean, how often do
you meet a guy who has reverse-engineered
a brand new, 100-percent authentic
Crocker—one of the most collectible (and
just plain coolest) machines ever made?
Michael Schacht figured out how to make
all the parts in the bike and built a brand
new, yet age patina-ed Crocker. Then,
when the lush, well-watered oasis of the
extensive Quail lawns were at the apex of
a perfect California afternoon, the builder
spun the rear wheel with an electric roller,
and it barked with the tight, raspy and crisp
notes of combustion. It was as impressive
to me as the time Michael Czysz almost
set fire to the carpet on the Monterey Plaza
Hotel’s dais with his incredible C1, above
a display containing seven Vincent Black
Lightnings in a never-before-seen viewing
of rare moto-magnificence and historical
priapism. It was a moto vignette never to be
forgotten to the small number of race fans
in attendance.
Once upon a time, Crocker was considered
the finest motorcycle built. Fastest, most
The Nor Cal BSA club was out in force.
Jim Davis’ Motomorphic is always a crowd pleaser.
beautiful mechanically, the bikes rolled
out of the factory on Venice boulevard in
downtown Los Angeles. Few were made,
and today good examples are bringing
well over $300,000. Crocker took
on—and bested—the big box motos of
the time. In 1911 Al Crocker hung out
with Hedstrom and Hendee of Indian
fame and found a home at the plant,
beginning an illustrious career. He
moved to L.A. in the ‘30s and developed
a high performance heavyweight OHV
Jim Davis’ MotoMorphic custom was
there, in shimmering purple and orange
livery. I’ve admired his stuff for years
now. This is another hand built (but with
a donor engine, unlike the Crocker)
machine that imposes with its size and
artfully crafted aspect more than any
other custom bike I can bring to mind.
Made in a workshop in Petaluma, it boasts
an impressively flowing anthropomorphic
rotundity that comes together in a streetlegal package. They exist in numbers
more than one, but that exact number
is known only to the metal maestros
at MotoMorphic. The weird, brilliant
Photo by Gabe Ets-Hokin
From 3:14 Daily
Valencia @ 25th
Nichols Sportbike Service
913 Hanson Court
Milpitas, CA 95035
(408) 945-0911
For Ducati product info, please go to:
www.nicholssportbike.com
Jonnie Green and his amazing TR5/R
Michael Schacht sits astride his running creation.
Photo: Will Guyan.
Famed customizer Shinya Kimura discovering
his new favorite moto-magazine.
Photo: Gabe Ets-Hokin
Frankly, it starts to get a little boring,
which explains why the judging at
Concours events is so harsh. The
judges must get fatigued by all the
near-perfection—cracked
Bakelite? And a faded
registration sticker? How dare
you besmirch these hallowed
greens with your trash! Yawn.
You seen one immaculately
restored Series C, you seen
‘em all.
upgraded with “the latest type non-fade
rear suspension units,” rearset footpegs,
air-scoop-equipped front brake and even
a lightweight alloy front fender.
The original owner, a guy named Shorty
Dufree, according to Green, didn’t race
the bike. But he did ride the pee out of
it—Jonnie pointed out the scrapes on
the exhaust headers—and kept it in
almost-stock condition (he changed the
fuel taps) until he stopped paying to reregister it in 1983. A serious connoisseur,
he may have been the only owner of
That’s why I was drawn to
a scuffed and battered old
Triumph owned by a fastInsurance card and original black-on-yellow ‘56 license
talking Brit named Jonnie
plate. When the state switched to yellow-on-black plates
Green. Green has a little side
in the early ‘60s, the bike’s original owner got sequential
business, Ton-Up Classics,
plates for his two Triumphs, which Jonnie still has.
selling vintage motorcycle
parts and memorabilia, so
a ‘57 TR5/R to not race the machine
one day in 2004 an estate-auction outfit
after paying $959 for it, which means it’s
called him up—would he be interested
probably the only example in original
in looking at a pair of old Triumphs and
condition. Green says he’s found 7 or so
a garage full of old motorcycle stuff in
other owners around the world, but they
San Diego? Jonnie hopped into his ‘59 El
Camino and drove down from L.A. to pick only have the original frame and engine.
everything up—”I didn’t know what I had This bike—number 40—is unrestored,
virtually all original, and incredibly, still
until I got home.”
running: Jonnie rode it 120 miles the day
What he got, along with a 1948 Tiger 100, before the Quail Lodge event.
was a 1957 TR5/R, a very special and
The story of this TR5/R is what makes it
rare bike indeed. Basically a street-legal
factory roadracer, 104 TR5s were plucked special. Anybody (or at least any wealthy
person) can order up a replica or perfectly
from the assembly line and rolled into
Triumph’s racing department. There, the restored example of a rare or significant
motors were blueprinted (Triumph called motorcycle, but it won’t have the story or
its race-prepped engines “Red Seal”) and the historic glow of a bike like Green’s. “I
love restored bikes, but I keep the original
fitted with a long list of works hop-up
unrestored bikes. I’m very lucky; it just
parts dual race carbs, racing cams, valve
springs, tappets, valves, pistons, exhaust, came my way. Some things are meant to
gearbox, clutch, quick-detach lighting and be in life.”
other parts that are probably impossible
—Gabe Ets-Hokin
to find today. The chassis was also
★★
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★
actually...
yes, it is just an excuse for
a great ride interrupted by a Big party
FUN ATTRACTIONS:
Tri Valley Moto will be
displaying a full
complement of the latest
adventure bikes including
the new Triumph Explorer
If you need a new bike to ride up there,
please call or come by before the event day,
we can help!
952 North Canyons Parkway, Livermore
925-583-3300
The roads leading to The Junction are serious business. They are challenging, and the
road surface varies widely so PAY ATTENTION. This isn't a first-month beginner-grade
route, and the only way out after a crash is usually by helicopter, so wear protective gear
and give yourself a little extra breathing room. The road will BITE the inattentive, so please
ride within your comfort zone and BE SAFE, but have fun too.
580
Livermore
580
Sunol
680
Ohlone
Regional
Wilderness
sR
Sunol
Regional
Wilderness
ne
CityBike will have CB Shirts and all the schwag that companies sent us for the last
year hoping for a free plug and we'll be running the Motorcycle Trivia Contest.
WARNING:
Mi
Meet us at 9:45am at the shop for a group ride up to The Junction.
• Outdoor Grill with food by the chefs at The Junction - Bring lunch money.
• Tri Valley Moto's new Adventure Bikes (Triumph, BMW, KTM)
• Arlen Ness Motorcycles and the new Victory Judge (which will be featured in
the July issue and is a cool bike)
• California Speed Sports' Can Am Spyder Riding Circus
• Advanced Cycle Service and their mobile dyno
• Can Akkaya the Superbike Coach will present a braking seminar
• A&A racing's new high-zoot Street Tracker custom that everyone at the
magazine wants to ride
• Moto Shop will have a freestanding DIY Service Bay with tools and a lift
• Ural Sidecars jumping through flaming hoops
• RKA Motorcycle Luggage Magic Show
• Motion Pro Snake Oil & Tricky Tool tent
• Brown Koro & Romag Legal team will have BAM Cards on offer
• Uniform Speed Military Racing Team
• Charlie Ohanlon's band (who supposedly haveat least one instrument made out
of old honda parts)
• Other wonderful people from the local shop scene
oa
d
MEET UPS:
If you want to ride with a group.
Meeting times in next month's issue.
Presenting the
2012 Victory Judge
and other
Victory Motorcycles
Find out why our editorial staff
thinks Victory motorcycles are
good-handling, refined and funto-ride cruisers for the rest of us.
2310 Nissen Drive, Livermore
925-606-1998
• Addiction Motors, Emeryville.
• Custom Design Studios, Novato
• Helimot, San Jose.
• MotoHaus, San Francisco.
• Moto Shop, San Bruno.
• Mission Motorcycles, Daly City.
• RKA Luggage, Santa Rosa.
• Tri Valley Moto, Livermore.
• Zen House, Point Arena.
• Zooni Leathers, Sunnyvale.
PRIZES:
$100 gift certificates from local sponsors for the oldest bike from each continent
(plus Britain, a continent in its own right motorcycle-wise). Oldest bike
contestants must ride their bike up from the bottom of the road (not from the
bottom of the driveway), and oldest bike in each category wins.
Calaveras
Reservoir
The Junction
47300 Mines Road
Livermore
880
130
Ties in bike age to be decided by feats of skill made up on the spot by sadistic
event promoters.
Del
Joeseph D. Grant
County Park
Mount
Hamilton
$100 prize for best homebuilt/eccentric engineering bike (we're hoping that guy
with a bike that had no forks comes back). This class is wide open and subject to
the whims of the publishers of CityBike, who are easily bribed with food.
Prize for bike needing most work: $100, MotoShop
SPONSORS:
American & Homebuilt: Addiction Motors
British: Rabers Parts Mart
European: Zen House
Japanese: Hayward Cycle Salvage
Pue
r to
y
Can
on R
oad
an incredible life of
speed and grace, and
here he was—greeting
all who came to see
his Blue Bike at Quail.
Well done, Marty.
MotoHaus’ Zeki Abed showed off the favorite vintage Japanese rides in his collection.
Photo: Gabe Ets-Hokin.
handlebars point to the sky, the levers are
backwards and they adjust precisely with
CNC milled ball and socket. The handformed frame and swingarm are unique
in their audacity from the norm. Beautiful
TIG welds are a gift to the discerning
mechanical eye, the eye that has trouble
separating art from beautiful machinery.
You do that, right? Gaze at a 1967
Bonneville gas tank and you are
momentarily that enchanted lad lusting
after the most beautiful bike in any of
the dealerships in the ‘60s? At least in my
mind, and I owned, rode, and fettled four
different models. Grass this perfect and
lush is the only way to view motorcycles
in direct sunlight. In fact, I’ve never seen a
parking lot right smack dab on a golf course
before, nor have I driven on a golf course
since 1968. Quail is cool.
Top Left: You’ll never get tired
of looking at Ray Abram’s
TZ750 dirt-tracker.
Top Right: There were not
one, but two immaculate F1s.
Left: Giovanni Magni shows
off Magni’s latest creation, this
90-hp BSA Triple in a replica
MV Agusta chrome-moly
frame.
Quail Motorcycle Gathering is a
dichotomy of classic, older motorcycles
and pristine modern superbikes. Dignified
architecture and nasty machines that defy
the boundaries of reason—the things
of gas-driven fantasy that allow us to fly
along the curves, sometimes crashing and
burning as we continue to test the limits
Right: Kimura rode his
fantastic MV Agusta on the
120-mile pre-event ride.
Photo: Gabe Ets-Hokin.
of mortality, engineering and bravado.
From the greasy denizens of my youth in
the back alleys of south London in the 60s,
where fags burned between wind-cracked
lips and engines roared to the delight of
errant, rowdy youth with damned few
quid in their pockets, to the almost sacred
sylvan enclaves of the ultimate California
dreaming valley of Carmel, where
money and beauty meet violent internal
combustion art. It’s a delightful flashback
to a different time, not so very long ago,
when electronics were rudimentary
and plastic was something toys and TV
cabinets were made from.
Yes, there was also in attendance real
legend! On the umbrella-protected bench
behind the rare old Vincent HRD Rapide
he bought in Burbank in 1948, sat smiling,
affable Marty Dickerson. In the early 50s,
this historic figure toured across the USA
under a Vincent dealer’s sponsorship with
the Vincent Blue Bike, drag raced it against
all comers, two and four wheel, and never
lost once. Tutored by another Vincent
legend, Rollie Free, Marty went on to live
Quail Gathering is a completely delightful
summery afternoon stroll among the
Machinery of Legend. Vincent Black
Lightnings, MV Agustas in numbers hard
to count, showroom-fresh early 60s Yamaha
two-strokes that my young eyes once gazed
upon with religious zeal, and on this day the
same (now old) eyes found rare moisture
at familiar, memorable sights. Motorcycles
are art, and are best viewed under sunny,
summery skies. The Guggenheim
Collection stunned back in the ‘90s, and
the Quail Gathering carries the momentum
along beautifully, with Odin’s own lawns
providing the perfect setting.
Look at this display! MV Agusta, Ducati,
Harley Davidson, Indian, Triumph,
BSA, Norton, Velocette, BMW, Crocker,
Honda and Yamaha; pre war, post war,
competition, custom, superbikes and
much more. Attend the event next year.
It’s worth the admission alone for the high
end food and drink.
Getting Hammered
Words and Photos by Alan Lapp
W
hen the words “sheet metal” are
uttered to the uninitiated, most
likely they think of cheap tin toys
or billions of auto fenders stamped out by
massive robotic hydraulic presses. For Evan
Wilcox, sheet metal is a partner he caresses
with careful taps (or hearty wallops) of a
hammer in a well-practiced dance.
The avid student of motorcycling will
know the fantastic shapes of pre-’60s
motorcycles—the swooping, deeply
valenced fenders, the glamorous, sensuous
gas tanks. Or perhaps your taste runs to
choppers: many feature fantastic flights of
fantasy rendered in metal for your viewing
pleasure. Both are generally hand-made by
craftsmen using simple tools. The English
auto industry (rendered an oxymoron by
1980) coined the phrase “panel beating” for
the craft of taking a thin, flat sheet of steel
or aluminum, applying skill and hammers,
Panel Beating with Evan Wilcox
2012 Aprilia Dorsoduro
Back so soon? Did you find that you had to
make a bunch of very large, curved tucks to
make the paper lay flat? Did the tucks go all
the way to the center of the bowl? Wouldn’t
it be easier if we could make the middle
portion of the bowl have more metal so the
shrinking around the edges wouldn’t need
to be so drastic? I’m here to testify that you
can do exactly that with stretching.
Evan Wilcox teaches the old methods
using hand tools. Arcane words like
planishing
planishing, dolly, and English wheel
describe processes and tools used by
craftsmen since the Bronze Age, a secret
handshake to separate the initiated from
the unskilled. The tools are basic, but
potent. The round-faced plastic doming
hammers punch into “shot bags”—leather
or canvas bags filled with lead shot or
coarse sand—and are used to stretch
metal. The same hammers are used over a
dolly to flatten out tucks for shrinking. An
English wheel is used to smooth the metal
Photo by Bob Stokstad
I
think ‘Dorsoduro’ in Italian means
‘badass.’ There is no other word to
describe the 1200cc V-Twin maximotard from Noale, Italy. The day I took
delivery, I pulled out of my neighborhood,
twisted firmly on the throttle and mentally
texted ‘OMG’ as the front wheel went
instantly skyward. Quickly short-shifting
to second gear, after another twist of the
throttle I sent out a yelping ‘WTF’ as the
front wheel again lofted. This thing is pure
madness. But why should I expect anything
different from the Italian company that
brought us the poster child for mad
motorcycles, the Tuono, and probably the
most insane motorcycle to wear a license
by whoever invented stiletto heels, the
plate, the SXV550?
ride to Robbinsville created a dichotomy:
the incredible engine set in touring mode
Styled like its smaller sibling, the
Dorsoduro 750, the new Aprilia Dorsoduro to tame down the power delivery on the
tighter country roads, the nimble handling
1200 makes no excuses for its sporting
nature. To see what it was made of, I packed from the upright riding position, the
wide bars, and the excellent brakes, the
a bag and headed out to the infamous
Dorsoduro was so addictive I didn’t want
Tail of the Dragon—rural highway 129
to get off.
in North Carolina. With 318 turns in 11
miles, it is some of the most demanding
Though the seat made my tender, officemotorcycling real estate in the country and chair-conditioned arse feel like someone
will quickly find any weaknesses in a bike
had been beating it with a baseball bat
or rider. Taking a side trip to Mt. Mitchell
after a few hundred miles, I was split
on the way, and spending some time
between wanting to keep
avoiding park rangers on the Blue
going and wanting to
Ridge Parkway, gave me some
stop. Fortunately, the
surprising additional insight into
3.9-gallon gas
the big Italian Twin.
With a seat surely
designed
and literally stretching and shrinking the
sheet into a shape which has multiple and
sophisticated compound curves.
Evan Wilcox is a panel beater. He is widely
known in vintage and antique motorcycle
circles for his remarkable work recreating
historically accurate sheet metal parts in
polished aluminum. In fact, he is a sponsor
of the Quail Lodge Gathering, mentioned
elsewhere in this issue. He considers it his
duty to ensure that the art of panel beating
is not lost.
The Crucible is a privately owned artists’
space in a West Oakland ex-industrial
building, self-funded by offering hundreds
of classes on dozens of subjects. The
program is filling the void left when school
systems across the country assassinated
the industrial arts programs in public
schools to save money. It’s basically Adult
Ed, except its classes are run by interesting
people teaching cool subjects. I had the
pleasure of meeting Evan at one of his two
yearly classes at the Crucible.
stretched by a hammer. Steel hammers
with slightly curved faces are used over
steel dollies of various radii to finish the
metal where the wheel can’t reach.
There are only five things you can do
to sheet metal. You can cut it, bend it,
weld it, shrink it, and stretch it. That’s
it. All imaginable shapes can be made
using these five techniques. Ordinary
fabricators easily master the first three.
What separates the wheat from the chaff
is the compound curve, one that bends in
two directions simultaneously. You might
think, hey, that’s easy, but I challenge you,
dear reader, to take this newspaper and try
to make a nice, tidy curve, say, around the
lip of your coffee cup, or perhaps a large
cooking pot. I’ll wait.
During our two-day course, Evan guided
us through the various stages of forming
a front motorcycle fender and a rear
seat hump. Each morning he started by
giving us a demonstration with running
commentary about the strategy for
forming the metal. After lunch, he turned
us loose to attempt to replicate his work.
He has epic patience and a genuine desire
to share his hard-earned wisdom.
You’re back, and now have a crumpled
newspaper with a bunch of triangular
folds around the perimeter of the curved
bend. These are called tucks, and they
indicate there’s too much metal to lay flat
on the curved plane. The solution is to
shrink the metal, one of the two skills that
separates a panel beater from a fabricator.
The other is to stretch the metal. Dear
reader, your next assignment is to try to
make this newspaper drape smoothly
inside a bowl. Again, I’ll wait.
suspension is a tad mushy when the going
gets heated but on a public road that sort
of behavior could end badly, so this is
not something to complain about. The
bike uses a Sachs 43 mm inverted front
fork with 6.3 inches of travel so it can
handle any type of road surface. Although
adjustable in all the usual ways, I left it as
delivered, and while it could have been
tightened up for hard braking, I preferred
the compromise for maximizing comfort
vs. the uncomfortable seat.
Story Neale Bayly
Photos: Neale Bayly and Killboy
In the rear, a single Sachs single gascharged shock mounts to the swingarm
without a linkage. It’s easily accessible,
out to the side, and comes with pre-load,
tank only allows about 100
miles before the fill-up light
comes on, so you have to stop.
It’s a testament to the Aprilia’s
intoxicating riding experience
that the pleasure always
trumped the pain. But while
this created a great weekend’s
riding, it won’t satisfy longterm owners. With the bike’s
excellent sport-touring
abilities, hopefully Aprilia or
an aftermarket company can
address the seat issue.
Once out on the Dragon,
it was back in sport mode,
though with all the crazies
out there I was relatively
conservative.
Enjoying the
way the bike
flicked in and
out of the tight
corners, with so much in
reserve, was actually more
enjoyable than pushing hard
and risking problems.
Moving to lightly traveled
roads, I wicked it up
a few times and
enjoyed mostly the
same result. The
longer-travel
compression, and rebound adjustment.
With 6.1 inches of travel, it soaks up bumpy
roads with aplomb—just don’t expect
racetrack-type handling at speed with this
much travel.
Stopping the beast, radial-mount Brembo
four-piston calipers overachieve up front
via twin 320mm rotors. A smaller 240mm
disc in the rear gets a single-piston caliper,
more than adequate for reducing tire life
when stopping sideways in a plume of
smoke. As tested, the Dorsoduro came
with Dunlop Qualifiers, which do a great
job in wet or dry conditions and look as
if they should last a while if you can be
conservative with the back brake.
The heart of the matter is the 1197cc
fuel-injected V-Twin, using four valves
per cylinder and a pair of 106mm
pistons pumping in a short 67.8mm
stroke. It thumps out a quoted 130
horsepower at 8700 rpm and 73 lb-ft
of torque at 7600 rpm. While these
figures would make it seem that the
Aprilia is highly strung, it’s actually
very strong in the bottom end. Ridden
calmly, the big Italian Twin is smooth
and conservative in its power delivery.
Gearing seems short, as most of the fun
seems to be over once you get to around
110 mph, and, while I never went much
Some of us look like we have done
this before. Some of us look like we
are struggling with the basic ideas.
All of us have a good time. When the
end of our class comes too soon, we
are given a questionnaire asking us to
rate Evan’s performance. I don’t know
about the others, but I ranked him as
a superlative teacher, sharing rare and
desirable knowledge.
Find out more about Wilcox’s work at
wilcoxmetal.com, and see the Crucible’s class
offerings by visiting thecrucible.com or calling
510/444-0919.
Best wishes, Nick - get well!
Symwolf Classic 150 and CCW’s tha Misfit
faster, I don’t think top speed would be
much more than 125 mph. With just a
bikini-style mini-fairing, there’s no need
for more speed, as it doesn’t give much
wind protection. It helps, and at 70-80 mph
it doesn’t create buffeting or turbulence,
and the air that is hitting you is clean.
By Gabe Ets-Hokin
Photos by Bob Stokstad
O
The Aprilia provoked comments and
conversations. The styling is pure wicked,
and for me it’s one of those bikes I could
just sit back and gaze at after a long ride.
The super-sexy steel-trellis/aluminum
frame, the gorgeous sculpted swingarm,
and the sleek, angular body parts make it
stand out in any crowd. Some might find
the large under-tail exhausts a love-it-orhate-it feature but they work for me, and
if you have seen one with an Akropovic
exhaust you’ll know what to ask Santa for
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h, boy, it’s time to climb on the
latest moto-trend bandwagon,
the cafe-racer craze. A true cafe
racer is a stock motorcycle that has been
stripped down and modified to the bare
minumum needed for street operation.
Look for rearset pegs, stubby clip-on bars,
noisy exhausts, and a seat the CIA could
use for “enhanced interrogation.” Not
comfortable. Not civilized. Not much fun
to ride, which may be why the term ‘cafe
racer’ now means any bike made to look like
a classic ‘60s boy-racer steed.
*
next year. This would
help reduce and lower the
Aprilia’s 490-pound mass,
to help it change direction
even faster.
With ride-by-wire
throttle, three-position
mapping for sport, tour, or
rain mode, but no slipper
clutch or anti-lock brakes,
the Dorsoduro is both
sophisticated and basic.
With the big torquey
V-Twin and closely spaced
ratios, a slipper clutch
would be nice, though
ABS is less important—
the strong brakes are
super-sensitive and easy
to modulate. Rain mode
is important though,
as it reduces the power
to around 100 ponies,
making life a little saner
when grip levels are low.
Switchgear and
instruments are all
sharp, modern Aprilia
fare, without surprises.
Paint finish and quality
are excellent, as are all
the cycle parts, though
new owners will want
to remove the warning
stickers plastered
everywhere. Available for
$11,999, the new Aprilia
Dorsoduro 1200 fits
somewhere between the
Ducati Hypermotard, the
KTM 990, and possibly
BMW’s HP2 in the
large motard class as it
competes for customer
dollars. Pictured here
in black, it looks like it’s
ready for a fight, and with
its knockout punch from
the muscular engine,
coupled with light, agile
handling, it’s totally
equipped to win.
“LOL.”
There used to be exactly one way to get
onto a cafe bike—build it yourself. But
now, with niche marketing making every
fantasy a reality, from superheroism to
spaceflight, you can buy a ready-made
cafe racer. Triumph’s Thruxton is pretty
brilliant, as is the (no longer in production)
Ducati Sport Classic. But what if you really
just want a cafe racer to…well, actually go
from cafe to cafe? Can you get something
brand-new for around $3000?
Urban Transportainment
two-piston caliper and steel-braided brake
line. Cheng-Shin tires keep the bike off the
ground. Convenience touches include a
centerstand, electric starter, tripmeter, lowfuel light, passenger footpegs and grabrail
and preload-adjustable rear suspension. It
weighs in at a feathery claimed wet weight
of 266 pounds, and the MSRP is a buck
under $3000—about as cheap as freewaylegal transportation gets.
Standard stuff, but it’s probably the styling
that makes this bike special. Deep, bright
paint and quality chrome festoon the
sporty 3.5-gallon gas tank. Real clip-on
bars clamp to the fork tubes above the
triple tree, and a cafe-styled seat adds to the
look. It needs rear-set footpegs to make it a
real cafe bike, I know, but then you’d have
no room for passenger pegs and where’s the
fun in that?
CCW’s tha Misfit (“tha” is an affectation
that goes with tha Misfit’s name) is derived
from Honda’s CG
Thanks to our
series (similar to the
friends in the Far
CB but with a lowerEast, you most
revving, simpler
certainly can.
overhead-valve
Behold, two microdesign), except
cafes sharing an
this time it’s from
interesting common
mainland China—
ancestry that are just
by way of Cleveland.
as much fun to ride
—Hunter S. Thompson, “Song of the That’s where
as you think they
Sausage Creature,” Cycle World, March 1995 CCW founder
are. Not only are the
and designer Scott
bikes from the same
Colosimo lives, and
corner of the globe, they share a common
where he penned the bobber-styled tha
motor ancestor, have similar weights and
Heist and flat-track-styled tha Ace (coming
are priced within two hundred dollars
of each other. So how could they feel so
different?
“Never mind the track.
The track is for punks.
We are Road People.
We are Cafe Racers.”
in the summer of 2012). CCW claims tha
Misfit’s motor, built by
Chinese manufacturer
Lifan, is a unique
design, although the
basic architecture
looks quite a bit like
the Wolf’s (with the
exception of the OHV
cylinder head). It has
a counterbalancer
and an extra 70cc of
capacity—yet it’s rated
at one hp less than the
Wolf because of the
lower-revving nature
of the OHV cylinder
head. It also gets a
carburetor, electric
start and auxiliary
kicker, just like the
Wolf. Colosimo
wanted me to know
that the OHV offers a
more robust, easier-tomaintain design—for
instance, the valve
lash can be adjusted
in minutes with a pair
of pliers and a 10mm
wrench, and there’s no
cam-chain tensioner to
worry about.
bikes for CCW in China) designed the
beautifully sculpted Manx-styled fivegallon tank and stylin’ headlight fairing. A
solo-seat cover pops off to reveal passenger
accommodations. Fast guys will appreciate
CCW tha Misfit
Sym Wolf
the extra engineering and design CCW put
into tha Misfit, like the reservoir-equipped,
The styling and chassis do set the CCW
preload-adjustable rear shocks and seriousapart a bit, however. It looks like something looking inverted fork, all higher-quality
an art-school graduate would design, even components than this model is equipped
if Taiwanese firm CPI (who makes the
with in overseas markets.
To answer that question, I’ll have to
tell you about each bike. SYM’s $2999
Symwolf Classic 150 is built in Taiwan and
is the more slick-looking product—not
surprising, as SYM has been churning out
powered two-wheelers since 1962 (when
it started license-building Hondas in
Taiwan), building a million two-wheelers
and 35,000 automobiles annually. I’ve
been told the entire package is based on
Honda’s venerable CB125, a widely copied
design originally intended as a low-cost,
durable, easy-to-operate machine for thirdworld and developed markets, and it’s clear
the two bikes have similar architecture,
but SYM has done plenty of development
on this model. Engine capacity has been
increased to 149.4cc, and the simple,
reliable overhead cam has been retained.
Carburetors handle fueling duties. An
electric starter and CDI ignition make
the bike easy to live with, and the motor
is rated at almost 15 hp at the crank—not
bad for a 150cc air-cooled motor.
The chassis is also upgraded. It’s still a
tube-steel frame, but it also gets aluminum
spoked wheels—an 18-incher in front
and a 17-inch hoop in back—as well as a
240mm front disc brake with a cute little
Colosimo also used his racing and design
expertise to upgrade the frame with better
tubing and more bracing. Duro rubber
protects the steel 18-inch front wheel
and 16-inch rear, and a 280mm front disc
gets squeezed by a two-piston caliper and
braided-steel brake line. Luxury touches
include a centerstand, fuel gauge, electric
start and tachometer. tha Misfit weighs in
at a claimed 296-pound dry weight and is
priced at $3195.
equipped shocks and inverted fork look
great but are still budget items.
Handling is good, with lots of cornering
clearance and predictably snappy turnin. High-speed stability is fine, although
neither of these bikes will ever really spend
much time at high speeds. When it’s time
to stop, tha Misfit’s brakes get the job
done, although you’ll need to apply all four
fingers and give a hefty
squeeze on the front
brake lever. The rear
So how different could these bikes be? I
has more power than I
noted a lot of differences, surprisingly,
expected, thanks to the
but there are also lots of similarities. Both
bikes are cold-blooded, to be expected with disc brake.
their lean, California-emissions-approved
The SYMWolf is—and
carbureted air-cooled motors. Once
you had to see this
spinning, the exhaust notes are quiet and
coming—a sheep
muted, again, unsurprising given the bikes’
in Wolf ’s clothing
Honda ancestry. The transmissions have a
(where tha Misfit is an
similar, old-fashioned feel, but are still easy
angry sheep in wolf ’s
to use, as are the cable-operated clutches.
clothing). But that’s
Riders with small paws may miss the lack
not a bad thing in
of adjustable levers on both bikes, but a
this market segment.
dogleg design makes grasping the controls
Although it’s about
a little easier.
the same size as tha
Misfit, the Wolf feels
What’s different is how they feel to ride.
lighter and easier
If you’re looking for the bad boy of this
to handle, toy like,
pair, it’s tha Misfit, not surprisingly. It’s
really. That may be due to the aluminum
heavier and feels bigger, thanks to the
(rather than steel) wheels, or the lower
higher bars—in reality the motorcycle’s
seat. The suspension is soft, even with
dimensions are very similar to the Wolf’s
spring preload adjusted, but it still feels
although it does have a higher seat. The
controlled and damped. Brakes are about
motor also felt a little more raw—not
more vibey, just a little more thumpy. Ride as good as tha Misfit’s, which means
maintaining the four-fingered squeeze
quality is acceptable, but harsh, with stiff
springs and hard damping—the reservoir- coached in MSF courses is a good idea. In
fact, it’s no wonder the Honda CB125 was
the choice of many MSF training schools
when that model was available in the USA,
which should make the Wolf appealing
to new riders for that reason. MSF range
owners should also look into the Wolf (or
tha Misfit) as training bikes.
One flaw both these machines share is
footrest location. A true cafe racer has
rear-set footpegs, but both these bikes
have the same mid-mount location you’d
find on a ‘70s-era Honda standard. That
makes the clip-on bars of the Wolf seem
a little silly—tuck in and your elbows
meet your knees—and the sleek tank of
tha Misfit look out of place. CCW tells
me a rear-set kit is in the works, but Wolf
owners will have to make or modify their
own accessories, at least for now.
Riding either bike gives you the full Thirdworld riding experience, requiring you to
pin the throttle and work quickly through
the gears to keep up with oblivious traffic
surrounding you. Still, both of these bikes
are well-suited for in-town riding, with
light clutches, smooth-shifting gearboxes
and good throttle response, allowing you
to take advantage of the power that’s there.
On a twisty road, the bikes are as fun as
you’d expect, even if you won’t embarrass
anybody on sportbikes. The light weight
and wide bars mean confidence and light
steering, and there’s ample cornering
clearance. The no-name tires probably
won’t give you the confidence to really push
it in the turns, but that’s not what these
bikes are about, despite the vintage boyracer looks.
On a divided highway is where these
little critters might let you down. I had
no problem braving the big-rigs and
negligently-piloted SUVs packing the
right lanes, but a new rider might have
been terror-stricken. The Wolf topped
out around 60 or 65 mph, and although
tha Misfit could do a bit better (although
the optimistic speedometer made it
hard to judge top speed), both machines
strained to keep up with traffic on fast
California freeways. You may want to stick
to surface streets and keep your freeway
jaunts limited to just a few exits, or for
slower rush-hour traffic jams. Fuel range is
outstanding with both machines—expect
50, 60 or even more miles per gallon
(depending on how much you twist your
wrist), which means the Wolf should go
around 180 miles on a tank, and tha Misfit
should go well over 200 miles before you
gabe
have to call the AMA (what, you didn’t
know AMA members who automatically
renew their memberships get free roadside
assistance? Maybe you should call
800-AMA-JOIN).
If all you want is utilitarian, basic
transportation, a low-priced Asian-built
scooter (from a reputable distributor) is
going to be cheaper to run, easier to use,
easier to ride and will
have more storage. But
these little runabouts
offer two things a basic
scooter doesn’t.
One is fun. You can
work the gearbox, slip
the clutch, do burnouts
and wheelies if that’s
your thing. You can
also play the gearhead
and soup these rides
up to your heart’s
content, using tuning
tricks and parts that
have been around
since the 1960s—
CCW is working with
local tuner G&D
Distributors to offer a
line of performance add-ons like clubman
bars, rearset pegs, megaphone exhausts,
and a 300cc big-bore kit. Those boltons promise big gains in both looks and
performance (though the company is quick
to point out that the engine parts are for
off-road, competition use only).
The other is the cool factor. We here
reading this are secure in our man or
woman-hood, and don’t feel diminished
when we ride a scooter around town, but
let’s face it—your average basic scooter
isn’t exactly a sex machine. At best, you’ll
get slightly condescending comments like
“that looks like fun,” or “you must get pretty
good gas mileage, eh?”, but you probably
don’t need to take an extra helmet with
you when you head out to the club for the
evening, if you catch my drift.
Riding a small—but vintage-looking—
cafe racer is different. “Where did you
get that?” or “How much did that cost?”
or “Did you restore that yourself?” are
common questions you’ll field at the
gas station, in the supermarket parking
lot, even from curious bus drivers. The
uneducated public sees a bike like tha
Misfit or the Wolf as something that
looks old, special, or collectible, and even
knowledgeable enthusiasts nod sagely and
ask curious questions about these bikes.
The clean, simple lines and classic styling
(as well as the eye-catching paint on the
Wolf in these pictures) milks the nostalgia
glands of anybody over 40 and stokes the
imagination of younger riders as well.
And that’s a good thing, no? There are few
riders who will argue that the motorcycle
market needs more easy-to-ride machines,
more small-displacement, bargain-priced,
entry-level choices and more bikes styled
with the clean, simple lines of yesteryear.
The $2999 Wolf and $3195 tha Misfit hit all
three targets at once, but they also offer a
pretty good dollar-per-smile fun value and
a unique way to get around town.
ETS-HOKIN
message board and read the posts in
response to Harley-Davidson news. Oh, the
ire. H-D is going to go bankrupt when the
poseurs stop buying the bikes, the posters
say. H-D riders look like gay pirates. The
bikes are made in Chinese sweatshops with
child labor. They leak oil and fall apart. Jokes
about dogs and pickup trucks follow. Har!
You’ve got to be taught before it’s too late,
Before you are six or seven or eight,
To hate all the people your relatives hate…
—”You’ve Got to be Carefully Taught,”
South Pacific
Y
ou can’t talk about religion or
politics at the dining table, can
you? Unless you fill a table with
motorcyclists—then you’ll get pulled into
a political or theological discussion before
your second coffee refill. But whatever
you do, don’t start talking about HarleyDavidsons or electric motorcycles, unless
you’re sure everybody has taken their
medication or has switched to decaf.
The ire and contempt some non-Harleyriding motorcyclists hold for Harleys is
understandable for a few reasons. Like
all motorcycles, Harley-Davidsons have
their limitations. They have a power-toweight ratio just slightly better than a
1986 Plymouth Gran Fury, for instance.
Cornering clearance is limited by a slavish
devotion to the low-slung cruiser style. And
of course, the lightest, smallest H-D model,
the 883 Sportster, weighs in at about 1.7
Honda Rebels.
And that’s the
beginner bike.
More mysterious is the venom and
bile sprayed at any story about electric
motorcycles. I’m pretty sure this is because
the venom-spewers are of an ilk that
sees any departure
from the status quo
as an attack on the
American Way of
Life. In their minds,
electric vehicles
are a conspiracy
cooked up by
the motorcycle
industry, the
motorcycle
press,
Greenpeace
and Ed Begly,
jr. Sometimes
they even
come right
out and say it: the Liberals are coming to
take away my motorcycle, but much more
frequently they come up with scienceysounding arguments why e-motos are
not just unworthy of their sacred asses,
but shouldn’t even be discussed, which,
The bikes are made in Chinese
sweatshops with child labor.
They leak oil and fall apart.
Jokes about dogs and pickup
trucks follow. Har!
Because every
brand, genre
and model of
motorcycle has
its limitations,
no? Sportbikes
are awful for
cruising around
town or long trips. European bikes require
second mortgages to purchase clutch levers
and have seats designed by spastic howler
monkeys. Adventure-tourers look like a
Transformer robot the Monday morning
after Labor Day weekend and require their
riders to stop shaving. My Triumph Street
Triple, bless its soul, has a much better
power-to weight ratio than that Gran Fury,
but also shares its fuel economy.
fast. But now we’ve got a wave of e-bikes
that can happily cruise at freeway speeds
or even break into the ton. Range has
improved tremendously as well, as
much as 120 miles if you’re just crawling
around town. One hundred miles isn’t
that impressive, true, but if you’re just
commuting (and that’s what the bikes are
being marketed to do, mostly), it’s more
than adequate, and recharging them is so
cheap it’s almost free, which goes a
long way towards making up for
the limited range. It costs
me almost $15 to go 100
miles on the Triumph,
which means it only
has unlimited
range if
I’ve got
unlimited
dough.
With
that one
out the
window,
the hataz’ go after
price. When Mission
Motorcycles announced
its first production
machine, it was to be
priced at $50,000 for a 150
mph, 150-mile range machine. That wasn’t
so long ago, but now you can buy a 100mph, 120-mile-range Brammo Empulse
for $17,000, or the 90 mph, 120-mile range
Zero S ZF9 for $15,000. Granted, these
aren’t the atom-powered hoverbikes we
thought we’d be riding in 2012, but you
see where this is going. Give it a few more
years, and price or performance won’t be
real issues anymore.
Still, hataz’ gotta hate, and they can always
find more stuff to nit-pick. They talk
about the lack of recharge stations. That’s
coincidentally, was how homosexuality was changing quickly, and let’s not forget: you
have a charging station in your garage,
treated before the Stonewall riots.
which you can’t say about refueling a gas
The first argument was speed and range,
bike. Well, then, the styling’s ugly. And
and it was valid: the first generation
they’re not noisy enough (they got me on
of electric motos was limited to short,
that one—most of these guys whine louder
around-town hops and couldn’t go very
than an electric motorcycle). And we’ll
Here’s the difference, though—the
comical denial of a certain subgroup of
Harley riders that there is anything at all
wrong with their motorcycles. And this
group—not all Harley Riders, for sure,
not even the majority—doesn’t just refuse
to acknowledge the flaws, its members
actually maintain their rides are superior
to all other motorcycles past, present
and somehow, future as well. These guys
are usually bearded and have elaborate
nicknames. They seem to have no sense of
humor at all.
Because of those guys (and gals), it seems
that most of the non-Harley-riding public
hates Harleys. Look on any non-cruiser
miss the thumpy beat of the V-Twin or
spine-tingling shriek of the Inline-Four.
When the truthy arguments wear thin,
they resort to made-up stuff. Here’s one:
electric motorcycles pollute more, thanks
to the environmental effects of mining
for battery materials, and the pollution
generated by old powerplants, aggravated
by an aging power grid. These arguments
are often accompanied by outdated,
discredited studies, or studies paid
for by the fossil-fuel industry,
like the study that showed
a 2002 Prius polluted
more than a Hummer
(the study gave the
Hummer twice
as many miles to
amortize, and older
Prii used Nickelbased batteries).
One comment
I read claimed
77 percent of
the electricity
in the USA came
from coal—the
actual number as
of February 2012
is 36 percent,
according to
the Energy
Information
Administration. That’s down 17 percent
from last year, and in any case, if these
guys agree coal pollutes, they should join
Greenpeace. Another bogus argument is
that if everybody gets electric vehicles we’ll
overload the grid—again specious, as most
of these vehicles will be recharged at night,
when the grid is greatly underloaded.
Harleys and Electric motorcycles are hated
by the same kind of guy, a guy who has as
much use for either product as Dracula
needs a garlic press. Don’t like ‘em? Don’t
buy ‘em. Let’s talk about Obama and
Romney instead.
Gabe Ets-Hokin was the dictator of the Galactic
Confederacy who, 75 million years ago, brought
billions of his people to Earth in a DC-8-like
spacecraft, stacked them around volcanoes and
killed them using hydrogen bombs. He now owns a
chain of salad bars located in 27 states and Guam.
HERTFELDER
that it would have been
nice if they had painted
lines across the road for
the three and five mile
speedometer checks he
provides in California.
M
any dirt events are putting
together dual-sport spin-offs:
Bastow-to-Vegas began 17 or
more years ago, Sandy Lane has racked
up its 14th or so annual event, the Six
Days of Michigan has arrowed dual-sport
trails for many years now and Blackwater
is working on at least year 20. I’ve also
heard rumors of Quicksilver folks doing
a dual-sport ride, and this year the
Daytona Beach Alligator crew arrowed
out a 132 mile dual-sport ride—a fine way
for us Northern riders to see water that
wasn’t frozen solid and find out if we still
remember how to ride our motorcycles.
(Incidentally, the Michigan Six Days
single-track hero type riders looked down
their noses at us dual-sport wimps on Day
One, they tilted their
heads down a little
each day until by
Day Six most of them
were looking at us
eyeball-to-eyeball,
following the same
dual-sport arrows and
comparing monkeybutt treatments.)
is adequate-plus. The brakes are smooth
and quiet. The engine oil level never drops.
The bike demands very little maintenance.
To prevent riders from
frying their brains by
mentally correcting
mileage variations,
most dual-sport events
schedule speedometer
resets to zero at 20-mile
(or smaller) intervals.
The Alligator had
riders blowing smoke
out their ears with
resets 33.6, 36.9, and
a shocking 40.3 miles
apart. Thankfully, the
turns were marked
on the first and last
sections, but in the
middle part we met
most of the 90 riders wandering around
acting suitably confused. Bevo Forte had
no problems at all navigating; he admitted
he was just following me!
This year the Daytona
Beach Alligator crew
arrowed out a 132 mile
dual-sport ride—a fine
way for us Northern riders
to see water that wasn’t
frozen solid and find out
if we still remember how
to ride our motorcycles.
For a first effort the
Alligator folks did
pretty well. Sure, the
route sheets they gave
us set a new record
for wide—eight and a
half inches—and we
think they used an old
Smith’s speedometer,
but it was Florida, and
it was warm, and we
didn’t tear the toes out of our socks sliding
our feet into frozen boots.
We sweated out the speedometer
variation—sort of—but Jim Pilon, the
B-to-V ramrod, continued to complain
My Own Long-Termer
The Wide Wide Route Sheet
At mile 11 in section two we met a
roadblock: a Mustang and Honda R&D
man Ken Miyako with a scrutable look
on his face. Ken was researching the
car’s ground clearance and developed an
interference fit between Florida mud and
maynard
HERSHON
R
egular readers will remember
that in the summer of 2010, my
friend Phil gave me a Kawasaki
ZRX1200, a red 2004. The odometer
showed 7000 miles when I got it; it reads
17,000 now.
Kawasaki sold ZRXes in the U.S. as 1100s
in ‘99 and 2000, then as 1200s from 2001
through 2005. Changes were minimal.
None were sold here with more than the
small headlight fairing.
the vehicle’s lower control arms, rear axle,
and both bumper valance panels.
saw the entire St. John River rise a little
over two inches.
Luckily for him 10 probably literate and
(definitely hard-working) Americans got
off their motorcycles and lifted, shoved and
pulled his vehicle to more solid footing.
The launch struggled and thrashed but
it was trying to move Volusia County.
Moving Bevo forward produced six feet of
progress but meant nobody could get back
off the barge. Suggestions to shove a few of
the big BMWs over the side got nowhere.
At mile 23.5 in section three the dirt road
ended at a ferry slip. The half-hour wait
for a ferry was made enjoyable by the
Kawasaki folks, who provided a barrel
of iced soft drinks and chain lube for all
hands. Kawasaki’s people then, bless ‘em,
supplied each rider with a ticket good for a
soft drink, a cheeseburger and potato salad
at the finish. Bevo tried to gather a mob to
throw Roger Ansel, the AMA’s Amateur
Competition Manager, into the river,
but he changed his mind when someone
suggested that Bevo himself would make a
much better splash—and couldn’t raise our
AMA dues to get even.
The ferry was a plain, flat scow with an old
low-tech oil-burning launch made fast to
one side and both down-to-the-Plimsolls
Empty. When the first 20 motorcycle
riders jammed aboard it was close to the
bottom. When Bevo rolled aboard, it was
on the bottom. I happened to be watching
the shoreline as Bevo rolled aboard and
Then seven riders went over the rail onto
the pier pilings, turned and lifted the barge
off the bottom, then jumped back aboard
as we steamed out with all the speed and
dignity of a drifting iceberg.
Near midstream the scow began pitching,
and I could imagine all these motorcycles
falling off their side stands to one side and
Bevo going with them, turning us over. I
didn’t, but I loosened my tire pump and
spare rear tube: I felt that at least one of us
should make it ashore to report the tragedy
so the surviving spouses, grief-stricken or
otherwise, could max out the charge cards
before the coroner’s inquest.
Next year I’ll bring a wider route sheet
holder; a paper-towel rack on the handlebar
ought to do it.
For a copy of Ed’s latest book, 80.4 Finish
Check, send $29.95 with suggested inscription
to Ed Hertfelder, PO Box 17564, Tucson, AZ
85731.
Design Geek
Graphic Design & Illustration
I’m Alan Lapp, a 25-year veteran designer & illustrator.
If you have a need for virtually any kind of printed work,
give me a call. I’m experienced in publication design (duh),
annual reports, catalogs, packaging, direct mail, glossy
advertising, collateral materials, logo and identity work,
stationery, or anything else you may need.
Great work to follow.
510-295-7707 • www.levelfive.com
Because a ZRX features a
braced swingarm and four-intoone exhaust, there’s no room
underneath for a centerstand. As
I’ve mentioned in the past, I love a
centerstand. I miss having one on
this bike. I’ve bought a rear and
a front paddock stand and they
work fine—if I have
another person to help
me raise and lower
the bike—but
they don’t travel
well. They stay
home.
So chain-lubing
during extended
journeys is
I owned a green ‘99 ZRX11 in 2005.
problematic. I roll
A neighbor cut a corner in her car and
the bike backwards
knocked it out from under me as I sat at a
stop sign near my home. Phil knew I missed bit by bit and spray
that bike. When he came into some money the chain. It’s a
messy process and if I want
he saw an opportunity to do something
to lube a warm chain at the end of a day’s
nice for his sentimental friend Maynard.
ride when I’m tired and ready for a shower,
At the time I was quite happily riding
it’s a nuisance. Oh, well.
a Suzuki DR650 dual-sport single. For
months I rode both, licensed both, insured The sidestand foot is tiny and will sink into
soft asphalt in no time. I had a friend weld a
both and maintained both until it felt like
sturdy washer under it. The stand also does
too much money and effort.
not lean the bike over quite far enough; you
They were both street bikes after all—
have to pick your parking places and leave
or they were to me. After a period of
the bike in gear—or hear that awful crunch
indecision, I settled on selling the Suzuki.
as it falls off its stand. The washer helped
After selling two or three bikes to new
the first problem but worsened the second.
owners I didn’t
When I got the
respect, I found
bike, many of
a great home
the parts low on
for that Suzuki.
its left side were
I can’t say I
corroded. The
haven’t missed
choke cable was
it. Fine little
broken. The rear
motorcycle.
wheel was filthy,
But the
the rear sprocket
Kawasaki,
and chain rusty.
basically a
I replaced the
water-cooled
corroded parts during the first couple of
Universal Japanese Motorcycle, has
months of my ownership. A friend and I
been equally as good, given its heft. It’s
spent many hours scrubbing the wheels
a 500 pound bike and isn’t flickable or
and chain. I scraped the baked-on plastic
precise in its steering. If you think of
running-in sticker off the tach face with a
that ponderousness as a fault, then it’s a
thumb nail. Took hours.
flawed bike.
of the ZRX Owners Association forum
posters. That forum is the best online
owners group in my experience. Help
is plentiful and instantly forthcoming.
Politics is absent as is macho posturing.
Well, politics certainly.
I bought extenders for the passenger pegs
so Tamar’s legs are more comfortable. I
bought a chain and two
sprockets
but haven’t
installed them
yet. I’m hoping
for 18 or even
19,000 miles from
the originals.
I’ve resisted doing
any “mods.” The
bike is plenty fast
enough, perhaps the
fastest-accelerating
bike I’ve ever owned.
It’ll cruise nearly
vibrationless at
ticketable speeds.
I don’t ride hard
enough to push the
limits of the stock suspension components
or brakes.
Except for its five-speed transmission, a
ZRX’s engine is the same as the one in the
older Kawasaki Concours . Those engines
are known for long life and dependability. I
I scraped the bakedon plastic running-in
sticker off the tach
face with a thumb
nail. Took hours.
If you accept that bulk as normal in a retrostyle 1200cc, four-cylinder bike, then my
ZRX has no grievous faults. Unless you
ride for hour after hour, in which case you
will learn to hate the factory saddle. It tries
to slide me forward, I think, wrinkling and
chafing the skin on my bottom.
If I’m not careful on long rides, wearing
anti-chafe cream on my butt and bicycling
shorts under my riding clothes, that saddle
will hurt me memorably. Great-looking seat
though. Sigh.
My ZRX makes power beyond my needs.
It carburets perfectly. It changes gear
smoothly and silently—when I do my part.
It carries me 50 miles per gallon. Its range
A shop replaced the front tire and fork
seals. I replaced the vacuum fuel valve’s
tiny o-ring to ward off eventual fuel leakage
into the engine. The previous owner had
installed a shut-off in the fuel line, alerting
me to the possibility.
Since those first months with the bike I
haven’t blown a bulb or done a repair.
The same shop adjusted the shimmed
valves and balanced the carburetors. I’ve
renewed the hydraulic oil once, the engine
oil and filters several times. I’ve worn out
one front tire and soon I’ll have worn out
two rears. I replaced the air filter.
The eight-year-old battery is doing fine,
as are similarly elderly batteries of many
feel sure I can ride my bike eight or 10,000
miles per year on not much more than
scheduled maintenance.
That’s just what I’d like to do—ride my
ZRX 10,000 miles a year. I seem to have
lost the lust to change bikes every year or
so. Or I think I have at any rate. Watch this
space for updates.
If I found a $500 bill somewhere I would
buy an aftermarket seat from one of three
providers widely approved by forum
posters, and I might buy an automatic
chain oiler.
At the club meeting Thursday night, a guy
riding an ST4 Ducati and I were talking. He
had just bought his pristine ST4, about the
same age as my Kawasaki, with 8000 miles
showing and lots of pricey aftermarket
parts. He paid reasonable money. Although
I don’t know what Phil paid for my bike,
used ZRXes change hands for similarly
reasonable money.
The ST4 rider mentioned that he would
love to own a new Multistrada, but they
cost more than $20,000.
“I can’t see spending that much on a
motorcycle,” he said. “How much more fun
would I have on a bike that cost three or
four times as much?”
I told him I knew just what he was
talking about.
dr. gregory w. FRAZIER
T
he adventure-riding bug had
bitten a Harley-Davidson luxocruiser acquaintance. For months
he trolled motorcycle adventure ridingthreads on Internet forums and motorcycle
for-sale sites.
Knowing my adventures had taken me
to the ends of the earth on a variety of
motorcycles he fluffed me by saying,
“You’re the expert in this adventuretouring niche, you’ve been places most of
us can’t even find on a map, an adventure
motorcyclist extraordinaire.”
Naturally rising to the fluff, I first laughed
and then replied, “I’ve not been to
Everywhere, but found Nowhere a few
times. There are others more advanced
who have tagged and posted pictures,
coordinates, and video files of ‘We’re there,’
places I’ll never be where.”
Now that I’d been fluffed, he got to the
point: “What’s the best motorcycle for me to
buy to enter the adventure-riding world?”
My initial reaction was to answer as I most
often do: “Adventure riding is like sex, both
take place between your ears.”
Herbie the
Love Bike
His verbal
fluffing paid off,
as I was gentle
in my response.
I tried asking
if he could
envision himself
having a greater
adventure in a
monster four-byfour Jeep or in a Volkswagen Beetle?
After a few seconds he replied, “Can’t see
much adventure in the Beetle. I’d have to
go with the Jeep.”
Then I asked how, in his opinion, each
compared when being driven up the
Dalton Highway to Deadhorse? It was
a journey I knew he had made on his
fully loaded Harley-Davidson. He
immediately replied, “They’d
both be an adventure.”
Next I asked, “Would
the adventure be
because of the dirt or
the remoteness of
the area?”
“To tell you the truth I’d rather be on the
125cc. The cost of going down would be
a lot less and I could probably keep the
small motorcycle upright. The downside
is my 250-pound ass would look like a
gorilla humping a soccer ball on
the 125. I’d not be fitting
the image I’ve seen on
the Internet and in the
magazines.”
We both laughed.
I told him my 220
pounds likely fit
the oversexed
gorilla he had
conjured as I
humped my way
through jungles in
Southeast Asia and
once in Cuba on
125cc or smaller
motorcycles.
He was a
well-traveled
motorcyclist,
so knew the
possibility of
remote journeys
through locations
like Nevada or
the Rocky
He
After rolling around Borneo on a 125cc
Yamaha, Vietnam on a 125cc two-stroke
Minsk, and Burma on a step-through 110cc Mountains.
Hensim I knew small motorcycles lead
He said, “neither, because what made the
to wild adventures. While driving them I
adventure was the challenge, the risk of
knew I was not projecting the macho-male
image of the dirt- covered adventure riders
portrayed in magazine advertisements or
those he had seen Internet trolling.
Knowing my Harley acquaintances’ years
of doing Daytona Bike Week, Sturgis,
Laconia and even some time on a Harley in
the Alps, I could not see him stepping off a
loud-pipe-saving- lives-1600cc-cruiser onto
a125cc step-through and making the cranial
transfer from styling to hardcore adventure
with no safety net.
“So which would be riskier, more of a
challenge—a 125cc motorcycle or a
big-bucks, 550-pound, 1200cc weapon
purpose-built for rugged adventure on
gravel or pavement?”
admitted he was hung-up on the
adventure image and knew it was image
he thought he needed to complete the
be more helpful than crawling adventure
rider Internet sites. He laughed when I
suggested another old saying about beauty
and the eye of the beholder might be more
applicable than trying to spend big money
to enjoy the adventure-motorcycling niche.
“You’re the inspiration for a Herbie. You
used one in 2002 to go around the world, a
KLR650, and you’re a junkie for German
motorcycles, especially the older Twins and
Singles.”
“So,” I answered, “how does that tie in with
Herbie?”
“Remember Herbie the Love Bug, the
movie about a Volkswagen Beetle? When
you asked about the Dalton Highway
and suggested a Beetle I got to thinking.
Herbie had some monster adventures and
it was not a sexy vehicle, nor was it big or
expensive. So that fits with the KLR650,
After rolling around Borneo on a 125cc Yamaha, Vietnam on
a 125cc two-stroke Minsk, and Burma on a step-through 110cc
Hensim I knew small motorcycles lead to wild adventures.
breaking down a costly distance from
Fairbanks or having to go through bad
weather. It’d be a bitch if I had an ‘oops’
using any motorcycle.”
equation for an adventure rider.
We concluded that when it came to
determining the best motorcycle, making
some psychological adjustments would
and as for the BMW F650, it’s German, as
was Herbie the Love Bug.”
Given the way my Harley pal is moving
into the adventure-riding niche, and
knowing his enthusiasm, it is possible he
has created a new marketing model for one
of the motorcycle manufacturers seeking
to capture part of the rapidly expanding
adventure riding segment:
Herbie the Love Bike.
Dr. Gregory Frazier is in the early stages of
planning a sixth attempt to circumnavigate the
globe. His earlier effort was aborted on the shores
of Java, halfway around the globe. A new route and
financial plan are being explored with an official
announcement due in October, 2012. He says, “I
want to attempt something different than the earlier
five times. I’ll likely cover some of the same ground
to see how things have changed, return to places I
liked and make it more than a solo adventure.”
Illustration courtesy of monkeyfuckingafootball.
com—go to mybadco.com to buy a graphic for
your inappropriately sized bike!
I like a manageable bike myself, with a
lower/broader torque range, but am quite
I fear that Maynard Hershon will never,
happy to use lumpier and longer-duration
ever be happy (“That Lift-Side Manner,” cams (without too much valve overlap),
April 2012). His ZRX1200 will be
higher compression pistons, and/or boring
underneath someone else long before it
the cylinders, to get more torque on the
when riding. Dress and ride like your life acquires another .0001” of cam lobe wear. bottom end. Just saying. Thank you for
depended upon it, cuz it does!
Tom Liberatore your interesting/entertaining stories.
Pepperoni Bros. Racing
Lorin Guy
Fearless Frank
Grumpytown The fact that only two shims had to be
Hippy Fairfax
changed,
and
only
by
about
.001
inches
CityBike Contributor Lorin’s points are well-taken
Editors:
or so would indicate that your cams are
around here. We strongly defend the loosely held
in perfect working order. Thanks and
I see a couple of problems with Maynard
right of motorcyclists to share lanes in California,
good luck.
Hershon’s visit to the shop. First let me say
but would also like to remind our readers to try to
that I feel qualified to comment by virtue
do it safely and courteously. Those slack-jawed,
Jeff J. of my more than 40 years experience in
glassy-eyed zombies driving those beige boxes are
paying attention and about 25 Hi Maynard,
the motorcycle business; the last 6 years
percent of them vote.
writing tech articles for Rider magazine.
In reference to your not knowing for
However, we’re not sure he’s
When a motorcycle comes into
certain, and wondering about your local
correct when it comes to why
shop guru’s cavalier comments about your the service department for a valve
lane-sharing is allowable
cam lobes (that he did not work on), I have adjustment, that means “adjustment.”
(there is no law allowing it,
Not “go-no go” checking for tolerance.
a theory. There is a Hardly-Ableson shop
therefore no legislative intent
All the intake valves should be the same
and
a
Ducati
shop,
that
I,
like
you,
go
to
if
to research in the records
clearance and all the exhaust valves
I
do
not
have
the
tools/knowledge/balls/
of the state legislature).
where-with-all to work on the bike myself. should be the same. It makes a difference
We think the “air-cooled”
Each shop has two or three mechanics that and just because there are shims instead
argument is apocryphal
regularly confer/jest with each other about of screws and lock nuts doesn’t mean your
and has more to do with
mechanic should be inaccurate.
each job in the shop.
the California Motorcycle
Tankslapper
HEY YOU KIDS!
Letters to the Editor:
Being a “for joy” rider I have the
opportunity to spend a fair amount
of time driving my van on local area
freeways. It is always to my disgust to
see motorcycle commuters lane splitting
(lane sharing) when there is no apparent
need for it, but just to do it. It’s natural
selection at its highest point, survival of
When spring—and vacation scheduling—
arrived, his lust for adventure became a
raging fire. He told me he thought he had
found the answer to his “best motorcycle”
question. His search had narrowed to an
older Kawasaki KLR650 or a BMW F650.
When I asked why those two he said, “It’s a
Herbie thing.”
Over my lifetime as an adventurist, I
had never heard of a “Herbie thing.” So
I admitted ignorance, asked about the
relation between the Kawasaki KLR650,
BMW F650 and Herbie.
MORE ALAS, POOR MAYNARD
Dealer’s Association and
CHP’s (of all people) lobbying
efforts. Stay tuned for a more
in-depth analysis of lanesharing in a future issue, but feel free to share your
thoughts on lane-sharing: [email protected] or
post to the CityBike group on Facebook.
Photo: Bob Stokstad
the most aware. I’m sure they do it solely
to anger and frighten the lowly “cage”
dweller, but so unnecessary and such a
black eye on the sport.
Let’s examine why the law even exists.
There was a time, newbies, when all
motorcycles were air cooled and before
smog laws, car exhaust was toxic. Sitting
in stop-and-go traffic was actually a
danger to your health and wellbeing,
not to mention your motorcycles
engine. The law that allows lane sharing
(lane splitting) was enacted to prevent
motorcyclists from fainting in heavy
traffic situations and to allow police
responding to emergency to move
ahead. Now it’s become a reason to
ignore the speed limits, pass unsafely,
create dangerous situations and run like
hooligans down the freeway blaming
everyone else for close calls.
In most cases lane splitting for no
apparent reason (not in traffic situations)
does not net you enough of an advantage
over traffic as you’d think. If you gain
only a few minutes time getting to your
destination but took all that risk to do
it, you’re an idiot and will not be on two
wheels very long. You can rationalize it
all you want, “I know what I’m doing,”
“don’t preach to me, you’re not my pa”
yeah, I’ve heard it all kid. But I’ve also
helped pick up motorcycle commuters
who have run afoul of an unaware lanechanging motorist who knocked you on
your keister as you “split” by too close.
Oh sure you want to place all the blame
on her, whaa whaa, as your fairing is all
scratched up and your headlights are in a
million pieces.
EMPULSIVE
Hi CityBike
Thanks for the great e-bike comparo in
April’s issue (“Electric Boogaloo”). For
reasons I won’t rant about now, I reckon
electric motorcycles are a much more
viable proposition than electric cars right
now. Plus they’re much cooler (have you
seen the Leaf? It looks like a frog trying to
hold in a fart).
As I hang in the shops, I see the
mechanics eyeballing each other’s work
whilst making witty/pithy suggestions
or answering questions betwixt them. It
is highly likely that your local shop guru
noticed the wear, in passing, and the
youngster/wrench did not, nor did the
guru think to have it written down, as it is
probably minor wear, and just thought to
make a friendly suggestion the next time
he saw you.
Anyway, when I started to read “News,
Clues and Rumors” about the Empulse
in the May issue, I thought the idea of
a more sporty e-bike would be cool—
until I read the words “focus groups.”
As Henry Ford famously didn’t say, “If
I had asked people what they wanted,
they would have said faster horses.”
Brammo have really missed a trick here.
Instead of capitalizing on the fact that
its bike is different, it has spent precious
time and money making it more like
everything else.
Don’t get me wrong, I love the feeling of
rowing through the gears, or the sense
of accomplishment when you’ve picked
exactly the right gear for the corner. Can
you imagine, though, if Brammo had
spent that time and money developing a
better a better ride-by-wire system for the
throttle? Different modes, for relaxed or
sporty riding? Customizing maps using
sensors for throttle position and rate of
opening? How good would it feel to be
able to sail through a series of sweepers,
free to focus on body position and the
perfect line?
In my 45 years of riding I have always
adhered to one simple rule, “weigh the
risks against the advantage.” If you’re not Anyway, those are just my thoughts.
What would I know, I don’t participate in
way ahead by taking the risk you’re just
being stupid, and “stupid hurts” or at least focus groups…
it should.
Patrick Shearer
Davis, CA
Point being, a “good rider” picks his
battles and knows that the throttle,
Actually, Patrick, the Empulse does have different
although your friend, twists both ways;
modes (Eco and Sport), selectable by switch. We’re
and also understands the importance
hoping to ride one soon.
of wearing the correct safety clothing
Next, if there is enough wear on a
cam to be noticed without accurate
measurement you’ve got a problem that
should be addressed right now—not
many thousands of miles from now. Over
the years all the various manufacturers
have had camshaft hard-facing problems
and they’ve always been fixed under
warranty. Very light pitting or mild scuff
marks don’t count. Seems like the service
manager is full of shit.
Chris Sidah
CLASSIFIEDS
CLUBS
Homoto is a queer and queer-friendly motorcycle club based in
the San Francisco Bay Area. Our rides are sport-focused with an
emphasis on safety and camaraderie.
For more info:
http://www .homoto .us
sanfrancisco@homoto .us
sanjose@homoto .us
Ride with other local sport bike riders in the Bay Area.
• Mostly sport bikes
• Routes go to ALL parts of the bay area and focus on the
“twisty’s”
• We set a quick pace and newbies may get left behind ;)
• Group riding experience is highly recommended, as is
proper riding gear
• We also do track days, drag races, motorcycle camping,
and attend motorcycle racing events
http://www .meetup .com/BayAreaMotoGroup/
Leave your husbands, boyfriends or significant other
at home.
This is a place for women to ride with no ego’s present or male
testosterone to get in the way. Head-to-Toe gear is strongly
preferred, leather if you got it. And if you need gear, then ask
GearChic aka Joanne to help you find some.
• Mainly sport bikes.
• Scooters welcome, as long as they’re freeway legal (over
150cc)
• All skill levels welcome.
• We don’t allow crashing - so please ride within your limits.
• Our parent group is BAMG (Bay Area Moto Group).
http://www .meetup .com/BAMGirls/
Bay Area Sidecar
Enthusiasts (BASE)
•Whatdoesyourdogthinkaboutmotorcycling?(A:
Hard to tell without a sidecar!)
•Everdrivenintrafficwithafakemachine-gunmounted
toyourrig?
•Wanttoknowhowto“flythechair”?
•Maybejustwanttofindoutwhatit’sliketobea“sidecar
monkey”foradaybycatchingaridewithus?
We are a facebook-based group in the SF Bay Area filled with
sidecars and the people who love them, and we’d be happy
to meet you.
Email pej12378@yahoo .com for more information.
J&M Motorsports
The Northern California Norton Owners’ Club (NCNOC) is
dedicated to the preservation and enjoyment of the Norton
motorcycle. Membership is open to all British Motorcycle
enthusiasts and is currently $25 per year, you can join online.
Our monthly rides, meetings and tech session and events are
open to all members and guests see our web site calendar at
www .nortonclub .com .
Now celebrating our 40th year!
OMC
The Oakland Motorcycle Club is the fourth-oldest club in
the nation and celebrated 100 years of continuous operation
in 2007. The OMC is dedicated to supporting the sport
of motorcycle riding. We are a diverse group of male and
female riders with a wide variety of motorcycles, including
street, dirt, and dualsport bikes. We sponsor and organize
the following annual events to which all riders are invited:
Sheetiron 300 Dualsport, held in May; Three Bridge Poker
Run, held in July; Jackhammer Enduro, held in October.
Regular club meetings are held every Wednesday at 8:00
p.m. Guests are welcome. 742 – 45th Avenue, Oakland. (510)
534-6222. www .oaklandmc .org .
San Francisco Motorcycle Club
San Francisco Motorcycle Club, Inc., established 1904, is the
second oldest motorcycle club in the country!
Our business meetings are Thursday nights at 8:30pm, and
guests are always welcome. Our clubhouse is filled with
motorcycling history from the last century, a pool table,
foosball and pinball games, and people who currently enjoy
motorcycles, dirt riding, racing, touring, riding and wrenching.
Check our website for events such as club rides, socials and
events, and come visit us, no matter what bike you ride!
San Francisco Motorcycle Clubhouse is located at
2194 Folsom St, @ 18th St in San Francisco.
www .sf-mc .org
415-863-1930
DEALERS
BSA Owners Club
The BSA Owners’ Club of Northern California was formed to
promote the preservation and enjoyment of the motorcycles
produced by the Birmingham Small Arms Company in
England. Founded in 1985, the Club now has over 500
members, and has produced the monthly newsletter, The
Bulletin, since the Club’s inception. Rides and activities are
scheduled each month in addition to two major activities: The
Clubman’s All British Weekend in the spring, and the Northern
California All British Ride in the fall. Membership is open to
all BSA enthusiasts.
For more information: www .bsaocnc .org
The Classic Japanese Motorcycle Club is dedicated to the
celebration and preservation of the Classic and Vintage Japanese
motorcycle. We have rides, meets, shows, swaps and can help
you find and sell parts, bikes and motorcycle-related services.
Members make the club function!
www .CJMC .org .
Exciting women-only motorcycle group in the SF Bay Area.
For more info visit www .curveunit .com
The Ducati Vintage Club was founded to assist vintage Ducati
MC (1987 and older) owners with information and resources
to preserve, resurrect and bring these MC’s back to the road!
Owners and enthusiasts are welcome to join. We meet once
monthly at the Ducati Bike Night event and we sponsor the annual
European Motorcycle Show and Swap held in March at the Santa
Clara County Fairgrounds, the La Ducati Day Concorso held in
LaHonda each October and more.
Visit us at www .ducativintageclub .com
2000 Heritage Softail Custom- Price- $13,999.00 Pearl
white with hard back kit added, Hi flow pipes, 95” motor, wind
vest shield, Custom Tach. 8,200 miles
2004 Custom STX- Price: $13,500.00 110 Rev Tech motor,
less than 1,000 miles Color-Red, white black and gray
2007 Sportster 883 Low- Price: $8,999.00- Added 1200
kit, Buell heads, 551 Cams, Screaming Eagle Exhaust, Heavy
breather. Color-Brown. 5859 miles
IRON HORSE
Consistently maintained by certified mechanics,
SHOWROOM QUALITY
2004 Harley Davidson Road Glide, Model: FLTR,
Price:$12,499.00 Description: 2/1 Cobra Pipe, Hi-Flow,
removable riders backrest, sissy bar with attached luggage
rack. 59,475 Miles, Color: Black.
2008 Harley Davidson DeLuxe, Model: FLSTN,
Price:$16,599.00 Description: Leather wrapped lockable
bags, luggage rack, removable windshield, 1934 miles.
Color: Crimson Red
2004 Harley Davidson Road King, Model: FLHR, Price:
$13,499.00 Description: Pro-Pipe, Hi-Flow, Removable backrest,
Corbin Seat, Hard Bags, Miles: 26,055, Color: Black
2001 Harley Davidson Road King Model: FLHR, Price:
$14,199.00 Description: Vance&Hines, Hi-Flow, Touring Seat
w rider backrest, removable chopped tour pak. Too many
extras to list, come see it in person. 28692 Miles- Color:
Concord Purple
2002 Harley Davidson Custom WideGlide Price:
$13,999.00. Color-Red, White, and Blue on Silver. Miles:
5673, 95” Motor, Screamin Eagle heads, 211 Cams, 111 HP,
114 Ft/Lbs
2008HarleyDavidson,“1200Custom” Model: XL1200C
Price: $7395.00 Description: ThunderHeader. Hi-Flow,
Removable backrest 6287 Miles
2001HarleyDavidson,“FatBoy” Model: FLSTF Price:
$11,999.00 Description: Chrome front end, Windshield,
removable backrest, Corbin seat, 1350 miles
2011 ATK, Model GT 250R- Price:$3995.00. Description:
27 HP, Carb, Dual Disc front, single disc rear brakes, free flow
exhaust, 5 speed. 1 year warranty. Sales Tax, Freight/Setup,
License and Doc. Fee additional.
2003 Harley Davidson Dyna Wide Glide, Model
FXDWG-Price:$11,499.00. Description: Pipes, Hi-Flow,
Bags, Removable windshield, Passing lights, 6 spoke split
wheels, Chrome Frontend Miles:34646, Color: Silver & Black
Anniversary
2010 ATK, Model GT 650R-Price: $5,595.00. Description:
80HP, Carb, Dual Disc front, single disc rear brakes, free flow
exhaust, 6 speed 1 year warranty Demo unit. 441miles.
2010 ATK, Model: GT250- Price: $3,995.00 Description:
250cc, 70+mpg,Color: Maroon 1 year warranty Demo unit.
870 miles.
2001 Harley Davidson Road King Custom Model: FLHRCIPrice: $13,799.00 Description-95” Motor, Hi-Flow, 203
Cams, Pipes, Corbin Seat, with backrest, Tour Pak. 40,938
Miles
1998 Harley Davidson Fat Boy- Price: $10,299.00
Description- S&S Super B, Python pipes, Turquoise and white
custom paint on Fat Bob tanks, Bag Stand Offs.
1931 Old Middlefield Way
#201
Mountain View
www .jm-ms .com
650-386-1440
Good-used-motorcycle/Fair-price specialists—Sportbikes,
Cruisers, & Dirt Bikes
We are a licensed operation run by two brothers who love
motorcycles and specialize in newer, low-mile, affordable
bikes that are worth owning. We have in-house financing and
a wide variety of bikes all in one place.
Looking for your first bike? Your 10th? Come by and see why
people like us: Easy to deal with and we really enjoy our work.
J&M is not a giant dealership. When you call or visit, you’re
talking directly with the owner.
Come by and take a look! Open Tues-Sat - Closed Sunday
We buy (nice) used bikes. Trade-ins and consignments are
almost always welcome.
$4,495 1980 BMW R65 7,945 miles
$3,795 1997 BMW F650 15,629 miles
$1,995 2001 Yamaha YZ250F clean! green sticker
$3,995 2005 Yamaha Vstar1100 Classic 18,676 miles
$4,995 2008 Yamaha Vstar650 Silverado 3,840 miles
$5,495 2006 FZ6 Yamaha 3,052 miles
$5,995 2009 FZ6R Yamaha 4,410 miles
$8,995 2011 FZ1 Yamaha 4,487 miles warranty
$5,995 2005 YZFR6 Yamaha 6,422 miles
$6,995 2005 YZFR1 Yamaha 16,209 miles many extras
$2,795 2007 Suzuki GZ250 8,057 miles
$5,995 2009 Suzuki SVF650 Gladius 4,960 miles
$7,495 2006 Suzuki M109R VZR1800 5,280 miles
$4,995 2007 Suzuki DRZ400SM 2,467 miles
$7,695 2008 Suzuki GSXR600 4,817 miles
$6,995 2006 Suzuki GSXR1000 8,908 miles
$995 2003 Kawasaki KX65 clean!
$1,495 2006 Kawasaki KX100 Clean!
$3,995 2009KawasakiEX250RNinja 6,030 miles
$3,995 2008KawasakiEX250RNinja 6,182 miles
$3,2952007KawasakiEX500RNinja6,549 miles
$5,495 2009 Kawasaki KLE650 Versys 11,654mi Warranty
$5,495 2009 Kawasaki ER650N 18,052 miles Warranty
$2,995 2006 Honda CRF450R
$3,295 2006 Honda CRF250X clean! green sticker
$6,995 2005 Honda CBR600RR 2,449 miles Many Extras
$6,995 2008 Honda CBR600RR 13,110 miles
$8,995 2009 Honda CBR600RA RR ABS 5,048 miles
$2,995 2007 Honda CMX250 Rebel 1,699 miles
$3,995 2007 Honda VLX600 Shadow 5,748 miles
$5,295 2009 Honda VT750 Spirit 2,078 miles
$17,995 2004 GMC 2500 Duramax HD 4x2 123,502 miles
$21,995 2002 Ford F250 Lariat PowerStroke 138,233 miles
Mission Motorcycles
6232 Mission Street Daly City, CA 94014
(650) 992-1234 www .missionmotorcycles .com
1st Saturday of the month is BROWN BAG SATURDAY! Get
it in the bag and get 15% OFF! Any Parts or Accessories in
stock are 15% off the marked price! One bag per customer,
so get as much stuff as you can and Have Fun while Saving
Money!
Our factory-trained technicians in our Service Department
have decades of experience. Rely on us to keep your bike,
ATV, scooter or generator in tip top condition whether it’s
for regular scheduled maintenance, crash repairs, or for any
accessory installation you may be thinking about. We will
check your tire pressures for free.
NEW BIKE SPECIALS
2012 Super Tenere Demo Rides! Please call to schedule
a ride (650) 992-1234. This is the ultimate adventure touring
bike with power modes, traction control, and ABS! Come and
see what all the excitement is about!
2012 Zero Electric Motorcycle S and DS have arrived.
Imagine where you can go with up to 114 mile range and a
top speed over 80 mph. It is very quiet, low maintenance,
and inexpensive to operate. Plug in and get charged with a
standard household outlet. Street models are eligible for the
$900 CA Clean Air Vehicle Rebate. Call for a Demo Ride and
mention Citybike.
2011 ZERO Electric Motorcycles savings available here
at Mission Motorcycles. Get Plugged In! The UX (Urban
Cross) and MX (Motocross) models are $1000.00 OFF!!!
Plus, select ZERO Motorcycles qualify for a $900 CA Clean Air
Vehicle Rebate! Call (650) 992-1234 for a Demo Ride.
TIME TO GET DIRTY! Wide selection of new and used
motocross and trail bikes in stock now! The rain is finally
here, it’s time to ride. Get your kids or significant other riding!
Easy to ride and fun for all.
2011 Kawasaki ZX-6R $9,499. New Supersport
Motorcycle! This bike has fully adjustable front and rear
suspension, excellent handling, and cornering capabilities.
Available in Black, Green and Blue!
2011 Yamaha FZ1 $9,990 Silver. Want a comfortable ride,
but don’t want to give up sport performance and handling?
This is the ride for you.
2009 Honda CBR1000ABS $12,999. Spectacular engine
performance with solid, confidence inspiring, handling. Feels
like a 600cc in the tight turns, yet open the throttle and feel
the acceleration of a liter class bike. Red/Black.
2009 Yamaha V Star 650 Custom Only $6,090 Blue
Flame. Perfect for the freeway or getting around town. Easy
to handle and big value for the price.
2009 Honda CRF230M $5,399 Supermoto fun with a low
seat height. Great for getting around town and having a blast.
2009 Yamaha T-Max $7,999 This 500cc sport scooter is
great for cruising around the bay or California! This scooter
can do it all!
PRE-OWNED VEHICLES
2005 Honda VTX1800F $7,699 Only 9,553 Miles! This bike
has it all! Comfort, performance, great handling, and it looks
great! Comes with a windscreen and saddlebags installed!
Stock # U1150
2007 V-Star 1300 in Blue $6,299 with 27,286 miles This
is a great bike to tour around the country on or just around
the city! Comes with cobra pipes, power commander,
saddlebags, passenger back rest and rear rack. Stock #
U1121
2007 Vulcan 900 Classic LT Black and Silver Only
$4,999 with 41,024 miles. Comes complete with windscreen,
saddlebags, engine guards, highway pegs, corbin seat with
rider back rest, Passenger back rest, and cobra exhaust pipes.
Stock # U1146
2009 Honda CBR600RR Limited Edition Phoenix $7,299
with 11,446 miles and ready to go! Leo Vince Exhaust,
adjustable levers, aftermarket mirrors with LED turn signals,
and fender elimination kit. Stock # U1154
2009 Yamaha FZ6R blue $5,299 with 2,500 miles! This is
a great bike for city riding and commuting as well! Great for
riders of all levels. This bike has been lowered, so it is great
for those of us who are vertically challenged. Lowering can
easily be reversed back to stock suspension height . Stock
# U1155
2004 Honda Silverwing 600 in Silver $4,499 Only 7,983
miles. Great all around scooter! Great for commuting in the
city or cruising down the coast! Stock # U1144
2010 Vespa GTS 300 Super Pearl White $4,599 only
1,504 Miles! Scoot around town or down the freeway in style.
Stock # U1147
2003 HONDA REFLEX W/ ABS $2,499 21,878 miles and
awaiting more! Plenty of power for two-up freeway riding
with Antilock Brakes, lots of storage with an extra Givi trunk.
Stock # C442
1988 Honda Elite 250 Black $2,199 Only 9,821 Miles
Classic, freeway legal scooter. Smaller, compact frame than
most freeway legal scooters, makes this scooter easy to
maneuver. Stock # C469
2007 Kawasaki KLX110 $1,699 The mud is here! Take your
kids riding with this three speed dirt bike. Easy to ride, just
twist and go. Very low hours. Stock # C466
Prices do not include government fees, dealer freight/setup
fees (new vehicles only), taxes, dealer document preparation
charges or any finance charges (if applicable). Final actual
sales prices will vary depending on options or accessories
selected.
Check out and compare our bikes online at
www .missionmotocycles .com!
THE MOTOR CAFE
1289 W. El Camino Real
Sunnyvale, CA 94087
408.739.6500
We are the south bay’s source for all your Ducati, Honda,
Kawasaki and KTM needs.
Honda CBR250R ABS models are in stock.
Big savings on all new 2011 and older inventory.
Financing specials as low as:
3.99% from Honda
3.95% from Kawasaki
2.99% from Ducati
3.99% from KTM
Stop by and check out our clearance prices on our last 2010
and 2011 models, included a killer price on the 2011 KTM
250 SX-F
Sample of our current used inventory:
‘04 BMW R1150R 2,926 mi. $6,999
’07 Ducati ST3 3,809 mi. $7.999
‘04 Ducati MTS1000DS 7,437 mi. $6,499
‘12 Honda Goldwing 554 mi. $21,999
‘05 Honda CRF230F OHV mi. $2,299
‘07 CBR1000RR Repsol 10,036 mi. $7,999
‘09 Honda CBR600RR 599 mi. $7,999
‘01 Honda XR400 OHV $2,699
‘05 Honda CRF450R OHV $3,499
‘09 KTM 200 XC-W OHV $4,499
‘04 Suzuki GS500 7,194 mi. $2,999
’07 Suzuki GSXR750 13,596 mi. $7,299
‘06 Suzuki C90 13,752 mi. $6,999
‘10 Yamaha R1 8,149 mi. $10.999
’07 Yamaha R6 3,929 mi. $7,799
Here you will find anything from Street bike to cruiser and dual
sport bikes. All our vehicles have been thoroughly gone through.
Our used motorcycles come with our own 60 day warranty.
SERVICE DEPARTMENT:
The service department is open from Tuesday throuhg
Saturday from 8:00am until 6:00pm. Direct service phone
line: 415-861-7196
275 8th Street at the corner of Folsom
San Francisco - 415 255 3132
www .sfmoto .com
We are sf moto. Located on 8th and Folsom in the SOMA
(South of Market) area of San Francisco,we serve the bay area
with new SYM scooters and recent used motorcycles. We
sell Triumph, Ducati, Yamaha, Kawasaki, BMW,Suzuki and
other brands.
RIDING SCHOOLS
Bavarian Cycle Works
(415) 829-8235
501 Alabama Street (bet. Mariposa & 18th St)
San Francisco CA 94110
bavariancycleworks .com
SALES DEPARTMENT:
- We buy used motorcycles and scooters. We can also help
you sell your ride with our no cost consignment program.
- Bring your bike, title (or loan statement), owners handbook
and keys.
- It’s OK if you still have a loan on your bike we can still take
care of you.
- We will provide the safest way for you to get cash for your
motorcycle or scooter. It only takes about 20 - 25 minutes.
- Sign up on our mail list to get NEW INVENTORY
NOTIFICATIONS in our weekly e mail newsletter at
www .sfmoto .com
WE HAVE THE FASTEST ROTATING SELECTION
IN SAN FRANCISCO:
2009 SYM RV250 scooter, several colros 0 miles $3588
2012 SYM HD200 EVO scooter, several colors, 0 miles $3495
2009 SYM Citycom 300i, red or blue, 0 miles, $3999
2012 SYM Fiddle II 125cc, several colors, 0 miles, $2295.00
2012 SYM Wolf classic 150, several colors, 0 miles, $2999
2010 HYOSUNG GT250R motorcycle, 10 miles,$4199
2007YamahaMajesty400, blue, 5705 miles, $4295
1969 Vespa Primavera ET3, white, 46k miles, $2495
2007 Kawasaki Vulcan 900, aqua, 9529 miles, $5295
2009KawasakiNinja600, green, 10436 miles, $7495
2007 Honda VT1100 shadow,burgundy, 6354 miles, $5695
2009 Suzuki GSXR 750,white, 7530 miles, $9495
2009 Yamaha R6,blue, 4003 miles, $6895
2008 Honda Shadow 750 Aero Spirit,red/white,
10248 miles, $5695
2007 Yamaha Vino 125 scooter,blue, 1318 miles, $2195
2010 Yamaha R6 YZFR6,black, 6450 miles, $9495
2012 Triumph Bonneville,gold, 2024 miles, $7695
2010 Yamaha XT250, white, 9 miles, $4695
2009 Suzuki GZ250 cruiser, black, 2832 miles, $2995
2002 Vespa ET150 scooter, blue, 6750 miles, $1995
2011 Kawasaki ZX600, blue, 1066 miles, $8495
2009 Kymco People 200S scooter, red, 7 miles, $2695
2009 Suzuki DR-Z400S, white, 515 miles, $4895
2006 Yamaha Warrior 1700 cruiser, black,
6711 miles, $6995
2008 Suzuki GSXR 750, black, 5992 miles, $8495
2007KawasakiNinja600, red, 2837 miles, $5495
2008KawasakiNinja650R, green, 5113 miles, $4395
2008KawasakiNinja650R, green, 3,252 miles, $5395
2010 Honda SH150 scooter, red, 498 miles, $3495
2009 Suzuki SFV650 Gladius, blue/white, 3662 miles, $5995
2006 Honda Rebel 250, white, 7521 miles, $2995
2007KawasakiNinja650R, blue, 16528 miles, $4195
2007KawasakiNinja650R, blue, 3865 miles, $4995
2009 Yamaha FZ6-R, white, $5495
2011 Yamaha Zuma scooter, 159 miles, $2995
2009 Yamaha FZ6, yellow, 6076 miles, $5995
2006 SYM HD200 scooter, blue, call for price
2010 Yamaha YZFR6, black, $9495
2003 Piaggio LT150 scooter, 5916 miles, $1995
TriQuest Motorcycles
NEW 2010 Ural Solo sT
Special ordered bike for show display. Custom factory
painted Maroon, with extra stainless steel & chrome bling.
Bike is sold as new with 2 year factory parts/labor/unlimited
mileage warranty
58km … equal custom 2012 list … $8649 … this one only
$6,500 plus tax/lic.
VIN X8JMH2382AU220346
Sold by CA licensed URAL dealer … TriQuest Motorcycles
408-855-8358
www .triquestcycles .com
USED MOTORCYCLES:
Honda 90 Trail Bike – Yellow color – Low Miles.
$985 OBO
510-387-2624 or 510-893-4821
CPT Cycles
Doc Wong
Riding Clinics
PERSONAL IMPROVEMENT
Come to the FREE monthly Doc Wong Riding Clinics.
www .docwong .com
Eighteen years, 40,000 riders!
Honda cbr1000rr. Showroom condition.less than 100 miles!
Must sell asking 11690.00. Title in hand. Extras included.
Rae .SJSU@gmail .com
2003 Suzuki SV1000S, silver. One original owner, still
on first set of tires! Just 3000 miles, like new. Other items
available. $4500. Ask for Otto: tthrnndz@yahoo .com
354 Bel Marin Keys Blvd Suite F
Novato, CA 94949
415-755-8283
www .cptcycles .com
Mon-Fri 9am-6pm - Saturday by appointment only.
**June special….No labor charge on oil and filter changes**
Aprilia, KTM, and BMW Service and Repair
Located at 44 Harbor street, San Rafael
Open Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm
(415) 454-RIDE
MOTO GIO
Motorcycle Performance Parts, Accessories, Services.
Low price on Tires!!!
We will PRICE MATCH with any store.
Phone : 408-298-8887
1391 N. 10th St
San Jose CA 95112
Email: info@motogio .com
www.motogio.com
Please mention this ad and you will receive an additional 5%
off on your purchase.
CityBike Classifieds
Reach thousands of Northern California motorcyclists. Just $15 for 25 words, 25¢
each additional word. Photos add $25. Industry classifieds are a higher price. Free
25-word listing for stolen bikes. Deadline is the 3rd of each month. Just fill out the
form, or copy and send it with your check, payable to CityBike PO Box 10659,
Oakland CA, 94610
Name:
Address:
City:
State:
Zip:
e-mail:
Garrahan Offroad Training
Garrahan Off-Road Training is California’s top school for
off-road motorcycle riding and racing. Located in Northern
California, our organization was founded by champion racer,
Brian Garrahan. Whether you are a seasoned rider wanting to
improve your technique, or just curious to check out the sport,
you’ve come to the right place: Come and train with Garrahan
Off-Road Training!!!
VISIT US ON OUR WEBSITE:
www .garrahanoffroadtraining .com
PARTS AND SERVICE
ADDICTION MOTORS
4052 Watts St @ 40th
Emeryville, CA
510.473.7247
www .addictionmotors .com
Starting June 1st, Addiction Motors will be offering a
new service: Bike Storage! We will ensure that your bike
has fluids, air in the tires, a charged battery and a clean place
to place your butt whenever you are ready to ride.
What you get: a 4x8 spot in our expanded 12,000 square ft
shop outfitted with a security system for extra protection.
Cost: $100 per month*
Questions and Answers:
Q: When can I pick up or drop off my bike?
A: Anytime during our normal business hours. Just give us a
1 hour heads up and we’ll have it ready for you.
Q: What does my $100 include?
A: Lots
• Storage of your bike with as many in-out privileges as you
can muster up - we want to you ride!
• Topping of oil, brake fluid, etc as needed
• A nice wipe down after you bring it back**
Q:Can I leave my helmet and jacket?
A: You can leave whatever will fit in your 4x8 spot (please
limit it to motorcycle related items, however)
Q: Is there a contract?
A: No, it is a month-by-month service.
Please call us at 510.473.7247 to make your reservation
- we have a limited amount of spots available!
* Maintenenace tasks like changing oil or repair will cost you
extra, of course
Custom Design Studios
Mind-Blowing Custom Paint Since 1988
Visit Our Showroom!
V-Twin Service, Repair, Parts, & Fabrication.
Harley Factory Trained Tech.
Cycle Salvage –
Hayward
Cycle Salvage Hayward = Full Service.
People are surprised to find out that we’re more than just a
salvage yard.
•Full Service - All makes: We have 3 lifts and 3 full-time
mechanics!
•Tire installation (even if you bought tires elsewhere)
•Plastic Welding (fairings)
•Oil Changes
•New Tires
We buy used/wrecked bikes
Helmets, jackets, leathers, gloves, and all other apparel
Fair prices and easy to deal with.
Used parts -> broke yours? Call us!
Cycle Salvage Hayward
510-886-2328
21065 Foothill Blvd.
ADVANCED CYCLE
SERVICE
DNA specializes in affordable scooter/motorcycle repair
(including Chinese) in the SF Bay Area. We provide services
on-site or pickup.
510-473-7349
www .dnamotorlab .com
FRISCO VINTAGE
Vespa Service &
Repair
2-stroke shifty only. 30 years experience. Great rates.
No job too small. In San Francisco. By Appointment.
info@friscovintage .com
Rotors, Brake lines, Pads, Street, Race, Off-road, Super-Moto
PashnitMoto is one of the largest Galfer Braking dealers in the
USA. Colored brake lines, custom lengths, Wave Rotors. 50
Pages of part numbers.
www .GalferBrakes .net or call 530/391-1356
MOTO TIRE GUY
www .MotoTireGuy .com
Motorcycle Tire Services
San Francisco - Bay Area
(415) 601-2853
Order your tires online, Zero CA sales tax plus
Free UPS Ground, then have a Preferred Installer
in your local area do the installation and save!
Please visit website for details.
Since 1956
Knucklehead
Panhead
Iron Sportster
Shovelhead
Evolution
Twin Cam
Multi Valve 450cc and up
Cyl. boring on H.D. only
21050 Mission Blvd. Hayward, 94541
(510) 581-5315
Santa Rosa
BMW Triumph
We are an exclusive BMW and Triumph dealer in the north bay
with genuine BMW and Triumph parts
Just 60 minutes north of the Golden Gate
Call today for a service appointment 707.838.9100
Scotts Valley
Motorcycle Service
Center
All aspects of motorcycle service and repair
4865 Scotts Valley Dr., Scotts Valley
(831) 438-6300 Tues.-Sat. 10am-5pm
MOTORCYCLE TOWING
Enter these contacts into your phone now,
while you are thinking about it, so that you
will have them when you need them .
AMBROZ TOWS
NORCAL CUSTOMS
408-418-3150
775 N. 10th Street San Jose, CA 95112
Specializing in Full Motorcycle Repair & Customization
Custom paint, Powder Coating, Pin stripping, Murals &
Graphics, Gold & Silver Leafing, Chroming, Engraving,
Handlebar Upgrades,Crash bar & Fender Fabrication, Stereo
Systems, Fairing Kits, Air Ride, Lowering, Lifts, Wheels &
Tires, Scheduled Maintenance, Complete Repair & Services,
Upholstery, Hard bag installs, Neon lighting
235 Shoreline Hwy.
Mill Valley CA
(415) 381-5059
We’re not afraid of your old bike.
24/7 Service
650, 408, and 925 area code specialist
Jump Starts • Gas Refill • Tire plugs & fills • Motorcycle
Storage
Emercency Parts Delivery • Designated Driver • Easy-Load
truck
510-385-2374
650-260-2157
www .ambroztows .com
SAN FRANCISCO AND
BEYOND: DAVE’S CYCLE
TRANSPORT
The Old Man
The Old Truck
Dave is working
Dave’s Cycle Transport
San Francisco-Bay Area and Beyond…
24 Hour Service
(415)824-3020 — www .davescycle .com
Lightning Express
Stories Request
Messengers ride in legend! Soliciting tales of Lightning
Express, 1983-2010. Contact Allan Slaughter, (650)-3643403, thanatoscycle@att .net .
Part-time or Full-time. Male or female. Immediate opening
for attractive, upbeat, intelligent, well-spoken individual with
flexible schedule able to work well both independently and as
part of a larger team. Must be healthy & fit. Many day-time
and weekend commitments, occasional evenings. Primary
location will cover much of Northern California and reliable
transportation is required; possible opportunity for paid air
travel at company expense within the continental United
States. Mileage and parking reimbursed in addition to regular
flat rate compensation or salary (not commission-based). No
sales or quotas. Well-respected company with established
reputation and services you can proudly represent. Easy
industry relationships. Relevant marketing experience and
excellent people skills are a must! Knowledge of motorcycles
is a plus but not required. Send resume or job history, current
photo and a list of your hobbies/ past-times. Company name
witheld by request. email to kenyon@citybike .com and
we’ll get it to the right person.
Werkstatt Motorcycles has an immediate opening for
an experienced Service Manager/General Manager
to join our dynamic team in a positive and professional
work environment in our independent San Francisco shop.
Requires previous SM/GM experience and broad knowledge
of Japanese, German and Italian Motorcycles. Sales, eBay,
or mechanic experience helpful. Salary based on experience.
Applicants with racing related experiences are encouraged.
Paid health benefits + bonuses + many other benefits (full
machine shop, racing support, and shop sponsored track
days). Please send a resume and cover letter to: Jennifer@
werkstattsf .com
WHEELS AND DEALS
ACCIDENT OR INJURY?
Call 415/999-4790 for a 24-hr. recorded message and a copy
of the FREE REPORT
EAT AT REDS JAVA HOUSE, SF.
“IT’S REALLY GOOD FOOD”
SAYS CITYBIKE MANAGEMENT.
EBAY SALES eBay sales. Specialist with vehicles, 12 years
experience, and 5000+ positive feedback rating. Flat listing
rate. I can produce auctions with 20+ large format, gorgeous,
high quality pictures with my dealer account and pro-grade
camera. Dr. Hannibal Lechter reminds us that “we covet
what we see.” Let me show people what you have and why
they should pay top dollar for it! Interested in larger lots of
identifiable, good-quality motorcycle and car parts to buy as
well. imperialist1960@yahoo .com or 415/699-8760.
SELL YER STUFF IN
CITYBIKE!
RABER’S BRITISH MOTORCYCLE PARTS AND SERVICE
We offer parts and service for Triumph, Norton, BSA, Amal, Lucas.
In-house cylinder boring, valve jobs, surfacing and much more.
1984 Stone Ave.
San Jose, CA 95125
Phone (408)998-4495
Fax (408)998-0642
Tues-Fri 11-6, Sat 8-5
www .rabers .com
Bavarian Cycle Works
EXPERT Service & Repair
Bavarian Cycle Works specializes in new and vintage BMW,
modern TRIUMPH and select motorcycle models. Our
staff includes a Master Certified Technician and personnel
each with over 25 years experience. Nearly all scheduled
motorcycle maintenance can be completed within a one day
turnaround time. All bikes kept securely indoors, day and
night. Come see us!
Use our shop workstations, lifts, & tools to fix your own
motorcycle!
We offer mechanical classes that teach new tricks and selfsufficiency.
Find out more online!
www .BayAreaMotoShop .com
(650) 873-1600
325 South Maple #20
South San Francisco, CA 94080
Quality Motorcycles
*Motorcycle Service and Repair*
• Tires • Service •Insurance estimates
Monthly bike storage available
Come check us out
1135 Old Bayshore Hwy
San Jose, CA 95112
(408) 299-0508
jim@advcyles .com — www .advcycles .com
DUCATI SUZUKI KAWASAKI YAMAHA
Large Parts Inventory for American V-Twins
Full service on all American-made bikes
Machine Shop & Welding
925-689-9801
2395 H Monument Blvd, Concord
For all your Bay Area Vespa / Piaggio / Aprilia needs
MOTOSHOP
DNA Motor Lab, LLC
Galfer Braking
AMERICAN CUSTOM
MOTORCYCLE PARTS
Magazine collection - Cycle/Cycle World $800
Motorcycle Magazine Collection for sale. Cycle, Cycle World
from ‘60s to ‘90s. Also have Motorcyclist, Dirtbike, others,
$800/all. Email: frisbeedad@aol .com
SF MOTO
1999 Yamaha R1, blue, 4.6K miles, Öhlins, Race Tech,
Graves rearsets, V&H slip-on: $3950. Also, ‘97 Aprilia
RS250 & ‘99 R6 track bikes: prices negotiable. 408/3430381/921-9689.
ROCKRIDGE TWO
WHEELS
Need new rubber? Rockridge Two Wheels is offering a $50
mount and balance with the purchase of two tires. Factory
techs. 40+ years experience. Full service facility.
510/594-0789
vespawalnutcreek .com
925 938 0600
rockridgetwowheels .com
510 594 0789
Introducing
Marin Moto Works!
Motorcycle & ATV
Hauling
Sonoma, Marin, Napa & Mendocino Counties
24 hour Roadside Pickup
707-843-6584
Insured & Licensed
California Motor Carrier Permit
www .mcmotorcycletransport .com
mcmotorcycle@att .net
HELP WANTED
Cycle Salvage
Hayward = Now Hiring
Experienced, Honest
People.
Do you have actual experience working on motorcycles at
a shop? Do you like solving problems and working with
your hands? Consider working at our salvage business in
Hayward on just about anything that comes in - scooters to
full dressers and everything in between. We offer full service
and an alternative to dealerships for bikes new and old, and
we’re growing. Please come by with a resume 10-6pm
Tues-Sat. We’d like to meet good people with experience and
a good attitude.
Yes, you can do that—it’s easy. Easier than calling your
grandson, having him post a Craigslist ad, then ask you for
$20, which you wind up giving him because you decided to go
riding instead of going to his high school graduation and you
feel guilty. We here at CityBike understand your guilt feelings,
so we will run your ad (25 words or less, please) ‘till sold for
just $15. Add $25 bucks to run a photo of your ride so people
believe you’re really selling something and not just lonely.
Subscribers get a free ad every month! Maybe you should
subscribe, eh cheapskate?
FREE HELP WANTED ADS
In our ongoing effort to support and promote local
motorcycling businesses that we rely on, all motorcycle
industry help wanted ads will be listed in the CityBike
Classifieds Section for free.
Contact us via email: info .citybike .com
Serving the
Bay Area’s
motorcycle
needs
since 1988
Award-Winning Customs
Full Service Department
Paint • Parts
Fabrication
Insurance Work
All Makes Welcome
56 Hamilton Drive #A • Novato, CA 94949
415.382.6662 • CustomDesignStudios.com
He's Back!
[email protected]
Former City Bike columist
John D'India has an essay
collection you won't want to miss.
Digital copies available on Amazon Kindle.
Hard copies available at www.blurb.com.
• Porting • Polishing •
• Valve Seat & Guide Replacement • Race Prep •
Send us $14.99 + $5 for
shipping and we’ll send you
a shirt... really! Email us:
[email protected] or mail a
check. Let us know your
shirt size (S-XXL) and
shipping address*
City Bike Magazine
PO Box 10659
Oakland, CA 94610
[email protected]
* if you have stress management issues, and allergic
reactions to shellfish, 1 out of 7 doctors recommend
wearing this shirt only under professional supervision.
Cylinder Head
Specialists
In Business Since 1978
All Makes
All Models
All Years
ENGINE DYNAMICS, LLC
Phone 707-763-7519
Fax 707-763-3759
www.enginedynamics.com
• Flow Bench Testing • Competition Valve Jobs •
Marketplace
2040 Petaluma Blvd. N.Petaluma, CA 94952
FREE!
ADMISSION & RIDE OUT
Sacramento Drive-In – Sacramento, CA
JULY 22 & SEPTEMBER 16, 2012
(800) 762-9785 • WWW.TOPPINGEVENTS.COM

June 2012 - CityBike

Transcription

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