interesting bikes found randomly..
- KungFooBob
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Re: interesting bikes found randomly..
Retrospective: The history of Elf motorcycles
Rétrospective : L’histoire des motos Elf - Paddock GP (paddock-gp.com)
https://www.paddock-gp.com/retrospectiv ... motos-elf/
In nearly 75 years of Grand Prix, there have been many attempts to stand out. The France is not to be outdone when it comes to the most unusual experiments, and a slew of engineers from France have tried, successfully or not, to modify the design of a motorcycle. This is the case of André de Cortanze and Elf. A unique epic that smells of the 1980s.
De Cortanze was not short of work in the late 1970s. A graduate of INSA, then hired by Renault to develop F2 and F3, he is undoubtedly one of the most promising brains of his generation. He became project manager at the Régie in 1977, and focused on the newly designed turbocharged Formula 1, partly developed thanks to the expertise of the late Jean-Pierre Jabouille, who had just left us.
At the same time, Elf, a major French oil company, is very present in the world of motorsport, and features prominently on the body of the Renault RS-01. Elf does not neglect the motorcycle world, which leads to the birth of a common idea: Why not try to produce an innovative machine, and above all, competitive?
De Cortanze, passionate about two-wheelers, is on the spot, accompanied by the cartoonist Daniel Trema. He can only note the lack of innovation in the motorcycle world, compared to Formula 1 which had changed a lot since the 1950s. The fork and tubular frames were principles of another time, which, according to him, were largely outdated. In February 1978, a UFO appeared: the Elf X.
More pics on the linked site
Rétrospective : L’histoire des motos Elf - Paddock GP (paddock-gp.com)
https://www.paddock-gp.com/retrospectiv ... motos-elf/
In nearly 75 years of Grand Prix, there have been many attempts to stand out. The France is not to be outdone when it comes to the most unusual experiments, and a slew of engineers from France have tried, successfully or not, to modify the design of a motorcycle. This is the case of André de Cortanze and Elf. A unique epic that smells of the 1980s.
De Cortanze was not short of work in the late 1970s. A graduate of INSA, then hired by Renault to develop F2 and F3, he is undoubtedly one of the most promising brains of his generation. He became project manager at the Régie in 1977, and focused on the newly designed turbocharged Formula 1, partly developed thanks to the expertise of the late Jean-Pierre Jabouille, who had just left us.
At the same time, Elf, a major French oil company, is very present in the world of motorsport, and features prominently on the body of the Renault RS-01. Elf does not neglect the motorcycle world, which leads to the birth of a common idea: Why not try to produce an innovative machine, and above all, competitive?
De Cortanze, passionate about two-wheelers, is on the spot, accompanied by the cartoonist Daniel Trema. He can only note the lack of innovation in the motorcycle world, compared to Formula 1 which had changed a lot since the 1950s. The fork and tubular frames were principles of another time, which, according to him, were largely outdated. In February 1978, a UFO appeared: the Elf X.
More pics on the linked site
Even bland can be a type of character
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Re: interesting bikes found randomly..
Arch motorcycles, founded by Gard Hollinger and the nicest man in Hollywood... Keanu Reeves.
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Re: interesting bikes found randomly..
Rather ironic that it's from 'pipeburn'
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- Taipan
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Re: interesting bikes found randomly..
So nice he didn't have the heart to sack his designer, despite multiple failings!KungFooBob wrote: ↑Sat Feb 18, 2023 2:14 pm Arch motorcycles, founded by Gard Hollinger and the nicest man in Hollywood... Keanu Reeves.
- Skub
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Re: interesting bikes found randomly..
Maybe better handling than the stock bike.....
"Be kind to past versions of yourself that didn't know what you know now."
Walt Whitman
https://soundcloud.com/skub1955
Walt Whitman
https://soundcloud.com/skub1955
- Mr Moofo
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Re: interesting bikes found randomly..
CRK body kits , I thinkKungFooBob wrote: ↑Wed Feb 15, 2023 9:38 pm Quite a contrast between the before an after pics...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255970547927
https://www.caferacerkits.co.uk/
Saw a stunning old Trophy at Brands Hatch, that looked nothing like an old slabby trophy - a bit like that above but with mandlebars.
And ridden very quickly
- Horse
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Re: interesting bikes found randomly..
You probably have to be half mad to attempt a round-the-world motorcycle ride, but you have to be certifiably bonkers if you choose to do it on a 125cc Honda Monkey. But that’s exactly what YouTuber Alan Dowsett is undertaking.
“I have already put it through loads,” explains Alan. “I rode on the Strata Florida greenlane (Wales), I rode the Malle Mile, I rode it around the UK last November, so the next stage is the world.”
To get the diminutive steed ready for such a punishing trip, Alan reached out to his followers on social media, where he goes by the name of Helmet Head, to see if anyone was willing to upgrade it.
“I have already put it through loads,” explains Alan. “I rode on the Strata Florida greenlane (Wales), I rode the Malle Mile, I rode it around the UK last November, so the next stage is the world.”
To get the diminutive steed ready for such a punishing trip, Alan reached out to his followers on social media, where he goes by the name of Helmet Head, to see if anyone was willing to upgrade it.
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- mangocrazy
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Re: interesting bikes found randomly..
I'd ensure there's an air gap between the silencer and the RH pannier. Anything at the bottom of that pannier is going to get cooked, especially in hot climates.
There is no cloud, just somebody else's computer.
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Re: interesting bikes found randomly..
I'm not entirely sure it qualifies as a motorbike but I like it.
- Horse
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Re: interesting bikes found randomly..
That tarmac survives remarkably well under the blast of the engines.
Even bland can be a type of character
- KungFooBob
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Re: interesting bikes found randomly..
I've previous described the 650 Inty as bland, but I reckon this paint job almost makes up for the ride...
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Re: interesting bikes found randomly..
I like the Interceptor,one of my mates had one,he told me to take it out for a spin one afternoon.I was surprised how heavy it was as standard,but he did some mods to it & I enjoyed it.KungFooBob wrote: ↑Thu Feb 23, 2023 7:53 pm I've previous described the 650 Inty as bland, but I reckon this paint job almost makes up for the ride...
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Re: interesting bikes found randomly..
I rode one back to back with my 500 Bullet EFI. It was like a proper motorcycle, it went, stopped and handled as well as stuff a couple of grand more expensive, I couldn't fault it.... except compared to my Bullet it was very bland.Bustaspoke wrote: ↑Thu Feb 23, 2023 8:41 pmI like the Interceptor,one of my mates had one,he told me to take it out for a spin one afternoon.I was surprised how heavy it was as standard,but he did some mods to it & I enjoyed it.KungFooBob wrote: ↑Thu Feb 23, 2023 7:53 pm I've previous described the 650 Inty as bland, but I reckon this paint job almost makes up for the ride...
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Re: interesting bikes found randomly..
My mate also had one of those WWII Paratrooper replica bikes,I think it was a 500 single,he really enjoyed it & kept telling me to have a ride on it but I wasn''t really interested.Just over a year ago along with his Panzer GS he chopped them all in for a late model GS.KungFooBob wrote: ↑Thu Feb 23, 2023 8:44 pm
I rode one back to back with my 500 Bullet EFI. It was like a proper motorcycle, it went, stopped and handled as well as stuff a couple of grand more expensive, I couldn't fault it.... except compared to my Bullet it was very bland.
With luck at some stage he might get something else that I'm interested in,but not at the moment.
- KungFooBob
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Re: interesting bikes found randomly..
I've got the 500 single Enfield and a 1200GS LC... and a GSXR1100.Bustaspoke wrote: ↑Thu Feb 23, 2023 9:28 pmMy mate also had one of those WWII Paratrooper replica bikes,I think it was a 500 single,he really enjoyed it & kept telling me to have a ride on it but I wasn''t really interested.Just over a year ago along with his Panzer GS he chopped them all in for a late model GS.KungFooBob wrote: ↑Thu Feb 23, 2023 8:44 pm
I rode one back to back with my 500 Bullet EFI. It was like a proper motorcycle, it went, stopped and handled as well as stuff a couple of grand more expensive, I couldn't fault it.... except compared to my Bullet it was very bland.
With luck at some stage he might get something else that I'm interested in,but not at the moment.
The Enfield probably gets ridden the most. It's the least effort/most fun.