The preferred ride in 350cc racing after World War II, the 1949 Velocette Mk. VIII wasn’t the fastest bike on the grid, making only “average” power, but made up this deficincy by utilizing its superior steering and suspension.
Imagine it’s 1948. World War II has finally subsided, the economy is beginning to turn around, and once again motorsports can become a hobby and past-time for men oversized children.
That same year, Vincent came out with the 1948 Vincent-HRD Black Shadow Special, or as it’s better known: the “Black Lightning”. Advertised as “The World’s Fastest Standard Motorcycle”, it would take an intrepid Indian Motorcycle dealer to prove that claim. Racing at Bonneville with this very 998cc prototype, Rollie Free aimed to raise the motorcycle land speed record, and succeeded in memorable fashion.
Announced at the French GP, premium suspension manufacturer, Öhlins will ship this snazzy watch with the purchase of either of their ultra-premium shock-absorbers, the TTX 36 or TTX 36 LE. More Pictures after the jump.
Giving birth to the engine’s design, this 1938 Triumph Speed Twin showcases Edward Turners vertical twin motor. With a 498cc, twin overhead valve construction, the Speed Twin made a solid 27hp and was the first truly successful British twin.
Early models were only available in ‘Amaranth red’, and were hand painted with gold pinstripes. The hard-tail and initial girder forks meant that the only real suspension for the rider was the sprung seat. Passengers would have to survive with only a doubly thick pad over the rear fender.
Giving birth to the engine’s design, this 1938 Triumph Speed Twin showcases Edward Turner’s vertical twin motor. With a 498cc, twin overhead valve construction, the Speed Twin made a solid 27hp and was the first truly successful British twin to come to market.
This 1929 Sunbeam Model-90 Road Racer, like many of the motorcycles at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, has an interesting story of its discovery and restoration.
As we reported earlier this week, Ducati has allegedly handed Lorenzo a very generous monetary offer to ride for the Bologna team for the next two seasons, replacing the ill and questionable Casey Stoner. Reliable sources are now stating that Lorenzo and Marlboro/Ducati have come to a basic agreement, and that a deal could be announced at the Indianapolis GP.
If you’re going to do something wrong, do it right. So when it comes to Ducati’s, instead of spending the $20k+ on 1198 S, or $40k+ on a 1198R, go all the way and get a Red Fenix 1198 S Scuderia…actually, don’t.
For about €100,000 more than the sticker price of a 1198S, you can get the Scuderia by Red Fenix, and enjoy your near WSBK handling chassis.
One of only four E-95’s created, the A.J.S. E-95 is a modified version of the A.J.S. E-90 horizontal twin motor, and was called the porcupine because of the spiky cooling fins protruding from the cylinder heads.
Originally designed to be supercharged, those plans had to be scrapped when the FIM banned supercharging in 1946. Despite its reputation for not living up to its hype, a finished Porcupine is valued somewhere north of a $250,000. Pictures and more after the jump.
If you ever wondered what a Honda Goldwing would look like in the 1940’s, here is probably the best example: The 1947 Sunbeam S-7. With its over-sized tires, overhead camshaft motor mounted in rubber, and shaft-driven rear-wheel, the Sunbeam was very sophisticated, but proved to be perhaps too ahead of its time.
The bike is powered by a 500cc in-line twin motor; and like the Model-T, you could get it in any color you wished, as long as it was black.
Considered a touring motorcycle, the S-7 was quiet, smooth, and had modest performance. However, the S-7 was one of those motorcycles that contribute to Britain’s fame of producing unreliable vehicles. Pictures after the jump.
Just slightly more practical than the Dodge Tomahawk motorcycle, is the French-built Lazareth Wazuma Bio V12. With a supercharged BMW V12 motor that puts out over 500hp, the Wazuma counters its ludicrous impracticability by sensibly using E85 corn-fuel. Aww heck, at €200,000 there’s nothing sensible about this. Photos and a video of the Wazuma in action after the jump.
Orange County Choppers is at it again with another sponsored show bike. Getting the Teutul treatment this time is Siemens, who commissioned OCC to build an electric chopper, appropriately named the “Siemens Smart Chopper”. Let’s just sidestep the whole issue of why electric cruisers are a horrible idea, and get straight to the part where we tell you about the bike.
Underneath the streamlined bodywork, there is a 27hp Advanced DC motor, which should be good for a 60 mile range and 100mph top speeds. Charging time will be about 5hrs, or 7 mechanical bull rides, or about 1 college football game while wearing an inflatable helmet.