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.