HEADS ROLL AT KAWASAKI

Let the good times roll, and some heads too...

The board of directors at Kawasaki Heavy Industries has voted to sack a trio of top management.

Apart from dissenting votes from the three members involved, the rest of the board unanimously passed a resolution on 13 June to dismiss company president Satoshi Hasegawa, senior executive vice president Mitsutoshi Takao and senior vice president Masahiko Hirohata. They will formally resign their directorships at Kawasaki’s forthcoming annual general meeting.

An explanatory statement said: “This is due to arbitrary management actions of the above personnel in neglect of the view of the majority of the board of directors. The board had but to deem such actions questionable and unaligned with what the board considers as good corporate governance and compliance, and made appropriate decisions.”

Following this cull, Shigeru Murayama was elected as the new president. Murayama had previously headed up Kawasaki’s aerospace division and been a senior vice president on the main board. Motorcycle division supremo Hiroshi Takata was elevated to a senior executive vice president role, along with three other directors. Shigehiko Kiyama will take over as president of the motorcycle business.

Story first seen on www.britishdealernews.co.uk

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Nurburgring for sale- a cool £100 million

Bidding for the Nürburgring has begun, with the race track and its associated facilities expected to sell for around £100 million.

fancy a piece of The Ring? So to speak...

Constructed in 1927, the ‘Green Hell’ fell into bankruptcy last July and the track has been in need of a buyer since then. The new owner will take over 300 employees and 12.8 miles of tarmac famed for its danger and risk.

The 90-year old Nordschleife has the possibility of being sold to more than one investor, who would purchase the Nürburgring free from the £338 million worth of debt that caused the previous government-supported owners to file for bankruptcy. Currently the Nürburgring has a yearly turnover, estimated at around £50.7 million.

Can't beat a bit of Ring action...

Unique in its appeal, the Nürburgring sale has drawn protesters who voiced their opposition to the track’s private sale. Many of those protesters would rather that the Nürburgring went back into public ownership as it had been previously, securing the Nordschleife as a public facility rather than a private acquisition.

Hmm. Doing the Maths- investment paid back in two years.... (Strokes beard....)

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RIDE TO ITALY FOR THE LAST FLYING VULCAN

*British bikers prepare for 1,300 mile journey to raise money in support of the last flying Avro Vulcan, XH558
*A classic Harley Davidson Superlow® is being offered as a prize for the Vulcan summer Raffle

Bikers: raising money for the Avro Vulcan

A team of British motorcyclists will journey over 1,300 miles across Europe, from the last flying Avro Vulcan’s Doncaster Hangar to a global Harley Davidson meet in Rome, to raise money for the iconic cold war bomber. Vulcan to the Sky Trust, which operates the aircraft, has also announced that a Harley Davidson Superlow XL 833 will be one of the main prizes in this year’s summer raffle.

“As an ex-serviceman who has also done contract work for the Vulcan to the Sky Trust I am acutely aware of XH558’s historical importance,” says Adam Fleming, who will lead the group. “We are all huge fans of the project, and have been looking for ways to support her for a while. This trip ties in our enthusiasm for the Vulcan with our love of adventure, motor bikes and the Harley lifestyle, so everyone involved is really looking forward to it.”

The three day journey to the Italian capitol is part of an international pilgrimage to the 110th anniversary of Harley Davidson celebrations being held around the city. The team of 4 riders will set off on June 10th, taking their motorbikes across the channel, through France and down to Rome to meet up with thousands of other Harley aficionados. Adam, who is an experienced charity fundraiser and currently runs a recycling business, will be riding a Harley Davidson Dyna Fatbob 1690cc while sporting a specially designed one-off biker’s back patch bearing the Vulcan’s name on his leathers.

Following a challenging restoration programme, XH558 was restored to airworthiness in 2007 and is now the last flying Avro Vulcan. The stunning cold war bomber is based at Doncaster’s Robin Hood Airport where the Vulcan to the Sky Trust maintains and operates her. This iconic piece of British engineering has become one of the most popular attractions at airshows around the country where she performs annually.

“XH558 relies on donations to keep her maintained, and we are very close to the funding target to enable her to reach the first display of the 2013 season,” says Vulcan to the Sky Trust’s business development director, Michael Trotter. “Events like the ride to Rome will provide the last vital push over the line and it is great to see that members of the public are so passionate about her and wanting to get stuck in with the fundraising efforts by doing things that are a bit different and special like this.”

The Riders, with their bikes, will join XH558 for a photoshoot on Saturday 1st of June with the aim of releasing a collector’s edition poster. Adam also intends to continue his fundraising efforts after the trip by starting a Harley Davidson enthusiasts club bearing the Vulcan’s name and running regular events with XH558 as their chosen charity. The team’s motorbikes have been given a £250 service by ‘Fatboyz’, V-twin specialists in Doncaster as sponsorship for the journey.

The bike being offered as a prize at the Vulcan raffle is a classic Harley Davidson Black Superlow XL 883, a timeless design featuring a sportster tank, longer travel rear suspension, low seat height and comfortable rider cock-pit. Anyone wishing to donate towards the ride to Rome can do so through the Vulcan to the Sky Trust’s Just Giving page: http://www.justgiving.com/vts.

For more information on and to sign-up for regular email news about Vulcan XH558 and where to see her, visit www.vulcantothesky.org. To purchase a range of memorabilia, books and DVDs go to http://www.vulcantotheskystore.co.uk/ where all proceeds go towards keeping the Vulcan flying. There is also a popular Facebook community - Vulcan XH558, a Twitter feed - #XH558 and Pinterest page - vulcanxh558.

Press enquiries and interviews
Ken Pike at Market Engineering  
+44 (0) 1295 277050 / +44 (0)7810 774105 
Ken.Pike@m-eng.com

Richard Clarke at Vulcan To The Sky Trust 
+44 (0) 7541 133683
(regional and aviation press)  
richc63@ymail.com

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Son's 11,800 mile ride to lay mother's ashes in County Durham

A man is travelling thousands of miles by motorbike from Australia to County Durham to lay his mother's ashes where she was born.

Paul Brown's mother Patricia was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2004 and died in May.

She was born in Bishop Auckland in 1933 then moved to New Zealand in 1961 before moving to live with her son in Australia after she was diagnosed.He now plans to travel 11,800 miles (19,000km) from his home on Australia's Sunshine Coast to Bishop Auckland on his motorbike. The 51-year-old will carry her ashes across Australia, Russia and Europe before ending his journey near to Westerton in Bishop Auckland.

'Feeling of relief'

He said: "This is something I have to do, not only for my mum and her family but for all suffers of Alzheimer's and dementia.

"The sad part is from that point on you watch helplessly as this person you know as your mother slowly become a shell with no memory or recollection of anything.

Patricia Brown was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2004

"She started in a low care ward before moving to high care once she lost the ability to walk. "For the last few years she just lay there. "I suppose the one saving grace is that when they finally pass away it hasn't come as a shock unlike if they are killed in a car crash. "It is sad that you kind of feel relieved for them because, when the dementia is in its advanced state, it is no way to live and you just hope they have gone to a far better place."

Mr Brown sold his car to help fund the trek and completed the first section of the journey during April - a 4,600 mile (7,500km) ride around eastern Australia.

Once his bike has been shipped to Korea, he will fly there, collect it and is expecting to begin the major leg of the journey in June.

He hopes to reach the north-east of England in September when he plans to lay his mother's ashes next to his grandmother's ashes in St James' Church in Coundon.

'Soul-destroying disease'

Armed with a sleeping bag, tent, food and drink, he said one of the biggest tests has been administration.

"The biggest challenge so far was finding out just how to go about getting bikes into Russia, all the paperwork I might need such as passports, visas and insurance," he said.

"Also travelling alone in a place like Russia brings its own worries, not only for me but my family back in Australia." Mr Brown is raising money and awareness for Neuroscience Research Australia and The Alzheimer's Society. "It's not so much the money, it's more making people aware of this soul-destroying disease and if we don't do something shortly our health system is going to struggle."

The new Mad Max helmet from Shark. Sorry, the new Raw from Shark...

Looking like something straight out of a Mad-Max movie this new helmet from Shark can be worn with or without the Goggles and with or without the face mask. We think it looks very cool indeed and really like the different paint schemes available.

Check 'em here

Mad Max movie extras standard issue?

Here's the Manufacturers words: (By the way, 'comfortable natural fibre interior' means 'Bamboo' to me and you....)

• An urban biking helmet that combines compactness and great looks.
• Comfortable natural fibre interior and ventilation system using air vents and diffusers.
• QRGS: quick release goggle system
• Double anti-fog and antiscratch visor
• Facial protection mask
• Aerodynamic outer shell
• Easy fit for glasses under the goggles

Side view of the Shark Raw- Bad Ass ain't it!

• Constructed from injected thermoplastic resin
• Outside anti-scratch & inside anti-fog visor treatment
• Quick release visor system
• 2 shell sizes: optimal morphological adjustment
• Micro lock buckle system
• Use the 'delicates' or 'cold cycl'e and place inside a washing net
• Planned location for SHARKTOOTH®

Retro Racer Profile: Bill Ivy

Bill Ivy, not usually talked about as much as the likes of Read, Sheene and Agositini, but Ivy could hold his own amongst the best of them.

Bill Ivy, over 20 GP wins

William David Ivy better known as Bill Ivy (27 August 1942–12 July 1969) was a British Grand Prix motorcycle road racer from Maidstone, Kent.

Bill Ivy

Ivy started racing motorbikes at Brands Hatch in 1959. He raced in the Grand Prix motorcycle racing championship towards the end of 1965, where he finished fourth in two 125 cc races and third in a 250 cc race. In 1966, he raced for the works Yamaha team, won the first race of the year at the Montjuich Circuit in Spain, and took three more wins—not enough, however, to beat Swiss rider Luigi Taveri, who beat Ivy to the title by six points.
In 1967, Ivy dominated the 125 cc championship: he won eight out of twelve races to claim the World Championship by 16 points over Phil Read. On top of this, he won two 250 cc races in France and Belgium.

In 1968, Ivy and teammate Phil Read controlled both the 125 and 250 cc championships. In the process Ivy also became the first 125cc rider to lap the famous Isle Of Man TT Mountain Course at over 100 mph. As the season progressed, Yamaha ordered them to win one title each, with Ivy scheduled to win the 250 cc championship and Read the 125 cc championship. After securing the 125 cc title, Read ignored Yamaha's orders to tie with Ivy on points. The tie break was decided on overall race times, and Read took the title.

Bill Ivy

Ivy announced his retirement from motorcycle racing, stating he would race Formula Two cars during the next season. Despite showing some impressive results in Formula Two, he was enticed back to motorcycling by an offer from Jawa in 1969 to race their 350 cc motorcycle. The season started promising, as he took two second places behind Giacomo Agostini. 

However, during practice for the fifth race, on the Sachsenring in East Germany, Ivy was touring back to the paddock with his helmet resting on the tank when his motorcycle's engine seized. He was thrown from the bike, sustained massive head injuries, and died in hospital.


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London's Salon Privé - lovely bikes and lobster luncheon

Approaching its eighth year in 2013, Salon Privé takes place from the 4th to 6th of September at West London’s Syon Park and is firmly established as the UK’s most prestigious Luxury Super Car Show & Concours d’Elégance.  Several new product debuts, as well as the Chubb Insurance Concours d’Elégance, the Art and Memorabilia Fayre, and a host of exclusive luxury goods exhibits place Salon Privé among the leading automotive shows of the world, alongside the U.S.’s Pebble Beach and Italy’s Villa d’Este.  www.salonprivelondon.com

Following last year’s outstanding success of the motorcycle classes at Salon Privé, the Chubb Insurance Concours d’Elégance is delighted to welcome back the two-wheel category in 2013.  A broad category of ‘Sporting Motorcycles’ together with ‘Oddballs and One-Offs’ will make up this year’s two motorcycle classes.

Yves Campion’s 1932 Moto Gillet

Among the highlight entrants already signed up for the ‘Sporting’ class is 1960s racer, Reg Everett, who achieved many successes on Greeves and Yamaha bikes, notching up 25 wins out of fifty rostrum places.  Reg is entering an extremely rare 1964 250cc Yamaha TD1A racer – the first racing Yamaha in the country, and one that gave him a famous victory over Brands Hatch champion, Derek Minter, on his home turf. 

Reg Everett’s 1964 Yamaha TD1A 250cc

Among the Oddball class early entries is a unique 1953 Norton Tom Tom, entered by renowned Norton single-cylinder specialist and author of ‘Flat Tank Norton’, Dr George Cohen.  In addition, Belgian motorcycle author Yves Campion has entered a seldom seen 1932 Moto Gillet, presented in a condition that has to be seen to be believed.

Dr George Cohen’s 1953 Norton Tom Tom

Custom motorbike builder Allen Millyard is entering the ‘Flying Millyard’ 5-litre Vee-Twin Engine, following his success with a class-winning 100cc Honda in 2012.  The cylinders for this year’s creation are from a 1930s Pratt and Whitney radial aircraft engine, with everything else hand made. Allen is currently building a 1930s style board racer around the engine.

The ‘Flying Millyard’ 5-litre Vee-Twin engine under construction in Allen Millyard’s workshop

With the above and many more continuing to be entered to the ever-growing Chubb Insurance Concours d’Elégance motorcycle classes at Salon Privé, 2013 is already shaping up to be another exceptional year for both bikes and cars on the lawns of Syon Park in September.  

Entries may still be accepted for the Chubb Insurance Concours d’Elégance, for more information on entering a car or motorbike please visit http://www.salonprivelondon.com/concours/register.asp 

Tickets for Salon Privé can be purchased at www.salonprivelondon.com or by calling the Ticket Hotline on 0808 100 2205.  Entry is fully inclusive of Pommery champagne, lobster luncheon, English afternoon tea and full access to all areas. 

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Motorcycle Industry Trade News snippets

A couple of interesting stories emerging from our trade pals at British Dealer News:

UK built Peregrine Motorcycle debuts at NEC Show


The Peregrine ‘OW16 Replica’.

Retro style, modern technology

Nowhere else in the UK can you get your hands on a brand-new, hand built, parade eligible, fully road-legal two-stroke sportster. The ‘OW16 Replica’ combines authentic, classic Yamaha race bike looks with a subtly updated specification that brings the riding and owning experience firmly into the 21st century.

How the original Yamaha OW16 looked

Its on-the-road price is expected to be around £19,000 and can be built to your specifications- available Spring this year!

www.peregrinemotorcycles.co.uk


First Chinese TT Racer

Race version of this expected to debut at the TT in June

WK Bikes plans to enter the first Chinese motorcycle to race in the Isle of Man TT. Though the entry had not been made at the time of writing, WK’s general manager Henry Maplethorpe says this is serious intent and an entry would be sought following initial track testing.

The race bike, a WK650 twin version of the one in the picture above, was displayed at Motorcycle Live. It is being prepared by WK dealer Hampshire Motorcycles in Waterlooville for the  Supertwin TT race, rider yet to be named. 'The ultimate aim is to produce an off-the-peg budget racer for £7000', said Maplethorpe.

Ex-Racer buys Matchless


Veteran Italian entrepreneur and ex-racer Franco Malenotti, who sold the Belstaff apparel brand he had owned since 2004 to Swiss luxury goods and fashion group Labelux last Year, has satisfied his taste for iconic British bike-related brands for a second time, emerging as new proprietor of the historic Matchless motorcycle marque. Matchless, founded in 1899 by the Collier family and builder of the first single-cylinder TT winner in 1907, was acquired by AMC in 1938 and continued in production until 1966, when AMC went bust.

Matchless G80- something like this to be produced again?

The marque re-emerged in 1987 when Les Harris needed a replacement product after his licence to manufacture Meriden- style Triumph twins expired. Harris then produced a Matchless G80-monikered 500cc single with an Austrian-made Rotax motor and Italian parts-bin running gear until 1990.

After a further 16 years of oblivion, the name subsequently changed hands again when it was auctioned by Bonhams for £45,000 in 2006. The buyers were a quartet of Greek motorcycle enthusiasts - Panagiotis Mariolopoulos, Nikolaos Stoumbos, Ilayali Galani and Panagiotis Zarifopoulos. However, their fantasy of using the marque on a range of modern bikes never came to fruition.

Malenotti says that he plans to revive the marque with an initial limited-edition production run of a retro Matchless bike inspired by the 1960s-era G8O. He also reportedly adds that a part of the new Matchless business plan centres on having an extensive apparel and accessories line to accompany motorcycles, making the new company very much an exercise in vintage motorcycle lifestyle branding.  

This latest Malenotti enterprise is apparently to be based in London, but perhaps not Plumstead, Where the original factor was located. 

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