Online Auction Timewasters

As I’m in the process of trying to sell an old Suzuki 400 bandit (96 reg) I decided to use ebay as I thought there would be less hassle, boy was I wrong. I’ve had the bike listed on the site and one after another idiot has used the ‘Buy It Now’ button or made offers on the bike, then not paid for the item as they should.

Motorcycling perfection

I love to read and love to ride, and often combine the two. Yes, I’ve started reading more biking books, I’m not sure why I love hearing about other peoples adventures on two wheels but I do. One book that I read and loved recently was ‘The Perfect Vehicle’ written by Melissa Pierson a writer based in the USA.

A beautifully written piece of motorcycle literature covering Melissa’s own love affair with her motorcycles. Through her writing Melissa explores her feelings for what she sees as the perfect mode of transport, whilst also exploring how the motorcycle came to be the love of so many peoples lives.

Melissa covers history of women and motorcycles, and questions the perception of the non rider’s views of the rider. This is not full of the usual macho observations about how great one bike make is compared to another. This is for anyone who knows that feeling when having turned a corner, one spots the open road, and its open invitation to twist the throttle and just fly down the road.

Look out for this book, it’s for those who dream and dare to ride motorcycles.

Red Bikes Are Go - New Chinese Motorcycles Site

Two things are happening big time in the world of motorcycles, well in the Uk at least. One is the growth in the number of people using two wheels for numerous reasons including environmental and economical.

Secondly the growth in cheap and reliable Chinese made bikes and scooters. This growth has prompted the creation of Red Bike Republic, (www.redbikerepublic.com) a blog and reviews site specialising in Chinese bikes and scoots. 

Three bikes at show - Only three bikes

1940 Royal Enfield 350cc, OHV, Restored 2006 - Colours of the Provost Company 43rd Wessex June 1945

Vintage military vehicles they said, including motorcycles they said. Who are they? The ‘They’ are the organisers of the annual ‘Air Day’ held at the airbase in Yeovilton. I had received a couple of free tickets and decided that as the Events website and brochure both mentioned vintage bikes, plus the fact I got all misty eyed whilst recalling airshows when I was a nipper. I remember the Concord being displayed high above the show held at ringway near Manchester. She had to flypast as she couldn’t land as the runway was too short.

I Honoured it by reading it.

If you like to read about outlaw bikers, 1%ers etc you can’t go far wrong reading Honor Few, Fear None by Ruben Cavazos, the president of the Mongols MC.  How much of it is true, how much is fiction I can’t say, but it’s an interesting, quick read about one of the larger 1%er Clubs in the US.

South West Bikers To Join Massive Fuel Protest.

Bikers in the South West will express their anger at the continual rise in fuel costs at a major demonstration taking place in late June.

Brittown Boys Bound for Blighty

I’ve sung the praises of the documentary ‘Brittown’ in earlier posts, now the boys behind the ace film about Brit Bikes and Britbike connoisseur “Meatball” from the Hell on Wheels bike shop California are heading to our shores.

Brittown producers Zack Coffman & Scott Di Lalla, are gonna be touring Europe next month (July) starting in Amsterdam and finishing at the world famous Ace Cafe in London.

Take a gander at the websites listed below to find out more. You can also view a couple of short trailers either via the Brittown site or on YouTube.com

My one word review of the Brittown doc is ‘Blindin’. Watch it and find out why.

www.brittown.com
www.ace-cafe-london.com

New blog to be launched on local paper sites

East Devon’s local newspaper websites, published by Archant, will soon be hosting a blog/webpage dedicated to motorbikes. The blog, which hasn’t been given a name yet, is to be launched during June.

Summer is here - grab your waterproofs

Being a British Biker, I talk about the weather a lot. I look at the Yanks, Ozzies etc and get jealous of their warmer climate. Yes, I confess I tend to run my life around whatever the Met Office or BBC weather site is saying. I spend at least 15 mins of the day staring at the computer screen, swearing at any predictions of rain, blaming the sites managers for any signs of bad weather.

Paignton Bike Festival - WOW!

Wow, how do these guys pull it off? I’m talking about those behind the annual  BMAD (Bikers Make A Difference) BIKE FESTIVAL held in Paignton, North Devon.  This year was the second time I’ve attended the event, and it didn’t disappoint.  Despite the threat of rain, it turned out to be a complete success. The BMAD group did themselves proud.