Very tasty CB500 Cafe Racer.

Really nicely done. It maintains a "real world" riding position. And I love the blacked out rims.

Very tasty CB500 Cafe Racer.

Really nicely done. It maintains a "real world" riding position. And I love the blacked out rims.

Hell of a sweet Scrambler!

Hell of a sweet Scrambler!

Ho hum... just another fantastic BMW aircooled cafe racer. What a great build!!

Ho hum... just another fantastic BMW aircooled cafe racer. What a great build!!

A pair of Royal Enfield 250cc GP5 racers.

Thanks again Dave.

A pair of Royal Enfield 250cc GP5 racers.

Thanks again Dave.

BSA 350cc Fury. Unusual "last gasp" bike..

I didn't know about this bike. Interesting attempt at a double overhead cam engine. More info HERE

Thanks again Dave!

BSA 350cc Fury. Unusual "last gasp" bike..

I didn't know about this bike. Interesting attempt at a double overhead cam engine. More info HERE

Thanks again Dave!

UPDATE: Reader ride. KZ1000 shaft drive streetfighter.

Reader John Cripe sends in some pics of his KZ1000 shaft drive streetfighter. I'm labeling it a streetfighter but it really more than that. I love bikes like this. It's the kind of build that you might think about but only one in a billion might try. And what a great result. That rear end is inspired.

Thanks Much for the pics!


John Writes:

Steve,

Thanks for the thumbs up comments.

I'll give you some history on the BIMON. The acronym stands for "built in memory of Nigel" My son we lost in 2004. I needed something to get my head into and we rode motocross together so a tribute bike seemed appropriate. The 65 is his AMA number.

The build; I purchased the KZ,my second 1000 shaft, at a yard sale for $125.00. I had no intention of doing the build then but the bike was in sad shape and I thought it would be a parts bike if needed. I stripped it down and put it in boxes. It sat for months.. I honestly didn't have a clue on the direction it would go but I new it had to be special. I originally thought a mono-shock would be cool. So I got out the sawsall and cut the sub frame off. At that point I was committed so I purchased a used R1 shock off ebay and began the drawings to design the shock mount to the swingarm. I was never good in geometry so I guessed at a good trajectory for the shock and gusseted the frame and swingarm to handle the weight. After the shock was mounted I designed a new shorter and lower sub frame, put the engine back in the frame and checked the sag. The sub frame almost touched the rear tire so I knew I had to do something different. I got another R1 shock and cut away and redesigned the mounts for 2 shocks and it worked great. I cut the original seat pan for the seat and used the orig tail but cut it in more of a Z1 shape. Ebay was my best friend and I purchased the following for the build; a set of Vortex clip-ons, a used set of orig gauges, a set of rearsets with rear master from a Ninja (I think) a front brake perch and master from a GSXR,some carbon fiber mini signals, an R1 tail light and a set of coils and wires. I painted the frame silver to cover up my less than perfect welds. The frame is gusseted in several places to eliminate that flex we took for granted in the 70's. The seat cover was a replacement cover that I had for my son's race bike and I hand cut the foam for the seat. The paint job was donated ( cost me a steak dinner) by a very good friend and fellow KZ lover. I wanted to pay him but he would only accept a steak dinner. The paint is symbolic as well. The 99 Ford blue and silver is the color of the truck my son had his accident in, the yellow is Suzuki yellow, his race bike. The upper triple clamp was machined by another very close friend from billet aluminum.

I have put over 3000 trouble free miles on it and it rides better than my 1980 shaftie, which has all new suspension. I had it at Mid Ohio for "Vintage Motorcycle Days" and got a lot of smiles out of it.

I have a photo collection of the build and still can't believe I managed to make it what it is.

I hope I wasn't too long winded on my story. I know it was theraputic to do the project and I get to ride with Nigel every time I ride it so it continues to get excellent smiles per gallon. Even those who have ridden KZ's all their lives scratch there heads in amazement when they see it.
Thanks for letting me share my story Steve. Thanks for putting it on your site as well.

John

My Pleaure John. Beautiful Bike and a Beautiful Tribute.

UPDATE: Reader ride. KZ1000 shaft drive streetfighter.

Reader John Cripe sends in some pics of his KZ1000 shaft drive streetfighter. I'm labeling it a streetfighter but it really more than that. I love bikes like this. It's the kind of build that you might think about but only one in a billion might try. And what a great result. That rear end is inspired.

Thanks Much for the pics!


John Writes:

Steve,

Thanks for the thumbs up comments.

I'll give you some history on the BIMON. The acronym stands for "built in memory of Nigel" My son we lost in 2004. I needed something to get my head into and we rode motocross together so a tribute bike seemed appropriate. The 65 is his AMA number.

The build; I purchased the KZ,my second 1000 shaft, at a yard sale for $125.00. I had no intention of doing the build then but the bike was in sad shape and I thought it would be a parts bike if needed. I stripped it down and put it in boxes. It sat for months.. I honestly didn't have a clue on the direction it would go but I new it had to be special. I originally thought a mono-shock would be cool. So I got out the sawsall and cut the sub frame off. At that point I was committed so I purchased a used R1 shock off ebay and began the drawings to design the shock mount to the swingarm. I was never good in geometry so I guessed at a good trajectory for the shock and gusseted the frame and swingarm to handle the weight. After the shock was mounted I designed a new shorter and lower sub frame, put the engine back in the frame and checked the sag. The sub frame almost touched the rear tire so I knew I had to do something different. I got another R1 shock and cut away and redesigned the mounts for 2 shocks and it worked great. I cut the original seat pan for the seat and used the orig tail but cut it in more of a Z1 shape. Ebay was my best friend and I purchased the following for the build; a set of Vortex clip-ons, a used set of orig gauges, a set of rearsets with rear master from a Ninja (I think) a front brake perch and master from a GSXR,some carbon fiber mini signals, an R1 tail light and a set of coils and wires. I painted the frame silver to cover up my less than perfect welds. The frame is gusseted in several places to eliminate that flex we took for granted in the 70's. The seat cover was a replacement cover that I had for my son's race bike and I hand cut the foam for the seat. The paint job was donated ( cost me a steak dinner) by a very good friend and fellow KZ lover. I wanted to pay him but he would only accept a steak dinner. The paint is symbolic as well. The 99 Ford blue and silver is the color of the truck my son had his accident in, the yellow is Suzuki yellow, his race bike. The upper triple clamp was machined by another very close friend from billet aluminum.

I have put over 3000 trouble free miles on it and it rides better than my 1980 shaftie, which has all new suspension. I had it at Mid Ohio for "Vintage Motorcycle Days" and got a lot of smiles out of it.

I have a photo collection of the build and still can't believe I managed to make it what it is.

I hope I wasn't too long winded on my story. I know it was theraputic to do the project and I get to ride with Nigel every time I ride it so it continues to get excellent smiles per gallon. Even those who have ridden KZ's all their lives scratch there heads in amazement when they see it.
Thanks for letting me share my story Steve. Thanks for putting it on your site as well.

John

My Pleaure John. Beautiful Bike and a Beautiful Tribute.

The 2010 Nortons... VERY droolworthy.

Thanks a always to Dave Innola for the pics!

The 2010 Nortons... VERY droolworthy.

Thanks a always to Dave Innola for the pics!

Happy Thanksgiving!

It's Thanksgiving Day here in the U.S. but I hope fortune is smiling on you wherever you are in the world!

Happy Thanksgiving!

It's Thanksgiving Day here in the U.S. but I hope fortune is smiling on you wherever you are in the world!

An Egli Vincent Wednesday Extravaganza!!

Damm that's nice..

An Egli Vincent Wednesday Extravaganza!!

Damm that's nice..

Know About Motorcycle Riding

Have you often wanted to learn more about motorcycles and learn how to ride? There are a lot of people who have been wanting to learn how to ride and learn more about the kinds of motorcycles that are available, and what they can do to become licensed to drive one. There are many different motorcycles that you can choose from, and you want to make sure that you read about them to see which one is going to be the best for you.

There are a lot of fun adventures that you can have when you go motorcycle riding. A lot of people enjoy the feeling of being free and riding out in the country. Others enjoy going for a nice ride through town and others like to take up racing. You can learn what you want to know about motorcycles at about-motorcycles.info. This web site is full of information that you can use when you are thinking about buying a motorcycle, and can help you learn the kind of gear that you are going to have to buy and how you can become licensed in your state to ride.

There are a lot of things that you need to learn about how to safely ride a motorcycle, and about motorcycle riding before you are able to begin. Each state also has its own rules for becoming licensed to ride a motorcycle, and you may need to take a safety course before you are able to ride. You also should learn about the kinds of equipment that you need to buy and use when you are motorcycle riding. You will need to see what is required in your state that you need to get before you are able to ride. You can also learn about the types of motorcycles, sizes, styles and brands so that you can find the one that is the best fit for you.

It can be a lot of fun to go on a motorcycle ride and you want to be sure that you know all about the safety rules before you begin. You also want to make sure that you find a motorcycle that you are going to be able to ride and that is comfortable for you. You can go online and research all of the motorcycles that are available, and read about the different models to help you choose the right one. You can also compare them to see which one is the one that you want to ride. You can find where the best deals on motorcycles are and where you can look to get the best prices. Find out what you want to know and how you can begin to get your own when you go online.

Visit about-motorcycles.info if you want to learn more about motorcycle riding.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Silvon

Radical carbon fiber "Drixton" Honda.

Radical carbon fiber "Drixton" Honda.

Classic BSA Scrambler

Outstanding!

Classic BSA Scrambler

Outstanding!

Outstanding Norvin Cafe Racer.

Vincent Engine + Norton Featherbed frame = Norvin

Outstanding Norvin Cafe Racer.

Vincent Engine + Norton Featherbed frame = Norvin

Ice Bikes! Tis the season...

This sort of thin aaaalmost makes me miss living in Canada. Cool stuff.

Ice Bikes! Tis the season...

This sort of thin aaaalmost makes me miss living in Canada. Cool stuff.

MV Augusta perfection.

MV Augusta perfection.

Fire and Ice! Adventure Norton!

This is one hell of a sweet "adventure" bike!