Best Bikes in India | No.1 Two Wheeler Magazine
Vespa is poised to make their second foray into the Indian scooter market, come April 26th. We have ridden their first offering, the LX 125, and are working on our ride report, to be featured in the May 2012 issue of BI. In the meantime, feast your eyes on these pictures.
Full details about Lisbeth Salander’s motorcycle in TGWTDT finally emerge
It is a truth generally acknowledged that whenever Europe or Asia comes up with an excellent film, Hollywood will usually follow suit with a high-budget remake and completely ruin the original’s reputation. Not such with David Fincher, the director of several cult movies like Seven, Zodiac and Fight Club. Fincher’s attention to detail and obsession to every minute aspect of his prop pieces is legendary and his latest remake of Stieg Larsson’s acclaimed masterpiece, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo is an apt example. Now, thanks to our friends over at BikeExif, we have some details on how the cafe-racer (ridden by Rooney Mara as Lisbeth Salander) that played a pivotal part in the movie was developed.
The bikes here are three late 1960s Honda CB 350s, coml,etely stripped to the bone and rebuilt to the director’s specifications by noted customiser, Justin Kell of Glory Motor Works in LA. All three CBs were restored, stripped, cleaned, re-painting, powder-coated, polished and cadmium plated for the shots. Since the shots called for good lighting, HID headlamps were fitted in the bike. Things like clutches, brakes, wiring harness and spokes were replaced and the engine was given everything new to the bits, even new valve job, pistons and rings. The carburetters were rebuilt and fuel tanks were stripped and relined. Flat track style seats were installed, covered in vintage glove leather.
All this labor showed good results in the movie, we know. After all it ain’t easy to make an old lady look the same age as a young damsel. Watch the final result here and you will agree.
Ducati launches special edition Monster in collaboration with fashion giant, Diesel
If the German car-maker Audi goes ahead with its plans of buying Ducati, who knows, there may be a TDI engine powered Duke in the future. For now, check out this special edition Monster launched by the Italian marquee recently.
Diesel is an Italian clothing brand most famous for their denims. Diesel has been associated with Ducati since last year as their MotoGP team sponsor. Taking the partnership forward, Ducati has launched the special edition of their Monster 1100EVO naked street-bike called the ‘Monster Diesel’.
It has military green body panels in matte finish and yellow brake callipers on the front disc rotors while the footpegs, seat, wheels, exhaust and even the trellis chassis are all painted in black. Also, the exhaust heat shield and the seat have ribbed design. Diesel on their part have launched a special collection of riding gear and accessories under the ‘Capsule collection’. The Monster Diesel was unveiled at the Diesel store in New York city, USA recently but will arrive in Ducati showrooms only by July this year.
Triumph launches special-edition Bonneville
To celebrate 110 years of making motorcycles, Triumph has just unveiled the 110th Anniversary Special Bonneville, which will be limited to 1,000 units priced at Rs.590,000 approx. (in the UK). Each anniversary model will come with a special numbered plaque on the handlebar clamp, as well as a numbered certificate.
This Anniversary Special bike was inspired by the 1902 No.1 model, and sports a unique anniversary crest, conceptualized by the early Triumph tank badges and a retro-inspired Brooklands green and aluminum silver paint scheme.
The 10th Anniversary Special Edition Bonnevilles are expected to reach showrooms in April in the UK.
Willie G. Davidson Senior Vice President and Chief Styling Officer, is retiring from Harley-Davidson after 49 years of working at his namesake company as head of styling
April 30, 2012 will be his last day at the office where legendary work in the world of motorcycling and motorcycle design came alive. He will continue being a part of the company as an ambassador at motorcycle rallies and events, and through special design projects as Chief Styling Officer.
Over the course of his career, Willie G., now 78yrs, revitalized the design team at Harley-Davidson which gave the company unrivaled leadership in custom, cruiser and touring motorcycles. Today, the styling department is led by 19-year company veteran Ray Drea, Vice President and Director of Styling, who has worked with Willie G. in the development of numerous milestone vehicles.
Grandson of one of the company’s founders, William A. Davidson, and son of William H. Davidson, its second president, Willie G. had joined the company as its first head of styling in 1963. With a lot of responsibility on his shoulders for the look of all Harley-Davidson motorcycles, landmark motorcycles started emerging from Willie G’s styling studio. The list includes the Super Glide, Low Rider, Heritage Softail Classic, Fat Boy, V-Rod and Street Glide.
Willie G. has long served as ambassador of Harley-Davidson at rallies around the world – meeting riders, talking to customers, lending his famous signature to jackets and other apparel. We hope he continues to do the same for years to come.
