KIEHL'S LIFERIDE 2011

Kiehls, established in 1851, has always had a motorcycling connection; every store has a vintage bike or two inside, a legacy of the family's longtime love of bikes, planes, etc, and desire to share their collection in their retail outlets.  Having long been a sponsor of motorcycle events in the US (such as the Legend of the Motorcycle Concours), they've branched out in the past two years into holding annual LifeRides, to support and publicize a special line of Kiehls products which are 100% slated to charity.  This year, they've guaranteed $100,000 to amfAR, the premier AIDS research foundation in the US, and the ride includes a gaggle of celebrities who want to show support for Kiehl's generosity, while helping publicize HIV/AIDS...

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AJS E95 'PORCUPINE' AT QUAIL

Rod Coleman aboard the AJS E95 'Porcupine' in 1954While Grand Prix circuit motorcycle racing is almost as old as the 20th Century, the World Championship racing series was only introduced in 1949.  From 1924-37, a single race on the Continent determined the 'European Champion', and a points-based racing series was introduced in 1938, a more accurate measure of success over time, although it was still a European Championship.  The first years of the World Championship, in 1949 and 1950, saw several manufacturers win the top prize in their respective capacities, before disappearing forever from the rosters of GP history.  The 1949 World Champions included AJS (500cc - Les Graham), Velocette (350cc - Fred Frith), Moto Guzzi (250cc...

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CHARLOTTE AND THE BROUGH

Charlotte Poutrel models RL on a Brough Superior SS101 'TE Lawrence Replica'Last November, French actress Charlotte Poutrel made her acquaintance with a new Brough Superior SS101 at Pinup Studios, Paris, during a photo session with NewYorkParis director Yves J Hayat.  It was a natural moment to borrow a Brough, immediately after the Men's File/Ralph Lauren party at the flagship RL store on Blvd St Germain, and RL provided Charlotte's wardrobe for the shoot.  Certainly, the two beauties complemented each other on the rotating turntable, strobes flashing, portending future papparazzi as Charlotte's star begins to rise.  Ms Poutrel makes her US screen début in 'Sarah's Key', a film based on Tatiana de Rosnay's novel about the roundup...

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THE RALLY'S END: VELOS IN THE PARKING LOT

Paul Zell's MeSS, 700cc of fun.Longtime Velo man Sam Jowett, of BC, who oversees the 'Concours d'Oiligance'The essential portable margarita blender, voted second-best Non-Velocette!George Shoblo cleans his ThruxtonGirder-forked Velos ridden during the weekWould that this Thruxton had its original GP carb...but a Mk2 Amal probably gives easier startingThe Floyd Clymer-built Indian Velo.  Clymer owned the Indian name until his untimely death in 1970, and arranged many British engines to be housed in Italian chassis, as here.The native fishing spots; photos from the late 1800s show near-identical scenesThe fabulous 1937 Mk7 KTT emerges from its captivity, making a glorious noiseThe Concours d'OiliganceDiscussing the finer points of KTT evolution...Not...

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