An American in the Isle of Man

By Richard Backus (Motorcycle Classics)... Hi Richard, hope you're doing well ? see you at the next L.O.T.M.
Frank

As the only American ever to take a win at the Isle of Man TT, Dave Roper stands alone in the history of the famed island racing circuit. The Isle, which lies in the Irish Sea west of the U.K., hosted its first races in 1907, making the 2007 event a special centenary celebration.



Throughout its 100 years of racing history, the Isle has drawn racers from around the globe, including the U.S. Although Indian motorcycles took the top three slots in the 1911 TT — with U.K. riders — victory eluded American racers until 1984, when Roper bagged first place in the 500cc Senior Classic Historic race.



Roper’s riding skills first started grabbing attention in the mid-1970s, and he raced in the TT three time in the 1980s. He came in 12th place in the Formula III class his first time out in 1982, even after the chain fell off his Aermacchi 350. But 1984 was his year, when he came back for the win riding the Team Obsolete Matchless G50. Both rider and bike were in top form, and Roper posted the fastest lap in his class, 97.21mph.




Roper, still a top competitor in the American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association’s historic race series, was invited back to the Island for this year’s centenary, reliving the glory of the Isle of Man TT with other past champions in the Isle’s annual Lap of Honor. His ride? The same Matchless G50 pictured above — now freshly restored — that he rode to victory back in 1984.

A Sale of Exceptional Motorcycles

If you are in California in May you must go there have a look, take pictures and why not buy something ...

The Quail Motorcycle Gathering
A Sale of Exceptional Motorcycles and Related Memorabilia
9 May 2009
Quail Lodge Resort and Golf Club
Carmel, CA



Bonhams is proud to announce its collaboration with Quail Lodge for their inaugural motorcycle event, The Quail Motorcycle Gathering. As the sister event to The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering held in August, The Quail Motorcycle Gathering is sure to feature an exciting array of rare and important machines. Just as The Motorsports Gathering has becoming the most talked about event on the Peninsula during the Monterey ‘Car Week’, The Motorcycle Gathering is sure to become a ‘must-attend’ event for bike enthusiasts.

the Buchanan Trans-AMA 1976

Two things saved the Buchanan Trans-AMA from being just another derary motocross on another dreary motocros track. First,the fine rain that came down all day,which always makes things a little more interesing ; and,second, a tricky little uphill/downhill section through a grove of trees that proved to be the equalizer for some of the best riders in the world.



Tony DiStefano holeshot the firt moto and wheelied away.. There was no catching him,especially after the only man who could,DeCoster,made a disastrous error halfway through the first lap. After a masterful execution of the uphill bermshot right leading into The Grove, DeCoster accelerated past Chuck Sun in sixth. At the hilltop left he ignored the gard bank shot berm and dove deep for the smooth inside, leaving another rider in his roost.



Wheelieing over the first hump of the dowhill, he cleared the tricky nose-dive jump with a deft flick of his RN Suzuki and guide dits front wheel into the rut marking the hotline through the hairpin right at the bottom. Calculating the medium gushy surface precisely, he gassed it smoothly over the little jump that had given so many riders trouble in practice, and was setting up his next victim with a sweep around the approaching left when, in DeCoster’s words : " There was a little tree growing along the outsde of the course and i saw that i was going to hit it. I thought i would ru nover it but it did not move. It was a little tree but i twas very strong "



It was a Bkack Maple , very strong indeed. Strong enough to grab the bike by the footpeg and stall the engine. DeCoster’s first quick restart attempt failed, an dit was many more kicks before he finally got it going and rejoined the race almost a full lap down on the leaders…

The Baja 1000, a 32 years old Lady ...

Baja 1000 is an off-road race that takes place on Mexico's Baja California Peninsula in the fall. The event includes various types of vehicle classes such as small and large bore motorcycles, stock VW, production vehicles, buggies, trucks, and custom fabricated race vehicles. The course has remained relatively the same over the years with the majority of events being either a point to point race from Ensenada to La Paz, or a loop race starting and finishing in Ensenada. The name of the event is misleading as the mileage varies for the type of event (loop or point to point) and has represented Kilometers in the past.



The Baja is the most notorious and dangerous race in the world. Rivaling the Indy 500 and 25 Hours of Daytona, the race across Baja's peninsula is unpredictable, grueling and raw--just like the uncharted American West of yesteryear.

The first official race started in Tijuana, Baja California, on October 31, 1967, and was named the NORRA Mexican 1000 Rally. The course length that year was 849 miles (1,366 km) and ended in La Paz, Baja California Sur, with the overall winning time of 27 hours 38 minutes (27:38) set by Vic Wilson and Ted Mangels while driving a Meyers Manx buggy.



From 1967 to 1972 the race was organized by the National Off Road Racing Association (NORRA). In 1973, Baja California governor Milton Castellanos handed over sanctioning of the event to a non-profit Mexican corporation called Baja Sports Committee (BSC). BSC renamed the event to Baja Mil (Baja 1000) and scheduled the race to run on the original dates chosen by NORRA.



Though NORRA held a competing event in the United States that same weekend, BSC successfully ran the race from Ensenada to La Paz like the years prior. Unaware of the challenges, BSC found promoting Baja races more difficult than anticipated. Instead of giving up the race, the Mexican government requested help from Short Course Off-Road Enterprises (SCORE) in hosting and promoting future Baja races. Through negotiations with Mickey Thompson and his SCORE organization, the Government agreed to give exclusive rights to SCORE to hold Baja races and also reluctantly allowed SCORE to cancel the event for 1974. SCORE hired Sal Fish as president and took control of the Baja 1000 from that year on with the Baja 1000 race resuming under new control in 1975.

The Norton Dirt Track Limousine

I saw one of the Wood's Norton in Half Moon Bay last year and really wanted to make a post on this Gentleman. Ron Wood is the Man for Norton DirtTrack bikes for sure.



Along the way Wood and rider Rob Morrison won the West Coast Overall Championship, despite the fact that Morrison climbed aboard the Norton for the first time two months into the season. The bike is kept in absolutely meticulous condition, but its appearance, unlike many other tricked-out motorcycles, is not its message. If it were, Wood couldn't bear to let it on the racetrack. Beyond its cleanliness and its polish, the bike reflects much that Wood has learned in the past decade, and much that others have yet to learn.



Ron Wood owned his first motorcycle at 16, has done some desert riding and was attracted to AMA-style dirt track competition by going to Ascot and watching during the Tanner years. His involvement began with 250s and novice riders, and he has been actively participating for eight seasons.


Racing for Wood is a consuming hobby, and his bike mirrors his commitment, and expertise. Every surface, every cranny, every fitting and clamp, every rotating and reciprocating component, every fastener, cable and line, every spring, slide, bracket and adjuster has been individually massaged until it matches Wood's vision of adequacy. If racing is his hobby, then radiant machinery is his passion...



Take time to follow the full story here, its really impressive.
The Dirt Track Limousine

Falcon New Website

Falcon has launched their new website a couple days ago and as their bikes this site is great. They announced a series of ten custom British motorcycles based on classic bikes such as Velocette, Vincent, Ariel, BSA, Rudge, AJS and Norton
A big thanks to Amaryllis and Ian for their talent and kindness
The website : Falcon Motorcycles

Casa Monte na Comporta

You probably now already The Cool Hunter but for all the Design lovers its still the best website you can find.
I fell in love with this house made by Pereira Miguel Arquitectos,
take time to have a look...

Casa Monte na Comporta in Grândola, Portugal is a house that sits in its surroundings as if it had always been there yet it also manages to look completely fresh, cool, new and spectacular.



The house’s undulating shape echoes the gently sloping sand dunes, and its hard and angular surface planes contrast beautifully with the rounded shapes of the surrounding trees.

Marty Smith the Stylish Rider

Marty Smith was the AMA’s first 125cc motocross champion. During the 1970s, Smith won three national titles – the 1974 and ’75 AMA 125cc and 1977 AMA 500cc motocross championships. He won a total of 18 career nationals and was one of the few to score wins in 125cc, 250cc and 500cc AMA Motocross Nationals as well as Trans AMA competition. In addition, Smith won the 125cc U.S. Grand Prix of Motocross in 1975 and 1976.
Picture courtesy of : The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum


Picture courtesy of : pbase

Smith became known as one of the most stylish riders in motocross history. According to his mechanic Dave Arnold, there was never a bad photo of Smith. His riding style was textbook perfect. He won all his championships with Honda and the company featured him in its advertising, using his long hair and youthful good looks as a selling point. He was on dozens of magazine covers riding the legendary Honda Elsinore, donning the famous red, white and blue racing colors. Smith became the first teen idol in motocross and legions of young fans followed his every move.


Picture courtesy of : Vintage Factory

Born in San Diego on November 26, 1956, Marty started out riding with his dad, Al, a San Diego firefighter, on a little step-through Honda 50. Al and his friends used to go out to the desert to trail ride, and one day, they picked Marty up and put him on the pegs, gave a little shove and sent him on his way. Marty was so small then, there was no way he could reach the ground, so he rode on the pegs standing up the whole time. Marty believes that this early riding technique gave him the foundation for his smooth riding style.
Follow the full story here : Marty Smith

Dave Aldana's Norton

I took those pictures last year at the Legend of the Motorcycles in Half Moon Bay and i just wanted to make a small tribute to this great Racer Davild Aldana

David Aldana (born November 26, 1949 in Santa Ana, California) is a former motorcycle racer who specialized in dirt track oval racing and road racing. In the 1970s, he was one of the more colorful racers in the AMA dirt track based Grand National Championship with his wild riding style and extravagant designs on his riding attire. Aldana competed in nearly every form of motorcycle racing, including motocross and speedway racing.



In 1970, Aldana became a rookie expert on the AMA Grand National circuit riding for BSA. Aldana made a serious challenge for the championship. A crash at the Sacramento Mile with just three races to go dashed his hopes for the title, but along the way he won three nationals and finished third in the series. He won over many fans with his all-or-nothing style. He also gained notoriety from wearing a set of racing leathers he designed that featured an almost entirely black leather suit with a contrasting human skeleton on the front. AMA race officials threatened to ban him at one point if he persisted in wearing the suit.



By the late 1970s, Aldana began concentrating on road racing. He became a factory rider for Suzuki, and later joined Kawasaki’s AMA Superbike team in 1980 with a young Eddie Lawson as his team-mate. He went on to be a Honda factory rider in the FIM Endurance World Championship where he raced in prestigious races such as the Bol d'Or. Aldana teamed with Mike Baldwin to win the prestigious Suzuka 8 Hours endurance race in 1981.



Aldana won 4 AMA Nationals during his career, as well as several important international races. In 1999, he was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.

Just cool Vintage Dirt pics

My friend Nofiron from Ventura, Cal. send me those great pics of Kenny Roberts, Gene Romero, Jim Rice and Dave Aldana its pure perfection...

The Collings Foundation Collection

For over twenty years The Collings Foundation has recovered and restored many of the true landmark aircraft that built world aviation history. Aircraft from the very roots of aviation up until the supersonic jets of modern day are represented in the collection which spans nearly 80 years of powered flight. Many of the aircraft are viewable to the public at airshows, events, and airports around the United States


The North American AT-6 Texan won wide acclaim as one of the most well used advanced trainers not only during WWII but also beyond. Our AT-6F Texan is a perfect example of this post WWII use as it is restored as and is painted in the colors of the Korean War "Mosquito", a low-level support and target identifier aircraft used to support the faster jets of the period.

Tunnel of Love

Tunnel of Love.
Directed by Robert Milton Wallace
Staring Edward Tudor-Pole, Tamara Beckwith, Eddie Kidd
Come, if you wanna know what's the real thing you got to view this movie and take care about the Music...
Cheers
Frank

Vintage Motorcycle Jackets

If you're looking for a vintage motorcycle jacket ...
Its the place to go : Insurrection Apparel

Oscar's Honey April 09

A Roger DeCoster movie

1982

NEWS : AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days

The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has announced that the 2009 edition of AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days will take place July 24-26, at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio.

AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days has grown to become America’s grandest celebration of motorcycling heritage, and features numerous activities inspired by all eras. The weekend is loaded with highlights, including the world's largest motorcycle swap meet, where collectors from throughout North America spread out over 35 acres to sell everything from fork boots to books to complete bikes. Also on tap are demo rides of current production bikes, motorcycling seminars, bike shows, the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame auction, stunt shows, the new product Manufacturers' Midway, club corrals that feature both marque and regional clubs, and guided rides through the rolling Ohio countryside.

Kenny Roberts, the first winner

Kenneth Leroy Roberts born December 31, 1951 in Modesto, California is a former motorcycle racer and the first American to win the 500cc Road Racing World Championship.
Roberts won two AMA Grand National Championships in 1973 and 1974, three consecutive 500 cc World Championships in 1978, 1979 and 1980 along with three victories at the Daytona 200. He is the father of the 2000 500cc World Champion, Kenny Roberts, Jr., the only father and son duo to have won the title.

Roberts is regarded as being one of the first riders to use his knee to balance the bike on the track in corners, and the first to use engine power to spin the rear tire exiting bends to help steer the bike (a technique known as "throttle steering", common among U.S. flat track racers). These techniques are used everywhere in the top levels of motorcycle road racing, though they are much less exaggerated with today's improvements in tire technology.



Roberts made a name for himself by battling the dominant Harley-Davidson factory dirt track team aboard an underpowered Yamaha XS650 model twin cylinder street motorcycle (overbored to 750CC with a special frame) in the U.S. Grand National Championship, a series which encompassed events in four distinctive dirt track disciplines plus road racing. Roberts is one of only four riders in AMA racing history to win the AMA Grand Slam, representing national wins at a mile, half-mile, short track, TT and road race. He made up for his bike's lack of power with an almost fearless, determined riding style.



This fearless style was highlighted in 1975 when Roberts competed at the Indy Mile National aboard a dirt track motorcycle with a Yamaha TZ 750 two-stroke road racing engine wedged inside its frame. On a bike that was considered unrideable due to its excessive horsepower, Roberts came from behind on the two-stroke, and overtook the factory Harley-Davidson duo of Korky Keener and Jay Springsteen on the last lap for one of the most famous wins in American dirt track racing history. Afterwards, Roberts was famously quoted as saying, "They don't pay me enough to ride that thing."



Roberts ventured to Europe in 1978 to compete in the World Championship Grand Prix series. He surprised many observers by winning the 500 cc crown in his first attempt, despite having no prior knowledge of the European circuits. Roberts was also known for his epic battles with British racing legend Barry Sheene, and the subsequent Grand Prix World Champion, American Freddie Spencer.



His season long battle with Spencer for the 1983 500cc World Championship, in which they each won 6 races, and culminated in a last lap collision at the penultimate round in Sweden, is considered one of the greatest seasons in motorcycle Grand Prix history, along with the 1967 500cc duel between Mike Hailwood and Giacomo Agostini. In a fitting end to a great career, Roberts won his last race in the final meeting of the 1983 season, the Italian Grand Prix. Ironically, Roberts would have never competed in the world championships if Yamaha had had a bike able to compete against the Harley Davidson dirt track team.

* Inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1990
* Inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1992
* Inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1998.
* The FIM named him a Grand Prix "Legend" in 2000.

Bob Meyers a Motorcycle gene

My friend Al Jones from Maryland send me this article from the Motorcycles Times about the Bob Meyers Family and Yes, its probably a question of gene ...

Gary Nixon & Bob's brother

Here is the story :

My neighbor here in Maryland is Bob Myers who owned Freestate Cycles. He was the DC area Triumph dealer for about 35 years. Gary first raced Triumphs for Freestate (flattrack and roadrace). Bob has a ton of stories, photos and memorablia on Gary. He was an AMA photographer and has 1,000's of racing photos archived by year/track. I snapped pictures of these from his collection with my camera phone. I keep telling him this stuff needs to be in a museum vs his basement...



Bob’s father, George Myers, his uncle, Ed Smith and friend Henry Jenkins, sold Ariels, Triumphs and Rudges out of his grandfather’s house in Hyattsville, MD, from 1937 until the war broke out in 1942. After the war, the three went in different directions.
Bob first rode on an AJS when he was 14, but his first bike was an Indian Chief with a sidecar.
Bob built an Ariel Square 4 for drag racing. « I raced the Ariel over 50 times and was finally beaten by a Triumph. I won so many times that the Richmond Harley-Davidson dealer send a factory rider o race me, but i beat him too » Bob said with a smile…
Click on the Pictures for the rest of the story.


One of Gary's roadracing Triumphs is in his collection along with a set of the white leathers (Bob says he started the white color leathers)

Vintage boots ( Roger DeCoster )

Looking at vintage Off-Road boots catalog i just found those amazing boots specially made for Roger DeCoster around 1973/75.
I add them to a couple of pictures of him riding.
I know its not old enough for you Paul D'O but i'm sure you will appreciate ...




The world champion's motocross boot used by professiona racers.
Upper of soft and thick leather, front part and ankles padded; a dynamic but confortablestyle. Fastened by 7 patented buckles. Smooth sole and steel cap.



By working with some professional racers, always looking for innovations, the latest one has been created: a strong but light steel plate fixed to the front part of the boots guarantees safety even under the worst ground conditions. The padding under the plate protects from schocks.