Finding Ben Hardy's Shop?

After putting up the last post I thought, why not look up the spot where Ben Hardy's shop was located? Could the building somehow still exist?

I knew the address since the article in Roth's Choppers magazine gave it at 1168 E. Florence in Los Angeles. A lot has changed in the last 40 years, but I figured, Google Map it with "satellite view" and see what comes up.

The letter "A" marks the spot, but it didn't look good. It sort of looks like a parking lot. I hoped (as sometimes), Google's addresses are off by a little bit. The place to it's left looked promising, so why not take look with the "Street View" option?


Boy was I surprised when this came up! What I thought was an empty parking lot turned out to be the roof. The place next door has the much lighter roof when seen from above. Ben's old shop's roof is darker but is reflecting the sun at this angle.

This place needs to be declared a National Historical Monument... of the MotorCycle kind.


For kicks, I tweaked it in Photoshop for a side by side comparison.


Afterwards, I looked up another Famous Monument. I erased the street name so as not to give it away too easily. Any guesses? I.R., I'm sure you'll know, and Moldy, If you read this, don't tell.

It's too bad places like these can't somehow be preserved for what they once were.

I wonder, do today's occupants realize their significance?

Daytona Bike Week - Get a Start on the Rally Season

The 69th anniversary of Daytona Bike Week is being held February 26 - March 7, 2010 in Daytona Beach, Florida. The start of Daytona Bike Week is often announced on the morning TV news shows. You know, where somebody sticks their face in front of the camera and announces: "We're at the opening of Daytona Bike Week. Good Morning America," and then you see a whole line of bikes roar off in front of the camera. Unfortunately, most of the remainder of Bike Week will not be seen by non-motorcyclists.

Check out my article, Daytona, for details.

Here in the frigid Northeast, I hear plenty of people talking about going to Daytona. Some are riding down with friends. Riding sometimes means riding in a car and towing a trailer with the bike on it. After all, the 1500 miles down with uncertain weather conditions has left many a rider stranded in a snow storm or Nor'easter. After that happens to you once, you tend to be a little more cautious the next time you go.

Maybe you want to skip Daytona and concentrate on planning to go to some smaller rallies this year. Be sure to read my article, Motorcycle Rallies, where I discuss rallies and give you information about the top rallies that I like. Of course, your views may be different -- this is Motorcycle Views after all.

I just got my registration information for the Americade Motorcycle Rally. That one is my favorite and I've gone almost every year since 1994.

It can get expensive going to lots of rallies, especially if you're taking two bikes. Double gas, double tolls. You just have to pick and choose what appeals to you most in these uncertain economic times. Motorcycle rallies are a lot of fun. If you've never attended a rally, you owe it to yourself to go. You just might find a rally or two that you'll want to go to every year, just like I go to Americade, regardless of the weather.

2010 Yamaha XT1200Z Super Ténéré launched

For those motorcycle adventure sports fans out there and I count myself as one of them, Yamaha has revived a great model name from the past with the launch of the 2010 Yamaha XT1200Z Super Ténéré. You can read the full details of this exciting new model on the main www.inter-bike.co.uk website here.

Ride safe

Jon Booth
Email: webmaster@inter-bike.co.uk
Blog: http://bestmotorstyle2011.blogspot.com//
Swicki: http://motorcycling-swicki.eurekster.com/

BLACK M/C HISTORY MONTH

February ain't just about Valentine's.

Looking sharp in the '30's.


Brother Ben. Perhaps one of the most influential builders ever.


Ben on a '65 H-D that is very likely an ex-police bike. There's another inside the shop's left window.


LA Choppers. From the style of their bikes and their location, I'm sure they knew Ben. This club still exists. I love their colors. I've seen a few members at the Long Beach swap.


EBD's. Probably the most famous of all the black clubs.


Gerald “Fat Daddy”, “Bubba”, “Gerry”, “J.R.”, Biddle. Member of the "Crazy Pharaohs" Port Washington, NY on a well dressed '68.


Bessie Stringfield. Google her.


Good looking group. Note the pin stripes on the second bike and the bobbed fender on the fourth.


Can't hide her feelings sitting on that brand new boat tail.


Sugar Bear. Doing them long, long time.


Can she actually get that Fro in the helmet? Brings a whole new meaning to "Helmet Hair".

So how come Black History Month is celebrated in the shortest month of the year?
"The Man" just keeps stick'in it to the Brothers and Sistahs.

2010 Kawasaki Versys

The 2010 restyled Kawasaki Versys is now in UK Kawasaki dealers, with changes to the headlamp, fuel tank, bodywork and frame covers.

In 2007 www.inter-bike.co.uk rode one of these great mid-range bikes, you can read our Kawasaki Versys road test here.

Ride safe

Jon Booth
Email: webmaster@inter-bike.co.uk
Blog: http://bestmotorstyle2011.blogspot.com//
Swicki: http://motorcycling-swicki.eurekster.com/

Triumph motorcycles announce two brand new special edition models for 2010, the Thunderbird SE and Daytona 675 SE

Triumph has announced two special editions of their very popular Triumph Thunderbird and Daytona 675 for 2010.

The Triumph Thunderbird SE has a brand-new metallic colour, Carnival Red, the ABS-equipped SE comes factory-fitted with genuine Triumph accessories, to transform the Thunderbird into a soft bagger.

The Daytona 675 SE has a highly sophisticated suspension, plus new graphics on the flanks, white striped wheel, race-inspired brake and clutch levers and carbon parts from Triumph’s accessories catalogue.

Both these special edition Triumph motorcycles will be in Triumph dealers from March 1st.

Ride safe

Jon Booth
Email: webmaster@inter-bike.co.uk
Blog: http://bestmotorstyle2011.blogspot.com//
Swicki: http://motorcycling-swicki.eurekster.com/

Win a Harley-Davidson!

All riders who take a free demo ride at an authorised Harley-Davison UK dealership between Friday 9 April and Monday 3 May will be entered into a free prize draw for a new-for-2010 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy® Special motorcycle.

Sorry to our international readers, this is a UK only prize apparently.

For further information or to book a test ride please visit www.harley-davidson.co.uk/testride


Motorcyclists booking a test ride must have held a full motorcycle licence for a minimum of 12 months.
Details of which models are available at each dealership will be available to view at www.harley-davidson.co.uk


Ride safe

Jon Booth
Email: webmaster@inter-bike.co.uk
Blog: http://bestmotorstyle2011.blogspot.com//
Swicki: http://motorcycling-swicki.eurekster.com/

Peugeot celebrates with new big wheel LXR 125 scooter

Peugeot has been in business for 200 years and for more than 100 years has been producing motorcycles. To celebrate its double century Peugeot will be launching several new models of scooter this year.

The first of these in the UK i is the big-wheel Peugeot LXR125 scooter.
Big wheel scooters a offer superior handling over poorly maintained surfaces and are easier to manoeuvre.

With the crumblingly state of the UK's roads after the recent winter snow and ice, Peugeot seem to have released this on the UK market at just the right time!!

As always we've some pics of this new Peugeot scooter for you.

Ride safe

Jon Booth
Email: webmaster@inter-bike.co.uk
Blog: http://bestmotorstyle2011.blogspot.com//
Swicki: http://motorcycling-swicki.eurekster.com/

2010 Ducati Monster 1100 Pictures

2010 Ducati Monster 1100 Picture

2010 Ducati Monster 1100 Motorcycle

2010 Ducati Monster 1100 Black Series

2010 Aprilia Mana 850 Wallpapers

2010 Aprilia Mana 850 Picture

2010 Aprilia Mana 850 Red Edition

2010 Aprilia Mana 850 Black

2010 Aprilia Mana 850 White Series

2010 KTM 1190 RC8

2010 KTM 1190 RC8 Side Action View

2010 KTM 1190 RC8 Motorcycle

2010 KTM 1190 RC8 Sport Bike

2010 KTM 1190 RC8 Picture

2010 BMW S1000RR Superbike Gallery

2010 BMW S1000RR Superbike Image

2010 BMW S1000RR Superbike Motorcycle

2010 BMW S1000RR Superbike Picture

IronHead Ron

Two weeks ago I paid a visit to my friend Ron. Ron's a Die-Hard IronHead Sportster Hi-Performance Freak and always has some interesting projects up his sleeve.


Here's his XR Ironhead that he's building for the street. He started with a genuine factory XR 750 frame and oil bag.



Look close and you'll see that the cylinder fins have all been drilled. I believe he said it's a 77" stroker. Ron likes to use socket (Allen), head fasteners as much as possible.


His next project, an Ironhead Bagger. Ron always uses trick parts. That's a raked XLR frame and those are aluminum engine mounts dangling up front.


This 1965 stroker will go in the bagger. It's cases will be converted for electric start. When was the last time you saw Axtell aluminum Ironhead cylinders?


A flat track style Triumph project awaits in the back. Once again, featuring aluminum cylinders.


Here's a shot taken in Dec. 2001 of the Sportster from the above shot. There is a lot more going on here than at first glance. Ron shaves, drills, and massages each part before it goes on any of his rides. After an unfortunate incident, that motor went into the bike below.


This bike also recently had an unfortunate and very serious incident. We're glad Ron is now OK. Some of you may remember this bike from the Dec. 08 Century Motorcycles Post.

I'll post more shots as Ron progresses and finishes these very personalized machines.