Biker News - Regularly updated

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  1. Indian Motorcycle continues its ‘Forged’ custom Indian Sport Chief video series, releasing the second of its three-bike build series. For this build, Indian Motorcycle tapped Jake Cutler from Barnstorm Cycles to create a one-of-a-kind custom Sport Chief for highly decorated MMA fighter, T.J. Dillashaw.

    When designing the bike, Cutler wanted to create a locked-in riding position. To achieve this, Cutler narrowed the tank and added knee cutouts to allow T.J. to tuck into the bike for a more comfortable and secure riding position. For the seat, Cutler used custom upholstery with gripper fabric. The handlebars are raised two inches with a slight pull back, while the front end was lifted an inch. With colour-matched wheels, the bike’s high-finish paint was completed by Blue Moon Kustoms in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

    “The end result of the bike is pretty much how I mapped it out,” said Cutler. “The colours are where I wanted them to be, the design is what I was hoping it would be.”

    The Indian Motorcycle ‘Forged’ series will conclude with the final build by Carey Hart, set to debut May 18.

    Parts List: 2023 Indian Motorcycle Sport Chief

      • Beringer Brake Master and Clutch Cable Control
      • Barnstorm Hand Control Transition adapters
      • Barnett +2″ Clutch and Brake Cables
      • Barnstorm “Lane Splitter” +2″ Pullback Handlebar Risers for Chief Models
      • Indian Motorcycle Stock Sport Chief Moto style Handlebars
      • Joker Machine Left Side Bar end Mirror
      • Hart Luck ODI Grips
      • Front end lifted 1″ with Bareknuckle Performance Indian Challenger Fork Extension
      • Kuryakn Bullet Atto Amber front turns
      • LED Headlight with custom extension mount.
      • Joker Machine Pegs “Race” Foot Pegs
      • RSD Traction Shift and Brake Pegs
      • Barnstorm Chief/Chieftain Final drive chain conversion
      • Barnstorm + Audette Motorcycles Complete Thunderstroke Engine cover set
      • Revere cam cover
      • Renegade horn cover
      • Revere outer valve covers
      • “BBolt” Sprocket Cover
      • Barnstorm + Audette Motorcycle Moto Hi-Flo air intake
      • Barnstorm signature hand fabricated Stainless Steel 2-1 Exhaust system with custom heat guards. TIG welded with full argon back purge. Finished with an internal ceramic coating and mirror polished.
      • Indian Motorcycle stage tune thanks to the team at Moms of Manchester, NH
      • Barnstorm Chief “Slim Subframe Strut and Fender Conversion”
      • Kuryakn Bullet Atto red rear run/turn/brake lights, laydown license plate mount and LED Plate frame.
      • Barnstorm “BBolt” Primary Cover medallion
      • Barnstorm signature modified gas tank with hand-fabricated “Knee cuts.”
      • Custom seat upholstery stitched by Seamless Custom in Leicester, Massachusetts
      • Custom Powder coating done by C.A.S. Services in Oxford Massachusetts
      • Custom paint-sprayed Blue Moon Kustoms in Oshkosh, Wisconsin

    Video Episode 1

    Video Episode 2

     

  2. The British Motor Museum is inviting visitors to celebrate the iconic Land Rover’s 75th Birthday with a host of family activities this May Half-Term from 27 May – 4 June! The Museum collections feature a wide range of Land Rovers, each with their own incredible journeys, from tough wayfarers like the “Pink Panther” used by the SAS to a Range Rover Vogue that was driven by His Majesty the King. 

    These storied Land Rovers will be at the centre of a new Museum tour hosted by the Museum’s friendly costumed characters roaming the collection as ‘Royal Chauffeurs’. The family tours will take place every day at 11.30am and 1.30pm from the Family Activity station. The ever-popular craft activities are back, where children can make a ‘Land Rover’ out of air-drying dough to take home. These craft activities will take place every day until 3pm (last entry at 2.30pm). Children can also participate in the Colour Creator Trail and enjoy exploring the colours in the collection.

    Emma Rawlinson, Lifelong Learning Officer at the British Motor Museum, said, “We would love families to come along and join in with our birthday celebrations! Tickets for attractions across the UK have gone up significantly since last year due to rising costs. However, we have held our visitor prices for 2023. Raising them was simply not a consideration in our 30th anniversary year and we hope families can join us for a great value day out this Half Term”.

    Museum entry is just £40 for a family in advance or £44 on the day, £14.50 for adults in advance or £16 on the day, £12.50 for concessions in advance or £14 on the day, £9 for children (5-16 years) in advance or £10 on the day and under 5s are FREE. There is also the option to Gift Aid or donate your entry fee and get an Annual Pass in return, at no extra cost. All family activities are included in Museum admission and run on a drop-in basis, just visit the Family Activity station on arrival to find out what is going on and when. All activities are suitable for 3+ years with adult supervision unless otherwise specified. 

    To find out more information about May Half-Term activities, please call 01926 895300 or visit the website at https://www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/whats-on/may-half-term

  3. The British Motor Museum first opened its doors to the public at its site in Gaydon 30 years ago! Visitors got their first look at the world’s largest collections of historic British cars inside the impressive brand-new building on 1 May 1993. The Museum will be marking its milestone anniversary with a week-long 30th Anniversary Celebration from 14-20 August. 

    The origins of the Museum’s collections date back to 1975 when Leyland Historic Vehicles was founded to look after vehicles which had been kept for historic or publicity purposes by several individual companies that made up British Leyland Motor Corporation. By 1983, the archive and vehicle collections had grown to the point where it was decided to establish an independent charitable trust to safeguard them, and the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust (BMIHT) was born. The collections rapidly outgrew the Museum at Syon Park, London and the headquarters at Studley Castle. With the help of an £8m investment from Rover Group, a new home was found in Gaydon, Warwickshire – bringing a brand-new visitor attraction to the area. 

    The building was designed not only to house the cars and extensive motoring archive but also to offer educational and purpose-built conference facilities to ensure its long-term sustainability. The purpose was, and still is, to collect, conserve and share the story of Britain’s motor industry from its inception to the current day, for today’s generation and into the future.

    Thirty years on, the British Motor Museum has gone from strength to strength. The collections have Designated Status, recognising their national and international significance. The number of cars on display exceeds 400, with vehicles from the Jaguar Heritage and Vauxhall Heritage collections adding to those belonging to the Trust. The Mezzanine floor, opened by HRH Princess Anne, was added in 2007, followed just 8 years later by a whole new building - the Collections Centre – where the reserve collection is now accessible to the public.

    The Museum also has a number of aspirational plans for development over the next few years, from the addition of a hotel to a glass ‘wrap’ around the front of the building and from an EV super hub to an apprentice academy.

    Jeff Coope, Managing Director at the British Motor Museum said: “The history of Britain’s motoring industry is the heart and soul of the Museum, and our vision is ultimately to become the global focal point of all Britain’s automotive history and culture. The next 30 years are sure to bring as much, if not more, change than the last 30, and we are excited to be along for the ride.”

    To find out more information about the Museum please call 01926 895300 or visit the website at www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk

  4. With Jerez de la Frontera being a distant memory, it is already time for France and for the iconic Bugatti circuit, where Alex Marquez and Fabio Di Giannantonio will continue on their championship quest with a few more arrows in their quivers after the encouraging tests in Andalucía.   LE MANS TO HOST THE FIFTH ROUND OF THE MOTOGP SEASON
     
    Le Mans is a favourite track for both the Spaniard (maiden podium in MotoGP in 2020, one win and one podium in Moto2 in 2019 and 2018, respectively) and the Italian (third in 2017 in Moto3) but also a win at the finish line in 2018 with penalty received after the flag).
     
    The two standard bearers of Gresini Racing in MotoGP will be on track starting from Friday at 10:00 (FP1) with the sprint race and the full encounter respectively on Saturday at 15:00 and Sunday at 14:00. 

    ALEX MARQUEZ #73 (10th in the standings – 41 points)
    “It’s a very different circuit compared to the one we raced until now, it usually has plenty of grip and that means it could be a good track for us. I got my first MotoGP podium there and I normally do well here. I want to find back the right feeling after the ‘negative’ round at Jerez with an eye to the changeable weather. It could be a good circuit with many stop&go.”
     
    FABIO DI GIANNANTONIO #49 (15th in the standings – 17 points)
    “Le Mans is a circuit where braking is extremely important and the precision when you enter cornering. In the Jerez test we worked on these aspects, and we can be a little bit readier. The idea is to get a strong start already from Friday and play our cards right with an already optimal setup, or close to that. We want to race with the leaders and learn more from them.”
  5. ITV’s Hit Antiques Show Presented by David Dickinson is looking for local people to cash in their antiques

    Why let your antiques collect dust in the attic when you can sell them for cash? Take money on the spot from a dealer OR if you think your item is worth more….take a gamble at auction! Dickinson’s Real Deal is coming back to Solihull

    Dickinson’s Real Deal is currently one of the most popular daytime shows on ITV and is regularly watched by over a million people. Back for a Seventeenth series, David Dickinson and the dealers are traveling around the country looking for some more bobby dazzlers brought in by members of the public!

    If you want to sell your goods, but only for the right price, David and the dealers are going to be at:

    The National Motorcycle Museum on SATURDAY 13TH MAY 2023

    Doors will be open between 8am and 5pm – David & the team look forward to seeing you there

    Comments from David Dickinson - “It’s great to bring the show back to Solihull!”

    “People of Solihull come along and get the Real Deal”

    “It’s always great to start the show somewhere new in a town with such great history”

    As usual David Dickinson will be keeping an eye on the deals and giving advice about whether to take the dealers’ cash OR gamble at auction. But the final decision lies with our contributors and it’s up to them to decide which option is the REAL DEAL!

    Further information:

    Members of the public should bring their antiques & collectables along – our team of independent valuers will be offering free advice on all items brought along on the day. Admission is free & you do not need to book a place or a ticket.