Innholdsfortegnelse for #337 17-09 i Just Bikes

When Harley-Davidson launched their entry-level Street range back in 2013, it was available in both 500cc and 750cc versions. Australia only received the smaller capacity model, but that’s set to change this May, when the ‘Street Rod’ 750cc version arrives here. Defined by a larger capacity engine, the Street Rod also features a more sportsoriented chassis geometry and riding position, Dark Custom styling, unique 17-inch wheels at both ends, upgraded suspension and ABS braking. BIGGER BROTHER While based heavily on the chassis and liquid-cooled Revolution X v-twin powerplant of the Street 500 (the two models were developed in tandem), the Street Rod features a number of notable changes over its sibling, as Harley-Davidson Chief Engineer Mathew Weber explains: “The Street Rod’s new High Output Revolution X 750 has got hot…

This year’s third annual Camp Quality Convoy Victoria is scheduled for Sunday, 30 April, with organisers putting the call out for more motorcyclists to join the charity ride. The Convoy sees trucks and motorcycles travel from Avalon Airport near Geelong to Tabcorp Park in Melton South for a family fun day. Last year, 374 trucks and 40 motorcyclists took part. This year, organisers are hoping 200 riders and 500 trucks will get involved. Money raised from participants’ registrations, along with entry fees and donations from fun day attendees, will go towards Camp Quality initiatives. In only its second year in 2016, the event raised over $100,000. This year, the goal is to raise $150,000 - enough to send 150 Victorian kids growing up with cancer to Camp Quality camps throughout…

MONZA IMPORTS You’ve likely seen Alpinestars’ rider air bag safety system in action in MotoGP, or featured in overseas motorcycling magazines. Now, you can get it here, as Alpinestars distributors, Monza Imports, have announced that the new Tech-Air system is available through selected Alpinestars stockists in Australia. What it is The world’s first and only fully independent air bag system, Tech-Air offers complete upper torso protection – chest, back, kidney area, ribs and shoulders – for both street and track use. The system consists of a vest, worn under a compatible Alpinestars outer garment (note: it’s not designed to work with any type or brand of riding jacket), that contains a pair of gas cylinders. These inflate the air bag sections when inbuilt sensors determine a sudden loss of stability…

A quick scan of the results from the Phillip Island season opener for this year’s Motul FIM World Superbike Championship may seem a case of “same old”, as last year’s round winner Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team) once again took the chocolates, but the wins certainly weren’t as easy as they might have looked on paper. In World Supersport, it was “old” of a different sort as fans were treated to one of the most dynamic and action-packed races at Phillip Island for many years, capped by the “oldest” final podium in the category’s history. With good weather across all three days, the official crowd figure for the 24-26 February event was 60,101. NEW AND OLD The 2017 Motul FIM World Superbike Championship season got underway at Phillip Island with…

Motorcycling has lost one of its most popular and important champions in John Surtees, who passed away on 10 March, aged 83. A seven-time World Champion with MV Agusta, Surtees’s achievements in 350cc and 500cc competition were impressive enough, but the Brit transcended two-wheel motorsport to also become a Formula 1 World Champion. Born into a motorsport family in 1934, Surtees first got a taste for motorcycle competition at 14, as passenger on his father’s sidecar outfit. After showing his solo riding skills, Surtees joined Norton, making his Grand Prix debut at the Ulster TT in 1952. His first race win came in the 250cc class three years later, also at Ulster. However, frustrated by a lack of development at Norton, Surtees switched to MV Agusta for 1956; the change…

After a big 40th event in 2016, this year’s 41st All British Rally (ABR) is looking like it’ll be a big one, too. Presented by the BSA Motorcycle Owner’s Association, the 2017 ABR will be held at Newstead, Victoria, this 22 and 23 April, with the hub and campground for the Britbike fest being the Old Newstead Racecourse. The largest all-British motorcycle rally in the southern hemisphere, the ABR welcomes British bikes of all types and ages for two big days of activities that includes rides throughout the region, the popular Newstead street display (Saturday, 22 April), as well as trade stalls, merchandise, food and entertainment at the campground. The campground opens on 21 April and is exclusive to British bikes, but there is a separate parking facility for cars…

With the modern custom motorcycle scene awash with café racers, bobbers and street trackers, it’s refreshing to see a builder take a different tack. What you’re looking at here is simply dubbed “Rocket” and is the work of a Spanish builder with an impressive – and extensive – history in custom bike building. PEPO STYLE Based in Spain, Pepo Rosell creates custom parts and builds one-off bikes under the ‘XTR’ banner, with an output that’s nothing less than impressive. After starting in straight restorations in the 1990s, Pepo switched to bespoke builds at the start of the new millennium. While customs of all sorts rolled out of XTR Pepo’s workshop, the Spaniard soon developed a knack for stylish one-offs inspired by race bikes. These included customs named after famous race…

Following on from a series of limited and special edition Scouts released by Indian Motorcycle Australia, the latest one was announced in late February: the ‘Indian Scout Franklin Edition’. Taking its name from Charles B. Franklin, the designer of the original 1920 Indian Scout, the modern tribute features a number of unique styling touches said to be inspired by the original Scout. Leading the way is an ‘Indian Red’ treatment on the fuel tank and mudguards, with a vintage Indian script logo in gold on the fuel tank and gold coachlines on the tank and guards. The chunky front and rear rims are painted black (with chromed spokes), and there’s also a tractor-style sprung solo saddle trimmed in real leather. Mechanical and other specs are unaltered, meaning a 74.7kW/97.7Nm 1133cc…

In the US, January is the first big auction “season” of the year, mainly in Arizona, where major auction houses conduct expansive sales of classic and collectable cars. In neighbouring Nevada, motorcycles are the focus, with two big sales run by Bonhams and Mecum in the gambling capital of Las Vegas. BIGGER SHOW As reported last issue, Bonhams’ sale saw almost 350 motorcycles consigned, but this was dwarfed by Mecum’s four-day auction this past 25 – 28 January, which attracted more than 1,000 motorcycles, plus related collectables and memorabilia. As with Bonhams’ sale, there was plenty to choose from in Mecum’s Vegas auction, from old to virtually new, big to small, familiar names to forgotten rarities. While marques like Vincent and Brough Superior continue to sell well (a ’49 Vincent…

Six decades is a long time to go without anything, but for fans of motorcycle beach racing, the 64 years they’ve waited for competition to return to Sellicks Beach in South Australia must have seemed like an eternity! This past February, that drought was finally broken when racing returned to the historic seaside location, attracting a healthy turn-out of both entrants and spectators that organisers hope will see the event become a regular fixture. SELLICKS REVIVED Sellicks Beach first saw racing, in the form of local-level speed record attempts, in the early 1900s, followed by annual speed trials organised by the Levis (motorcycle) Social Club and held from 1924 until 1953. Following that, tributes were held in 1986 and 1992, but these were display and reenactment events only, not competition.…