My post of Cafe' Racer's reminded Greg of one of his favorite folk songs. I picked a different performance of the song than Greg suggested but, thanks to YouTube, you there are lots to choose from.
And since he brought it up, a little bit of the sound of a 1951 Vincent Black Lightning. I know that, in a previous comment, Doug mentioned the Aprilia as his favorite V twin sound. For me, some of these British twins give the best of the V twins a run for their money, at least for sound.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
Little Bits of Style
As I'm learning from my niece, these days there is not one style, but lots of different styles. For example, you can be goth, emo, punk, hippy, etc. I don't know what its called, but there is a little slice of the style wheel that has elements of the late 40's, early 50's. For example, women wear short shorts, big puffy skirts, and have a flip in their hair.
In about the same era, there were a bunch of young men running around England on their motorcycles. They would remove every unnecessary part to make it lighter and faster. They would cut the handlebars so that they could lean over on the tank for better aerodynamics. Then, in the middle of the night, they would race from cafe' to cafe' to see who was bravest or had the fastest bike. Bikes in this style became known as cafe' racers.
Recently, a business opened up in the Depot Town section of Ypsilanti that celebrates both the 40's clothing and cafe' racer bikes. Naturally, its called, Cafe' Racer. Up front, they serve coffee and tea to make up the Cafe' part of the name. They also sell unique components to help you convert your bike to a cafe' racer. In back, they work on vintage motorcycles, both repair and special projects. Overall, a very cool idea. I hope they are successful.
They did an interesting thing to help promote themselves. They have made a pin up calendar, combining the bikes and local girls in a common style. This pic is from their calendar and is my favorite. Doesn't that make you want to come visit Ypsilanti? The bike is nice too.
Now those of you who know me know that I enjoy taking an idea as far as it will go. I found this picture along with the shots of weird bicycles. I think it makes the ultimate cafe' racer. In this case, they've even deleted one of the wheels in an effort to make it lighter.
In about the same era, there were a bunch of young men running around England on their motorcycles. They would remove every unnecessary part to make it lighter and faster. They would cut the handlebars so that they could lean over on the tank for better aerodynamics. Then, in the middle of the night, they would race from cafe' to cafe' to see who was bravest or had the fastest bike. Bikes in this style became known as cafe' racers.
Recently, a business opened up in the Depot Town section of Ypsilanti that celebrates both the 40's clothing and cafe' racer bikes. Naturally, its called, Cafe' Racer. Up front, they serve coffee and tea to make up the Cafe' part of the name. They also sell unique components to help you convert your bike to a cafe' racer. In back, they work on vintage motorcycles, both repair and special projects. Overall, a very cool idea. I hope they are successful.
They did an interesting thing to help promote themselves. They have made a pin up calendar, combining the bikes and local girls in a common style. This pic is from their calendar and is my favorite. Doesn't that make you want to come visit Ypsilanti? The bike is nice too.
Now those of you who know me know that I enjoy taking an idea as far as it will go. I found this picture along with the shots of weird bicycles. I think it makes the ultimate cafe' racer. In this case, they've even deleted one of the wheels in an effort to make it lighter.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Friday, November 13, 2009
Just for Fun
This is a subset of a photo presentation that Corena sent. I just liked the bicycle based pictures best.
If I understand this one, you have to pedal backwards??
Finally, a bike tall enough for me.
I don't want to be the guy on the back. BARF!
Huh???
If I understand this one, you have to pedal backwards??
Finally, a bike tall enough for me.
I don't want to be the guy on the back. BARF!
Huh???
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
More Efficient Leaning In
One of the big pleasures of riding a motorcycle is leaning into the corners. Riding a motorcycle, you feel like you are carving turns while skiing. There is an art and a rhythm to carving out a path on a winding road that is very seductive.
On the other hand, riding a motorcycle in the wrong weather (rain, heat, or cold) can be tolerated but isn't the most pleasurable experience. Now I wouldn't want to give up the outdoor experience of a motorcycle, nor give up that perfect day when you feel you could ride forever, but as winter comes on in Michigan, I have been thinking more and more about an enclosed motorcycle to make riding possible in more conditions.
In addition to that idea, the fuel efficiency of a motorcycle, especially an enclosed one with small frontal area and excellent aerodynamics would make this a very earth friendly vehicle. I've already posted on the Peraves Cabin Motorcycles. I've got a few ideas my own to explore in the future. But in the meantime, its interesting to see that others are thinking along the same lines.
In the BMW video shown below, they mention a fuel economy of 2 liters/100 km. That translates into roughly 118 mpg, although they don't say what test was used to get this number. I'm not sure I'm into their style on this one, but the concept is neat.
The Nissan video doesn't seem to have any sound, which is appropriate for an electric vehicle. I guess the point of making a 4 wheel vehicle lean into the corner is that you can make it narrow, without having it roll over in a turn. I think the future is looking very interesting indeed.
On the other hand, riding a motorcycle in the wrong weather (rain, heat, or cold) can be tolerated but isn't the most pleasurable experience. Now I wouldn't want to give up the outdoor experience of a motorcycle, nor give up that perfect day when you feel you could ride forever, but as winter comes on in Michigan, I have been thinking more and more about an enclosed motorcycle to make riding possible in more conditions.
In addition to that idea, the fuel efficiency of a motorcycle, especially an enclosed one with small frontal area and excellent aerodynamics would make this a very earth friendly vehicle. I've already posted on the Peraves Cabin Motorcycles. I've got a few ideas my own to explore in the future. But in the meantime, its interesting to see that others are thinking along the same lines.
In the BMW video shown below, they mention a fuel economy of 2 liters/100 km. That translates into roughly 118 mpg, although they don't say what test was used to get this number. I'm not sure I'm into their style on this one, but the concept is neat.
The Nissan video doesn't seem to have any sound, which is appropriate for an electric vehicle. I guess the point of making a 4 wheel vehicle lean into the corner is that you can make it narrow, without having it roll over in a turn. I think the future is looking very interesting indeed.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
An Update on Chrysler
Recently, I've been getting questions about Chrysler. "How are things going?" "Are you guys going to make it?" "Boy, things look pretty bad."
Watching the national media, you would think the best thing for us to do would be to slit our throat. But that's not how it feels on the inside and tomorrow, the company will present the long term product plan and, hopefully, win over a few people. Or at least have them give us the benefit of the doubt.
As for the actual product plan, I don't know anymore than any journalist. In fact, management will present the plan to the public before sharing it with the employees.
But I'm feeling pretty good about the company. Of course, we could still run out of money, make mistakes, or just have the economy take to long in recovery, but I don't think its likely.
As for all that money we borrowed from the government and the union, from what I can see no one is wasting it. No one is being paid any more than before and we are all working harder and longer. No one is wasting money on new toys or fanciful projects. In fact, we still aren't spending money we eventually need to spend on facilities and maintenance. All the money is going toward making our products better and making new products. Given time, we give you cars you want to buy.
Watching the national media, you would think the best thing for us to do would be to slit our throat. But that's not how it feels on the inside and tomorrow, the company will present the long term product plan and, hopefully, win over a few people. Or at least have them give us the benefit of the doubt.
As for the actual product plan, I don't know anymore than any journalist. In fact, management will present the plan to the public before sharing it with the employees.
But I'm feeling pretty good about the company. Of course, we could still run out of money, make mistakes, or just have the economy take to long in recovery, but I don't think its likely.
As for all that money we borrowed from the government and the union, from what I can see no one is wasting it. No one is being paid any more than before and we are all working harder and longer. No one is wasting money on new toys or fanciful projects. In fact, we still aren't spending money we eventually need to spend on facilities and maintenance. All the money is going toward making our products better and making new products. Given time, we give you cars you want to buy.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
The Amish Way of Life as a Sustainable Lifestyle
Eastern Ohio has the largest Amish community in the country. As a result, I cross paths with Amish in my travels. Although I respect their privacy and don't try to take their picture, I can't help notice something of the way they live. Naturally, these photos came from the web.
The Amish I see aren't old fashioned as we might imagine. For example, the local WalMart has about 30% Amish and Mennonite shoppers when I was there. I stopped at a convenience store near Wooster to use the conveniences. There I saw a young Amish man buying one of those pre-packaged salads and a drink for his lunch. His horse and buggy were "parked" in the grass outside of the gas pumps.
On another occasion, a young family of Amish pulled up in their buggy and stopped in a parking lot. The young father brought out a bucket and sponge to wash and cool off the horse while the kids played in the buggy. A charming scene that was finished up by the father going to the Chase bank ATM to get some cash.
Actually, from what I read on the Internet, the Amish are selectively adopting technology where it fits within their lifestyle. For example, its said that 80% of Amish homes have photovoltaic panels.
If you forget about their conservative religion and their closed community and just think about their local foods, their renewable agriculture, their living in a small area with a small carbon footprint, and even their adoption of solar, it would be easy to imagine the Amish as a perfect example of a sustainable lifestyle.
Now these last pics don't have anything to do with this post, other than they popped up while I was looking for Amish images and I thought they were fun.
The logical extension of the big wheel, skinny tire trend. Now, if I could just find some chrome paint.
Titled, "Amish Speedwagon"
The Amish I see aren't old fashioned as we might imagine. For example, the local WalMart has about 30% Amish and Mennonite shoppers when I was there. I stopped at a convenience store near Wooster to use the conveniences. There I saw a young Amish man buying one of those pre-packaged salads and a drink for his lunch. His horse and buggy were "parked" in the grass outside of the gas pumps.
On another occasion, a young family of Amish pulled up in their buggy and stopped in a parking lot. The young father brought out a bucket and sponge to wash and cool off the horse while the kids played in the buggy. A charming scene that was finished up by the father going to the Chase bank ATM to get some cash.
Actually, from what I read on the Internet, the Amish are selectively adopting technology where it fits within their lifestyle. For example, its said that 80% of Amish homes have photovoltaic panels.
If you forget about their conservative religion and their closed community and just think about their local foods, their renewable agriculture, their living in a small area with a small carbon footprint, and even their adoption of solar, it would be easy to imagine the Amish as a perfect example of a sustainable lifestyle.
Now these last pics don't have anything to do with this post, other than they popped up while I was looking for Amish images and I thought they were fun.
The logical extension of the big wheel, skinny tire trend. Now, if I could just find some chrome paint.
Titled, "Amish Speedwagon"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
