Shocking news from home

Thanks to my work I am supplied with a constant supply of motorcycle magazines from around the world, which is both incredibly useful for what I do and also helps me keep up to date with what is happening back home with all things two-wheeled.

While thumbing through the December ‘10 of issue of Australian MCN, I spotted a snippet featuring Laurie Smith’s latest creation. Laurie hails from the same part of the rock as yours truly and runs his shock shop ‘Suspension Smith’ out in Fyshwick. Now some Aussies may know Fyshwick as some iniquitous outpost where fireworks and exotica* of all denominations can be had by with a diversionary cough and wry wink in the right direction.

But amongst the bordellos and caches of explosives, Laurie tinkers away in his workshop and is gaining a reputation for turning out some crazy pieces of machinery. Some of his previous works include a bonkers ZX-10R Dirt Bike/Supermoto and his latest Frankensteinesque effort is knocking up a neo-girder front-end for a Yamaha R1. He isn’t the only person to undertake such a task but I took special interest due to Laurie being from Canbrah.

I’ve met Laurie only the one time actually; back in 2006. On the advice of my uncle I paid him a visit to see if he could perk up the handling on my ’98 VFR 800 – my first ‘big’ bike - as ground clearance and a squidgy rear end under power were becoming a problem. While pondering the options Laurie presented, I cruised around the corner, scored a test ride on the current ZX-10R and after wiping the foam from my mouth, promptly traded in the old girl. From that point on the only rear-end that got squidgy under power was my own.

With his latest venture, it seems Laurie is trying to gauge the effectiveness of a design which although deemed archaic, could find a new lease of life thanks to modern metallurgy, engineering and manufacturing processes. Yamaha and Bimota among others have tried hub-centre steering and BMW have their Duolever setup so there is definitely more than one way to skin a dead cat when it comes to making a bike steer.

Necessity may be the mother of invention, but surely curiousity is the next best thing.

* See I didn’t use the ‘p’ word, despite the increase of traffic it would’ve undoubtedly sent my way.

Seasons greetings!

Sparkling lights illuminate the cottage windows, I'm scoffing Panettone for breakfast and the scantily clad wenches on Italian TV are sporting reindeer antlers - it must be Christmas.

Today I was thinking back over my year and to be honest I can't believe how quickly it has flown by. It's been almost a year since I moved to my new job here in Italy and it really seems no more than a few months. Maybe the fact that I'm finally working in an industry that I really click with and am passionate about has smoothed my transition to the point where the months have just rolled on seamlessly.

It could be that now the snows have returned the countryside is looking just like it did when I arrived, so in some ways it does feel like I've just arrived. I have to say I do enjoy winter - as much as any sane person can - but I'm already longing for spring to break as I can't wait to get back out on track - speed is an addiction that no amount of yuletide placebo's can sate.

But for now, I am heading off to Morocco for 10 days after New Year's which is both a welcome break and a chance to scope out areas which will be worth returning to should my plan of an enduro trip in 2012 pan out.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a happy new year - bring on 2011!

Oh and here's a video of some crazy filipino dude doing some.. er stunts in case you feel gipped at coming all the way to this blog with nothing to show for it.
Something tells me this video might be a one off, I can't see him lasting too long doing this kind of thing!

Think you're good with Lego do ya?

I came across this article on my daily trawl of the web and just had to share it.

Did you ever have that kid in your street with supernatural Lego building ability? You'd be half way through your brick shaped starfighter; "It's space loser, aerodynamics don't count" made from mismatched colour bricks and using a misplaced Technic car axle as a laser cannon, while in the same time he'd knock up a scale perfect Imperial Cruiser - and just to really piss you off - a couple of wee Tie-Fighters to go along with it?

Ok, that kid has grown up, is an engineer for Apple and is up to his old tricks again: namely a fully functional replica of the eclipse-predicting Antikythera device. This guy is operating on a level of Geekness that makes your garden variety Nerd gag on their unworthiness; we're talking a big, f*&k off eleven on the Poindexter Index. But just look at the result!!


Source: Scientific American.

From the tuning House of the Rising Sun

I came across some tasty corn on thekneeslider.com today. For those of you who appreciate tastefully done retro makeovers, feast your eyes on the Kawasaki Z1's from Sanctuary's Real Complete Machine Customs collection.

For some, the whole Japanese retro scene seems to be the self-absorbed pastime of Generation X'ers who indulge in too much warm sake followed by oversized nostalgia chasers, but it's worth keeping an eye out as every now and then a real stunner comes out of the blue...



I've always liked Z1's; as far as 4-stroke 70's Jap bikes go they are right up there on my wish list, but it's only now after seeing the striking color scheme and sweet bolt-ons featured on the purple Sanctuary Z1 I can truly say I've lusted for one.

The well thought out styling touches and the seamless integration of the finely sculpted exhaust, modern wheels, brakes and suspenders into the bike's classic design - so it appears they were always part of the bike - is exactly what appeals to me on a retro makeover.

I believe a new Mad Max movie is in the pipeline and if so I would love to see the original zed-thou in this kind of get-up make a re-appearance. The thought of the latest iteration of Goose sitting astride a new Z1000 or *shudder* a Fazer mit Euro 3 spec exhaust would leave me colder than a witch's tit... in fact, I will boycott the movie should this be the case.

To be honest I probably won't watch the movie anyway given Hollywood's track record on remakes, but anyway, check out the links to see all the pics.. muy bueno.

Have dignity, won't travel - the TSA, body scans and homeland security.

Watch this video...



People in the US are forced to go through full body scans and at times full body pat downs when going through Airport security. And for what?

This councilman shows that the fact these scanners are in place may be the result of a dodgy deal and in fact they won't stop terrorists. My only fear is that the government will create some bogus security threat to justify these scanners.

Work may send me to LA again for work early next year but I am going to refuse as if I am requested to have a pat down by some rent-a-cop I will refuse and God knows what will happen then. Despite never commiting a crime the US Government now has my retina scan and thumbprints thanks to Homeland Security, and I'll be farked if they get anything else.

And no this isn't a tidbit I came across sharing a cup of chai with my fellow tin-foil hat wearing friends, I just hate how governments around the world keep coming up with more and more pointless and expensive ways of controlling us and the Sheeple don't bat an eyelid.

There is just a lot of stuff happening that is slowly chipping away at our way of life, even if right now it may seem quite benign. You know the analogy about putting a frog in a pot of boiling water he will jump out, but put him in cool water and slowly bring it to the boil...

As Benjamin Franklin famously said "Those who would sacrifice their liberty for security deserve neither"... which is almost as well known as his other quote 'You don't look at the mantelpiece when you're stoking the fire'.

p.s. this post is a little heavy I know, but something bike/car/wheel related will be coming soon!

It's getting cold

The first snows of the season have powdered the tops of the mountains that rear up in front of my apartment and the days are getting short. Riding a bike is dare I say it, becoming less enjoyable in such conditions.

This is the time of year when many riders in the Northern Hemisphere furrow their brow in contemplation over how long they keep persevering with frost-bitten fingers and icicled beards before wrapping up their pride and joy in cotton wool until the sun starts working again.

In Australia I rode the whole year round - even in chilly Canberra - with not much issue and went without a car for three years but here is another thing entirely.

I will press on as long as I can, but it's only a matter of time before the paddock stands and trickle charger come out and the Mille goes into hibernation for the winter. Perhaps this weekend if the weather is kind I will let her gorge herself on some freshly laid asphalt to build up her constitution before she goes into stasis.. yes, that sounds like a good idea :)

One track mind

On Saturday some friends and I got up long before the sun and made our way to Vairano, a small town in Lombardia with no redeeming features except for a sinewy, roughly three kilometre long stretch of asphalt that has taken up residence there.

The previous night's sleep was fitful and hardly replenishing - my mind was bombarded with images of approaching apexes and vanishing braking markers while the infernal cacophony of a legion of barely muffled bikes haunted my dreams.

A three hour trip in the fully loaded van was managed thanks to copious amounts of caffeine, sugar and the ubiquitous pre-track chatter which ranges from weather forecasts to tyre pressures and everything in between. A few bum steers from the GPS aside we were trackside, geared-up and good to go before we knew it.

My first trip out on the track with my new bike went quite well - I was quite rusty but generally happy with my progress throughout the day. It has been so long since I've been able to chernobyl a bike around a track and I was surprised that I managed to get my knee down on the tall RSV after only a few laps.

The only hiccup in an otherwise perfect day was when I apexed way too early on a left hander which put me way offline on the exit and into the kitty litter.

The only damage in the end was a few scratches to Allegra and some cracked ribs, a twinged neck and a bruised ego for yours truly. A fair trade for a day spent crawling over a gorgeous bike on a kickarse track don't ya think?

Here are some atmospheric pics from the day.. and perhaps a link to a vid or three soon :)

Some photos from Imola..

I was down at Imola on Saturday, watching the World Superbike and Supersport guys tear their way around the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari during qualifying.

The Imola circuit is truly breathtaking - even if you're not a revhead like myself. It is set in a gorgeous tree-filled park in the middle of town, with the track spread over a hill which endows it with a fair bit of relief. As a result you are presented with the strange scene of watching the bikes tear over the crest of a hill, while in the background you can see a lady hanging up her laundry on the balcony but a couple of hundred yards distant. Solo in Italia!

Here are some pictures I took of the action on track, the majority of which were taken when I was parked at the final chicane where riders are going quite slow. So finding the right aperture/shutter setting to allow an image with a shallow depth of field while keeping the rider looking sharp but granting the image a sense of motion was hard work, especially considering I'm a novice photographer using not the greatest equipment.

Below are what I think are some of my better shots. If anyone has any pointers for me that would be great! (Click the images to see the high res shots).

I like that Gino Rea and Luca Scassa were using clear visors as you could see the whites of their eyes when they were on the anchors for the chicane - awesome!

Staying on the topic of bikes, I am off to Vairano with some mates for a track day this weekend. The RSV is all prepped (including some rubber foam to patch up the light recess in the nose fairing - ghetto style) so I will upload some pics of that adventure once we are done and dusted.

David Vs Monsanto - a must watch video

This is compelling stuff. How can a government go into bat for giant corporations at the expense of the rights of the common man - especially in a case like this where the implications can potentially affect the way all of us live.

So set aside an hour, grab a coffee and prepare to be shocked.

Presenting Allegra..

the Aprilia!

She rides..

So, I finally bought a motorbibike. After months of wheeling, dealing and putting up with dodgy and at times uninterested vendors, I have handed over some of my hard earned on a 2002 Aprilia RSV Mille R.. noice.

I spent a good part of last week riding through some of the many wonderful roads that are within a stone's throw away - the passes Mendolla, Tonale, Gavia, Stelvio - just to name a few. The bike was faultless though I think it will have to wait until I get to Vairano for a track day next month to see how it performs in its element.

I will post up some pics as soon as I take them and hopefully some action shots from the track day.

As I sit here typing yet another Thunderstorm is making its way down from the mountains - it really is a land of extremes here, much more than back home in Straya.

Finally, what a sad, sad thing it was to witness the passing of Shoya Tomizawa in the Moto2 race at Misano on the weekend. He seemed like such a happy-go-lucky yet humble young bloke and despite the tragedy I am glad that he didn't suffer and died doing the thing he loved most.

RIP Shoya

As it began..

So here we are...

The first sentence in the first post of my first blog.

I hope the import of this occasion is not lost on you, my esteemed reader(s), especially as by the time you read this it will probably be six months old and you would have only come across this blog due to a typo when searching for the latest online installment of Australia's favourite Catamaran monthly 'Aussie Two Keels'.

I have wanted to do this (writing a blog, not making bad jokes) for a long time, but like so many things in my life it has been lost within the noise of a full-time job, doing the laundry and the other minutiae that constitutes adult life.

Since contemplating starting a blog, I have moved countries and jobs twice, gone around the sun three times and the plan is to use this blog as a platform to share some of my experiences, both for your entertainment as well as helping to crystallize these happenings in my memory for my own benefit.

As for the title, well it sells itself innit. I'm an Aussie and I love motorcycles*. It's not just the machinery that inspires me, it's the freedom it grants and the interesting people and places it has brought into my life.

Sure, I could have chosen a more imaginative and witty title but this sums me up best at this point in time and it also matches my twitter account (yes you just got upselled).

So please.. come in, make yourself comfortable and I will bring out some tea and nibblies when the other guests arrive.


*Though I am Two wheel-less at the moment, this will change very soon and will no doubt be the subject of a blog post or twelve.