Tuesday, November 30, 2010

'CHINESE RED' ORIGINAL VINCENT


Besides the super-rare Hildebrand and Wolfmüller coming up for sale at Bonhams' big Las Vegas auction on January 6, 2011, scouts have unearthed an original-paint, very rare 1952 'Touring' Vincent Rapide.  Discovered in a garage in Fresno, CA, the Vincent has only 8500 miles on the clock, and is virtually untouched.  The 'Chinese Red' paint scheme is very popular with collectors, as the Touring version of the Rapide model has 19" wheels and painted, fully valanced mudguards...more room for paint as opposed to the normal Vincent chrome steel blades.  Apparently this machine sat for nearly 50 years, untouched, and will need 'light recommissioning' to make roadworthy...ie, to find out what stopped it back then!


The bike is estimated to sell for $85-100,000, which means the reserve is probably $85k.  Not cheap, but then, not many Vincents are left in original paint, with less than 10k miles!

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Husqvarna at Motorcycle Live

SMR511

Husqvarna are at this weeks Motorcycle Live at the Birmingham NEC for the first time under the stewardship of parent company BMW. Amongst the bikes for 2011 that they are displaying is the SMR511 weighing only 118kgs the SMR511 is  the most of its powerful single cylinder, twin cam power unit and is the latest flagship supermoto to be developed by the multiple World Championship winning brand.

TE630

In addition the Husqvarna Motorcycle Live stand R424 Hall 3, will show off  the dual purpose TE630 trail, an new addition to the 600cc single-cylinder four-stroke on/off-road sector. Designed to attract those less competition-minded riders who use their bikes every day and need more comfort and practicality.

Ride safe.

Jon Booth
Email: webmaster@inter-bike.co.uk
Blog: http://bestmotorstyle2011.blogspot.com//
Swicki: http://motorcycling-swicki.eurekster.com/

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Polar Bear Grand Tour to Port Jervis, NY on Nov. 21, 2010

Check out pictures and videos of the fourth motorcycle run of the Polar Bear Grand Tour season to Port Jervis, NY on November 21, 2010.

Motorcycle Pictures of the Week - Tom

Here are my Pictures of the Week as displayed on the Motorcycle Views Website. This feature has been expanded to include Bikes Only and Trikes Only. These pictures are taken from the Moto Pic Gallery. See Tom's 2008 Suzuki Boulevard C50 Trike under Men on Motorcycles. There are no Trikes Only, Women on Motorcycles, or Bikes Only this week. We need more pictures of men and women with their motorcycles. Get your picture in. For details, see Motorcycle Pictures of the Week.

Friday, November 26, 2010

Benelli celebrate a Century with the Century Racer 1130

This year is Benelli's centenary and to celebrate they have launched a commemorative model the Benelli Century Racer 1130. There will also be a 899 version as well . Moto GB UK importers will be showing the Century Racer 1130 at Motorcycle Live.
Moto GB will also be showing for the first time in the UK the Benelli TNT R160 in its new white and red colour scheme. The  TNT R160 features radial monoblock Brembo calipers and grey and yellow Marzocchi forks. The TNT R160  has a  triple-cylinder motor kicking out 155bhp from its 1130cc capacity.


Ride safe.

Jon Booth
Email: webmaster@inter-bike.co.uk
Blog: http://bestmotorstyle2011.blogspot.com//
Swicki: http://motorcycling-swicki.eurekster.com/

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

See the MV Agusta F3 at Motorcycle Live


The stunning MV Agusta F3 will be shown  for the first time in the UK at Motorcycle Live at the Birmingham NEC on the Moto GB Stand 221 – Hall 3. This middle-weight supersport  has an inline 675cc three cylinder engine. With ride-by-wire and multi-maps to optimise the power output and a counter-rotating crankshaft, never before seen on a production supersport engine.

Ride safe.

Jon Booth
Email: webmaster@inter-bike.co.uk
Blog: http://bestmotorstyle2011.blogspot.com//
Swicki: http://motorcycling-swicki.eurekster.com/

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

THE ART, AND AUCTION, OF THE MOTORCYCLE


Twelve years have elapsed since motorcycles filled the spiral of the Guggenheim museum in New York (1998), and two-wheelers have yet to see full acceptance within the Fine Arts/Fine Design establishment.  While the 'Art of the Motorcycle' show remains that museum's second-highest-attended exhibit, it was considered something of a populist sell-out at the time, especially as it pioneered an 'interested sponsor' relationship with BMW (although little discussion was published about 'named' sponsorship in general). Few critics defended the Guggenheim's Thomas Krens for hosting a major motorcycle exhibit on hallowed Art turf, unless of course they happened to be motorcyclists themselves.  Even then, the level of discourse around Motorcycles and Culture generally bordered on flippant, unless the mood was outrage.  The 'Art of the Motorcycle', imperfect as it may have been, was a vital first effort at establishing motorcycles as important within a broader dialogue on Design and Culture.

The upcoming sale of the prototype 1925 Brough Superior SS100 'Alpine Grand Sports' at Phillips de Pury, is the first instance post-AotM of a motorcycle's inclusion in a major Art or Design auction.  As such, it represents a shift in attitude within the Fine Arts auction establishment, which has been brewing for 12 years.  The closest we've come thus far was in June of 2009, when an ex-Steve McQueen 1929 Scott Flying Squirrel, painted by 'Von Dutch', was auctioned at Antiquorum in New York, within a sale of celebrity-owned watches and memorabilia.  The Scott fetched $276,000, double its estimate and SIX times what it had sold for less than two years prior, in 2007 at the Bonhams Petersen Museum sale that October ($44,460).  Interestingly, the Petersen sale included considerable McQueen and Von Dutch memorabilia as well, but failed to attract the results of the Antiquorum sale.  Begging the question...was the Antiquorum clientele so significantly different than Bonhams', or had the market for magical Steve McQueen talismans suddenly gone mad?  Considering that June 2009 was a troubling time in the global economy, and a moment generally of weakening collectible sales, I have to conclude that Antiquorum has an audience with far deeper pockets.  A specialist in fine watches, they hold the record for a wristwatch sale at auction; a unique white gold Patek Philippe which sold for just over $5M (They are also notorious for selling Gandhi's pocket watch, sandals, glasses, and bowl for over $2M).  If a wristwatch can sell for so much, can such an esteemed motorcycle be far behind? 

When asked why he chose to include his SS100 in the Phillips de Pury auction, the current owner stated, 'I've been wanting to do this for years; Broughs have far transcended their original purpose as a motorcycle, and should be included in a major Design sale.  I've known Marcus Tremonto for years, he is the absolute expert on 20th Century Decorative Art and Design... I wish I knew as much as he's forgotten!  Phillips has an fabulous new facility on 57th and 5th in Manhattan, and their last big Art sale totalled $137M, so this auction should be quite something.  If nothing else, it will give everyone something to think about.  Friends say 'if it fails to sell, the bike will be tarnished', but that's rubbish...if the Brough falls on its face, it will stay at my house.  Eventually it will ring the bell.'

Phillips de Pury is bolstering inclusion of the Brough in their 'Design Masters' sale with fully 10 pages of lavish photographs, more than double the visibility granted other Design greats in the catalog: Le Corbusier, Jean Prouvé, Robert Mallet-Stevens, etc.  The Alpine Grand Sports is the highlighted feature of the sale, and nearly double the nearest sale estimate, $350,000 for a Marc Newson futuristic aluminum 'Orgone stretch lounge' of 1993.  Clearly, Phillips is banking heavily that the time is ripe to place George Brough within the pantheon of all-time great Designers.

A serious re-appraisal of Motorcycles within our capitalist society will of course include a fight for ownership of the agreed 'finest' examples.  These are the rarest of the rare, and the pattern has already been established within the motorcycling community itself.  Just as with paintings or other Design items, the notion of an object's 'value' is intimately connected with its sale price, and as the eyes of well-heeled Art collectors turn towards two wheels, there will be a serious rise in prices for significant racing machines and legendary road bikes. It is inevitable. 

Dedicated motorcyclists who covet rare machines will decry the continuing trend of top-tier machines floating away from the reach of their checkbooks.  Yet, even with waves of speculation during the past two 'bubbles' of the 1980s and 2000s, the price of excellent but relatively high-production bikes has remained under $30,000; affordable, if not cheap... the price of a new all-options Harley Davidson.  The cost of a restored 1969 Triumph Bonneville will continue to reflect more on the labor and quality of the restoration, than on wild excesses of a speculator's market...at least while the economy is depressed. As time passes, the relative glut of old motorcycles, versus the number of willing owners, will also conspire to keep prices of 'common' bikes moderate. Thus, we may dream of owning a Brough Superior, Crocker, or racing BMW, but will have to content ourselves with a Matchless Model X, Indian Chief, or BMW R69S.  Fair?  Well, I'd dearly love a Rembrandt too...

Photos:
Top; Francis Dixon and George Brough prepare for the Alpine Trial of 1925.
Second; Brough, Dixon, and Eddie Meier, Austrian Brough Superior importer, Alpine Trial, 1925.
Third; former owner of 'HP2122' AGS prototype, Prince Chagla of India.
Fourth; from the Philips de Pury catalog.
Fifth; George Brough at speed during the 1925 Alpine Trial.
Last; from the Philips de Pury catalog.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

MARIE THERESE VON HAMMERSTEIN

Every picture may tell a story; some pictures need a novel.  In this instance, that novel has been recently written, 'The Silences of Hammerstein' (Hans Magnus Enzesberger, 2009), part biography and part speculative fiction, an effort to grapple with a particularly puzzling, heroic, and frustrating chapter of German history.  The charming young woman pictured in 1933 aboard her motorcycle is Marie Therese von Hammerstein, whose father, Kurt von Hammerstein, happened to be head of the Wehrmacht (German army) at the end of the Weimar Republic, just before Hitler's rise to power.

Whatever stereotypes or prejudices her parentage might conjure would be entirely misplaced; Kurt von Hammerstein was a fascinating character, a man of strong opinions and succinct words, a friend of progressive trade unions, an aristrocrat, and an outspoken opponent of Adolf Hitler.  He also praised laziness in intelligent men, feeling that such fellows bring 'clarity of mind and strong nerves to make difficult decisions'.  He parented a large brood of remarkable, strong-willed, and free-minded children, all of whom made, or attempted to make, their mark on German history.

Marie Therese was clearly such.  The mere fact of an aristocratic woman riding a motorcycle in 1933 is exemplary, but with such a father, her motorcycle became a tool for an entirely more serious purpose.  That General von Hammerstein survived Hitler's rise to power is remarkable, especially as he made no secret of his hatred of Hitler, and attempted to lure the Fuhrer to his fortified compound in Cologne, to kill him.  Hitler demurred every time. As Hammerstein learned of Nazi plans to arrest and kill Jews, he supplied Marie Therese with the names of the targeted, and she rode her motorcycle as far afield as Prague (still independent) to ferry Jewish intellectuals to safety.  One plucky duck.

Marie Therese and her two sisters married Jewish intellectuals and labor organizers, and of course all of them had to flee Germany by the mid-1930s.  Their father died of cancer in 1943, after being relieved of his military service by 1934. Her two brothers were involved in an attempt to assassinate Hitler on July 20th, 1944, and escaped because they knew a secret passageway used by the military which connected to the U-Bahn (subway).  They survived the war.  Other siblings had a hard time of it, as after the failed plot, her two younger siblings and their mother were interred in a concentration camp until the end of the war.

Marie Therese and her husband John Paasche fled to Japan, as Paasche had studied Asian languages in college.  They lived out the war there, 'with the police camped out across the street, watching'.  In 1948 they moved to San Francisco, where Marie Therese died in 2000, aged 90. 
Would that I had seen this photo many years ago.

Triumph launches many new models.

Triumph motorcycles has announced the launch of no less than seven new models, they are the Tiger 800, Tiger 800 XC, Daytona 675 R, Speed Triple, Thunderbird Storm, America and Speedmaster. If you want to find out more about these new models check out the Triumph article on www.inter-bike.co.uk.

Plus you can see all of the new models  at this year’s Carole Nash Motorcycle Live - NEC, Birmingham (27 November - 5 December) Hall 3A, stand R730

Ride safe.

Jon Booth
Email: webmaster@inter-bike.co.uk
Blog: http://bestmotorstyle2011.blogspot.com//
Swicki: http://motorcycling-swicki.eurekster.com/

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Monday, November 22, 2010

'THE MEXICAN SUITCASE'

Currently on exhibit at the International Center for Photography (ICP) in New York, 'The Mexican Suitcase' refers to three cardboard boxes smuggled out of France at the beginning of WW2, likely by the Mexican ambassador, containing 126 rolls of film, lost for 70 years, from three of the most important photojournalists to cover the Spanish Civil War; Robert Capa, Gerda Taro, and David 'Chim' Seymour.  These three young and idealistic photographers entered Spain in 1936 to document the terrible struggle between the elected Leftist government, and a half-successful coup organized by General Francisco Franco, backed by a coalition of monarchists, capitalists, the Catholic church, and Fascists.

Hoping to sway international opinion through the use of their photographs, Capa, Taro (Capa's lover, see both above), and Chim took dramatic photos which changed the course of photography, if not the war.  With the mantra 'if the photo isn't interesting, you're not close enough to the battle', these three were intimately involved with the Republican soldiers fighting against the US- and Fascist-backed rebellion.  The three photographers weren't the only foreigners helping the Republicans via media accounts; luminaries such as Ernest Hemingway (below), Paul Robeson, Pablo Neruda, and George Orwell (who actually took up arms, and wrote 'Homage to Catalonia' about his experiences in the war) felt the urgency of fighting the European tide of Fascism which arose in the 1930s in Italy and Germany.
The Republican soldier riding the motorcycle was photographed by Gerda Taro (the nom de plume of  Gerta Pohrylle of Germany), and is hiding in the forest during an aerial attack by German Heinkel He51s, in the battle of Navacerrada Pass, between Madrid and Segovia, early June 1937.  This very battle is the setting for Ernest Hemingway's 'For Whom the Bell Tolls',  in which a journalist/Hemingway stand-in, Robert Jordan, is an American who travels to Spain to fight fascism.  About 2800 Americans (the 'Abraham Lincoln Brigade') did so, although I doubt any brought their motorcycles, as there was an official US embargo on providing any material aid to the Spanish, and some of the Americans were prosecuted after returning to the US.
The Harley Davidson looks to be a 'VLD' model of 1932-'36, their 74cubic inch sidevalve roadster, hardly suited to the kind of off-road work used in a military campaign... but of course, private motorcycles were pressed into service during war in Spain, and shortly after, the rest of Europe.  The Harley has a German Bosch headlamp, which may have been a convenient replacement for the original item, after damage.  No other modifications appear to have been made to the bike; Spain had no time to make specialist war equipment or even paint military machines drab or camouflage.  In his leather jacket and boots, plus beret and goggles, the rider could be any of us on his Harley, out for a spin in the woods.  But the look of anxiety on his face, keeping his hands on the 'bars, means our rider is ready to hightail it at the first sign of an incoming plane...

Thanks to JJ Ward for alerting me to these photos!

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Motorcycle Pictures of the Week - George

Here are my Pictures of the Week as displayed on the Motorcycle Views Website. This feature has been expanded to include Bikes Only and Trikes Only. These pictures are taken from the Moto Pic Gallery. See George's Custom Trike under Men on Motorcycles. There are no Trikes Only, Women on Motorcycles, or Bikes Only this week. We need more pictures of men and women with their motorcycles. Get your picture in. For details, see Motorcycle Pictures of the Week.

Polar Bear Grand Tour to Old Bridge, NJ on Nov. 14, 2010

Check out pictures and videos of the third motorcycle run of the Polar Bear Grand Tour season to Old Bridge, NJ on November 14, 2010.

FIRST 'ALPINE GRAND SPORTS' AT AUCTION


The very first Brough Superior SS100 modified for Alpine speed trials in Austria is coming under the hammer at Phillips auction house in New York,  at their 'Design Masters' sale on Dec. 15, 2010.  This machine was modified by Brough Superior chief engineer Harold 'Oily' Karslake in 1925, for George Brough himself to compete in that year's Austrian Trial (see below).  The bike was not greatly modified from standard, essentially being fitted with a lower compression ratio and more comfortable riding position, and was in full touring spec with pannier boxes and Bonniksen speedo.   That George Brough won the speed award in the event is the stuff of legend, and led to replicas of his machines being called the 'Alpine Grand Sports' model.

This is a well-documented motorcycle with an incredible provenance, having also won a Gold Medal in 1925's London to Exeter Trial...besides being George Brough's personal machine for the year.  The reserve for the sale looks to be at the $600,000 mark: if the machine meets reserve, it will be catapulted to the top of the heap for motorcycle sales at auction, and likely start a new wave of top-end motorcycle sales...at Art Auctions!  The venue in this case is well chosen; by placing the Brough in context of a 'Design' sale at a major non-motoring auction house, the seller is clearly appealing to a different audience; one with no grease under its fingernails, but who appreciate aesthetic excellence.
(above, FP Dixon, with George Brough)
Auction results for SS100s and other Broughs have bucked any trends towards softening prices, and have remained strong through the recent economic crisis.  It has been said many times that art and collectibles are currently considered a safer investment than the stock market, although prices in the fine arts world have softened for all but the most coveted 'blue chip' artists...in concert with motorcycle sales.  If this Phillips auction is successful, it will certainly bring more of the creme de la creme of motorcycling to 'art' auctions, in hopes to attract a better-heeled audience.  The same logic is applied to the inclusion of motorcycles to high-end automotive auctions ('they have more money'), although results on that front have been mixed, and no higher than a standard 'motorcycle auction'.
In any case, this will be interesting...and I'll try to be there!

Many thanks to Phillips de Pury and Co., and Brough Superior Motorcycles for the photos!

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Born-Free 3 Art

It's Official

Today, Mike and Grant announced the use of my art for the Born-Free 3 show flyers and ad promotions.


I submitted a few versions as the contest went on. After they picked it, I worked with them on recoloring it. I then re-worked it in higher resolution for printing etc.

It's an honor and I am more than happy to lend a hand to their amazing effort to put on what is becoming the best chopper show in the USA.

For more show info and updates, click this: Born-Free 3

I'm thinking about doing a post on the complete process. From the roughest sketch, to the color choices, influences, and final completion.

Born-Free 3 Art

It's Official

Today, Mike and Grant announced the use of my art for the Born-Free 3 show flyers and ad promotions.


I submitted a few versions as the contest went on. After they picked it, I worked with them on recoloring it. I then re-worked it in higher resolution for printing etc.

It's an honor and I am more than happy to lend a hand to their amazing effort to put on what is becoming the best chopper show in the USA.

For more show info and updates, click this: Born-Free 3

I'm thinking about doing a post on the complete process. From the roughest sketch, to the color choices, influences, and final completion.

Ducati DIAVEL finally unveiled and brand new Monster 1100EVO revealed

After much waiting and pre-launch anticipation Ducati finally revealed their new muscle bike the Ducati DIAVEL, together with a brand new monster model the Ducati Monster 1100EVO at the recent EICMA motorcycle show.
Ducati DIAVEL

Ducati DIAVEL
Ducati Moster 1100EVO


You can read more about these new models on www.inter-bike.co.uk

 Ride safe.

Jon Booth
Email: webmaster@inter-bike.co.uk
Blog: http://bestmotorstyle2011.blogspot.com//
Swicki: http://motorcycling-swicki.eurekster.com/

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

ALDO PIGORINI


By chance, as usual, an article in the Velocette Owner's Club newsletter, 'Fishtail', featured a few scans from a 1932 Italian motorcycle magazine, 'Motociclismo'.  The concern of the scanner was the Velocette MkIII KTT shown as winner in the 350cc class of two races; my eyebrows raised when I noted the rider, 'Aldo' Pigorini, one of the Scuderia Ferrari riders in 1932 and '33.

Pigorini was very successful with the Scuderia, recording many wins on the team's Rudges (both 350cc and 500cc), and winning the Italian Championship in '34 (500cc).  His talents shone while riding his Velocette, a year before joining Enzo's motorcycle team.  The top photo shows Pigorini immediately after winning the Circuito del Monferrato race; his race average in the 350cc class beat the previous 500cc lap record!  The Velocette was a good'un!  And of course, the rider was very talented.

The theme of the second article mentioning Pigorini laments that in 1932, motorcycles had ceased to dominate hillclimbs for absolute speed.  Automobiles with 'high power to weight ratios' were suddenly able to out-speed two-wheelers up a mountain course... often with 'motorcyclists driving them'!  Well, that seems to confirm Enzo Ferrari's assumptions, at any rate, and must have figured into his thinking when forming Scuderia Ferrari 'Moto'; he had seen evidence that motorcyclists have great sensitivity to road surface and a visceral understanding of the limits of traction.  Plus, it must be added, considerable bravery...while it may have been an illusion that racing cars were 'safer' than motorcycles at the time, every competition motorcyclist of the era had an intimate knowledge of how close one's skin hovers over tarmac.

A little about the Velocette MkIII KTT on which he won the races; this is a 1932 year model, effectively the same machine as the first 'KTT' of 1929, but incorporating a few subtle changes to cam profile, oiling, brakes, etc; 350cc overhead camshaft engine, cam drive by shaft-and-bevel (later copied by Norton for the 'Carrol' motor...it should be called the 'Goodman' motor!), a beautifully balanced motorcycle with perfect handling and tireless power output.

How do I know?  I have a 1933 example...

Honda V4 Crosstourer Concept


Not content with just showing off the Honda Mid-Concept at the recent EICMA Milan 2010 motorcycle show, Honda also revealed the Honda V4 Crossrunner Concept.

With the V4 engine and the revolutionary Dual Clutch Transmission from the VFR1200F, the V4 Crosstourer Concept is designed to deliver the fun and excitement of a road sports bike; but with the comfortable upright riding position and manoeuvrability of an adventure machine.


 Ride safe.

Jon Booth
Email: webmaster@inter-bike.co.uk
Blog: http://bestmotorstyle2011.blogspot.com//
Swicki: http://motorcycling-swicki.eurekster.com/

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Honda Mid-Concept revealed

At the recent EICMA motorcycle show in Milan, Honda revealed the Honda Mid Concept, a fusion of a sports motorcycle and scooter.



The Honda Mid-Concept has the latest engine technology coupled with the advanced Dual Clutch Transmission technology up to now exclusively offered on the VFR1200F which gives riders a unique sensation of seamless gear shifts. This new transmission it is claimed can also deliver fuel efficiency better than a conventional manual gearbox.

The Mid-Concept has a foot-forward position, newly designed 17 inch wheels with PRO-LINK rear suspension; the front fairing air vents coupled with the larger wheels will deliver greater stability when riding at higher speeds Honda say.

inter-bike.co.uk will bring you more information on this exciting new model from Honda as we learn more.


 Ride safe.

Jon Booth
Email: webmaster@inter-bike.co.uk
Blog: http://bestmotorstyle2011.blogspot.com//
Swicki: http://motorcycling-swicki.eurekster.com/

Monday, November 15, 2010

A Gaggel of Geese (species: Southbayneous Bluenis

For some reason a lot of Goosenecks are blue. Here's a couple of submissions that flew in recently.

Grant of FMA sent this one from an old (large format), Choppers Magazine. I've seen this bike on some blogs but not this great centerfold shot.

The two Geese below were sent in courtesy of Vilmino of LoserRules. If you haven't gone there, check it out. It's in Italian, but there's no need for an interpreter to enjoy the photos. They both are from Easyriders.




This one sports an Indian type girder, instead of the more typical Dick Allen style springer.


Goose Girl approved.

For many years an old gooseneck Sportster sat in a buddy's shop awaiting resurrection. The color?.... metal flake blue of course!