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So, you want a new, retro-styled street bike under five grand? There is Good News & Bad News.

The Meteor 350 is a bang-for-buck motorcycle. The Enfield name has more mystique than any of the major brands in this space, and those who appreciate Royal Enfield’s history will be proud to ride the modern-day version. Folks place more value on the bike’s style and personality. The Meteor 350 rides exactly the way it looks, as it advertises – “Cruise Easy”.

If you want a turn-key retro motorcycle with a warranty and a few modern luxuries, give the Meteor a try. It’s a nifty way to go motorcycling without getting in over your head.

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On Sunday August 8th Michael Lichter invited members of the media and the motorcycle industry to the Grand Opening of his 2021 Motorcycles As Art Exhibition held at the Buffalo Chip. The exhibit is open to the public, free of charge for the entire rally.

 

 The invitation was: Many motorcycle builders come and go. Economic downturns and fickle twists and turns of moto fads can yield a new crop of talent each year, only for those names to become forgotten by the onset of the next trend.  

 

Those with metal-lined backbone and character strong enough to buck trends have earned their legendary status and a fair amount of recognition. During the 81st anniversary of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, you’ll have the opportunity to see dozens of these builders display a motorcycle in the style of their choosing in the Sturgis Buffalo Chip’s 2021 Motorcycles as Art exhibit titled “More Mettle: Motorcycles and Art that Never Quit.” 

 

In addition, this one-time collection will give you the chance to see legendary Lichter Photography one the walls of the exhibit hall surrounding the bikes.

 The exhibit is free and open to the public at the Sturgis Buffalo Chip Event Center from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 7 through Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021.

 

More Mettle: Motorcycles and Art That Never Quit will feature a collection of custom motorcycles from the world’s most celebrated builders that’ll show you the spectrum of history and possibilities inherent in custom motorcycling. Without a theme to guide the builds themselves, you will see the world’s most legendary builders shine in their particular niche of custom motorcycle building that’s made them a household name in a world-class gallery setting.

 

For the second year in a row, builders needed to have completed at least 20 custom builds and been in business for at least 20 years. Faced with the knowledge that half of all businesses fail in the first five years, it was evident these motorcycle aficionados had fought hard to become successful and legendary well beyond the confines of the industry.

 

 

You were able to get an up-close view from every angle as each bike is individually lit and displayed atop elevated pedestals spread throughout the hall.

Builders

Aaron Greene, Aaron Greene Customs
Arlin Fatland, Two Wheelers M/C Denver
Bill Dodge, Blings Cycles
Billy Lane, Choppers Inc.
Brian Klock, Klock Werks
Carl Olsen, Carl’s Cycle Supply
Cole Foster, Salinas Boys
Cory Ness, Arlen Ness Enterprises
Dan Bacon Carr, DC Choppers
Dave Perewitz, Perewitz Cycle Fabrication
Donnie Smith, Donnie Smith Custom Cycles
Fred Cuba, Fred’s Speed and Sport
Jerry Covington, Covingtons Customs
Jim Nasi, Jom Nasi Customs
John Shope, Dirty Bird Concepts
Kiwi Mike Tomas, Kiwi Indian Motorcycles
Mark & Paul Shadley, Shadley Bros
Matt Olsen, Carl’s Cycle Supply
Michael LaFountain, Raccia Motorcycles
Mondo Porras, Denver’s Choppers
Pat Patterson, Led Sled Customs
Paul Cox, Paul Cox Industries
Paul Wideman, Bare Knuckle Choppers
Paul Yaffe, Paul Yaffe Originals
Richard Pollock, Mule Motorcycles
Rick Fairless Strokers Dallas
Roland Sands, Roland Sands Design
Shinya Kimura, Cabot Engineering
Taber Nash, Nash Motorcycle Co.
Tim McNamer, Ballistic Cycles30
Tom Keefer, Franklin Church Choppers

 

Michael Lichter

Michael Lichter began photographing custom bikes and the biker-lifestyle in the 1970s. Working with Easyriders Magazine since 1979, he has produced over 800 stories for them. Michael is also a regular contributor to 16 other publications around the world, has 11 coffee table books to his credit and exhibits his photographic art in galleries and museums in the USA and abroad.

As a curator, Michael first started creating themed exhibitions with custom motorcycles and art in 2001 at the Journey Museum in Rapid City. In 2009, the annual exhibition was moved to the purpose-built 7,000 square foot gallery at the Sturgis Buffalo Chip where it was given the name “Motorcycles As Art.”

Michael has operated out of the same commercial photography studio in beautiful Boulder, Colorado for more than 35-years.

Find out more about Michael Lichter and see his work here:

Facebook: facebook.com/lichterphoto
Instagram: @michaellichterphotography
Website: lichterphoto.com

by Cristina Mircea from https://www.autoevolution.com

This Is How You Can Get an Upgraded 2021 Yamaha Ténéré 700 for $25 in Seattle.

The Yamaha Ténéré 700 is a powerful adventure bike that combines performance with reliability, in that specific Japanese manner we all appreciate so much. And now you can win a Special Edition 2021 model for a financial investment of just $25.

We are talking about a special BDR (Backcountry Discovery Routes) edition which received some really cool, $10,000 worth of upgrades from brands like Touratech, Wolfman, Revzilla, Cyclops, and other big names in the industry.

For those of you who don’t know, BDR is a U.S.- based non-profit organization founded in 2010, which creates off-highway routes for adventure motorcycle riding, aiming to preserve backcountry motorcycle tourism. The organization offers valuable resources for the motorcycle community, including premium, waterproof maps. BDR has created eight cross-state routes so far.

Back to our special 2021 Ténéré, it was created as a prize in the organization’s latest Motorcycle Sweepstakes Fundraiser, for people willing to donate money to the BDR. The bike has been modified and set up specifically for riding their routes and it is fully equipped and accessorized.

Among the top-shelf upgrades of the Ténéré we can mention the full Touratech suspension upgrade, the Cyclops Aurora Auxiliary lighting kit, and Scotts steering stabilizer. It is also equipped with Touratech’s protection package and luggage system and Akrapovic slip-on exhaust. BDR also throws in the complete collection of its Butler maps.

In order to get a shot at this adventure bike from Yamaha, you have to make a donation to BDR of at least $25. This donation will help the organization continue its mission to create off-highway riding opportunities for dual-sport and bikers eager for adventure.

Click To Donate At https://ridebdr.tapkat.org/yamahatenere700

However, you should know that although international donations are welcome, as far as the Yamaha bike goes, you can only claim the prize in Seattle. BDR also states that the motorcycle may be subject to tax or importation limitations.

The 2021 Yamaha Ténéré 700 features a fuel-injected, 689cc twin-cylinder engine derived from Yamaha’s award-winning MT-07.

Mike the Hamster Scored
By Bandit and Mike with photos by Mike Stevenson

A brother Mike Stevenson, who is a sharp builder, former actor, and all-around chopper rider forever, contacts me on a regular basis regarding bikes. He called sorta excited recently.

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MotorcycleMania Breaking Out in Eddyville.
MotorcycleMania motorcycle drag pre-race news release
event: MotorcycleMania sponsored by Trick-Tools
when: August 13-15, 2021
where: Eddyville Raceway Park, Eddyville, Iowa, USA

Eddyville Raceway Park will experience a severe outbreak of MotorcycleMania when the Trick-Tools sponsored event spreads through the Eddyville pits on August 13-15. Two full days of intense motorcycle drag racing is the prognosis, and the only known cure is to attend as either a racer or fan.

What makes this event extra manic is that all classes will qualify and eliminate on each day—that’s two full races in one weekend! “Makes it worth the drive for people,” said Trick-Tools’ boss Bruce Van Sant. “It’s something we racers don’t get to do very often, but it’s pretty common at Eddyville.”

A major highlight is Iowa’s first staging of the hottest motorcycle drag racing class in the country—Grothus Dragbikes Pro Ultra 4.60. The best 4.60 racers in the nation will be hustling nitrous-huffing or turbocharged two wheel beasts to the eighth mile stripe in the world’s quickest motorcycle index class. $2000 to win, $800 runner-up, $200 semis, $200 entry, all run, laddered by qualifying—EACH DAY!

Schnitz Racing Top Gas 5.10 index, BB Racing Super Comp 5.60 index, Certified Auto Sales Super Gas 6.00 index, The Cycle Shop Outlaw No Bar will all pay $1000 to win, $400 runner-up, $100 semis for $100 entry. All run fields, laddered by qualifying—EACH DAY!

The Cycle Shop Outlaw No Bar is heads-up, no wheelie bar, anything goes.

Rally at the Valley Hi-Roller Box/No-Box Bracket class will pay $2000 to win, $800 runner-up, $200 semis. $100 entry with $40 buybacks after first round. Box/No-Box paired separately until one class runs down to one.

Low Roller No-Box bracket class (AKA Street ET) pays back 80% of entry fees ($50 entry with $20 buy backs). No wheelie bars and no delay boxes

C&S Speed Shop V-Twin Ultra Bagger pays $1200 to win.

Cornbelt Dragbike Association V-Twin Pro Bagger pays $1000 to win.

Cornbelt Dragbike Association V-Twin Street Bagger pays $750 to win.

And again…it can’t be emphasized enough…all of these classes qualify and race each day!

Eddyville owner Gerald Kramer is not just fond of two complete days of racing on one weekend, he’s also partial to two wheeled racing. “Gerald is an ex-motorcycle guy and loves motorcycle racing,” noted Van Sant. “He went down to Valdosta with us last fall when we won the 4.60 race down there, and he was so excited about 4.60 racing. He said ‘We’ve got to have a 4.60 race at Eddyville!’

“So here we are, and it looks like we’re gonna have a pretty good turnout. I’m excited to see the guys coming up from the South to the Midwest and it should be a fun time.”

Hell yes it will! Expect to see drag racing studs Chase Van Sant, Chad Otts, Matt Smith, Broderick “Hollywood” Jackson, Mantez Thompson, Jeff “Fast Times” Jones, Chase Morris, Brunson Grothus, Dan McCarten, Turtle Cole, Brevin Bond, Kenny Schwartz, Greg Mallett, Don Chavous, Tom Ewig, Bobby Brown, Patrick Kerr, Louis Brown, Curtis Winston, Terence Washington, Joe and Tom Klemme, Mika and Courtney Wheeler, and many more.

The track is definitely fast. A recent Nitro Chaos event saw Scotty Palmer run a 3.21 at 265 mph on the eighth mile track in his Top Fuel dragster.

So trailer-up and make the easy drive to Iowa for two full days of MotorcycleMania!

Contact Kelly Hefner (kbhefner@gmail.com) for V-twin class details or Eddyville track manager Gerald Kramer (eddyvilleraceway@hotmail.com)

Friday test n tune 6:30-9:30, gates open at 5:00pm.

Saturday gates open at 10:00am, qualifying/time trials at 1:00pm.

Sunday gates open at 8:00am, qualifying/time trials at 9:00am.

Eddyville Raceway Park is thrilled to host the biggest motorcycle-only drag race in this part of the country in a long time, and you gotta be there!

MotorcycleMania thanks Trick-Tools, Grothus Dragbikes, Schnitz Racing, BB Racing, Certified Auto Sales, The Cycle Shop, C&S Speed Shop, Cornbelt Dragbike Association, and Eddyville Raceway Park.

News From https://www.eatmyink.com

CORRECTION TO PRICE:
The Arctic Blast Limited Edition Street Glide Special MSRP is $32,999 (US). Optional RDRS adds $995.

HARLEY-DAVIDSON REVEALS STREET GLIDE SPECIAL® MODEL WITH ARCTIC BLAST LIMITED EDITION PAINT
Handcrafted Factory Custom will be Limited to 500 Serialized Motorcycles Worldwide

MILWAUKEE (August 9, 2021) – Harley-Davidson takes custom paint to a new level with the introduction of a limited run of 2021 Harley-Davidson Street Glide® Special motorcycles featuring the handcrafted Arctic Blast Limited Edition paint set. The motorcycle was revealed today at the 81st Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Availability will be limited to 500 examples worldwide, each serialized on the fuel tank.

https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/motorcycles/street-glide-special.html

“With the Arctic Blast Limited Edition paint offering for the Street Glide Special, at Harley-Davidson we continue to build on our reputation and lead by example, as the best in exclusive custom motorcycles and design,” said Jochen Zeitz, Chairman, President and CEO Harley-Davidson.

The Arctic Blast Limited Edition paint will be offered in a single colorway – metallic deep blue with bright blue strokes over a pearlescent white base.

“The Arctic Blast paint is executed in strokes of high-contrast color intended to communicate the appearance of motion,” said Brad Richards, Harley-Davidson Vice President of Styling and Design. “The design looks bold from a distance but offers interesting details that can only be seen up close, including a blue pearl effect over the white base, and a ghosted hexagon pattern on the fairing.”

The Arctic Blast Limited Edition paint is hand-applied by the artisans at Gunslinger Custom Paint in Golden, Colorado. The Gunslinger roster of nationally-known painters, designers, artists and manufacturing team leaders has decades of experience as a supplier of custom-painted components for Harley-Davidson® Custom Vehicle Operations™ motorcycles and Limited Edition paint sets.

https://gcpaint.com/

The Street Glide Special model is a Harley-Davidson hot-rod bagger that combines long-haul touring comfort and custom style with the authoritative performance of the Milwaukee-Eight® 114 V-Twin engine. Key features include the iconic Harley-Davidson batwing fairing with splitstream vent to reduce head buffeting, stretched locking saddle bags, a Daymaker® LED headlamp, low-profile engine guard, and Prodigy custom wheels. The Boom!™ Box GTS infotainment system with color touch screen, advanced navigation plus compatibility with Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay®, hand and voice commands (when paired with compatible headset), and two-speaker audio is standard equipment.

The Arctic Blast Limited Edition Street Glide Special MSRP is $32,999 (USD). A Chopped Tour-Pak® luggage carrier with matching paint will also be offered through Harley-Davidson® Genuine Motor Parts & Accessories (P/N 53000650ERW MSRP: $1,699.95 USD).

Bad first: Your list of options in this class is awfully short. As for the good, Royal Enfield decided to export their all-new Meteor 350 to the United States, so that little list now includes this small heritage model. Nice to see something fresh in a space dominated by repurposed powerplants and halfhearted nods to actual vintage style.

It’s a crying shame that you just don’t see many cheap and cheerful retros in dealerships today. Riders shopping small cruisers get the Honda Rebel 300 ($4,599) and the antiquated Yamaha V-Star 250 ($4,499). As for standards and nakeds, Honda offers the CB300R ($4,949), while Husqvarna’s Svartpilen and Vitpilen 401 models (both $5,299) are within range if you’re flexible on that five thousand dollar budget. Those are your new-with-warranty options, aside from smaller brands (CSC, SYM, etc.) and whatever unsold stock you could find of discontinued models like the Suzuki TU250X. The Meteor 350 demands consideration as the cheapest ($4,399 base) and most original offering in its class for 2021. Their most direct competition may come from Triumph’s partnership with Bajaj for a small-displacement retro, but the Meteor has a huge head start: the Baj-umph has been delayed until 2023.

According to Royal Enfield CEO Siddhartha Lal, motorcycling is splitting into two major segments — “commuters and big, fancy motorcycles” — and he wants Royal Enfield to explore the space between those two extremes.

“Our core philosophy [is] making simple, pure, old-school, gorgeous, fun motorcycles,” Lal says. They’re off to a strong start with recent releases like the 650 twins and the Himalayan mini-ADV. After the Bullet and Thunderbird models were retired, Royal Enfield developed the Meteor as a modernized replacement that retains the look and feel of older models. The Meteor name actually goes back to a twin they built back in the 1950s.

Meet the Meteor
The heart of the Meteor is its 349 cc, SOHC engine and its classic Royal Enfield thump. RE claims 20.2 peak horsepower at 6,100 rpm, and 20 foot-pounds of torque at 4,000 rpm. The engine gets a five-speed transmission, fuel injection, and a two-valve head. The cylinder sits bolt upright, like RE mills of the past. The long-stroke 350 isn’t a sleeved 410 out of the Himalayan, surprisingly. It looks like the 650 twin from the side, although the similarities are only surface-deep, as the two do not share any significant parts. Oil changes and valve checks are every 3,000 miles after the initial 500-mile check-in. At least the valve cover is easy to access, and the adjusters are dead simple screw-and-locknut jobs.

The Meteor 350 comes in three trim levels and a variety of paint options.

• Fireball, a base model with plain paint options and basic badges. Black, red, or yellow.
• Stellar, a small bump in price gets nicer paint options plus a passenger backrest, upgraded badges, and a chrome exhaust.
• Supernova leads the range with the Stellar’s features plus two-tone paint and a windshield.

I had the choice between a matte black Stellar and a yellow Fireball. Yellow is an underrated motorcycle color, and in person, it was an easy choice for me. I used the Sunshine Express as my daily rider for a few weeks, and it went a little something like this.

Riding impressions
“Hoooo weeee, haven’t seen one of thems in a long time. That yours?” asked an older gentleman as I finished my early morning coffee on the steps outside a diner on the Pennsylvania-Jersey border. This would be the first of many similar encounters with my time on the Meteor. The Royal Enfield name still carries some weight with riders who remember the Bullets of old. I gave the guy a quick rundown of the bike’s story and his eyebrows shot up into his hat when I mentioned the price.

“Huh! Maybe gotta get me one, then,” he said as walked in for some joe of his own.

Straddling the Meteor instantly channels the bike’s “Cruise Easy” tagline. The styling and seating position are somewhere between standard and cruiser. The rider sits upright and relaxed with a generous handlebar bend and mild forward controls for plenty of legroom. The seat itself is scooped and low, with a seat height of 30.1 inches. My test bike was about half an inch lower than that with the optional Low Ride seat. RE also offers a plush touring saddle and a range of seat covers to change up the look. Most riders will have no issue getting their feet down at a stop.

The Meteor has the stance and visual presence of a much larger motorcycle. Some small retros, especially the TU250X, the V-Star, and the old Rebel 250, are easily identified as little bikes. Royal Enfield avoids that distinction with its seat height (a good three inches over the Rebel 300 and V-Star), substantial four-gallon tank, and oversized headlight. The “big bike” feeling carries over into the riding position with that wide handlebar and forward foot controls.

Riding the 350 is more like watching for a meteor cross the sky than it is riding the fiery space rock itself. This motorcycle is gentle, gentle, gentle with a healthy helping of grunt for its displacement. This would be a wonderful first bike or second addition to someone’s garage. That’s not to say that a budget-minded rider couldn’t use it as a daily. The Meteor’s a bit porky at a claimed 418 pounds wet, although it carries its weight nicely. The engine wants to give its trademark thump more than it wants to rev out. Cruise easy, my friend. The engine’s torque bias means it resists stalling and constant gear-changing.

The Meteor is happiest puttering along up to 55 mph on a winding rural highway. It’s not bad in cities, either, where its thin profile and tractable power make short work of commutes and errands. Speeds over 60 mph start to tax and vibrate the little mill, which will keep pulling up to around 70 mph. Save up for a ‘shield-equipped Supernova or an aftermarket solution, if you’ll be hitting these speeds regularly.

Also, pay attention to the engine! While flogging the Meteor down an open stretch of road that cuts through one of our state parks, the bike began to buck and stutter. My earplugs blocked almost all of the engine’s sound, and without a tachometer, I didn’t realize that I was banging the poor bike off its rev limiter. Sorry, Sunshine Express. On the positive side, the stock muffler is downright stealthy if you want to sneak a midnight ride without waking the neighborhood.

Connecting the Tripper system becomes much easier after the initial pairing because the devices remember each other. Tripper uses arrows of different colors and flashing intensities to intuitively guide the rider. I was impressed with the system overall, and I was glad to get my phone off the handlebar and into a waterproof pocket of my jacket instead. I hope we’ll see other manufacturers roll out their own devices like Tripper, and Royal Enfield will miss a huge opportunity if they don’t add this feature to their other motorcycles. Several European manufacturers should be ashamed of themselves for delivering worse navigation solutions on motorcycles costing several times as much as the Meteor.

Like any of the modern Mopar muscle cars, you’d buy this vehicle over its competitors because of its looks and engine. The Meteor 350 has far more character than any of its Japanese competition. And unlike the Austrian machines making twice the horsepower, it has nothing to prove. No sir, this is a comfortable little motortooter that doesn’t mind going so slow that you can actually smell the roses. It’s easy to forget that back in the heyday of North American motorcycling, thousands upon thousands of machines with similar performance made motorcycling accessible to a generation of riders.

And if you don’t like the Meteor, Royal Enfield won’t be too upset. In a parallel to the KTM Duke 200 I reviewed last year, this model’s success doesn’t hinge on North American sales. Its core customers are the legions of riders in Royal Enfield’s home market, where a 350 single is a respectable full-size mount that could see extended touring use. My apologies to any of our Indian friends reading this article and wondering why a motorcycle like this is considered slow and small. We’re spoiled for speed and power here, that’s all. Even so, why shouldn’t Royal Enfield offer the Meteor alongside the 650s and the Himalayan? This is rounds out their lineup, offers a replacement for the iconic Bullet recipe, and entices riders seeking vintage looks at half the price of Triumph’s cheapest offerings.

Highlights
The Meteor 350 is a bang-for-buck powerhouse that could start your riding career or add something completely different to your garage. The Enfield name has more mystique than any of the major brands in this space, and those who appreciate RE’s history will be proud to ride the modern-day Bullet. Ridden within its limits, the Meteor puts fun first and remains competent right up to the rev limiter.

It’s a conversation piece, too. Other riders, and even non-riders, approach with all kinds of questions. Price gets ‘em every time. And with used motorcycle prices climbing, the Meteor might be the right bike at the right time for a wide range of small-bike shoppers.

In addition to some of the bike’s features I liked in the riding section, there’s one more perk of ownership worth a mention. Royal Enfield created a YouTube playlist with clear, easily followed video tutorials for every basic maintenance task on the bike, plus some troubleshooting. I think this is a brilliant, low-buck way to build essential skills while sweetening the pot for potential customers. It raises the same question as the Tripper system: Why aren’t more manufacturers doing this? Too bad the series does not include a video on valve adjustments.

Lowlights
If the Meteor’s best quality is its price, then its shortcomings are sacrifices that had to be made to stay affordable. The paintwork on my Fireball model was thin with some orange (lemon?) peel. The plastic fenders have a cheap look to them in some lighting, but at least they won’t develop flash rust after riding in the rain like the exhaust. Other questionable decisions included weird front brake line routing, an LED DRL around a halogen bulb, and so many engine fasteners that I started to think they were worried about something. The most offensive part of all was the fuel filler lock’s cover. It has too much wobble and feels like it could snap off easily while fueling up.

Other issues have to do with what’s missing. A tach, or even a shift light, would be nice for those of us who wear earplugs. While we’re at it, a sixth speed, or final drive gearing that can attain 80 mph, would be appreciated. One final suggestion would be the addition of a belt drive. The 3,000-mile service intervals are disappointing, and if nothing can be done about that, then why not reduce maintenance elsewhere? Belt drive even fits the Meteor’s mini cruiser positioning. Kawasaki managed this in the 1980s with their 454 LTD.

Looking back on easy cruising
Here’s the thing: All the Meteor’s faults are forgiven in light of its price tag. What’s more, the riders who will turn up their noses at iffy paint, 20 horsepower and unruly hose routing probably aren’t interested in this motorcycle anyway. Buy a premium motorcycle from a premium manufacturer if you want premium fit and finish. Sure, Honda will deliver a higher standard of workmanship on bikes costing a few hundred bucks more at the expense of the Enfield’s soul.

2021 Royal Enfield Meteor 350
Price (MSRP)     $4,399 (base Fireball), $4,499 (Stellar), $4,599 (Supernova)
Engine     349 cc, air-cooled, two-valve vertical single
Transmission, final drive     Five-speed, chain
Claimed horsepower     20.2 @ 6,100 rpm
Claimed torque     19.9 foot-pounds @ 4,000 rpm
Frame     Twin downtube steel spine frame
Front suspension     41 mm fork, 5.1 inches of travel
Rear suspension     Dual shocks adjustable for preload
Front brake     Single two-piston caliper, 300 mm disc with ABS
Rear brake     Single-piston caliper, 270 mm disc with ABS
Rake     26.7 degrees
Wheelbase     55.1 inches
Seat height     30.1 inches
Fuel capacity     3.96 gallons
Tires     CEAT 100/90-19 front, 140/70-17 rear
Claimed wet weight     421 pounds (90 percent fuel and oil)
Available     Now
Warranty     36 months

by Enda Mullen from https://www.coventrytelegraph.net

Veterans’ campaigner Simon Weston says 60th birthday gift of Triumph trike is dream come true.

It followed a crowdfunding campaign organised by former Meriden Triumph engineer Norman Hyde.

Veterans’ campaigner and Falkland War survivor Simon Weston has been presented with an extra-special gift to mark his 60th birthday in the shape of a Triumph trike.

Simon signed up for the British Army at 15. Aged 20, when serving in the Welsh Guards, he was aboard the logistics ship RFA Sir Galahad – laden with fuels and ammunition – when it was bombed by the Argentine Air Force during the conflict in the South Atlantic.

He suffered horrific injuries and underwent prolonged reconstructive surgery.

At times Simon said he was close to giving in, but courage and determination saw him emerge positively as a strong advocate for troops’ and veterans’ rights.

Along with his many charitable activities he gives inspirational talks on achieving mental wellness. Awarded the OBE in 1992, Simon was made a CBE in 2016.

Veterans’ campaigner and Falkland War survivor Simon Weston has been presented with an extra-special gift to mark his 60th birthday in the shape of a Triumph trike.

The gift was the result of a crowd-funding campaign which had its roots in a chance conversation at a presentation given by Simon two years ago.

Simon revealed to former Meriden Triumph engineer and world speed record holder Norman Hyde that he would really love a trike like the one ridden by Billy Connolly on his TV travel series.

It spurred Norman into action and he decided to embark on a mission to fulfil Simon’s dream.

He said: “Knowing what Simon had given to our country and knowing what good people there are in the bike world, from manufacturers and importers, through dealers to clubs and riders, I immediately said ‘leave it to me, I’ll fix it’.”

Norman organised crowdfunding and the £25,000 project got off to a fabulous start when Triumph Motorcycles, which is based in Hinckley, donated a new 1,200cc Bonneville for conversion.

Trike Design of Caerphilly South Wales (coincidentally Simon’s home town) was chosen to convert the two-wheeler and adapt controls for Simon, who has fingers missing from both hands.

“This is a dream come true,” said Simon of the crowdfunded Triumph trike, which was presented to him a few days before his 60th birthday.

“I can’t thank Norman Hyde and all the people who made this happen enough.”

Donations ranging from £5 to four-figure sums came from individuals and the trade, often accompanied by messages of affection for Simon.

The Triumph Owners MCC (TOMCC) made a substantial contribution as did the Duke of Richmond (the Goodwood Estate) and the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA), which is based in Coventry.

Simon’s helmet was donated by LS2 and the Held clothing company are making bespoke gloves.

Hank Hancock of Trike Design (TD), specialists in three-wheeler conversions and adaptation for disabled riders, took on the job with enthusiasm.

The Triumph is fitted with TD’s latest Brookland Sport design, with boot space inside the smooth GRP mouldings.

The 17-inch wheels have independent suspension with an anti-roll bar and the final transmission from the chain to twin shafts is via a differential.

Trike Design’s Robin Davies designed and fitted the specially adapted controls.

Kliktronic press-button electric gear shifting means that Simon can change up with a finger on his right hand and down with his left thumb.

Foot pedals for the throttle, brakes and clutch are similarly arranged to car controls.

“I soon worked out how to ride, and especially how to stop,” said Simon, who hopes to persuade his wife Lucy to travel on the pillion seat.

The presentation was held on Trike Design’s forecourt.

Those in attendance included several representing the TOMCC, including club chairman Ken Talbot and members who rode in from Shropshire, Max Roberts of Triumph Motorcycles, Dave Priddle of LS2 helmets and two motorcycle-mounted officers from the national police-run initiative BikeSafe; PC Richard Gibbs and PC Paul Rees.

Triumph Motorcycles has historic connections to Coventry.

Triumph, in its many guises, was born out of a company founded by Siegfried Bettmann, who had emigrated from Nuremberg, in 1884.

It went on to make bicycles before moving on to motorcycles and later cars.

The motorcycle making side of the business was originally based in Coventry and subsequently in Meriden.

A new company, Triumph Motorcycles, based in Hinckley, gained the name rights of the company in the 1980s and is now one of the world’s major motorcycle manufacturers.

by Brie Stimson from https://www.foxnews.com

Sturgis Motorcycle Rally a boon for boy, 8, running ‘donations only’ lemonade stand.

Young Wyatt Dennis says he’s saving half the money for college, donating some to a children’s hospital — and having some fun with the rest.

A motorcycle-loving 8-year-old’s roadside lemonade stand has become a popular attraction at the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally kicking off this weekend in South Dakota.

Wyatt Dennis opened the stand last year to earn a little money toward a Lego set he wanted, according to FOX 9 in Minneapolis. By the end of the day, he had earned the money plus $200 for St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

“So now, 50% goes to college, 30% goes to St. Jude and the rest goes to — last year it was Legos, this year it’s a dirt bike,” Dennis told FOX 9.

This year, Dennis’ entrepreneurial venture went viral after someone staying at a nearby campground posted about him on social media, allowing him to raise $4,500 for the children’s hospital so far.

Dennis doesn’t charge for the lemonade but donations are appreciated, according to FOX 9.

“If you are traveling between Rapid City and Sturgis on your bike, stop by the Tilford road exit!!” Derek Swain posted on Facebook last Monday. “There is a motorcycle loving little boy who is giving away free lemonade and water to any and every one. Please stop by and give him a huge thank you and show off your rides!!! The lemonade is DELICIOUS!!!! Also, tip the damn kid, it’s hot out, and he’s gonna need to start saving now for that Harley.”

After Swain found out Dennis was donating most of the money to the hospital and for his college, he added, “Get out there and support a kid doing some good in this world.”

Swain’s post had been shared more than 64,000 times by early Sunday.

The Sturgis rally will continue through next Sunday, Aug. 15.