Marnitz and I were fortunate to be able to attend the very successful Traditional Triumph Christmas party in Edenvale. Mike Davidson, together with family and staff were great hosts to a diverse, happy group of Triumph owners. Most of the Triumph model range was on display but our featured motorcycle was the centre of attraction.
And now for something completely different! Generally, the motorcycles that we feature are more modern motorcycles which have been customised to emulate the various styles of motorcycle customising from the 1950s and 1960s. I use the word "modern" very loosely, as most of these custom motorcycles are based on motorcycles which were manufactured in the
Why do a road test of a stock standard motorcycle on a blog which specialises in featuring mainly old school style custom motorcycles and restored classics? Why bother testing a motorcycle which was launched in South Africa almost a year ago; with several print articles appearing in the major magazines? There are several reasons which
Most motorcyclists only make modifications to their motorcycles cosmetically for practical reasons. Superbikes, tourers and adventure bikes are enhanced to improve performance or rider comfort. A windscreen may be added for wind protection or heated grips installed to help protect the fingers from that intense, unabating pain we have all experienced on a winter ride;
Most of the traditional custom motorcycle styles sacrifice rider comfort in the name of looking absolutely fabulous. Riding a rigid bobber or old school chopper epitomises the freedom of the 1960s, but after completing 300km of a 700km ride, most of us, who are not blessed with cast iron butts and kidneys, would be questioning
Long before mankind created written communication, symbols were used as a powerful form of communication. From crude markings on a cave wall to ornate statues, man has always felt the need to create and use symbols as an expression of his beliefs and his way of life. Wearing or carrying of symbols gives us a
The majority of the motorcycles that we feature, no matter how customised they may look, are mechanically standard. This is because many of the donor motorcycles, although cosmetically shabby, have sound engines and gearboxes. Overhauling a sound and reliable engine adds a great deal to the already high cost of building a custom motorcycle, no
As we head towards the end of the year and deadlines become tight to finish a mountain of work before the Christmas holidays, the motivation to sit and research and write articles about complicated custom motorcycles until late at night during the week is beginning to wane. The enthusiasm and passion is still there but
This past weekend, Marnitz and I were privileged to be given the opportunity to be of the first people in Gauteng to test ride the new Royal Enfield Continental GT café racer. We attended the launch hosted by the ever friendly and enthusiastic Alan and Antoinette from Royal Enfield Germiston. This is the first occasion
My love of single cylinder motorcycles was developed at an early age. I remember clearly, although I must only have been about ten years old at the time, going to see the finish of the 1973 Durban to Johannesburg Run for motorcycles made before 1937 at the Johannesburg market. I know that it was 1973
