benelli

Most of these are some stills taken from a videos of a Benelli collection. These Montgomery Wards Riverside Benellis have the right stance and they still have that classic Italian style of some of the early Italian brands. I have one these that has been waiting in the wings for a restoration except I've taken the later 360 Mojavi engine and stuffed it into the older style frame. It's a tight fit but it works. I picked up the front suspension a few years ago, and I just need to get some wheels for it, I have the hubs, just need the wheels. It looks like these have had wider rims laced so the owner can run wider rubber. I think the early rims were pretty thin like all of the Italian small boy racers of the day. They also all have shouldered aluminum rims; probably Borranis (but could be Akronts). It's funny how shouldered/flanged rims can make such a difference in the look of a bike. These are all good references for what I need to build though.

 

lino tonti

 

Lino Tonti

shingo furukawa - motorcycle dreaming

2025 Honda RC213V:

1989 Honda NSR500:

2025 Yamaha YZR-M1:

1989 Yamaha YZR500:

I understand function over form, but I wish there's a beauty standard for these machines - new machines are so...ugly:

80's Suzuki RG500Γ 

The above images and text is from Shingo Furukawa. Shingo brings up a good point. I'm trying to decide if I'm just nostalgic about the older designs because I remember going to the dealership and collecting the various brochures on consumer street bikes (which were based on race bikes like these) and then taking them home and dreaming. I've saved those brochures all these years. I probably dreamed more about works motocross bikes and enduros, but the that's probably because I started off riding dirt rather than street. The MX bikes seemed more attainable too. That's not to say that the street bikes didn't peek my interest though. They seemed exotic to me especially when I would see the race versions in Cycle World. I find myself gravitating to these race and street bikes now and it would be fun to do a restoration on something from this era. 

It's true that as an adult you spend your time thinking about the things you couldn't afford when you were a kid. The dreaming continues...

 

the harder you try the luckier you get

 

Well this was pretty cool. I had a CL450 so fun to watch for that reason, but the sentimental value is up there.

manx

Simply put, in my opinion one of the most beautiful motorcycles ever made.

 

r90S cutaway

for Eric...

 

emc

what a cool fuel tank shape...

 

motorcycle stand

This is a motorcycle stand that I made a while back, based on Paul Brodie's.

 

macau 2022

evan wilcox video

 

More Evan Wilcox...

evan wilcox interview

 

Listen to this! Evan Wilcox has always been someone who I have admired from afar. This interview made me even more fond of his work and character as a human being.

full tilt

 

random goodness

scrounge one

I came across this old Cycle Guide article from 1969 from my vintage motorcycle magazine collection. I always loved this one...

bultaco pursang mk2

I'm currently trying to piece a Bultaco Pursang Mk2 back together. If anyone has any leads on parts, please contact me. This model was designated a M42. It's similar to the later Pursang models, but a bit different. Any leads are greatly appreciated. Here is a bit more info about this model from Motocross Action magazine below:

CLASSIC MOTOCROSS IRON: 1967 BULTACO MK II 250 PURSANG BOAT TAIL

By Tom White

The MK II Pursang first appeared in the spring of 1967, and it would be a major change from the Rickman-inspired MK I Pursang. From the outside, the engine appeared similar, but the polished engine cases were expanded to house an all-new five-speed transmission, and the crankshaft was now supported by three main bearings. The MK II frame had a single downtube that split under the front of the engine. The wheelbase had been extended over 2 inches, and the bold red bodywork was distinctively square, leading many riders to call the Pursang the “Boat Tail” for its similarity to a Chris Craft runabout. Both a motocross model (21-inch front wheel) and a scrambles model (19-inch front wheel) were imported to the United States.

For motocross, it could easily be argued that Bultaco went the wrong direction, as the increased power was rather peaky, and the longer wheelbase made quick changes of directions difficult. Fortunately, this proved to be just what American scrambles riders wanted for their higher speeds and smoother tracks. Out of the crate, the MK II put out 34 horsepower, a good five horsepower more than many of its European competitors. The fiberglass bodywork was absolutely beautiful, but was easily damaged the first time the rider fell down. The high pipe also overheated the rider’s right leg and would give way the next year to a low pipe.

The top Bultaco rider of the Boat Tail era was Belgian rider Marcel Weirtz. Weirtz was among the contingent of European riders who competed in the early Inter-Am’s starting in 1967 and was always a front runner for Bultaco, finishing as high as second in 1968 at the Pepperell Inter-Am event. Boat Tails were beautiful and fast, but not always reliable. (Possibly because the Bultacos were built in a Spanish factory with dirt floors.)

WHAT THEY COST

Suggested retail in 1967 was $895. Though the early Pursangs are not on the top of most vintage racer’s wish lists, they should be on the top of any early motocross collector. The Boat Tails are beautiful, and a near perfect one just sold for $12,000 at auction. “Thumbs up,” as in Bultaco’s logo. Our sample came from the Early Years of Motocross Museum.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

There is no question that the first thing to look for is the bold red fiberglass gas tank, fenders and side panels. Any collector would love to see the original Betor forks and shocks. Also, an original bike should come equipped with an Amal Concentric carburetor. The best of all worlds is finding an MK II with its original high pipe and attached heat shield.

PARTS SUPPLY

Bultaco Motorcycles in Craryville, New York, has acquired the Bultaco name in America and seems to be the leading source for replacement parts. Their phone number is (518) 851-7184, and they can be found on the web at www.hughsbultaco.com.

from motocrossactionmag