by Rogue
Mr Lucky is Gone
It is with great sadness that I write about the passing of Dennis Sanfelipo. He affected so many people’s lives, mine included. So many stories, but too many write here. More as time goes on.
Celebration Of Life For Dennis Sanfilippo
Saturday December 17th 2-6 PM
Old Corner Saloon
574 Main St. Copperopolis CA 95228
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May you ride free forever
Books That Make You Get Out & Explore
“After having read about Tom Cotter in the Bikernet.com Thursday News, shared by National Motorcycle Museum (click here) (past few weeks ago), I started watching Tom’s video series on YouTube.
I could resist no more and bought Tom Cotter’s Best Barn-Find Collector Car Tales (Sep 2018) and his latest mentioned by National Motorcycle Museum, Secrets of the Barn Find Hunter (May 2022). Both Hardcovers, sitting pretty, reminding me to get outdoors & cruise.”
Read more Book, Movie and Music Reviews at Bikernet — click here.
by Rob Hull from https://www.thisismoney.co.uk
A motorcycle belonging to the King of Cool, Steve McQueen, will go under the hammer on Friday and could sell for £150,000.
The 1971 Husqvarna 400 Cross is said to be one of the actor’s favourite bikes in an extensive collection, and it hasn’t been modified since he last rode it.
The off-road motorbike will be offered to the highest bidder on Friday at the Bonhams Quail Lodge auction held during Monterey Car Week in California.
One of the most iconic scenes from a McQueen film was the Great Escape motorcycle jump, where his character Captain Virgil Hilts leaps over a barbed wire fence in his dramatic escape from the Nazi prisoner of war camp in the legendary WW2 film.
The six-foot jump over the fencing wasn’t performed by the King of Cool himself in the 1963 hit – it was stunt man and frequent McQueen body double, Bud Ekins – as the actor later revealed his inexperienced riding skills meant he would not have been able to complete the stunt at the time of shooting.
However, McQueen’s close friendship with Bud and his brother Dave Ekins, and his passion for motorcycles, saw the silver screen star become an accomplished off-road racer.
In interviews years after The Great Escape, he stated he would have then been competent to complete the famous jump scene.
His love of two wheels also partly inspired the 1971 motorcycle racing documentary film On Any Sunday, in which the Indiana-born actor features riding a similar Husqvarna off-roader – that one sold in October 2018, also at a Bonhams auction, for $230,500.
At one point in his life, McQueen reportedly owned up to 200 motorcycles. Among them was the 1971 model up for grabs this week. It was produced by the Swedish brand that was dominating the motocross world during the generation (pictured, McQueen riding a similar bike in 1970)
It’s one of many the King of Cool had, but this is claimed to be his favourite.
And, if the seller is to be believed, it has not been ridden since it was in the hands of the silver screen icon.
McQueen riding a Husqvarna 400 Cross in 1970
The 400 Cross combined fearsome power and superb handling thanks to its lightweight frame and single-cylinder 400cc engine, but was also renowned for being difficult to ride.
It was produced in a period before plastics were used in motorcycle manufacturing, meaning it has a sculpted aluminium fuel tank with a polished section to help reduce marring where the rider meets the bike.
While McQueen had various examples that were used as ‘parts bikes’ for spares, this wasn’t the case with frame number MI3845 being sold this week.
Bonhams says it is ‘perhaps the best known of all McQueen’s Huskys by virtue of a known provenance and documentation from the time it was acquired by the star and remaining in his possession as one of his go-to bikes for the rest of his life’.
It was sold as lot 664 at the Steve McQueen Estate Auction at Imperial Palace in November 1984, in Las Vegas, Nevada, and has since passed through three subsequent owners before being acquired by the vendor 11 years ago.
The certificate of authenticity, plus the bill of sale issued to the buyer at the 1984 Estate Auction, and the original registration document in the name Solar Productions accompany the lot. To complete the paperwork file, the original 1984 auction lot tag also accompanies the machine when it goes to the block on Friday.
The bike is described by the seller as being in ‘last ridden by McQueen’ condition, and ‘not started’, with all the dents and scratches from the King of Cool’s hard riding.
It even retains all of the McQueen-implemented modifications, which includes a leather gear shift protector and a spare spark plug he duct-taped to the frame in case it was needed while out riding.
The bike is expected to attract a winning bid in the region of $130,000 (£107,500) to $180,000 (£149,000) when the hammer drops at the end of the week, according to Bonhams’ estimation.
‘The preservation of MI3845 is a credit to the discerning owners post McQueen who have preserved MI3845 in its original McQueen owned state,’ the auction house said.
‘While other McQueen motorcycles have come to light in recent times, there can be no doubt as to the history and originality of this machine.
‘It is a ‘blue chip’ piece of McQueen memorabilia, if you like, suitable for shows, demos – after some sympathetic recommissioning – or museum display use, using the legend ‘as last ridden by the late and utterly charismatic Steve McQueen’ as a fitting epitaph.’
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“The entire take on my build was to recreate the famous picture of Marlin Brando from the 1953 film, “The Wild One.” Using one of my grandchildren as a stand in for Brando. I have two grandkids that are both about three so the timing was good.
Luckily, I had a build team which is the only reason the bike is finished.
The photo shoot with my two grandsons’, Wilder and Finn, was a hoot but eventually we got there. Special thanks to Prince Jeff Najar for the opportunity to work with the Flying Piston Benefit.
See you in Sturgis!”
— Edge
About: Strider Bike & Flying Piston Benefit Breakfast
Visit: https://flyingpistonbenefit.com/
DON’T MISS THE BUILDER BREAKFAST
Join us Sunday, August 7th: 8:30 – 11AM at Buffalo Chip
Get to Meet Billy Lane & Darren Mckeag
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Many more great custom builds – and not just for cheering kids. Let’s put a smile on your face this weekend !!!
Have a look at the Free Extensive “Bike Features Section” on Bikernet.com by visiting (click here / see URL):
https://www.bikernet.com/pages/bike_features.aspx
This area won’t feature the same bikes that magazines do. This will cover bikes with style and class, a few nicks, some for sale, others because of what they do, not how they look.
A review by Amy Irene White
Here is Amy’s views on a documentary on the subject of “Ride Free or Die”
This documentary covers biker and specifically motorcycle club profiling, which is a major issue followed by the Confederation of Clubs and Motorcycle Riders Foundation. Check it out and her compelling report on the Waco shooting.
Click to View other movie and documentary reviews in the ‘Books, Movies & Music Reviews’ Section on Bikernet.com
by & from https://www.tmz.com/
There’s a rare piece of Johnny Depp movie history hitting the auction block … and the timing couldn’t be better for the motorcycle he used in “Cry-Baby” to pull in 6-figures.
The bike is ‘sick‘ … it’s a 1955 Harley Davidson Model K … and it’s the same one used on-screen in Johnny’s 1990 cult classic film.
The Harley is going up for sale through Kruse GWS Auctions and the opening bid is being set at $250,000 … with potential buyers needing to bid in $25,000 increments if they want to win Johnny’s movie ride.
If that sounds kinda steep, keep in mind the immense popularity wave Johnny’s riding since winning the defamation case over Amber Heard. Fact is, all things Depp-related are commodities nowadays.
The auction house says the Harley was the “picture bike” used throughout filming in principal photography … both on location in Maryland and also in Hollywood.
The bike’s changed hands over the years, and is currently on display in a museum in Branson, Missouri following years of displays in different exhibits across the country.
Also included in the auction is Janis Joplin’s mandolin, which she once gifted to Jimi Hendrix.
The instrument is hand-painted with flowers and phrases … including “Love Thy Neighbor” and Jimi’s name. The auction house says the mandolin’s been in a private collection for 20 years and is on the market for the first time. They estimate that it will go for $250k.
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PRESS RELEASE December 13, 2021
Bonneville Salt Flats, UT (Dec. 13, 2021) – Ten-time land speed record holder Valerie Thompson announces, effective immediately, her separation from Denis Manning and the BUB 7 Streamliner Motorcycle team citing loss of confidence in the streamliner and designer Manning. Thompson has been piloting the former world-title holding motorcycle since 2016 and was Manning’s top funding source for the team.
Considered the “world’s fastest female motorcycle racer” after inking a 328 mph speed record, Thompson is an independent team owner/driver who competitively drag raced before focusing on land speed racing, eventually earning 10 Land Speed Records on two continents.
“We lost some essential crew members over the last few months,” said Thompson about her eroding confidence in the project. “The remaining crew contacted me late last week with the sad news they had quit and removed all their tools from the Team 7 Racing shop. Without this ‘super crew,’ I’m highly doubtful about the performance potential of the BUB 7 to re-capture the worlds fastest motorcycle title. More importantly, I’m concerned for my safety. These are not just my team mates, they’re my guardian angels.”
Each of the departing team members helped extract Thompson from the BUB 7 wreckage after a devastating 363 mph crash on Australia’s Lake Gairdner salt flats in 2018. “While I’m disappointed, I won’t be setting the fastest motorcycle record with Team 7 Racing, I’m heart broken the crew won’t see the results of their 36 months of painstaking re-building work. Each of them has volunteered countless hours in this quest. They deserve better,” added Thompson.
Thompson remains the principal driver of the dual-engine Target 550 streamliner owned by Oregonian and veteran land speed race team owner Marlo Treit. Treit’s 43-foot, 9,000-pound speed machine is vastly different than the BUB 7 motorcycle. The team’s goal is to break Tom Burkland’s 415 mph World Record set in 2008. Thompson exceeded the team’s testing goals on her first three test runs, clocking 218, 270 and 291 mph.
Thompson, often referred to as “America’s Queen of Speed,” is a lifetime member of multiple 200 and 300 MPH Clubs, a Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee, only female in the “World’s Top 10 Fastest Motorcycle Racers” rankings and aspiring pickleball pro.
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Valerie Thompson Background
Valerie Thompson is the World’s Fastest Female Motorcycle Racer and 10X land speed record holder with membership in the Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame. She is a member eight 200 MPH Clubs, one 300 MPH Club and the only female in the World’s Top 10 Fastest Motorcycle Racers rankings.
In addition to her relentless pursuit of new speed records, Valerie’s goals include earning a professional rating in her favorite sport of pickleball. She started playing less than a year ago and has already collected 6 medals in her first five tournaments playing women’s singles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles.
Additional Information
Valerie Thompson Racing (Website): http://www.valeriethompsonracing.com
Rockets and Titans Movie Teaser: https://youtu.be/obtG4f3-c8k
Valerie Thompson Racing (Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/ValerieRacing/
Valerie Thompson Racing (Twitter): https://twitter.com/valeriethompson
Valerie Thompson Racing (Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/valeriethompsonracing
300+mph Bonneville Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oT4fmXPol0&feature=youtu.be
363+ mph Australia World Speed Trials Crash Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yl8NDTyeHqg&feature=youtu.be
Team Target 550 & Marlo Treit: https://www.target550.com/
Target 550 Video: https://youtu.be/_F8Mi6hWzmo
EPIC RIDES: ALASKA is the first in a series from Royal Enfield North America.ROYAL ENFIELD DEBUTS EPIC RIDES: ALASKA
Royal Enfield North America reveals EPIC RIDES 2021: ALASKA – the first in a series of films starring Royal Enfield riders and motorcycles.
Milwaukee, WI (Wednesday, November 3, 2021) – The spirit of adventure on two wheels can be traced back to the very advent of the motorcycle itself. Royal Enfield has celebrated this pure motorcycling culture since 1901, and in its 120th year, continues commemorate the spirit of adventure with an all-new film series: Epic Rides. The premiere episode – EPIC RIDES: ALASKA – made its debut at the recent 2022 Royal Enfield Himalayan media launch at Doffo Winery in Temecula, California, in front of motorcycle media, industry guests and friends.
In a contrast to the prevalent solo-style of modern adventure riding, EPIC RIDES: ALASKA a testament to how the calling of the unknown can bring people together. Six strangers came together for the first time in Alaska to plan out and ride an adventure tour aboard Royal Enfield Himalayan motorcycles. Through the temperate rainforests of the Alaskan coast to its rugged inland terrain strewn with river crossings and breathtaking glaciers, six strangers quickly became friends, bound together by their journey.
EPIC RIDES 2021: ALASKA – ROYAL ENFIELD NORTH AMERICA
“We started the Epic Ride Series to not only showcase the beautiful landscapes our world has to offer but to show how motorcycling itself builds communities, friendships and memories to last a lifetime,” said Breeann Poland, Marketing & Communications Lead – Royal Enfield Americas. “Beyond the capabilities of the Himalayan motorcycle, it’s the camaraderie, the bonds that people forge through a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that we set out to capture, and EPIC RIDES: ALASKA showcases that so beautifully.”
Following the North American launch of the 2022 Royal Enfield Himalayan motorcycle at beautiful Doffo Winery in Temecula, California, motorcycle media, industry guests and friends gathered in the famous MotoDoffo Barrel Room for the premiere viewing of EPIC RIDES: ALASKA, the first in a series to come from Royal Enfield North America. The post viewing discussion became an impromptu roundtable between media and the cast and crew of the film. The immediate reaction clearly demonstrated that the sentiment of the film – the indomitable spirit of adventure, the call of the outdoors and the bonds of the motorcycling community – resonated with everyone.
“We needed an epic venue to premiere our film and what could be more beautiful than a vineyard in Temecula Wine Country surrounded by our friends and motorcycle community?” said Poland. “The discussion that followed after was even more amazing. We hope this film, and more to come in the series, inspires people everywhere to get out and ride, meet new people, have adventures, twist a throttle and live your best life. This is absolutely what Royal Enfield is all about.”
About Royal Enfield
The oldest motorcycle company in continuous production in the world, Royal Enfield made its first motorcycle in 1901.
For more information on Royal Enfield North America, visit www.RoyalEnfield.com/us/en/, www.Instagram.com/RoyalEnfield_NA, www.Facebook.com/RoyalEnfieldNorthAmerica.
by Otilia Drăgan from https://www.autoevolution.com
Wesley Snipes and Boom! Moto Roll Out a General Izzi-Inspired Custom Motorcycle
The “No Time to Die” frenzy has proved, once again, that movies and movie characters can be a great source of inspiration for custom or limited-edition vehicles, from cars to yachts and two-wheelers. One of the latest fiction-inspired models is a motorcycle that reflects the flamboyant spirit of General Izzi.
It looks like Wesley Snipes is making a grand comeback, and it was about time he did. If you haven’t heard of General Izzi, you’re missing out. He is the character that Snipes is playing in Coming 2 America, an Amazon Original comedy that premiered earlier this year.
The original Coming to America movie came out over 30 years ago, starring Eddie Murphy. In the sequel, Murphy is joined by the legendary action movie star, who plays the part of General Izzi, the military leader of the fictional land of Nexdoria. Although not nearly as famous as James Bond, General Izzi was well received by the public and gained his fair share of popularity. So much so, that he inspired a motorcycle design.
Boom! Moto is an Oklahoma-based distributor, specializing in 100% electric motorcycles, bicycles, and scooters. As it turns out, the company’s owner, Jeff Holley, was determined to develop an electric motorcycle based on Wesley Snipes’ character, even before the movie had been released. After the film’s debut, which ranked number one in streaming for that weekend, Holley resumed discussions with the actor, for a movie-themed motorcycle.
“If you’re gonna do it, do it ‘Izzi style’ and make it go BOOM!” – this “slogan” pretty much sums up the fun, daring look of this new motorcycle. The company hasn’t revealed too many details about it, other than the fact that it’s based on the EMB-R3 model that can reach a top speed of 90 mph, and a range of up to 100 miles. Equipped with dual disk brakes and 17” vacuum tires, the Wesley Snipes X Boom! motorcycle can be charged in less than eight hours.
If you’re wondering about the price, there is none, because this one-of-a-kind custom bike will be raffled off later this year. So, if you would like the chance to own a Wesley Snipes-approved motorcycle, all you have to do is CLICK HERE TO sign up on the official website.
PRESS RELEASE 13 OCTOBER 2021
Actor, Wesley Snipes has teamed up with BOOM! Moto in Oklahoma to produce a custom designed 100% electric motorcycle based on his character in the hit Amazon Original, Coming 2 America. The General Izzi inspired motorcycle will be raffled off in a sweepstakes later this year. Enter to win this gorgeous bike at wesleysnipes.boommoto.com.
BOOM! Moto distributes 100% electric motorcycles, bicycles, and scooters and is located in Oklahoma. Owner and CEO, Jeff Holley was in contact with Mr. Snipes in March of 2021 before the release of the film on Amazon about developing a character themed electric motorcycle. The film enjoyed a remarkable opening, scoring #1 in streaming that weekend and the #1 opening weekend of the past year. Its Virtual Premiere day, resulted in 5.6 billion global views.
Following the success of the film, progress resumed on the project to create a custom designed motorcycle to raffle off to one lucky winner later in the year. BOOM! Moto worked with PDG+creative, a local marketing agency to create the art and produce the graphic to wrap the bike.
Learn more about the film at DaywalkerExperience.com and enter to win the bike at wesleysnipes.boommoto.com.
“If you’re gonna do it, do it ‘Izzi style’ and make it go BOOM!”
– Wesley Snipes
BOOM! Moto distributes 100% electric, low-to-no maintenance eMotocyles, eBicycles, and eScooters that present various advantages: NO Gas, NO More Oil Changes, NO More Clutch Replacement, NO More Air Filter Change, NO Timing Belt, NO Spark Plugs, NO Adjusting Clutch Cables!
by Todd Halterman from https://www.autoevolution.com
As the only motorcycle partner in the latest Bond film, No Time to Die, Triumph got their Tiger 900 and Scrambler 1200 motorcycles featured in key stunt scenes of the motion picture. Now you can take a closer look at the bikes and how those epic stunts were filmed in this exclusive behind-the-scenes video from Triumph.
While the novelty of the Bond films may be wearing off slightly, they always manage to come up with something fresh and over the top. This time around Triumph Motorcycles took on some amazing terrain and situations while stunt riders pushed their Triumph Tiger 900 and Scrambler 1200 to their absolute.
Over the years a wide range of Triumph motorcycles has been used by the Bond stunt teams to perform all sorts of daring and outrageous moves. This time around, the British bike maker – long a player in the iconic movie franchise – supplied Tiger 900s and Scrambler 1200s.
Triumph recently announced that the launch of the Tiger 900 Bond Edition, would be limited to just 250 units and go on sale at an undisclosed date. These models feature Matt Sapphire Black paint, special Bond graphics and feature a billet machined handlebar clamp to display a unique limited edition number.
All five 900 models shared core changes for 2020 including those to the engine, chassis, suspension, brakes, and electronics. The DOHC, 4-valve-per-cylinder, Euro 5-spec in-line triple, has been bored out and features a new “T-plane” triple crankshaft – a first in engine design – and a new firing order that bestows the triple with V-twin-like character down low while maintaining top-end power.
The Tiger 1200 Scrambler features the 1,215cc Tiger triple engine which represents the most powerful shaft-driven engine in its class. This time-tested powerplant cranks out 139hp (103.652kw) at 9,350 rpm. Triumph made it happen with a smaller flywheel, a lighter crankshaft, and a magnesium cam cover.
You can see the stunt teams put both bikes through their paces during the filming of No Time to Die in the video below.
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