Posts Tagged ‘Indian motorcycle’

 

Michele Smith & Jay Barbieri

Michele Smith & Jay Barbieri

If you watched any motorcycle TV at all I am sure you saw an episode or two of American Thunder (or Two Wheel Thunder as it was known for a single year on Discovery) it was on for 14 years.  The Thunder has been off the air for nearly 5 years.

 

Well…. The hosts of Thunder, Michele Smith and Jay Barbieri, are attempting to revive the show.  They are not looking for the traditional network TV route but are using a KickStarter campaign to raise money to create an Internet only show.  This is point where the motorcycling community can help support Jay and Michele.

 

If you liked the Thunder and want to see another version of that show consider contributing to the cause.  Go to the “Bring Back Two Wheel Thunder” KickStarter site and pony up.

 

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What was your favorite Thunder moment?  Mine was the time that Jay rode through a snow storm on the way to a Daytona Bike Rally.

 

 

You can here or download Show 272 here.

 

Ken’s News:

Review of last weeks 4 tips for rally attendees plus remaining 6 tips.

Phil’s dream motorcycle. BACON Powered!

BaconBike

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Warren’s News:

Motorcycle TV: Sons of Anarchy…surprising guest stars.

New Indian off the Polaris reservation

Indian BTO? What? Whose idea was that!

Motorcycle Recall: Harley Davidson 2014 (and a ½) Dyna FXDL

Cam-Am Spyders are catching fire! But, not in a good way

When Mopeds Become Lethal – Motoped Survival

Lethal Moped?

 

 

 

 

 

Racing News –

AMA Motocross from Unadilla.

MotoGP/Moto2 & Flattrack from Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Picks for Czech GP from Brno.

Well this somewhat surprised me… Ken, during our last DawgHouse Motorcycle Radio show, gave us a report on how the Forest Lawn Cemetery in Glendale, CA is putting on a long term motorcycle exhibit.

 

Now before I dive into the show I need to tell you about Forest Lawn.  According to reports there are more major Hollywood stars buried at Forest Lawn memorial Park than anywhere else.  A few examples of some of the stars interred there are Jimmy Stewart, Nat King Cole, Walt Disney, Casey Stengel, Humphrey Bogart, Michael Jackson and Elizabeth Taylor. This place is more than just a final resting place as it has works of art scattered about the grounds and a museum.  The museum is hosting the motorcycle Exhibit.

 

logo from forest lawn cemataryCalled “Vroom:  The Art of the Motorcycle” the show runs from June 27th until the 5th of January 2015.  According to the Forest Lawn website  the show “is a meticulously curated exhibition that will offer an in-depth look at the dynamic history of motorcycle culture, featuring some of the most beautiful, historic, rare and collectable vintage motorcycles; one-of-a-kind hand-painted motorcycle helmets, previously worn by world and national racing champions; painted motorcycle gas tanks and fenders; as well as paintings, sculpture and photographs by a dozen of today’s most celebrated motorcycle artists—many of whom are Southern California natives and/or residents”

 

A few of the bikes on display include a 1910 Flying Merkel, a 1938 Indian Flat Track Racer, a 1938 Crocker and Steve McQueen’s 1939 custom Indian Chief.  Other items for your viewing pleasure include sculptures and paintings by official Harley Davidson artists.  In the gift shop you can purchase hats and sweaters featuring the North Los Angeles Motorcycle Club logo along with coffee mugs depicting the Last Supper. 

I, for one, have no problem with this show.  In fact, I think it would be cool to be displayed with those bikes before being put in the ground!

 

 

 

We only found out about this motorcycle event a few weeks ago and it was a last minute decision to attend. I am glad we did decide to ride.

The Mission of the Some Gave All Foundation “ensures the memories of Sergeant Joshua J. Frazier and Sergeant Nicholas C. Mason are not forgotten through service to local wounded veterans and an annual motorcycle rally.” This ride/rally was the 8th event and according to speaker has raised over $168,000. Check out the website to learn more about this organization.

Debbie and I left the house at 7:30 for the two hour trip to ride’s start point. After a quick Mickey D’s and gas pit stop (insert joke her) we head south on Route 15. The ride there was very nice, with cool crisp air and limited traffic, if it were not for the fact that we hit 98% of available red lights it would have been an awesome morning scoot.

The ride begins at Spotsylvania High School (Spotsylvania, VA) and ends at a rally at King George High School (King George, VA). When we pulled in to the High Schools parking lot I was blown away by the number of motorcycles attending the ride! I was expecting, for no real reason, about 200-300 bikes, there was at least 1000+ bikes in the lot. In listening to some of the conversations of folks who have attended before I gathered the impression that this was the largest turn out to date.

As you will see in the pictures bikes of all types were in attendance. Harley Davidson, of course, had the most bikes in attendance but, I saw more Spyders and Boss Hoss bikes in this one location than I have ever seen outside a dealership. At one part of the parking area there were 12 Spyders in a row (I am sure Miss Muffet would have passed out from fear).

Even with such a large number of attendees the organizers had everything down, from my point of view the start point was well run and superbly organized! The actual ride to the rally started on time and the police had everything well managed, we had the road to ourselves with plenty of well-wishers waving from the sides of the road. But, as with all groups of this size, there was the expected “accordion affect” which may have caused an accident. We passed a point where EMTs were dealing with two bikes off the road and over a small embankment. I did not look (I am a safe rider you know ) but Debbie told me that there appeared to be little damage to the bikes but that someone was laying in the grass while the EMTs were looking them over.

We arrived at the end point about noon and it was as well organized as the start point. The bikes were all lined up in a manner that, when ever wanted to leave, there would be no issues about getting your bike out. For the rally part of the event there were a good number of vendors, the small business type, in attendance along with a sport bike stunt team (the 540 Boyz), a half dozen “moon bounce” type of things for the kids and a local bomb squad and their robots. The event was anchored by an area setup for a pretty good band (Bad Monkey) and a bike show.

Debbie and I decided to put our bike in the show and we won “Best In Class”, not too bad for a last minute decision. Right after the bike show awards we decided to head back home, we pulled into the garage at 5:30. We both agreed that this was a very nice event and there is a very good chance that we will do it again next year!

P.S. 251 miles round trip.

Cafe bike

Royal Enfield Continental GT

As I mentioned in an earlier post I have always liked Royal Enfield motorcycles.  I ran across a short, interest article on the DealerNews.com website that covers where Royal Enfield came from and where it is now.

Check it out HERE.

I have always had a desire for a Café Racer.  As a kid I want to get a Honda CB350 and convert it to a Café bike.  Never happened, but it has always been in the back of my head.  I have been tempted to convert the wife’s Harley Sportster into a Café Bike but she is not very keen on the idea.  But if she upgrades ………

Cafe bike

Royal Enfield Continental GT

A friend of mine sent me a link to the new Royal Enfield Continental GT.  This is a good looking modern Café bike.  According to the literature, its 535cc engine produces 30 horsepower, not sure if that will get you to “A Ton” (100MPH) but it would be fun to find out.

Looking about the internet for pricing, I think the bike may be a bit pricey.  I get the impression that it will be around $7000 dollars, about the cost of a Harley Davidson Sportster. But, you would not have to convert the GT as you would the Harley. But, I doubt the resell value is anywhere near comparable between the Royal Enfield and the Harley Davidson. But, which would be cooler to tool about on?  Both work for me.

Alas, I cannot justify another bike in the garage nor can I afford one (I do not start to work until Monday).  Turns out that there is a Royal Enfield Dealer near my home, Winchester MotoSports I might just ride over and check out what they have.  The Continental is not scheduled for release until late November but they may have other bikes in stock.