The BONNE Bobber

Kevin Cook was always fascinated by the Triumph Bonne specially the way Marlon Brando rode into our dreams. One such dream took Kevin to building this modern Triumph Bobber. This has to be the best looking Triumph Bobber... prabably ever. He took the help of Bitterend Choppers for the customized frame and this beautiful bike is also featured in their website as Da Trump Card. The doner bike is a 2003 Bonne.

The headlamp is a Arlen Ness creation, the specialized clutch, the 'deck' or the frame is elongated, the tank was treated to a very Triumph-style paint scheme by Cas Rybkoski along with the rear fender. “I found some items like the monza style gas cap, CR carbs, fork gaiters, clutch pull cover and more at Bella Corse, who specialize in after-market Triumph parts.” says Kevin.

Read about all the intricate details that went to the beautiful styling in Biker Net. There are detailed specifications and images from the doner to the final product.

DUCATI 696 - Dream Come True!

The 2 words Dream Ducati are very synonymous. Ducati is a dream bike for most bikers and also a dream to own one for most bikers. The price tag is probably the major factor why we all lust after the beast/ beauty yet settle for one from the Land of the Rising Sun. Ducati is a premier brand, Ducatis are exclusive. But now that dream may just be well in many bikers reach. No, not that Ducati has compromised in its brand by any way, but they have expanded their portfolio.

Now you can actually get a Monster for £5,500 ($8,680). Yes, the Ducati Monster in all its glory and Yes! Yes! I know, you can get a similar capacity naked street bike like the Ninja 650 or the Suzuki SV650 for less than that money. Why, you can get Sportsbike, something like the Honda 919 or the Ninja ZX 6R for equal that ammount. Even a RR bike from Honda like the CBR 600RR will cost something similar or just a little more. There are too many bikes you can get with that kind of money which would outperform the 696 Monster, but you can't get the 696 Monster in these bikes.

Now, we know that the Monster brings in the maximum dough for Ducati, it has sold over 200,000 units worldwide, thas more than half of Ducati's current production levels. Of course that it is priced (at least) below the Ducati SBK helps, but moreover its a road bike for everyday use with loads of fun and it wont kill your back. I mean, you can boast of having a Ducati which you ride to your office everyday!

And what's the best thing on this MORE affordable 696 Monster? It has all the quality that Monster boast off, you will find the Italian flavour in every bit of it, from styling to finishing to riding to handling to performance. The exhaust is just perfect, the engine response and everything. Watch the video posted above. Please do not confuse yourself that the 696 Monster is an entry level bike for wannabe Ducati owners. Ducati doesn't do things like that. There is no such entry level bike in Ducati. All the Monsters have the same soul, it's just the machine size that differs according to what people want or is satisfied with. For any biker the 696 Monster is as exotic as the 1098. Of course its a cult status bike which stands out from any crowd. The 696 looks more muscular probably because of the wider tank aided by the micro bikini fairing and those awesome mufflers. But it retains the traditional Monster silhouette.

Ducati will probably start a new series of Monsters as evident from the new 696 which gets a all new chassis. The trellis uses a thinner wall but wider diameter than previous models inspired by the 2007 World MotoGP title-winning Desmosedici GP7 machine and the Sachs monoshock is mounted directly between the swing arm and the rear sub frame. Inverted Showa forks does their duty for the front wheel. You can as usual expect an excellent ride quality although the low handlebars (with fairly back footpegs) is somewhat a mix between sports and standard bike. But the posture was absolutely neccessary to negotiate the wind in high speeds so that you dont have to hang on the handlebars. And at 80 bhp, thats 9% increase from the 695, the 696 is capable of quite a speed.

The engine ofcourse is an evolution of the previous 695 version. Torque is also increased to 50.6lb-ft, thats an 11% increase. With this much power, the 696 has the best hp per litre ratio among all air cooled Ducatis. This increase in power has been achieved by the introduction of new cylinder heads similar to the ones doing duty on the Multistrada and Hypermotard. Bore and stroke remain identical to the previous 695 model at 88 x 57.2mm. Bearings have been eliminated and now the camshafts rotate on bearing surfaces directly in the cylinder head by means of oil pressure. And like all Ducs, you wont feel or cannot make the engine stress at any speed regardless of how long you drive. You have heard her and you know thats its smooooth!

The engine reaches its power peak beyond 9000rpm and there is a whole gamut of things you can do within that range. The 696 caries over the APTC clutch as was present on the 695. All these will help the rider very much in city traffics. Also to further ease things in city traffic, the bike is provided with low center of gravity which makes it flickable. All these upgrades make the bike 7 kg lighter at 161 kgs from its predecessor. Ducati has also increased the steering lock to 64 degrees which means it will be easier to take a U-turn. All in all this bike is light, fast, zippy, flickable, everything you would want on a standard bike plus its an affordable DUCATI! That makes it 'lust'iness increase by a ten fold! The 696 has the most upgraded components since Monster was launched way back in 1992. Colours are Red, Black and White. Expect an Italian Tricolore soon enough, maybe with a 'Limited Edition' badge.
Take a look at Ducati's web site here for additional details and information.
Visit Motorcycle USA for its First Look and its First Ride and visit MCN Review for a detailed review.

Specification

Engine - EFI, 696 cc, Air Cooled L-twin, 2 valves per cylinder Desmodromic
Bore x Stroke & Compression Ratio - 88 x 57.2 mm & 10.7:1
Max Power & Torque - 80 bhp@ 9000 rpm & 50.6lb-ft @ 7750 rpm
Gearbox & Clutch - 6 speed & APTC wet multiplate with hydraulic control

Final Drive - Chain

Frame & Wheelbase - Tubular steel trellis frame & 1450 mm
Front & Rear suspension - Showa 43mm upside-down forks & Progressive linkage with preload and rebound Sachs adjustable monoshock
Front & Rear wheel travel - 120mm & 148 mm
Front & Rear brake - 2 x 320mm discs, 4-piston radial caliper & 245mm disc, 2-piston caliper
Front & Rear wheel - 3-spoke light alloy 3.50 x 17 & 3-spoke light alloy 4.50 x 17
Front & Rear tyre - 120/60 ZR 17 & 160/60 ZR 17
Fuel tank capacity - 15 L (3.5 L reserve)
Weight & Seat height - 161Kg & 770 mm

Instruments - Digital unit displaying: Speedometer, rev counter, clock, scheduled maintenance warning, oil temperature, trip fuel, air temperature, lap time, warning light for low oil pressure, fuel level, fuel reserve, neutral, turn signals, overrev, immobilizer.

Vintage Heads! The Lost World of HD

Well, they are more than 50 years old, long before you and me were even born and yet they mesmerize us like no other. What is it about HD thats draws bikers like moth to a flame (Cliched!) These age old warriors are sold for thousands of dollars on ebay and like markets. Yes, I know its vintage but look at it! Its BEAUTIFUL! It can easily hold on and score against the MVs and Ducs, dont you think?

Why doesn't HD bring back these beauties, after all everybody is back with New Age Retro. Well, actually HD is doing its own bit. You see the CVO section of HD although they are more tourer and of course not half as beautiful like these raw flesh and bone bikes. But CVO is not the topic here, right? So. lets just salivate and drool over these grand daddies, you know the Sean Connery and Clint Eastwood type, for us guys, its more like Ursula Andrews and Sophia Loren, eh!

For the uninformed, these bikes go by the name of Knucklehead, Flathead, Shovelhead, Panhead, etc. The Harley Davidson Motorcycle Company first introduced knuckle head engines in 1936. The knucklehead is one of seven v-twin engines produced by the company beside (as earlier mentioned) Flathead, Panhead, Shovelhead, Evolution, Twin Cam 88 and Revolution.
All the engines are distinguisable from each other by the head. Well, dont ask me how, I have seen only 3 in my life and I cant say what I saw. But thats what I read. If you have the information, please do share.

The Knucklehead engine was the first overhead valve engine made by Harley Davidson. And it came in 60 and 74 cubic inch sizes producing 40 and 45 horsepower. The Knuckle head engine was designed for the original Harley Davidson chopper, with features like a stainless steel trim on the tank, a shut off rod and a gasket under the tank badge. Later designs introduced the addition of a front safety guard, wide clutch, die-cast aluminum frame and aerodynamic "Speedo face" to the 1941 model. The 1942 model added on a three-stud clutch, sixteen-inch wheels and a aluminum front brake.

Well, it will never be easy to rebuild a knucklehead unless... well unless you are... you get it! The masters of this craft themselves dont promote their rebuilding, after all after the first drive all you will remeber is your aching back and a buffed up right leg, thanks to the kick start. But once the machine roars (take a look at the video), the sweet sound will no doubt captivate you like no other. Okay, lets waste no more time and Yes!, please swipe the floor beneath me, its aching, but I just cant pick up my jaw!

If you want to read and know more about Knuckleheads, visit the link Harley Match. For more info on Panheads, visit the link Panhead Parts. And for more info on Shovelhead, visit Harley Shovelheads.

The all blackbike without headlamp is actually not a 'Head', but the hallowed WR TT from the same time and from it followed the KR and from the KR followed the XR TT, about which you might have read it here. But it is so damn beautiful, I just had to post it.

A special mention to Biker Matchmaking for all the information and links provided here. Thanks. Majority of the photos come courtesy of Carl's Cycle Supply, some from Milestone Vintage Motorcycle Restoration and the ones you see in red below are from Rog1215 on ebay who is selling the bike as of now for around 12 grand. On ebay, you can look for Knuckleheads, Shovelheads, Panheads and all those legends, but be prepared to pay as prices go upto 35 grand and more.

Brutally Beautiful! The MOTO GUZZI Grislo 1200 8V

Before you start reading the post, I would really really request you to click on the first photo below and study the 2200+ superhuge image in details. The size would be probably 1/10th of the actual motorcycle. But the detailing with captivate you. I know its Italian, I know its a road bike made by Moto Guzzi, but I really dont remember the last time I was so awe strucked by a motorcycle looks. Step aside MV, step aside Ducati, step aside Triumph, the GRISLO 1200 8v has just choosen its road. Its breath takingly brutally beautiful. And it has the performance to match its killer looks.

Its naked and its muscularly chiseled, its bold and brash, its got the 'Are-you-taking-to-me' attitude. And forget the detailing, okay, you cannot ignore the detailing, but look at the finish of chrome and satin metal! But if you pat attention, you will notice that the body work is minimal but the curves comes at all the right places, it has got 'Made in Italy' written all over.

This is the new face of Moto Guzzi with new engineering technology while still retaining the essence of a Guzzi. In an instant, you will know that it's a Guzzi, of course the naked 90 degree engine is the statement. Again the narrow tail section which we have now-a-days come to associate with a Guzzi. The tank merges effortlesly with the seat which gives it a even more aerodynamic look and finishes off with the beautiful LED tail lights. The round headlamp with the silver coloured assembly on top, the tubular handlebars with those shiny mirrors also reflect to the classic Guzzi looks. The mechanical components are on full display.

The heart of the bike (read performance) is derived from Moto Guzzi’s completely redesigned “Quattrovalvole” engine. This motor is aligned in a transverse placement, unique and indeginious to Guzzis. Yes, you can easily say that it is a Guzzi from its looks, but the engine has undergone significant changes. Guzzi fans have often complained (actyually, not complained, but wished) that their Guzzi had more power to compliment the stunning good looks. Well, Guzzi just heard them. Usully the Guzzi delivers around 80 hp, so considering that, this is a huge leap forward. Honestly, how many street naked bikes have 3 figure hp sheets? Although yet to be tested, this is definitely the most powerful Guzzi to roll out of its stable and its estimated that it can do a good 235 kmph (140mph). Now they are at par with other naked bikes like those coming from BMW or Ducati or Buell.

In order to power these high cams, two chain drives run at the motor's rear, requiring heavily modified cases and new cylinders too, so this engine has no relation to the eight-valve 1000cc Daytona/Centauro motor of the mid-’90s. In order to let this new engine breathe well at high revs, enormous throttle bodies of 50mm diameter have been installed.
It is said to have (in all) 563 new components! The twin have four valves each, hence the moniker of 8v. Its operated by a single camshaft in each head that is driven by a noiseless timing chain with an hydraulically operated chain tensioner. Twin 50mm throttle bodies work in conjunction with Weber injectors to electronically feed fuel into the “Quattrovalvole” The engine plant of 1151 cc is both air and oil cooled producing a mammoth 110 hp @ 7500 rpm with a equally stunning compression ratio of 11.1 : 1 from its redesigned heads and pistons.

There is ample of low end torque and peaks at 80 ft lbs @ 6400 rpm. All these means that performance has been heightened like never before. Other new designs for enhanced performance includes gear driven oil pumps for improved lubrication and cooling fins aligned to better dissipate engine heat. Transmission is aided by a six speed gear box with a single clutch plate.

The monoshock is aided by a single sided swingarm making way to the 2 x 1 exhaust for the famous Guzzi growl. The front end utilizes fully adjustable 43mm Showa upside-down forks now with carbon nitride treatment. Radial mounted daul floating 320mm wave rotors with Brembo 4 piston brake calibers will give you enough confidence to stop the beast when you want to while the rear wheel is slowed via a Brembo 2-piston caliper mated to a 282mm disc. The original two-valve design prevented from pushing for high compression ratios. Not that the Brevia or other models are not powerful enough, they are more than adequate, but the 1200 Grislo is a step further and in the right direction.

A little bit of Guzzi heritage - Founded in 1921 in Mandello del Lario (of course, its in Italy), Guzzis are still being produced in the same place. Moto Guzzi has 14 world GP titles, 22 world records and 11 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy wins under their name. In December 2004 Moto Guzzi became part of the Piaggio Group and the Piaggio umbrella has brands like Vespa, Gilera, Derbi, Aprilia, Scarabeo and now, Moto Guzzi.
It has retained all the values of a Guzzi and just when you thought that Guzzi cant look any more beautiful, comes the 1200 8v! Dottore Marabese has to be complimented for this Griso's design. He has maintained and more mixed the aggressive looks with the classic look very well. It looks very very 'sophisticatedly' sporty!
But of course, thats a Guzzi, right? So it has to be exclusive. You have to be passionatly enthusiastic enough to shell out $14,290 for this beauty when it hit stores this month all over Europe and the U.S. Moto Guzzi is slowly but surely coming out from the bottom and the 1200 Grislo 8v is just wjat the doctor prescribed to the bosses in Moto Guzzi.