Biker News - Regularly updated

Welcome to our News section, where articles are listed below and if relevant within the categories on the right, just to make it easier for you to find what you wish to read...

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Category: Random

  1. Custom Beckham Bonneville Competition

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    Motolegends, the Guildford based retro clothing specialist, has recently created a replica of the customised Triumph Bonnevilles that David Beckham and his pals rode up the Amazon last year.

    Custom Beckham Bonneville CompetitionThe bike is going to be given away at the NEC later this year, in a free prize draw.

    Many people assumed that the bikes they rode were Triumph’s latest Scrambler model; and that was because, like the Scrambler, those bikes wore a high-level, off road, Arrow exhaust.

    But, in fact, the starting point was nothing other than a humble Bonneville.

    Motolegends acquired their donor bike, a 2001 model, from a local ex-policeman. Even though it was over 10 years old, it had been meticulously looked after, and so presented an excellent starting point for the project.

    The build was actually incredibly simple, and although the end result is quite dramatic, the work is well within the scope of any budding ,‘bike-shed’ mechanic.

    Part one was the strip-down. Off came the mudguards, the indicators, the rear grab rail, the exhaust, and so on.

    What was left was treated to a matt black paint job that included the wheels, fuel tank, engine casing, cylinder head and, handlebars on.

    The wheels were re-shod with Metzler Karoo 3s as per the original bike; rubber fork gaiters were added, the seat was re-trimmed, and a new rear mudguard and number plate holder was fabricated.

    The pièce de résistance, and the most expensive single part on the bike, was the Arrow exhaust. But it only comes in a metal finish, so it was sent off for a black ceramic coating. A bracket was fabricated, to allow it to hang correctly off the side of the bike.

    Final touches involved moving the rear brake master cylinder to a new location, as the rear brake positioning couldn’t have been at all convenient on the original bikes.

    Discrete indicators were then fitted front and back. On the Amazon bikes there were no rear indicators; just front ones.

    The end result is a bike that somehow seems more than the sum of its parts.

    There are hugely complicated and intricate builds out there that sometimes fail to hit the spot. This bike is simplicity itself, yet has an undeniable wow factor to it.

    With the baffle removed, the bike sounds far better than a Bonneville has any right to. Being lighter than the original, it handles well, and the Metzeler tyres give a purposeful look, without any real detrimental effect as far as rideabilty and comfort are concerned.

    The bike was built by Phil and Graham at FCL in Cranleigh. Including the original bike, parts, paint labour and so on, the build came in at around £10k, although some specialists are demanding £16,000 or more for similar replicas.

    It’s got to be said that, close as the bike is to Beckham’s, it’s not a slavish reproduction. But it’s certainly not far off!

    The only part that proved totally elusive was the small, under-handlebar mirror that the Amazon bikes sported. If anyone knows where it’s from, Motolegends would like to know!

    Beckham fan or not, there’s no denying that the bike has an ineffably cool, laid back vibe to it.

    And all it takes, if you want the chance to lock it away in your shed, is for you to give your name and address to Motolegends. To enter the competition, just click here.

    The bike will be given away at the end of the NEC show this November.

  2. Museum To Restore Foggys First Bike!‏

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    The National Motorcycle Museum is proud to announce that four times World Superbike Champion Carl Fogarty MBE has chosen the Museum’s workshop to restore his very first motorcycle!

    National Motorcycle Museum To Restore Foggys First BikeThis little Honda C50 based special was the product of Honda dealer Ken Martin who made the bike for his son Chris around 1972. Indeed, the specially manufactured tank badge’s still read “motochris” in recognition of the little bikes first owner.

    Purchased from Ken Martin in 1975 by Carl’s dad George the bike was given to Foggy for his 10th Birthday.

    Recently re-united with the bike after nearly 40 years, Foggy was looking to get the machine restored and phoned Museum Director James Hewing.

    Speaking of the call James recalled: “I have worked with Carl in the past & was really pleased that he thought of the Museum’s restoration team to restore the bike for him. We have restored everything from the earliest and rarest veterans through to superbikes of the 1970s but never anything like this!”

    Foggy commented: “It’s in a rough state but I know the lad’s at the Museum will restore it back to just how it was when my dad gave it to me back in 1975”

    www.thenmm.co.uk

  3. DAKAR NEWS -

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    ASSISTANCE AND RACE: EVERYONE GOES TO BOLIVIA!

    DakarWARNING. Going through the Bolivian winter requires an intensive preparation: rain and cold are to be expected!

    The Dakar caravan takes altitude and will travel trough Bolivia.
    New specials, new bivouacs, breathtaking landscapes from the Titicaca Lake to the Uyuni Salar, an equally welcoming and passionate local population… all the ingredients for this edition to remain engraved in the memory of everyone involved in this 38th edition of the Dakar.

    However, it is essential to be prepared to the extreme conditions of the Bolivian Altiplano, and to provide oneself with the appropriate equipment: raincoats, sleeping bags (suitable to cold temperatures), spare clothes for the pilots, etc.

    Important clarifications on the conditions encountered on the Bolivian Altiplano:
    • Altitude: from 3500 to 4000 meters between Lake Titicaca and Uyuni.
    • Uyuni military barracks: The Uyuni stage won’t be realized as a « marathon stage ». The pilots and race teams will stay with their assistance, on the bivouac.
    • Bivouacs: Unlike the last 2 editions, the Bolivian stages won’t be « marathon stages » and the entire caravan will be present on the bivouacs. No accommodation will be provided by the organisation for the competitors.
    • Rains and Winds: some of these areas are very rainy, most particularly near the border between Peru and Oruro. It is a must to anticipate and have some spare pilot suits for the pilots and co-pilots, as well as rain clothes.
    • Cold: If the temperatures could be pleasant or even hot sometimes during daytime, they might be cold (or freezing) from sunset to sunrise. To bring suitable sleeping bags is very important.
    • Road networks: the roads taken by the assistances are asphalted and will be secured by the local police forces and the organization.

     

  4. Take a trip down the most scenic roads in Britain

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    When we spend our lives stuck at traffic lights, it’s easy to forget why we fell in love with riding in the first place.

    The majestic ‘beauty’ of a Tesco Express just doesn’t evoke that ‘road trip’ feeling, and popping up to Loch Lomond for a quick spin isn’t exactly convenient when you live in central Manchester.

    But we’re lucky enough to have beautiful strips of asphalt all around us - it’s just a case of knowing where to look! So, after conducting a study and sampling some of our customers’ favourite roads in Britain, we’ve come up with some indisputable winners.

    Spanning Scotland, Wales, Northern England, The Midlands and the South, we’ve got a scenic route for everyone in the UK. Where possible, we’ve also listed the pubs and eateries along the way.

    So, get kitted up and let’s bring Sunday rides back!

    A57 – Snake Pass

    This route is notoriously dangerous for bikers. A mix of sharp turns, steep drops and clowns who like to overtake makes this a road which takes serious wits. The pass is often shut during the winter months and it isn’t uncommon to encounter both black ice and sheep on the roads and verges!

    But when you take it steady, the Snake Pass is a stunning run with a varied landscape. From peaking over Glossop and taking in the heathery moors, to descending to Lady Bower reservoir, you could be cruising through the Scottish Highlands, not the North West of England.

    There’s a great bikers’ pub on route called the Ladybower Inn too. It’s popular and you’ll certainly have to get there early on a sunny Sunday, but the food is great, the atmosphere is friendly and there’s even rooms available. There’s numerous stops along Snake Pass too, so stop safely and take in the scenery where you can.

    A4085 – Aberglaslyn Pass

    Wales is brimming with great roads. The Brecon Beacons in general is a particular favourite of ours, but for scenery and camping you can’t beat this 20 mile stretch of road between Caernarfon and Penrhyndeudreath. It’s frequently used for test-drives and poses quite a challenging course for drivers and bikers.

    Bikers will have to account for narrowing stretches of road, level crossings and tight corners, but the views are simply stunning. If you get the chance, head over the Menai Bridge into Anglesey too. With miles of open road, this little island is an (almost!) traffic-less gem.

    Fosse Way – Lincoln to Exeter

    Bentley - Number 1 PlatesIf you jump on the Fosse way at Warwickshire (B4455) then you’re in prime Jaguar, Bentley, Land Rover and Aston Martin Country! With bases at Gaydon, this road is a popular route for staff commutes and test-drives, so it’s not uncommon to see a bit of camou on some beautiful new models down this way.

    The Fosse Way was a Roman road and it started life as a marker for the Western Frontier of Roman rule. It’s possible that it was built as a ditch, with ‘Fosse’ meaning ditch in Latin. Nowadays it’s anything but a ditch, but for some stretches you’ll need good suspension!

    While it spans 230 miles (Lincoln – Exeter), there’s numerous places to jump on and off. We’d particularly recommend joining via the B4455 and stopping off at Royal Leamington Spa for a bite to eat. There’s also some great gastro-pubs on route.

    A9 from Stirling to Inverness

    Not every scenic Scottish road has to snake around a Loch to be beautiful. As the longest road in Scotland (273 miles), the A9 was historically the main road between Edinburgh and John O’Groats.

    Nowadays, riders should take the road between Stirling and Inverness to take in the best sights. If you’re looking to take a longer road trip around Scotland, then you can extend your route and visit villages such as Pitlochry, and take a short detour to Loch Ness.

    A39 – Porlock to Lynmouth

    This stretch has been used in numerous car adverts, but as the UK’s steepest main road, it’s not for the faint-hearted!

    But with great heights come great views and the scenery over Lynmouth Bay is postcard perfect. On a summer’s day you could be relaxing in the med, while the grey, turbulent sea 1,400 ft below makes for a stunning ride on colder days.

    Porlock has bagged itself a ‘best village’ in Somerset award and receives regular Trip Advisor accolades for its quaint beauty. Stop off at the coaching inn for a little light refreshment before heading down to the small shingle bay.

    If we haven’t covered your favourite scenic road, please add them to the comments or get in touch on social media, we know that plenty of petrol heads have left their hearts in Cumbria too! It goes without saying, many of the roads mentioned here are accident hotspots, so always ride carefully when you’re exploring new routes.

     

    Article supplied 

  5. Transport for Greater Manchester: Allow powered two wheeled vehicles full Bus Lane use

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    A petition to allow powered two wheeled vehicles full Bus Lane use in Greater Manchester. 

    Started by Stephen Blay, please sign here to help change the rules in bus lanes.

    Here is why it is important...

    All the evidence from multiple studies across the country and the largest study from Transport for Greater London confirms that allowing PTW's to use Bus Lanes reduces congestion, reduces air pollution, decreases journey times, makes for more efficient fuel usage and does not cause an increase in accidents between any other Bus lane user.

    The cost of not allowing PTW's to use Bus Lanes far outweighs the cost of a Traffic Regulation Order allowing their use.

    All of the above reasons that would allow PTW's to use Bus Lanes are stated in the TFGM Plans for transport up to 2021, yet the Chairman refuses to engage any Group representing PTW users.

    Other areas, including County Durham, Leeds, Doncaster Sheffield, Brighton to name but a few have already seen the sense in the proposal.

    Sign the petition by clicking here.

    Allow powered two wheeled vehicles full Bus Lane