tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1561072435547108082012-03-07T11:50:07.507-08:00Vintage MotorcyclesMatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.comBlogger741100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-63920942804892454032012-03-06T18:07:00.000-08:002012-03-06T19:42:46.474-08:00

I grew up going to the races with my father, the late Snuffy Smith. I always loved the hustle and bustle of the pit area. Rushing to get the jetting corrected before the next heat race, or trouble shooting timing issues with minutes left before the green flag drops. Multiple people tearing into a bike like doctors working on an accident victim after being wheeled into the E.R.. It excited me then

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-26398007690817023842012-02-29T04:26:00.001-08:002012-03-01T03:40:03.286-08:00

This is a story my father had published in Vintage Bike Magazine back in 2006. It's a cool story and I thought I'd share. Snuffy Smith with his Triumph Cub. Replicated after the one he rode to Florida. TIGER TALES (Bill Bailey Johnson&Johnson Wrigley Shell) In the spring of 1965 times were sweet. I was a student at Pfeiffer College in Misenheimer, North Carolina, looking forward to spending

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-40023017060410878382012-02-21T12:13:00.000-08:002012-02-21T12:31:23.409-08:00

The Meteor Motorcycle Club in action! Between the two World Wars, hundreds of Motorcycle Clubs across America were engaging in various new, creative and somewhat reckless forms of competition. Combine European football, vintage Harley Davidsons and/or Indians - with broken legs and smashed fenders: You've got Motorcycle Polo! Dubbed Motoball by fans, it's apparent that touring, racing and

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-88142808215451248892012-02-13T06:53:00.001-08:002012-02-14T03:31:28.551-08:00

The Triumph Twenty One (3TA) The partially/fully faired motorcycle is by no means a new concept. During the 30's The Art Deco movement inspired countless car and motorcycle companies to incorporate the design-of-the-time into the styling of their vehicles, while most cycles offered little advantage in speed or performance but were simply fancy looking production bikes, as opposed to the

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-12573124173414654772012-02-08T18:00:00.000-08:002012-02-10T04:01:57.169-08:00

Lingotto Fiat circa 1920's Pictures often circulate on the internet gaining lots of buzz, especially with the advent of social media outlets like, well you know.... With the steady onslaught of imagery bombarding the brain, it's easy to develop a short attention span and simply click "like", move on and forget as the incoming fire of photo's never cease. The photos of the rooftop racetrack on

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-15773809710625192262012-02-02T04:07:00.000-08:002012-02-02T04:29:04.527-08:00

In 1928 Hubert "Hub" van Doorne founded the company as Commanditaire Vennootschap Hub van Doorne's Machinefabriek. His co-founder and investor was Huenges, managing director of a brewery. Van Doorne had repaired Huenges' car several times. Huenges was so pleased with his work that he offered to finance him in business. Hub started to work in a small workshop on the grounds of the brewery. In 1932

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-74065732497311003942012-01-26T22:11:00.000-08:002012-02-01T04:28:20.437-08:00

vo·yeur·ism   noun the practice of obtaining sexual gratification by looking at sexual objects or acts,  especially secretively. We all like to look inside the lives of other people (whether we admit it or not). In Alfred Hitchocks classic, rear Window, Jimmy Stewart explored his voyeuristic side by spying on his neighbors (was that not the longest lens you've ever seen?) Hmmm. Bikes can also

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-39927923423609295292012-01-22T17:22:00.000-08:002012-01-31T20:28:13.057-08:00

York, PA, January 22nd, 2012: Second year in a row that the parking lot was an ice skating rink making unloading bikes very tricky. Inside, however was a warm and friendly environment full of fellow vintage enthusiasts eager to shake the winter blues and do some buying, selling, swapping and all around BSing. The deals, as usual, seemed to happen between 6am and 8 am -before the general public

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-61251946338462531422012-01-21T19:38:00.000-08:002012-01-22T17:46:45.059-08:00

This years IMS at Javits was plagued with the first significant snow storm of the 2012 season, but that didn't keep the hoards of people from swimming through a sea of alien skin painted "kustomz" and unrideable show ponies to hit up vendors for free key chains, beer cozies and other useless corporate giveaways. While crowds oooohed and aahhhed over a hydraulic-hopping chopper, a few, more

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-40511875125628254132012-01-17T16:19:00.000-08:002012-01-23T03:02:57.780-08:00

Jack Simmons - a name that may be somewhat unknown to those on the east coast, was a legend in his own right from the 50's as a TT rider and later on with his "Norton Gang", as they were known. The Norton Gang went against the modernization of factory road racing by campaigning a number of standard-production Norton Commandos, complete with high bars and low pegs. The Norton Gang were up against

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-29482094356357706782012-01-13T08:16:00.000-08:002012-01-15T18:16:46.447-08:00

Bonhams 1.12.12 "Good to see you" (implied British accent must be imagined here) "one hundred thousand dollars going once - do you care to inspect it good sir? Very well then, going twice, no regrets? Sold to the gentleman with excellent taste"  The scene inside the Imperial Palace described above may be a gross Flanderization by a young, snarky American viewing a proper British auction for the

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-85187259966271026582012-01-05T19:19:00.000-08:002012-01-06T15:57:24.885-08:00

What can really be said about the late great Gary Nixon that hasn't been beautifully eulogized in every major motorcycle publication already? Not much. Gary Nixon was a national treasure and a motorcycle icon.  Gary Wins again (pic from the John Melniczuk archive) Gary's Trophy, one of many at J and M Enterprises Growing up with a father into racing vintage motorcycles, Gary Nixon was a

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-58429775530436412482012-01-05T17:33:00.000-08:002012-01-05T17:33:07.092-08:00

Smoke and Throttle is pleased to present a trailer for a yet to be picked up motorcycle program featuring yours truly. Check it out and feel free to share!

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-15490489732242606642011-12-07T03:03:00.000-08:002011-12-07T03:43:04.459-08:00

To many in the Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey area, The Turkey Pro National (held the Sunday after thanksgiving) marks the last big rally of the season before the long cold wither sets in. For 26 years, the event has attracted hundreds to gather, kick tires, drink coffee and participate in the slow race (for a chance to hold the coveted slowest turkey Trophy for a year - much like the Stanley

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-46343670149171807412011-11-30T17:56:00.000-08:002011-11-30T17:56:10.674-08:00

Check out The Self Centered Man for a little write up I did on one of the coolest blogs on the web and the man behind it all!

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-84467206855106772132011-11-05T17:44:00.000-07:002012-02-12T15:44:53.452-08:00

John Melniczuk in his Cedarville, NJ Showroom. Who knew such a huge treasure trove of pristine British motorcycles sat just an hour from my home - in South Jersey of all places? I met John Melniczuk (owner of J and M Enterprises) through our mutual friend Al Hartman (see the Turkey Pro story for more on Al and his amazing collection.) John is a master powder coater and a meticulous restorer of

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-71154992520806763382011-10-29T08:45:00.000-07:002011-10-29T19:12:56.658-07:00

Three days of cylcle-sensrory overload has taken weeks to process. If I could do it all over again - which I'm planning on doing next year, I would have made an itinerary so I could've seen more as I completely missed the Ace Cafe and the Wall Of Death, the auction results as well as many people who I simply never crossed paths with. Hind sight is 20/20. George Roulson says hi to Michael

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-86181880782465355052011-10-22T07:57:00.000-07:002011-11-04T03:35:10.197-07:00

Jeez, this is getting drawn out. Please take a minute to read part 1 and part 2a to catch up on my adventure at Barber Vintage Fest. If you already have,  we left off with John Lawless, Michael lawless and myself  hanging around with Cook Neilson, Paul Smart and Jason DiSalvo at Barbers Ducati Parade lap of legends - a tribute to "Ducstock" which was being held on the premesis. After spending

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-4930365367190528562011-10-20T04:36:00.000-07:002011-10-22T08:04:33.526-07:00

Day two at Barber I tried to get out and see as many things as I could - this proved to be a nearly impossible (Calling George Barber: Lets make next years event Vintage WEEK 2012!). After morning practice was finished, myself, John Lawless and his brother Michael set out to see the museum. I'd heard all about this place and was prepared to have my mind blown, but nothing could prepare me for

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-18677215129465600892011-10-15T15:51:00.000-07:002011-10-22T08:05:03.638-07:00

Much like the amount of things to do, places to visit, cycles to see at Barber Vintage Festival, in Birmingham Alabama, there are just too many photos and stories to cram into one blog entry. To keep things simple, and to keep my sanity, I've broken it up into thee parts. Part one is my arrival to Barbers 7th annual extravaganza - focussing mainly on the Racing and the action in the paddock area

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-68176972275154750292011-10-10T04:35:00.000-07:002011-10-10T16:10:34.163-07:00

Just a few photographs from this weekends festivities to whet your appetite4 while I go through over a thousand images: Swap meet. Make and offer. Tower of motorcycles. Barber Motorsports Museum. Wrenching. Female racers were in full force! Dave Roper. 2 Manxes. McIntosh and Norton. John Lawless waiting for the word to race. John and Michael with Cook Neilson and Paul Smart

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-5775332602940427542011-10-01T07:53:00.000-07:002011-10-02T05:05:20.181-07:00

The Vincent Motorcycle is one of the most sought after standard-production bikes in todays market, inching closer and closer to the six figure mark at recent auctions like this Rapide at Bohnams. While the Brough still dominates in high ticket motorcycle sales, (excluding, of course, rare and limited production racers,) the Vincent marquee projects style, sophistication, class and what some may

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-77780808982023862472011-09-22T12:52:00.001-07:002011-10-01T08:38:35.676-07:00

A while back I was planning to build a TriBSA cafe racer with an A10 frame and a T110 motor - in Goldie trim. Well I ended up with a featherbed frame and the cafe is going to be a Triton now. I still have a nice t110 motor that's not going into the Norton frame, so I decided to build a bobber with those parts instead. I bought a made to spec David Bird hard tail section which turned out super

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-44596441794939988022011-09-17T18:06:00.001-07:002011-09-19T03:55:21.638-07:00

I had been meaning to go to this the last two years. This time I thought I could make it up - I never need much of an excuse to get back to my old stomping grounds in NYC. But with a busy schedule and a ton of other motorcycle events both recent and coming up (BARBER VINTAGE DAYS!) I bailed at the last minute. Fortunately, my old friend Matt Welsh was there and took some amazing photographs. His

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-28535868780331588902011-09-12T12:13:00.001-07:002011-09-17T12:37:08.789-07:00

Each year, the Radnor Hunt Club in Malvern Pennsylvania, hosts it's own Concours event, pulling over 100 exotic cars and motorcycles for a very-well dressed crowd to ogle over. I, however was there to gawk at the vehicles powered by their single rear wheel only. Ok, the cars were stunning, but this is a motorcycle website, so thats what I mainly documented. This years featured motorcycle marquee

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-191861636052636412011-08-26T04:51:00.001-07:002011-08-26T05:12:21.271-07:00

While the rest of my 66 T120 is in various places getting various stuff done to various parts... I decided it was time to start prepping all the big cast-aluminum for polishing. This really just involved heating and pounding out a few dents, and a lot of persistence with the oscillating air-sander (and tons of replacement sanding discs). I got all the deep pits, scratches and gouges smoothed over

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-43963620309007968892011-08-22T04:40:00.001-07:002011-08-23T16:28:38.447-07:00

Greenpoint, located in the north west corner of Brooklyn, is a thriving community with a rich mixture of cultures, backgrounds, old neighborhoods with a new revitalization. Within the last 10 years, Greenpoint has become a hotbed for block parties, free concerts, art shows and rallys. Combine all of these elements and inject a healthy fix of vintage motorcycles and you have the 8th annual NYVM

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-62655820818566952072011-08-20T11:46:00.001-07:002011-08-21T16:39:08.134-07:00

Got the rear wheel laced up and ready for the truing stand, I'll let you know how that goes. Being stainless steel, which has a lower tensile strength than regular steel, the nipples and spokes must be greased for proper seating and preloaded with a much higher torque to allow for stretching. The end result is a nice clean wheel that won't rust. The 66 Bonnie is slowly coming together though!

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-44714516661602777122011-08-13T06:23:00.000-07:002011-08-13T06:23:42.894-07:00

This evening (Saturday, August 13th, 2011) is the opening of this years Classic Motorcycle exhibit at the Simeone Museum in Philadelphia - the featured marquee being Ducati vintage to modern, as well as other unique Italian street bikes a production racers. (Tickets are almost gone so if you want to attend, get on the horn asap!) I had a chance to preview the collection of bikes last night and

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-90146286485858369452011-08-12T04:16:00.000-07:002011-08-12T04:16:30.008-07:00

Sludge trap up restoration on a UK spec 1966 Triumph Bonnie. I picked up the bike out in South Hampton, where it sat in a mocked up state. The frame had been sand blasted and the original tank and front fender were missing. The rest of the Bonnie was correct for UK spec. I took the bike straight to J and M Enterprises where the frame is going to be powder coated. John Melniczuck is an expert

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-35299698381640410802011-06-24T16:06:00.000-07:002011-06-25T03:45:23.938-07:00

Had a wonderful time last weekend. Great seeing so many people and meeting so many new ones. This is the complete photo set from the weekend. Check out the Triumph Come Home website for more pictures submitted by myself and others.  I will be writing up my take on the weekend in the coming days, but for now: heres the pics:

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-13326494645268332702011-06-12T09:49:00.000-07:002011-06-12T19:15:51.961-07:00

I've had a really long, fun weekend of motorcycles - Rheinbeck on Friday, a Breakfast ride saturday morning in West Chester PA, some midday downtime watching a movie about Jarno Saarinen, A little wrenching before an afternoon solo ride. Today (sunday) trying to get all the pictures from Rheinbeck uploaded. Next week is the Triumph Come Home Rally in York PA -whew! A lot going on. That being

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-63610380181529608562011-06-06T20:10:00.000-07:002011-06-07T16:37:15.703-07:00

Saturday, June 4th, 2011, picture perfect  late-spring weather and an English Car and Bike show just a mile and a half up the road from my house. Life doesn't get much better than that. Being that the blue sky and 78 degree air was calling for a ride rather than a rally, myclassicmotorcycle.com's John Lawless and I spent the morning playing with some helmet cams, racing around the private roads

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-22755419009415265172011-05-15T03:38:00.000-07:002011-05-15T03:38:50.571-07:00

Falcon Motorcycles  has unveiled its third reworked/hand-built motorcycle, this time based on the legendary Vincent Black Shadow. This will surely spark a firestorm of debate as purest's protest that the Black Shadow was perfection and should never be tampered with. I argue that when these bikes (as well as other high performance machines of the time were new) there were plenty of people

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-72040500719888206252011-04-30T06:26:00.000-07:002011-05-11T04:13:52.277-07:00

It's been a long and brutal winter in the North East region of the United States, but finally, there's a milder climate creeping upon us. Tree's budding with green again, the sun is lingering longer, cinders have all but disappeared from the roads and the faint yet increasingly constant sound of motorcycles can be heard roaring in the distance after a long, deep hibernation. For many, the

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-36716949589864177162011-04-21T04:03:00.000-07:002011-04-21T04:03:52.083-07:00

I can just see a board room full of suits listening eagerly to the advertisement pitch. "A MAN's motorcycle" says the  smooth talking ad-exec. With a strong confident look around the room and just the hint of a smile on the corner of his mouth, he knows he's sold the pitch....

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-40243150721420384382011-04-11T03:41:00.000-07:002011-04-11T03:41:00.609-07:00

Sunday, April 10th, 2011, Chadds Ford Classic Bike Auction and Bunch Auction House was standing room only. Cycle enthusiasts of all breeds came out hoping to find a great deal or a rare bike to take home - and many did just that, me included. The large Harley collection did very well, highlights included a few Panheads, one of which was a hard tail springer that fetched over 10 G's. Al large

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-4357772932620439192011-04-09T12:55:00.000-07:002011-04-09T12:55:55.885-07:00

Heres a sneak peak at just some of the bikes that will be auctioned off on Sunday April 10, 2011. Triumphs, Cushmans, 60's Honda's, three Panheads, a Shovel and a handfull of Sporty's not to mention the Dukes and some cool mopeds and mini's. If you live nearby, grab some cash and be there by 1pm (doors at 12 noon) and check myclassicmotorcycle.com for details.

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-51139095697039099672011-03-25T04:05:00.000-07:002011-03-25T04:05:34.548-07:00

Looks like Gary Nixon. White leathers, Number One, Gary Nixon?

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-34586451705427571862011-03-13T12:46:00.000-07:002011-03-14T14:13:11.196-07:00

2011 see's Martin's Moto Sports first ever "Modern Classics" exhibit 100 bikes that represent the 60's-80's. Lots of amazing bikes in one room. Everyone who came to see the show got to vote on their favorite, though I'm not sure who won. I got a chance to play with new camera, so I'm still figuring out settings and what not, but I managed to shoot a handful of what was on display. Al Hartmans

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-83574559207918153112011-03-07T16:31:00.000-08:002011-03-08T03:10:01.067-08:00

Look closely at the exhaust on this Triumph picture clipped out of an old moto-mag. Galvanized threaded pipe (used in plumbing) with two Briggs and Stratton silencers on the tips. Apparently it gave the bike a "nice purr". My cousin, the great motorcycle wrencher John McIlvaine, had this picture hanging in his old business, The Hodaka Shop, 30 some years ago. My dad, being the "water guy" by

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-37585876132568030302011-02-20T04:48:00.000-08:002011-02-21T03:34:13.001-08:00

Yes that's right. for only £400 you can have a factory built Norvin Special with specially built Featherbed frame for only £400. All you need is your time machine, travel back to 1960,  buy one, pack it nicely for storage suitable for 50 years, hide it in a cave (ala Back To The Future III) return to the present time and, if hidden properly, go dig out your ultimate cafe racer. In fact buy two,

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-83831337224431794472011-02-02T16:45:00.000-08:002011-02-02T18:07:17.404-08:00

Speaking of Vincent Motorcycles (probably the most expensive and sought after British bikes) I came across a Vincent "Wave Runner" on ebay. These "Amanda" models are rumored to have been Vincents demise, as the fiberglass melted on some and may or may not have caused a drowning or two. This is all internet allegations so who knows, but we're talking about a VINCENT JET SKI here! A friend of mine

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-89572423721582754422011-02-02T05:19:00.001-08:002011-02-02T05:21:59.015-08:00

Quick heads up. Dice 36 just dropped and the Vincent racer featured is a beast! Also, somewhat of an oddity for a primarily chop 'n bob book, is a 59 streamlined Velocette lakester from down under. If you're over 40 and think like a 60 year old purist, Dice isn't for you - but if you're under 50 and think like you're a 20 year old who finds stock bikes boring, and VICE magazine funny, this is

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-53462612283561601412011-01-29T06:14:00.000-08:002011-02-02T05:04:24.448-08:00

Every year, motorcycle enthusiasts from around the world descend on the Bonneville Salt Flats, deep in the desert of Utah. Many are there to set new land speed records by building bigger and faster bikes than previously imagined. However, not all records are in the 200+ mph range. In the 50's the Triumph Tiger Cub held a land speed record, earning it the title king of the 200cc singles.

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-80504726039748486442011-01-23T15:18:00.000-08:002011-01-25T03:26:14.198-08:00

PVR puts on an annual swap meet each winter in York, Pennsylvania. While a far cry from the quantity of bikes and bits at events like Vintage Days, it did manage to cure the cabin fever I've been feeling with all the snow we've gotten this year. As expected, British bikes were few and far between. Lots of Motocross bikes: mainly the big four but I spotted a few Bultacos and Hodakas. In fact

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-88959601733959713732010-12-31T19:13:00.000-08:002010-12-31T19:52:05.055-08:00

The following pictures came from an old dusty box that my friend Graham rescued from a flea market. There are hundreds of black and white shots from 1960-1969. I am trying to sort them out but it's difficult since they're all mixed together. These 9 were rubber banded together and a few had captions written on the back with a few recognizable names such as Jimmy Weinert (still an amateur here) as

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-78812767216516524262010-12-31T10:54:00.000-08:002010-12-31T10:54:18.594-08:00

I'm feeling a little in over my head with the tuning of this motor. I've decided to scale back a bit, start with a solid running, fine tuned, Pre unit engine and make it fit the frame. Tricking out the engine will come, possibly on the second 650 motor I have cases for. That way I can do the heavy mods and possibly do billet con rods new crank and do it right from the ground up. It's going to

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-30980313110317280602010-12-12T04:46:00.000-08:002010-12-12T04:46:17.183-08:00

I started collecting parts about a year ago for some sort of ground up build. I wasn't sure at the time of what I wanted, only that I wanted to use a triumph 650 pre unit engine in some frame other than a standard triumph frame aka a special. Well after helping my neighbor rescue his 55 A10 from 40 years of deep storage, I started thinking about the beauty of the A10 frame. TriBSA cafe's are much

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-79339494020014870312010-12-03T14:30:00.000-08:002010-12-04T05:32:15.342-08:00

Just saw that someone snapped a shot of my "victory lap" on my dads Triumph T110. Beneath that is my dad riding the same bike 5 years earlier (note the paint scheme changed due to my dad deciding to mix it up a bit). The bike currently resides on a farm with 20 or more other vintage triumphs where they have plenty of room to run and play (Al Hartmans crazy cycle collection). It was an honor to

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-41761343755583413232010-11-28T18:17:00.000-08:002011-02-07T04:00:19.318-08:00

No clever, writing on this entry, I'm just too tired with all family activities for three straight days all to be topped off with what many in the Tri-State Area consider to be the closing event of the motorcycle riding season: The Turkey Pro. My dad, the late great Snuffy Smith, started this event (well this particular event  under said moniker) twenty something years ago in our driveway. It has

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-89300587205695975712010-10-06T04:13:00.000-07:002010-12-17T08:55:43.390-08:00

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? If you asked me at age 5, I would've said "farmer" - I liked tractors. At age 10 someone asked me this same question and I replied "I want to be just like Dick Miles". I liked motorcycles. Dick, owner of iron Oxide Engineering and Holding Co. was one of my fathers best friends. They shared a passion for vintage British motorcycles.

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-54831087054057625182010-10-05T19:12:00.000-07:002010-10-06T04:14:22.814-07:00

Mike Seate, Author of the book Cafe Racer, Editor of Cafe Racer Magazine, director of Cafe Society (documentary on Cafe bikes) is set to launch a new TV series on Discovery HD Theater. It premiers next Wednesday. Should be worth checking out. Heres the details I received in an email:Cafe Racer, the new series onDiscovery's HD Theater channel debutson Wednesday, October 13 at 9PM. After a

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-59313829581981431512010-09-28T19:19:00.001-07:002010-09-30T17:53:52.945-07:00

Every once in a while, a rare motorcycle pops up for sale in my area that is just too good to pass on. AD: 1951 Triumph 5T "Bobber" in running condition with T-I-T-L-E. Clutch sticks fenders included but no fender stays.I've been collecting parts to build a 58 650 rigid for a while, but it seemed the more I hunted and gathered parts, the further that bike seemed like reality. Plus I have never

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-10547902137893984182010-09-15T19:24:00.001-07:002010-09-24T17:28:19.688-07:00

September 11, 2010, A day for remembrance of the tragedy that took place 9 years ago in NYC, Central PA, and Washington D.C.. Also day to celebrate the the continued freedom we have here in the United States. In Philadelphia, the long running Hotrod Hoedown held another of it's long running Autumn vintage-auto appreciation parties at the Simeone Auto Museum, located in the industrial wastelands

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-54368621158739393732010-08-28T19:31:00.000-07:002010-08-29T05:04:02.871-07:00

After a week of cooler, rainy weather, the Northeast finally had a break with a weekend of mid 80's, low humidity and sunny skies. It also happened to fall on the same weekend as the Phoenixville 2nd annual Bike Day. I had a few friends who live in town who said they were going, so I hopped on my Triumph and rode through [what might have been] the perfect riding conditions of the year, up rt. 113

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-73806153760036642992010-08-07T16:15:00.000-07:002010-08-24T17:50:11.223-07:00

Saturday, August 7th, the dog days of summer. My wife, Kristen, and I took a trip to downtown Philly to have lunch and enjoy the long overdue break in the record setting hot weather. After some delicious Italian food and some window shopping, we headed over to The Spare Parts Company on 4th and Vine - a place where my late father used to frequent quite a bit. Over the years I've heard countless

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-74292941650179132432010-08-05T17:14:00.001-07:002010-08-05T17:15:18.266-07:00

it was just one of those afternoons...

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-91833343271406334172010-07-28T16:45:00.000-07:002010-07-28T18:02:00.629-07:00

The king of cool, the king of style and of course "The King of Rock N Roll". Elvis needs no introduction and theres plenty of pictures of him sitting in the saddle of various Harley's. Look at that hat. The white star, the white brim. The same style of hat worn by Johnny in the Wild One. Purely iconic.This picture of Bob Dylan riding his Triumph has been used plenty of times before......but

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-8775488458613611582010-07-03T19:04:00.000-07:002010-07-03T19:14:12.773-07:00

British motorcycles have always been my main interest in the world of two wheeled vehicles, but I have a soft spot for 60's and 70's Japanese engineering. They made great reliable engines, the bikes have clean lines, and they are cheap and readily available to make cool custom Cafe's and Bobbers. My friend Justin took a trip to this spot and shared a couple of pictures. Looks like I'm going to

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-70050213927735399352010-06-18T15:57:00.000-07:002010-08-04T19:39:10.237-07:00

Triumph Come Home Rally, the ultimate swap meet, weekend camp out Triumph/Brit Bike event on the east coast, or in the country perhaps. People come from all over for this. Fortunately it's only 2 hours from my house! I woke up Friday June 18th like I would any other work day, only this day my truck was cleaned out and I was headed Spring Grove PA with a pocket full of money! I arrived around 8:30

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-19200094258664470902010-06-16T17:19:00.001-07:002010-06-16T17:19:27.800-07:00

Came across the remains of what looks like a 50cc Honda minibike while working behind a barn today. Looks like it's been there for 20 years. Even I didn't try to see if I could grab it. Rest in peace little man.Uploaded by www.cellspin.net

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-47476852937524696552010-06-13T11:40:00.001-07:002010-06-13T11:40:29.770-07:00

I have seen motorcycle riders make mailboxes out of gas tanks but this is a traffic stopper. Located in my hometown of west chester pa. Wonder if she'll start!Uploaded by www.cellspin.net

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-78462780803124083302010-05-29T15:06:00.001-07:002010-05-29T17:59:02.724-07:00

I say, if you're going to build and ride an old school chopper, you need to have the style and attitude to back it up. This picture of Dennis Hopper in Easy Rider pretty much sums up both.This one from Glory Stomper works too: Note weathered grizzly biker style does NOT apply to chick on the back... This is KEY to the look.The Glory Stompers (1968) 1- Dennis Hopper as Chino: "Here's the situation

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-8386011423045895052010-05-26T16:41:00.001-07:002010-05-26T17:11:41.502-07:00

Not to be one of those guys who blogs about other blogs, but I just had to say this is one of the coolest customs I've seen in a long time. A Rudge-Whitworth 500cc engine with a completely fabricated frame, quarter gallon gas tank (obviously not for touring but for short bursts of speed) and I believe a JAP gear box - all neatly packaged in a board-tracker-esque bike. Apparently the builder,

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-58376029470402595622010-05-24T18:27:00.000-07:002010-05-25T19:41:27.317-07:00

I got a frantic phone call today from my friend Drew who told me he and our friend Chris accidentally set Chris's CB750 clubman on fire. "Oh no, this is great, get me the full story and some pics and this is going up on S&T tonight" I said. Heres Drews account via email:OK so I'm a much better story teller then i am a writer, so bear with me and feel free to fix my grammar and what not. (I

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-48335448752616533772010-05-23T18:47:00.000-07:002010-05-23T19:25:13.187-07:00

In the early 70's, Snuffy (My late father) was already an avid/veteran motorcycle rider and racer. He also ran a successful business (with his good friend George Waite) as a fiberglass fabricator and repairman. In the picture above, he stands between two large gas tanks made for Bertram fishing boats. He also built fishing wells for Bertram (where fisherman stored their catch.)The front end of

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-12235427032684804282010-05-23T08:51:00.001-07:002010-05-23T08:51:31.855-07:00

Took a nice ride around town this morning, through the rain and fog. Belstaff kept me dry and stopping by my sisters filled my belly. Time to start sorting out the Bonnie...Uploaded by www.cellspin.net

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-25690875642308577882010-05-13T19:32:00.000-07:002010-05-14T03:05:22.062-07:00

I ran into my Buddy Brent over at the motor tag office. I was selling a bike to a friend and Brent was getting a tag for his 1971 Harley Sporter. Interesting feature on this bike, both the gear shifter and rear brake pedal are on the right hand side of the bike. Apparently the previous guy who owned it had a prosthetic leg and had this modified to allow his good leg to work both pedals. More

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-46885078559184975452010-05-06T18:49:00.000-07:002010-05-06T19:08:58.567-07:00

A few weeks ago I posted some pictures from the Chadds Ford Auction. Well as it turns out, my friend Justin and his girlfriend Nina snagged the Benelli Barracuda 250 cafe racer. Justins doing the rebuild and Nina will be doing the riding.I happened to be out riding my BSA when I spotted Justin out front of his garage pulling the bike apart.The engine was stuck and after trying to pull the top end

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-85101629146996754062010-04-23T15:03:00.000-07:002010-04-30T19:08:00.405-07:00

Just got back from Oley and heres my review: Harley riders should've been happy as hog's in shit (sorry bad pun) but for those looking for European moto's, it was slim pickin's . I was able to spot a few Brit Bikes and a couple of random Continental machines on top of locating a few spares for my 71 A65t.A couple of nice pre Unit Triumph, The rear being a Trophy (obviously based on the pedestrian

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-46819672228329251482010-04-22T04:40:00.001-07:002010-04-22T04:40:48.831-07:00

This yellow comander was added at the last minute at the chadds ford auction last week. My friend Chris snagged this along with four other bikes! Hoarder? Maybe....Uploaded by www.cellspin.net

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-59353901785557569942010-04-17T14:07:00.000-07:002010-04-22T11:50:14.626-07:00

I stopped by the Chadds Ford Auction today and snapped a few pictures of some of the more interesting bikes. The Auction will take place tomorrow (April 18 2010). See you there!30's? era Harley or Indian. Not sure.71 Norton CommandoBenelli Cafe RacerHarley Aermacchi (50cc?)Early HarleyYamaha RD350 Road Racer (Nice!)The prize of the show. Restored Harley.1960's BMW, a little rough.Another Harley

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156107243554710808.post-47696329546207655632010-03-12T04:15:00.000-08:002010-03-12T04:17:30.263-08:00

Smoke and Throttle will be an extension of Me and This Motorcycle. I plan on posting about other peoples bikes, events and anything else thats MC related.

Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00491593493281555698noreply@blogger.com0