NEW CROCKER DOWN UNDER

This just in from Sydney; confirmation of many months of rumors that a'1346Venice' will produce a new Crocker in Australia, with 'a maximum of 24' reproduction Big Twins per year. No prices so far, and I'll relate the story as I learn it. Are there enough paying customers for so many new Crockers? It's an interesting question, and certainly depends on the final sale price.Michael Schacht of the LA-based Crocker Motorcycle Co. has intentions to build an additional 10 machines (beyond the one I test rode last year). Looks like Crocker fans will soon be spoiled for choice, if the choices aren't spoiled by litigation...Below is the press release from 1346Venice:"Beasts of a Bygone Era - The 1930s Crocker MotorcycleIcons of 1930s Los Angeles have...

Read more »

WHEELS AND WAVES: THE RECEPTION

The Southsiders MC have included an art gallery in the Wheels & Waves concept, to celebrate the many visual artists who enrich our motorcycling world - photographers, sculptors, bike builders, musicians, etc.  Thursday night's kickoff party took place at Gallerie 13 Avril in Biarritz, a former paint factory, the old warehouse space underneath a residence built in a charming 19th Century southern France style, complete with an elderly tenant upstairs, who, while fascinated with the commotion on his small, normally quiet street, ultimately latched his wooden storm shutters to get some peace from the happy celebrants below.This year's roster of artists included photographer Bill Phelps (featured previously on The Vintagent), painter/musician/preacher...

Read more »

WHEELS AND WAVES: PART 1

Hanging out, post-downpour, on the cliffs of Biarritz, under the lighthouse.  The rabble are beginning to arrive, and it's estimated 4-500 bikes will be here by tomorrow...hard to imagine, as there have been plane and train strikes, cancelled flights, and scrambles to find transport.  It was a planes trains and automobiles kind of week thus far, after my flight from London was cancelled and I was left sorting out the Eurostar to Paris, before the train strike shut down service!  But, it's cleared up on the coast, the ride-to's are here and dirty, and we're ready for whatever comes next... to be continu...

Read more »

MIKE 'THE BIKE'; THE SKETCH

Mike Hailwood aboard his Sports Motor Cycles Ducati 900SS at his big comeback race, the 1978 Isle of Man Formula One TTYou might have caught motoring artist Paul Chenard at last year's Goodwood Revival marketplace; he typically specializes in sports/racing cars from the 1930s-60s.  As with many 'car guys', he has a secret love of motorcycles too, and sent this pastel drawing of Mike Hailwood's legendary comeback win at the 1978 Isle of Man TT on his Ducati 900ss.   Behind the GT Class-winning N.A.R.T. Ferrari GTO, Luigi Chinetti chats strategy with Phil Hill. In the background is the race-winning 250 TRI/61 of Jo Bonnier and Lucien Bianchi.Paul, how about an older racing motorcycle to test your motor-sketch skills?  If...

Read more »

VINTAGE RACING HEROES

The remains of an AJS K7 350cc OHC.  How do they look when finished?  Check here.As generations of motorcycle collectors grow up, hoard machines, and finally pass to earth, the metal gems which so attracted them, their 'precious', those not ground to dust by the constant churn of oxidation, spousal disgust, familial ignorance, or simple forgetting, become available once again, emerging to light like long-abducted children, blinking at the glare of publicity and the passage of time, worse for their journey but still recognizable.A Norton International M30, awaiting rescueThe least of these motorcycles never recovers from the neglect of decades, and carry on disintegrating in situ, or simply head to the skip.  The best of them...

Read more »