Google find - xs250...sort of

This guy did it. Whoever this guy is, he beat me to it. My next project, the ft500, was basically going to end up like this. My idea was a simple vintage looking motor, with modern front and rear ends. To review, small lightweight old bike that can handle and stop like a modern bike. Pretty much what this guy did.

This guy rules and I'm pissed he beat me to it. looks like he used a cx500 gas tank, gs500e wheels and rs125 forks... awesome. I guess i better get moving on mine before everybody has one of these....
http://www.xs400.com/forum/album.php?albumid=156

Project kz440 - The start.

Well, here's another one for the stable. Even without the tank, the bike screams early 80s. It's an odd little bike, belt drive with a stock 19 inch front wheel to start. It's going to take some imagination and loads of work, but this will someday be a fine cafe bike. Don't believe me? I'm not sure that I do either, but lets stay positive. It's not all bad though...The bike runs strong with good compression and all the electrics work. That makes cosmetics top priority...thank goodness.....

You can follow this build in greater detail at: http://ornatecode.com/kz440/

Acceptable "bling"

Chrome can be found on just about every motorcycle on the road today. When used properly, it can look great. When used too much, it can look ridiculous and possibly induce a seizure. (i.e. most 'choppers')

Honda did it right. My friends know exactly what I mean as illustrated by the collection you see below.

Project xs400 - Cafe Racer

My xs400.

fork brace
tapered roller bearings
20 w 50 oil in fork
gas rear shocks
2 into 1 exhaust
adjustable clip-ons
dual front disk
Magura brake lever and master cylinder
upgraded headlight
fiberglass seat
battery relocation
K&N air filters
custom gauge mount
79' motor w/cdi
rear sets

FOR SALE.

Art Appreciation...

I realize this is sort of non traditional as far as my postings go, but these are so cool I'm sure you wouldn't mind. They're all done by Gianmarco Magnani, a very talented illustrator who goes by "Silence Television" when it comes to his artwork. Very cool.

Check out his page... it's all pretty great, motorcycles or not, but you know me.
http://www.silencetv.com/work.html

The xs750 gas tank. Thank you Yamaha.

As far as I'm concerned, the motorcycles gas tank, makes or brakes the look of the bike. It's the focal point of the bike and it has to balance form and function perfectly. Once in a while, you run into a production bike with a tank that really stands out. One such tank is the the cb450 black bomber tank and another is the rd400, both of which are favorites of mine. Perhaps lesser known due to the bikes stock form being a bit...forgettable, the xs750 tank is what i consider to be one of the more beautiful production bike tanks ever made. I always thought it would look great on other bikes and now I see that i'm not the only one who noticed.

NATIONAL MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM = RAD

I stumbled onto many things on my recent motorcycle trip from Milwaukee to Austin. Besides the buckets of rain and countless terrible drivers, one undeniably positive thing was the the National Motorcycle Museum in Nowheresville, IA(a.k.a. Anamosa, IA). I knew I was going to stop because my stupid moron motorcycle brain wouldn't just let me just pass this mecca by and all self control seems to disappear when motorcycles are involved. I knew it was going to be rad when a grizzled old Harley guy said, "You're not going to want to leave..." while I was on my way in and his wife was dragging him out.

Well, to put it bluntly, this place is like crack to a motorcycle junky. The displays, the bikes, the facility were amazing. Not to mention, the entry fee was only 8 bucks.

You must all go to this place.

Info:
http://www.nationalmcmuseum.org/

Here's a few shots I took while I was there. To see anymore, GO THERE!