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May 02
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Harley-Davidson X350 showcased at Auto Shanghai 2023

By General Posts

* Smallest ever Harley-Davidson motorcycle
* Build in association with China-based QJ Motor
* Expected to be launched in India

The X 350 is Harley-Davidson’s smallest motorcycle ever, developed in association with its Chinese partner, QJ Motor. After it was globally revealed a few weeks back, the X 350 has recently been showcased at the Auto Shanghai 2023 in China.

The X 350 is unique yet handsome neo-retro offering with a design inspired by the iconic Harley-Davidson XR1200X. The bodywork comprises a round headlamp with a brushed aluminium bezel, a teardrop-shaped fuel tank, an angular radiator cowl, and a stubby tail accommodating a single-piece seat.

Underbelly exhaust instead of a side-slung unit completes its aspirational design. It is launched in three colour options – Dazzling Black, Joyful Orange, and Bright Silver.

With a round semi-digital instrument cluster, a full-LED lighting system, and dual-channel ABS, it is powered by a high-revving, 353cc, inline twin-cylinder engine with liquid cooling and a six-speed gearbox. It churns out 36.2bhp and 31Nm of peak torque coming in at 7,000rpm. It gets 17-inch alloy wheels with upside-down forks and a monoshock.

X 350 weighs about 180 kg and gets a 13.5 litre feul tank.

In China, Harley-Davidson and QJ Motor have priced the X 350 at 33,388 CNY (approximately INR 3.94 lakh). Although it’s expected to come to Indian shores, the launch timeline is not known yet.

(with inputs from Anuj Mishra from www.MSN.com )

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Apr 18
Love0

Scoot Over: A Pictorial Journey on & of Vespa

By General Posts

by Wayfarer with images from Sam Burns

On April 2021, Vespa scooters completed 75 years on global roads & in youthful hearts

Glorious pic curator Sam Burns sent these inspired from the Lunar Bunny Limited Edition Vespa Article. Have a blast imagining the possibilities on smaller wheels & bigger hearts. Race to the picnic or ‘bust’. LOL.

Ridiculous Captions courtesy of your Blog Editor, Wayfarer

Let us know if anyone you know rides a scooter. Hey, you might just be tempted to get one for your collection. Look at the beauties below. Surely, Mecum Auction needs an influx of these.

CLICK HERE To have a look at some exceptional images of this iconic brand called Vespa.

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Apr 16
Love0

Lunar Looney Bunny: A Vespa Is for Fun

By General Posts

Automatic Gears and Automotive Attraction

Vespa is a two-wheeler brand with great recall value all over the world. Their Vespa 946 “Bunny” model was introduced to commemorate the Year of the Bunny and the 10th anniversary of this model. But you don’t need to be hopping mad to buy it for other reasons.

We mostly talk motorcycles here at Bikernet.com but the market for scooters is huge globally.

Why are all these Vespa scooters so expensive? It is reported that throughout Piaggio’s history, every Vespa has been made from steel. The latest Vespa scooters are no exception.

Go ride it with your love-bunny. Click Here to Read this Photo Feature only on Bikernet.com

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Feb 12
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World’s Oldest Production Motorcycle Sells For $212,000

By General Posts

This example may be the earliest one still in existence in 2023.
World’s Oldest Production Motorcycle Sells For $212,000 At Auction

by Janaki Jitchotvisut from https://www.rideapart.com

The early days of motorcycling were a wild time. From strapping engines to the frames of unsuspecting bicycles, to steam-powered velocipedes, people were eager to find new and improved ways to get around. New technological frontiers are typically a time of great experimentation, and this era in motorcycling was certainly no different.

In February, 2023, an extremely interesting piece of that early history went up for auction at Bonhams Paris The machine in question is an extremely rare 1894 Hildebrand & Wolfmüller, which bears the reputation of “the first powered two-wheeler to enter series production,” as well as the first vehicle to be called by the name “motorcycle” (or “motorrad,” in German). It ultimately sold for €195,500, or roughly $212,000 Yankee dollars including the premium.

Brothers Heinrich and Wilhelm Hildebrand set to work crafting their first powered two-wheeler designs during the crucial transition between steam-powered and gasoline-powered vehicles. As the story goes, they started with steam, but eventually turned to a two-stroke design in cooperation with two other individuals: Alois Wolfmüller and his mechanic Hans Geisenhof.

Development is often an iterative process, and what the team eventually came up with to make this production vehicle was a water-cooled, four-stroke, parallel twin engine with what must have been a breathtaking displacement at the time: 1,489cc. This reportedly made about 2.5 brake horsepower at 240 RPM, and resulted in a machine that could top out around 30 miles per hour. That might seem terribly slow in 2023, but was likely more impressive in a time when motor vehicles (let alone faster ones) weren’t so commonplace.

If this machine seems like an alien contraption to your modern eyes, that’s because it’s quite different from any motorcycle we know today. Here’s how the Bonhams listing describes some key features of this bike:

“Steam locomotive practice was further recalled by the long connecting rods directly linking the pistons to the rear wheel, which opened and closed the mechanical exhaust valves via pushrods actuated by a cam on the hub. The latter contained an epicyclic reduction gear and there was no crankshaft flywheel, the solid disc rear wheel serving that purpose. Rubber bands assisted the pistons on the return stroke. Fuel was fed from the tank to a surface carburetor and thence via atmospheric inlet valves to the cylinders where it was ignited by platinum hot tube, as developed by Daimler. The box-like rear mudguard acted as a reservoir for the engine’s cooling water, while one of the frame tubes served as the oil tank. The tires, manufactured under license from Dunlop by Veith in Germany, were the first of the pneumatic variety ever fitted to a motorcycle,” it reads.

Also, this bike didn’t have a clutch. Instead, the starting procedure involved pushing it until the engine fired up, then jumping into the saddle and riding it wherever you needed to go. (Perhaps it wasn’t only the world’s first production motorcycle, but also the world’s first production exercise bike?)

The design for this bike was patented in 1894, and the machines were produced both in Munich, by parent company Motofahrrad-Fabrik Hildebrand & Wolfmüller , and also under license in France as La Petrolette. People of the time were reportedly optimistic about the new bikes, but their optimism was soon tinged with regret and demands for their money back due to starting difficulties and unsatisfactory running performance. By 1897, after French licensee Duncan, Superbie et Cie lost a court case with a customer about these issues, both the German and French concerns went bust. It’s unclear how many of these machines were ever made, but it’s believed to be somewhere between 800 and 2,000 in total.

This specific example is believed to be the earliest numbered example still existing today, with frame number 619 and engine number 69. It was last sold in 1990, and documentation that accompanies this sale includes papers from that time, as well as period marque literature (mostly, if not all, in German). The tires and bands have been replaced (and one of the bands needs replacing yet again), but this bike is otherwise in mostly untouched condition—which makes it even more remarkable, given the fact that it’s almost 130 years old.

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Jan 14
Love0

Harley-Davidson Announces Plans for a Community Park

By General Posts

Harley-Davidson Announces Plans for a Community Park to Benefit its Employees and the Milwaukee Community

“Huh? Unreal. And Not designed by an American company? Maybe have Mary Barra officiate the opening with tambourines, and Elton John wafting in the background. I’ll stick to Shovelheads thank you.” — Paul DiPol

HARLEY-DAVIDSON ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR A COMMUNITY PARK TO BENEFIT ITS EMPLOYEES AND THE MILWAUKEE COMMUNITY

Partnering with the Harley-Davidson Foundation, acclaimed designer Thomas Heatherwick and his studio will reimagine land on Harley-Davidson’s Juneau Avenue campus headquarters to benefit employees, the people of Milwaukee and visitors to the city

MILWAUKEE, Jan. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Harley-Davidson, Inc. (“Harley-Davidson”) (NYSE:HOG) today announces plans to transform a central element of its Juneau Avenue campus headquarters into a public park to benefit its employees and its hometown community, in addition to attracting people to Milwaukee’s Near West Side.

Overseeing the overall creative delivery of the project, internationally acclaimed designers, Heatherwick Studio, have been commissioned to conceive an original design that will transform the concrete site into a civic and soulful green gathering space that can be used by everyone, including employees and the local community.

“Milwaukee is the place we have proudly called home for 120 years. We want Harley-Davidson’s presence in Milwaukee to be more relevant than ever before, for our community, employees and our customers,” said Jochen Zeitz, Chairman, President and CEO of Harley-Davidson. “It’s important to us to protect and enhance this part of our heritage in a way that is aligned to our strategy, ensuring that it will be relevant to generations to come. Kicking the project off in our 120th year underscores both the importance of the project and the commitment that we are making to Milwaukee. We are very proud by the work of the Harley-Davidson Foundation in spearheading this project, which builds on the $30 million donated by the Motor Company to the Foundation since 2020.”

The initial development will be overseen and funded by The Harley-Davidson Foundation (“the Foundation”), with longer-term sponsorship and donor opportunities, to further enhance the project, being made available in the near future.

Over the past 18 months, the Foundation brought together a broad set of stakeholders – including members of the community – to expand a shared, long-term vision for the Near West Side and set tangible priorities to accelerate progress for its neighborhood. Among the key community needs identified was greenspace. To deliver this reality, Harley-Davidson has gifted the land identified for the project directly to the Foundation. In developing the project, inputs from multiple stakeholders served as the basis for Heatherwick Studio’s unique community park design.

Celebrated for internationally acclaimed projects including Little Island, a greenspace that sits above New York’s Hudson River, Heatherwick’s approach leads from human experience, with its projects specifically working to enrich the lives of the people who use them.

At the heart of the park is “The Hub”, a sunken multi-use events space, 83 meters (approximately 272 feet) wide with tiered seating, set among lush plants and trees. The design promotes the idea of togetherness for the community, riders and employees alike.

Its circular layout is defined by a combination of motorcycle driveways and turning circles, parking bays, sidewalks, plants and seats, and 360-degree viewpoints. The Hub will be built with 10 types of locally sourced brick, natural wany-edge timber, and weathered steel with a beautifully warm patina.

In one direction, the Hub will provide views of the handsome brick buildings of the original home of Harley-Davidson. In the other, visitors will see a park sown with 120 native plant species, including 20 species of trees and 100 species of perennials, some of which are sacred to the Forest County Potawatomi. There are also plans for a market street, contemplative garden, and nature playground.

“Our goal is to turn this historic factory land into a new public park for the people of Milwaukee. We want to make an exciting community space where people can come together with friends and family and experience the wildness of nature alongside spaces for food, performance and play. The ambition is to highlight and celebrate renewed life in the Near West Side of this very special city,” said Thomas Heatherwick, Founder and Director, Heatherwick Studios.

Throughout the project, Heatherwick will act as Design Guardian, collaborating with local firms, HGA, a Milwaukee architectural firm, and Greenfire Management Services, a Near West Side business and diverse supplier, to ensure the project realizes its potential to become an important part of the Milwaukee landscape that reflects both Harley-Davidson’s values and its transformative aspirations for the community.

“This gift to the Foundation is the most recent demonstration of the company’s commitment to its enduring, active community presence and Inclusive Stakeholder Management approach to business that strives to positively impact people, planet and profit”, said Julie Anding, Vice President, Inclusive Stakeholder Management, Harley-Davidson, and President, Harley-Davidson Foundation. “The Harley-Davidson Foundation is doubling down on our focus and investments to support the neighborhood to make it a place all can be proud to live, work and visit. It is our hope that this park will become the heart of the community and catalyst for further revitalization efforts.”

The community park development is set to break ground in spring of 2023 with the park available for use by summer 2024.

Read in PR Newswire: https://www.prnewswire.com

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Nov 09
Love0

Aston Martin and Brough Superior rev up the intensity

By General Posts

AMB 001 Pro by Aston Martin and Brough Superior revealed at EICMA, the Milan Motorcycle Show

  • Track-only superbike follows on from the success of the first-ever Aston Martin motorcycle, the AMB 001
  • Features a 25% power increase to 225 HP on its predecessor
  • Strictly limited to a maximum of 88 motorcycles
  • The AMB 001 Pro is inspired by Aston Martin’s Valkyrie AMR Pro hypercar and is set to be highly-prized by thrill-seeking motorcycle connoisseurs

08 November 2022, Milan, Italy: Aston Martin and Brough Superior are revving up the intensity with the reveal of AMB 001 Pro, a visceral 997cc track only superbike inspired by Aston Martin’s unrivaled Valkyrie AMR Pro hypercar, unveiled today at the EICMA Milan Motorcycle Show.

The strictly limited-edition AMB 001 Pro is the latest design collaboration between the two brands, pairing Aston Martin’s legendary design with state-of-the-art Brough Superior motorcycle engineering.

Offered in a single Pro specification, the successor to the sold-out AMB 001 was inspired by Aston Martin’s no rules track hypercar Valkyrie AMR Pro. Like its inspiration, AMB 001 Pro takes track performance to the extreme, offering a 25% power increase on its predecessor, with its 225 HP producing a power to weight ratio of 1.28 hp/kg, similar to that of a Formula One® car.

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Thierry Henriette, Chief Executive Officer of Brough Superior, said “We are excited to reveal the AMB 001 Pro at EICMA today. The success of its predecessor, coupled with the incredible Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Pro, inspired us to get together again to create a new superbike; one that we know will excite our customers. We are particularly proud of the new engine type, with a crankcase fully machined from solid billet aluminium, which is a unique feature for a production motorcycle. With the marked increase in power this takes AMB 001 Pro into the hyperbike sector.”

Marek Reichman, Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer of Aston Martin, said:
“It’s a beautifully simple formula. Form plus technology equals performance. When you push something to the very edge of capacity, and do it seamlessly, the resulting experience can have you breathless. There is no separation between the advanced materials, design and technical capabilities of the bike. We’ve achieved this fluidity again with Brough Superior for those who desire a track superbike like none other. The rider is part of this moving sculpture and will literally feel as though they are part of the track when laying atop the AMB 001 Pro”.

It was at EICMA that the AMB 001, the first-ever Aston Martin motorcycle was revealed in 2019. The coming together of Aston Martin and Brough Superior, two iconic and historic British performance brands, produced a unique, modern, lightweight and powerful sports bike, limited to just 100 units and now fully sold out..

The new AMB 001 Pro builds on the learnings from the AMB 001 and takes track exhilaration to the extreme. The power increase comes courtesy of a new CNC-machine, dual-cylinder 997cc engine, which has been fully machined from AL 5000 solid billet. The ideal properties of the material improve the stiffness of the structural engine, whilst a new cylinder design with wet cylinder liners helps to improve cooling.

Downforce is increased via the front spoiler and side wings, with the front cowl now fixed to the bodywork to manage the downforce at the front end of the motorcycle. A tunnel effect air blade directs air over the rider. The airflow enters through a large intake integrated into the front wing, then passes through the new front cowl, to be deflected through the dynamic windshield. A rear fin with an aero stabilizer design further refines the aerodynamic updates.

The AMB 001 Pro is offered in a single specification, featuring a racing livery that combines Aston Martin Verdant Jade with satin finished carbon fibre and black Cerakote engine and suspension. These are highlighted by Photon Lime accents, paying a nod to Aston Martin’s winning bloodline of track racers.

In common with other extreme performance, ultra-luxury Aston Martin models, AMB 001 Pro is fitted with the Aston Martin ‘lacewing’ badge. Designed for the Aston Martin Valkyrie programme, the chemical etched aluminium lacewing is a remarkable 99.4% lighter than the brand’s regular enamel badge, and at just 70 microns thick is 30% thinner than a human hair. It will be applied on the nose cowl and tank, on top of the painted finish yet beneath a perfectly smooth coat of lacquer.

Visitors to EICMA are treated to the first sight of the AMB 001 Pro prototype, displayed alongside its inspiration, the Valkyrie AMR Pro.

Initial orders have already been taken for the strictly limited edition AMB 001 Pro, which will be hand built at the Brough Superior factory in Toulouse, France. First deliveries will take place in Q4 2023.

Oct 13
Love0

Something to learn from 4 failed land speed attempts

By General Posts

This Custom Land-Speed Bike Build Failed 4 Times: Here’s What We Can Learn

You’re going to fail a lot when you try something new, but keep going.
by Janaki Jitchotvisut from https://www.rideapart.com

Have you ever had a project not go exactly like you planned? If you noticed that I didn’t say “project bike” there, that word choice was intentional—because maybe you’re just at the beginning of thinking about your first project bike. However, as a person who has worked on many a passion project prior to ever even thinking about a project bike, I’m here to tell you that some of that precious knowledge you’ve already gained completely carries over into project bike territory.

In this video, YouTuber SuperFastMatt takes us on a detailed breakdown of how he tried to build a custom land speed record attempt motorcycle four separate times—and how (and why) he failed. His analysis is unsparing, hilarious, and incredibly relatable—even if you’ve never personally tried to build a custom land speed record attempt motorcycle of your own.

Why? Probably because, at their heart, most projects—be they bikes or other things—share a number of traits in common. As he spells out toward the beginning of the vehicle, all projects require some mixture of time, money, space, and motivation to complete things—from your individual sub-tasks, all the way up to full project completion.

Most people don’t have unlimited supplies of any (or all) of these things—but if you have motivation, you can usually find creative ways to bend the other three parts to your will. The problems usually happen when motivation runs out. A setback may only seem tiny to an outsider, but if it feels utterly soul-crushing to you, then you may set something aside for weeks, months—or even years until you’re ready to deal with it again.

This video is particularly great because it works on multiple levels. On the one hand, you’re getting a blow-by-blow synopsis of what was clearly years of Matt’s attempts at getting this particular build off the ground—or, at least, more quickly across the ground than was probably advisable for this vehicle. On the other, you’re getting a close-up look at the inner workings of one curious, mechanically-minded person’s thought process in working through failure—which could, ultimately, help you work through your own failures.

The fact is, most of us have to keep trying, falling down, getting back up again, and learning from our mistakes when we attempt new things. Very few people are automatically good at just about anything. Most of us just have to keep trying, keep learning, and keep improving. That stubbornness may not seem like a good thing, but it is. Then again, so is learning to recognize when it’s time to light something on fire and shove it into the sea. Cheers.

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Build Your Own Fastest Motorcycle, get yourself a copy of full-color, high-quality book on 5 Ball Racing Shop, click here.

Jul 17
Love0

Making Art While You’re High at It

By General Posts

Text and Photos by Jeff Najar.

I sent some tins to Atomic Bob in Ohio to do some of his magic.

You might be familiar with Mr. Atomic. He’s become part of the 5-Ball Racing Team by Bandit. His company is Atomic Dice.

With Atomic Bob, you never know what you will get back, but you do know it will be cool and you do know it will be out of the box. Mr. Atomic always pulls it off.

Each letter is unique but they also flow together. And their size fills the space on the sides of the tank.

CLICK Here to Read this Photo Feature on Bikernet.com

Read about significant medical benefits and natural remedies in this unique motorcycling feature article.

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The Salt Torpedo is to be raced at Bonneville Salt Flats. Illustrations on by Atomic Bob.

Jun 17
Love0

The One and Only Magnificent Nelk

By General Posts

The Only Motorcycle Company to be Destroyed by a Natural Disaster

by Bandit with Photos from the Master Markus Cuff

In early motorcycle industry, one of the most magnificent startups was unfortunately unable to survive, because of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

Rumor has it Carl N. Nelk pushed this motorcycle out in front of his brick building for a photo-shoot when the earthquake hit. The blast destroyed his operation behind him. One bike survived and this is it. More than 3,000 San Franciscans died, and over 80 percent of the city was destroyed.

In the early era, ome motorcycle companies grew behind not-so-reliable machines. Others including the Nelk, of Palo Alto, California, with its outside polished flywheel was way ahead of its time from a styling and performance standpoint.

Unfortunately, the smooth art-deco styling never made it to the mass-manufacturing stage.

CLICK HERE To Read about the Performance Specs, reliability and other significant features which makes it memorable beyond its looks. ONLY IN Bandit’s Cantina – Exclusive Photos of the only surviving Nelk !!!

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