Monday 31 January 2011

STREET FIGHTIN' MAN


Original factory streetfighter, the mighty zed thou; here's one given the backyard 'fighter treatment with 3-spokes and tricked-out suspension, brakes, swinger etc. When the bike comes out the shop looking as good as these old kwakas, you don't have to do much to 'em.

Sunday 30 January 2011

zim zimmer,'oo got de key for me bimmer?


So went a UK jungle 'choon' from a few years ago, quite good as it goes, but give me some Maiden any day.

A dodgy title for a smart bike, not quite in the same league of cafe perfection as yesterday's brace of Tritons, but nice all the same. That view from the top looks especially good, with the clip-ons and chequered long tank. Nice bike.

Friday 28 January 2011

KING TRITON



Variations on a theme- the quintessential British special. Thankyou Dave Degens.

Have a great weekend.

up the 'arris


Harris Magnum IV-Hand-made in Essex, super slick frames for hardcore jappers, race proven and streetfighter-cool. Inspired a generation of bikes from all the major manufacturers- it's not just Harley who nick their inspiration from the street.

Thursday 27 January 2011

1st klass

1st klass new bonnie chopper, that is. One of the best I've seen, for sure. L-O-W rider, how about that for ride height? That paint scheme really works for me too- simple but 2 cool.

Stolen from my favourite christchurch new bonneville afficianadoes, motochimp.

Wednesday 26 January 2011

'S' to da 'O' to da 'A'

What's this? First dodgy 80s bands and now a laughable cable TV show? Has the blog gone mad?

OK, I admit it, I am a sad man, but I am MADE UP that the most excellent 'sons of anarchy' is back on freeview. Go on, admit it, you love it too, and covet the DVD box set just like I do.

Monday 24 January 2011

Normal service resumed


Beat those Monday mornin' blues with some thoughts of springtime, longer days, and noisy teutonic cafe racers.

Thinking of BMWs- whose cars and bikes are both desirable, but in completely different ways-makes me wonder if there are there any other serious car manufacturers who also build proper bikes. I can't think of any...


I am allowed to daydream idly today, have just finished this term's finals, and have a day off work, and kids are in school. Back to college tonight, though.

Sunday 23 January 2011

YAY-AH!!!

The Cult never were a 'cool' band but who cares they ROCKED and me and the missus are off to see 'em tonight. Sure hope they don't play loads of new concept rubbish, 'Love' and 'Electric' will do nicely thankyou.

Friday 21 January 2011

TAKE THIS MAN'S TOOLS AWAY

I really don't like to be negative about another gearhead's pride and joy- but this bike is just SOOOO wrong. Paintjob's like one of those dodgy mints yer gran used to hand out, as for everything else- thanks but no thanks.

At least it's got an equally-awful sportster for company.

Thursday 20 January 2011

Not sure...



Yeah, I'm not so sure about this one- and that's not meant sarcastically- it's a fine machine, just not sure if the concept really works. Using a stock frame on a sporty caff is a hard one to pull off, for sure. Who cares what I think, let your own eyes decide.

Tuesday 18 January 2011

2nd time around

I think I might have shown you this one before- but it's so tasty, who cares? Getting the balance right when doing a blend of styles like this is tough-I mean, it's got elements of lowrider, cafe (of course!), bobber style, classic brit all goin' on; but this one just absolutely nails it. Pic nicked from Bonnefication, sorry fellas.

Monday 17 January 2011

It's a 'get outta jail free card'


Cafes, chops, 'fighters...now vidaMOTO brings you iconic movie images. Are we good to you or what? Here's Jimmy 'The Goose' giving a wide-eyed kid a get-outta-jail card before he does battle with crazed nomad bikers on ratty z1000s. I think I'm gonna have to go and find the DVD now!

This honda 750 trike/combination is one of the wildest customs I've ever seen, though it only appears in the film for a few seconds. Genius.

Sunday 16 January 2011

arty

More from ace rich- classy in B&W. Only the tread pattern on the tyre suggests this is a Y2K machine.

Saturday 15 January 2011

Anyone else live under a stone?




Jeez, I didn't even know the Norton name was still in use- other than for bizarre Wankel (as in Rotary) -engined police cruisers- then I see this beauty. Could almost be the real thing, couldn't it? One thing's for sure, it's a superb motorcycle, and just oozes quality. And it IS a real cafe racer!

Friday 14 January 2011

my old honda


This was my life's work for about 9 years! Sometimes I really wish I'd never sold this bike(it went boxing day 2005). But there you go. I love the older stuff- but I like reliability a whole lot more. Not that I mind working on bikes, it's just I prefer do it by choice-ie building-rather than necessity.

'75 Honda SOHC 750 rebuilt
stockframe, hardtail rear section, rebuilt wheels and brakes etc, new metzelers
cycle-x twin mikuni 34 carb set up (1st in UK!)
MAC drags, NOS
dyna/taylor/earl's
dogbones
brit oiltank
mucho stainless by Mild 2 Wild and Soott's
stainless fasteners
seat by anusol

Thursday 13 January 2011

one for the motorchimp!

Crackin' thruxton-based bonnie ridden every day by my old mate Ace Rich. Excellent use of Tank Shop one-off ally, and lots of engine and handling mods. Rich tells me he gets stopped by the Old Bill all the time, just so they can get a closer look.

Wednesday 12 January 2011

and another...

There's certainly no shortage of nifty sportster chops in blgworld, is there?

The west coast/DicE look -call it what you like, it's been done a few times but still looks good. This one caught my eye whilst trawling the net. It's been said that Sporties are the new shovels, I'm not sure about that, but have a butchers at this one anyway.

Tuesday 11 January 2011

have a break...



...have a kwik kat.

Remember seeing a katana for the 1st time? design classic and then some.

Monday 10 January 2011

caff-u-like


boo yah! mag wheels and a flake fairing...it should be so wrong, but it rules. not so sure about the '1 foot on the deck full face lid' aggro look, i guess it beats badass leather waistcoat posing.


life is kinda full for me at the mo- posts will hopefully be frequent but short!

Sunday 9 January 2011

well read


Looks like someone snuck their sporty into a library!

I'm spending far too much time with my 'ed in a book. Exams next 2 weeks. Bore bore bore.

Saturday 8 January 2011

top trump


wicked hinckley cafe (what's with the front hoop, tho'?) whatever, well smart. I nick quite a few pix- like this one- off the spanish 'fighter blog listed on my favourites, check 'em out.

Friday 7 January 2011

RIP Gerry

I don't usually go for posting off-topic stuff, but I was surprised not to see more about the sad passing of Gerry Rafferty long before his time. Another light gone out.

Monday 3 January 2011

BCR u-like


Badass honda SOHC cafe from BCR stable. All the right gear in all the right places. Black 'n' red looks OK too. Class.

Tidy inline four


I'm short on detail for this ride- stop sniggering at the back!- but it caught my eye for a number of reasons. I really like the trad look coupled with moden running gear- maybe that mellow maroon paint job does the business, but this chop just works. Lovin' the blacked-out USDs (trailbike???), and that spoked hub up front, plus it's really good to see a fatbob tank for a change. Everything else has been done in a polished but understated way, just how it should. Respect!

These colours don't run

My old mate Macen runs with Norfolk Chopper club, aka 'the beasts from the east', so this one's for him.

Made in Leicestershire


I'm not quite sure about this Hinckley bonnie cut-down; in fact I think it rocks, but needs that disgusting seat unit thrown in the canal!

Grease Monkey


Here's more from Larry, if you've not seen 'em before. It's a shame these pics aren't bigger, as the man was truly a master of attention to detail, and every component has had TLC to the max. Deus ex machina.

Hinckley street tracker

Hmm, seeing a few of these nowadays; in fact i saw one in Battastini's luxurious window display, when i was on duty New Years eve. Suffice to say, the new Triumph bonnies really lend themselves to contemporary style updates like this tracker- what they lack in class (and that's a subjective thing), they sure make up in practicality, ie going fast and not breaking, which is cool in my book.

BCR cafe



OK, so you can probably guess this pic- like most of mine- is hand-stolen, but check BCR's cafe style. I think they have a lot of class- especially the way the long tank accentuates the racer look- and build quality is first-rate too.

rat fink

Long before the world and their brother were obsessing about 'bobbers' and 'old school' bikes, builders like Indian Larry were quietly turning out masterpieces like Rat Fink here (ok, this was built for the ridiculous 'Biker build-off' Discovery show, but you get my drift). RIP Larry. Rest assured, vidamoto will be paying further homage to this most accomplished artist.

Sunday 2 January 2011

Hard to beat


Here's another Hard-up choppers completed build. This to me is what it's all about- clean simple lines, a punchy motor with running gear that works[GSXR], all the while in a frame package that gives the owner some individuality and expression. Or in fewer words, looks the part and goes like a scalded cat!

Saturday 1 January 2011

Resolutions!

Mine- get on the exercise bike and lose the paunch! Pass my exams and anything else really. Fix my sporty and hit the road.

Meanwhile, blog's gonna be more o' the same, kickin' off with a worthy holiday special, ironhead cafe that's just to die for in Ford black with kicker and drums.