Bicycle Snow Cover!

As we head towards the New Year, I give you this image of our neighbor's awesome bicycle cover!

It is snowing here in Boston again and the forecast promises that it will continue doing so for four days straight. So far, I have not exactly been a heroic winter cyclist, but in 2010, I hope to get increasingly more comfortable. Other cycling goals include: touring long distance, conquering drop bars, developing stronger upper body musculature for wielding the Pashley, learning more about bicycle components, and dare I say, wheel building? Yes, that may be in my future over the winter months. Stay tuned and have a Happy New Year!

Stunning chap

BMW Recalls 2008-2010 F650GS and F800GS Motorcycles to Correct Stalling Condition

BMW is recalling model year 2008, 2009, and 2010 F650GS and F800GS motorcycles manufactured between January 2008 and December 2009.

During engine operation, a vacuum is created in order to draw fresh air into the canister. This air then mixes with the fuel vapors captured by the canister, and is subsequently combusted. Due to the routing of the ventilation hose, water near the end of the hose could be drawn into the charcoal canister.

4498 units are affected.

Check out my Motorcycle Recalls feature for more details.

Unapproachable...The story of the Norton. Part 10

From "Motorcycle Sport", June 1971, page 230-231. By C.E. "Titch" Allen. Part 10 of 19

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Yamaha V-ixion Street Fighter modification pictures

Yamaha V-ixion Street Fighter modification Picture

Modifikasi Yamaha V-ixion Street Fighter Picture

Chance Encounters and Boston Vintage Bikes

Taking advantage of the mild temperatures a couple of days ago, we went for another ride along the Charles River Trail, this time a nice long one. We were taking a break to photograph the bikes (a totally normal part of any day, right?), when I heard a very polite yet excited voice from the trail. Was I by chance the person from Lovely Bicycle? I guess of all the girls out there riding loop-frame bicycles with enormous red bows on the basket, I must be especially recognisable? I attribute it to my unique facial features.

We invited the gentleman to join us on the dock, and a fest of bicycle photography and discussion ensued.

Apparently, he collects photos of people photographing him. So this is my picture of him, taking a picture of me taking a picture of him.

And this is his picture of me, taking a picture of him taking a picture of me taking a... Really, the philosophical implications are staggering. You can see this and many other bicycle related pictures on verdammelt's photostream on flickr.

Here is a shot showing off his bicycle better (admittedly posed in what Steve A. calls my "Lenin in Finland" stance). The bicycle is a vintage BSA 3-speed step-through, which he found abandoned, rescued, restored back to health, and now uses as a winter bike.

Here is a somewhat blurry close-up. Our new acquaintance is proof of how common these rare vintage bicycles are in Boston. A BSA randomly left abandoned on the streets? Yup. It is a pretty cerulean-blue colour with nice lugs and a beautiful fork crown. You can't see them here, but the bike also has shimmery red grips on the handlebars that set off the blue frame quite nicely.

And I love the unusual saddle. It is sprung pleather, with the look and feel of an old leather jacket - not the texture one normally sees on saddles. Overall, this is an excellent rescue, and the owner seems to care about bicycle and to like riding them very much. We enjoyed meeting him and thank him for posing for these photos!

Unapproachable...The story of the Norton. Part 9

From "Motorcycle Sport", May 1971, page 189-192. By C.E. "Titch" Allen. Part 9 of 19

Click the images to enlarge.

YAMAHA MIO Sporty Modification Low Rider the blues

Gambar Modifikasi Mio Sporty Low rider

Yamaha Mio Sporty Modification

The gang's all here

Unapproachable...The story of the Norton. Part 8

From "Motorcycle Sport", April 1971, page 149-152. By C.E. "Titch" Allen. Part 8 of 19

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Three Guys, a girl and a side valve

Five Rivendell Fork Crowns

We were at Harris Cyclery the other day and I took the opportunity to photograph the fork crowns of the Rivendell frames that were hanging in the shop. Enjoy the colourburst!

the Atlantis

the original green Sam Hillborne

the orange Sam Hillborne

the A. Homer Hilsen

the Betty Foy

Nice, aren't they? I think the "curly-cue" design that's on the Betty Foy, the A. Homer Hilsen, and the orange Sam Hillborne tend to be most people's favourites. But as a girl of simple tastes, I prefer the one on the original green Hillborne.

Feeling Slow? A Simple Explanation

It's funny that no matter how much cycling experience we gain, we remain susceptible to those silly mistakes and those "duh!" moments. I am sure I have many, but the most recent one really had me smacking my forehead.

For the past month I had been favouring my vintage Raleigh and not riding the Pashley as much. When I finally did take out the Pashley last week, I noticed that it felt more sluggish than I remembered. I thought this was strange, but chalked it up to my having gotten out of shape and the vintage Raleigh being easier to ride. But the sluggish feeling kept growing worse, and neither of us could figure it out. Until finally, cycling behind me, the Co-Habitant realised what was wrong: My tires were nearly flat! There were no punctures; they were just low on pressure and neither of us had noticed.

I know it's absurd to overlook such an obvious thing as tire pressure; it is the equivalent of wondering why your computer is not working only to realise that it is not plugged into the wall. We do usually top up the air in our tires at reasonable intervals, but my Pashley slipped through the cracks. I wonder whether the cold temperatures played a role in it as well? Now that my tires are re-inflated, the Pashley flies again (really, the difference in speed and handling is amazing). However, I do think that I will replace its native Marathon Plus tires with Delta Cruisers come springtime; the latter just feel livelier and more enjoyable to me. In the meantime: If your bike is feeling slow, do check your tire pressure before looking for more complicated or sinister explanations!

NEW 2010 HONDA CB TWISTER Release

2010 HONDA CB TWISTER PICTURE

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. (HMSI), the 100% ancient 2-wheeler accent of the Honda Motor Company, Japan – the world’s bigger artist of 2-wheelers, today credible its advance into the accession delivery through the battery of its ancient honda CB admiration 110 cc bike CB Admiration in the actualization of arch Honda officials. Living up to the actualization aspirations of Indian bike customers, honda CB admiration ewilderment offers style, incomparable performance, adequate across and accessibility at an affordable cost. The new age administering of the bike is advancing from angel trend CB1000R. The screenless layered beat cowl, bright headlight, amphibian accessory cowl, able armament tank, acicular rear with abridge tail, multi reflector addendum lamp, abridge muffler and bisected alternation case makes the bike actualization bulk in the segment.

CB Admiration will be the best in chichi in acceding of celerity & aces up. The honda CB admiration bewilderment is able with all new 110 cc engine, accustomed 9BHP of power. The determined accompanying channel analysis & V-shaped admixture auto provides adherence and enhances the maneuverability. Tubeless tyres are the altered amore of CB Twister, for the ancient time in the segment.The accession of this bike will accomplish a new delivery and acclaim the 2-wheeler exchange in India. Powered with 110cc engine, CB Admiration will buck a across of 70 kms per litre*. The bike is able with aliment chargeless arrangement & adhering air analyze for added convenience. Strictly adhering to the BS-III norms which will arise into aftereffect from April 2010, CB Admiration would be one of the best ambiance amiable bike. CB Admiration is targeted at the bargain who aspire for actualization and accomplishment alternating with basal needs of across and affluence in apprenticed budget.

The bulk angel for ex display Delhi is Approx Rs. 42,000/- (Kick Drum)

CB Twister, depicts world’s latest trend with incomparable performance. The prefix “CB” has been acquired from Honda’s admirable world-trend alternation emblematic naked sports and the babble “Twister” depicts bouncing alarm with abounding strength. Taking the afflatus for Drawing from the iconic CB1000R design.

The CB Admiration is action to hit the Indian anchorage by end of February 2010. The bike will be attainable in three variants;

1. Kick Drum Alloy

2. Self Drum Alloy

3. Self Disc Admixture (with 240 mm beat disc brake)

All variants will be attainable in bristles agitative colors i.e. Pearl Amber Yellow, Candy Sonic Green, Pearl Nightstar Black, Pearl Siena Red and Pearl Fuji Blue.

Unapproachable...The story of the Norton. Part 7

From "Motorcycle Sport", March 1971, page 12-107. By C.E. "Titch" Allen. Part 7 of 19

Click the images to enlarge.

Early Pictures

I have a request for all the viewers of the site. Please send me your pictures! This site is not just the Wing Nuts, but belongs to all of you as well. We get a lot of emails and comments requesting info and we do what we can to comply, but we don't have all the answers. I'm really looking for early club and race pictures. Mostly 40s and 50s. So if you can help, I'd appreciate it. I am trying to track down an early picture of the Galloping Goose patch from the 40s. It was triangle shaped. I've got a viewer who is really trying to find photographic evidence of this elusive patch. Any help would be appreciated.

FHJ

Early field meet

The Days Ahead

The pre-Christmas blizzard has come and gone, leaving in its wake a patchy landscape of snow, slush, ice, and mud. Yesterday the weather was mostly good and we went for a ride along the Charles River Trail - our first real ride together in weeks. In the afternoon everything looked lilac and utterly beautiful; it was a wonderful ride.

The previous night it had rained and much of the snow had washed away. Though the river bank was snowy and the river was iced over, the trail itself was mostly clear, save for a few stretches. What surprised me was how utterly impossible it was to cycle through those stretches.

Having ventured out in the blizzard last week, I thought that I "knew" snow - and with that thought, I proceeded to cycle straight through a snowy patch. As a result, I almost took a spill - twice. Apparently, the fresh, evenly distributed powder through which I rode last week was nothing compared to the lumpy mess of slush, ice, and crusty snow of varying density through which I now attempted to pass. Let's just say, the Marathon Plus tires said "No". And I don't think studded tires would have helped in this kind of snow either - though feel free to correct me if you disagree.

The Co-Habitant checks my tires whilst enjoying the view of Boston across the river. I love this picture, because it captures the feeling of living in this area in a way I can't quite explain verbally. And I have a funny story about my tires, but will hold off on that till the next post.

After yesterday's ride, I think the realities of winter have finally hit me: My God, I won't be able to cycle "normally" again for the next 3 months! Sure, on good days I may feel safe enough to cautiously ride from Point A to Point B. But I can pretty much forget those fast long rides I have grown used to over the Summer and Fall. During the warmer months, I probably averaged around 100 miles per week on the bike, over 80% of them recreational. It should come as no surprise then, that the comparatively minimal cycling I am doing now leaves me wanting more. So what do I do, get a trainer? That's not the same as "real" cycling, and I just can't see myself getting into it. Instead, I think I simply need to accept the limitations of winter, and to stay positive by planning for the next season. Since I enjoy long rides so much, perhaps I should try to develop my endurance and challenge myself - set some goals, devise a training schedule, think of some local destinations I would like to cycle to, and so on.

A year ago, I could not have imagined that I would ever develop an interest in the "athletic" aspect of cycling - but there you have it. Those are my thoughts on cycling as we head towards the New Year. What are yours?

Unapproachable...The story of the Norton. Part 6

From "Motorcycle Sport", Februari 1971, page 49-56. By C.E. "Titch" Allen. Part 6 of 19

Click the images to enlarge.