Well, here we are. Only a matter of a few weeks since the Coalition’s austerity programme was announced and already there’s been widespread ConDem-Nation (woo, go me) and a small riot during a London protest. That riot, one would assume judging by the tone of the media coverage it received, was tantamount to the Storming Of The Bastille but it resulted, in fact, in nothing more serious than a few windows broken by hyperactive students, a renegade fire extinguisher obeying the laws of physics and some police-issue Kevlar underwear suffering mild distress.
Anyway, as a result of these swingeing cuts (great word, swingeing – I just wish I knew what it meant) we’re all going to have to tighten our belts. I’ve had to stop using the top 3000rpm on the ZX-10R to conserve fuel (which means it takes me nearly 0:47 minutes longer to get to work), and have initiated a campaign of maintaining an economic rate of front tyre wear by keeping the thing aloft as much as possible. Worst of all, Streetfighters Towers is now operating exclusively on low-cost budget toilet paper made of recycled Honda service manuals...
Read the rest of this Fighting Talk in SF203, and then add your comments here...
Thursday, 16 December 2010
Two Strokes Are Enough
A phenomenon of the 21st century (in fact of the digital age where the proles expect, and are expected, to have their entire personal life on public display on the internet) is the blog.
Now, many are life-sapping diaries of dull, keyboard-tapping souls who spend their waking hours in front of a computer monitor, but others are inspirational collections of pictures and quips that inspire you to unmanacle yourself from the PC, and go out and do something exciting.
Here's one - the 2 Stroke Bike Blog (found here ), and as the name suggests, it focuses on motorcycles powered by a two stroke engine. Any motorcycles, from ex-Sheene Grand Prix beasts, to modified Eastern Bloc commuters. Every smoker's dream...
Now, many are life-sapping diaries of dull, keyboard-tapping souls who spend their waking hours in front of a computer monitor, but others are inspirational collections of pictures and quips that inspire you to unmanacle yourself from the PC, and go out and do something exciting.
Here's one - the 2 Stroke Bike Blog (found here ), and as the name suggests, it focuses on motorcycles powered by a two stroke engine. Any motorcycles, from ex-Sheene Grand Prix beasts, to modified Eastern Bloc commuters. Every smoker's dream...
Wednesday, 15 December 2010
Internally 'Charged
There's many wierd and wonderful things to be found on the internet. And some of them involve motorcycles.
This motorcycle was once a GS500. Until, that is, it was acquired by Matthew Neal and Prabesh Prandey, to use in their mechanical engineering design project at San Francisco University. Using convenional student wisdom, their project is most definitely 'outside the box' (and yes, that is a truly horrid turn of phrase). Their plan was to supercharge the little Suzuki, but instead of using an external (and conventional) supercharger, they've instead used one cylinder as the compressor...
You can find out more about this astounding project from the blog here
This motorcycle was once a GS500. Until, that is, it was acquired by Matthew Neal and Prabesh Prandey, to use in their mechanical engineering design project at San Francisco University. Using convenional student wisdom, their project is most definitely 'outside the box' (and yes, that is a truly horrid turn of phrase). Their plan was to supercharge the little Suzuki, but instead of using an external (and conventional) supercharger, they've instead used one cylinder as the compressor...
You can find out more about this astounding project from the blog here
Obituary of a CBR...
Faithful readers (as, no doubt, you all are) will have already seen the feature on Jon 'CBRRRT' Lungley's Blade in SF203...
However, given that we are limited in the number of pages we have each month, we don't get chance to tell you about all the issues encountered during the build. Rather conveniently, Jon ran a build thread on his Blade on the Custard Fighters forum - here as well as at the upside-downies forum at www.streetfighters.com.au/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID+12308
Being the friendly, co-operative type, Jon has also ran a thread on how easy it is to fit a single-sided swinging arm into a Honda FireBlade, and that's here
However, given that we are limited in the number of pages we have each month, we don't get chance to tell you about all the issues encountered during the build. Rather conveniently, Jon ran a build thread on his Blade on the Custard Fighters forum - here as well as at the upside-downies forum at www.streetfighters.com.au/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID+12308
Being the friendly, co-operative type, Jon has also ran a thread on how easy it is to fit a single-sided swinging arm into a Honda FireBlade, and that's here
Thursday, 9 December 2010
Going Down(hill)
While neither of these variations on two-wheeled lunacy are especially connected to streetfighters, a significant number of motorcycle hoodlums enjoy riding off-road, whether it be motocross, enduro or trials. And there's an ever-increasing number who're getting hooked on the joys on downhill mountain biking. Watch this video and you'll realise why...
Friday, 3 December 2010
SF203
Subscribers will have already received their copy, unless they're truly snowed-in, and the new issue is also on sale at the Streetfighters stand (X10) at Motorcycle Live at Birmingham's NEC.
Containing a shed-load of stunning feature bikes including the red hot turbo Bandit cover bike, plus the first of two reports from Fighterama, a comprehensive guide to loads of suspension goodies, a report from a totally barking French hillclimb plus all the usual project bike and race reports and childish malarky...
Thursday, 25 November 2010
Motorcycle Live! At the NEC
The International Motorcycle Show at Birmingham's NEC, this year having the exciting 'Motorcycle Live!' title, begins on Saturday. The SF team will be setting up the Custom Xtreme display tomorrow, showcasing thirteen of the UK's best streetfighters alongside a further thirteen of the country's best custom bikes as organised by Back Street Heroes.
Those of you who have seen the floor plan contained within this week's copy of 'the country's favourite motorcycling newspaper' may have noticed that we're not actually listed as Streetfighters or BSH (Yeah, thanks for that MCN!), but you will find us listed as 'Ocean Media'. Either way, we're located at stand X10, smack bang in the middle of Hall 4 and between Piaggio and Honda and the 'Get On' training zone.
At the Custom Xtreme display, you'll be able to see, amongst others, Lee Workman's Yoshi GSX-R (the cover bike from issue 200), Sammy's Pink Bits(a) Gixer and Tony Taysom's angular GSX from the same landmark issue, the turbo Bandit from the last ish and 203's centrespread bike, a trick-framed GSX1400. The new issue will also be avaiable at the show, along with some new merchandise.
See you there!
Those of you who have seen the floor plan contained within this week's copy of 'the country's favourite motorcycling newspaper' may have noticed that we're not actually listed as Streetfighters or BSH (Yeah, thanks for that MCN!), but you will find us listed as 'Ocean Media'. Either way, we're located at stand X10, smack bang in the middle of Hall 4 and between Piaggio and Honda and the 'Get On' training zone.
At the Custom Xtreme display, you'll be able to see, amongst others, Lee Workman's Yoshi GSX-R (the cover bike from issue 200), Sammy's Pink Bits(a) Gixer and Tony Taysom's angular GSX from the same landmark issue, the turbo Bandit from the last ish and 203's centrespread bike, a trick-framed GSX1400. The new issue will also be avaiable at the show, along with some new merchandise.
See you there!
Wednesday, 24 November 2010
Veidec Vids
Blatantly blagged from the King Racing website, this is a lovely video from the Veidec racing featival in Sweden. Although the video states that it's nitro bikes, there's other stuff, like ProStockers, in it as well.
There's some beautiful slo-mo footage, and plenty of proof that the Pro bikes don't always go as straight as the riders would like...
There's some beautiful slo-mo footage, and plenty of proof that the Pro bikes don't always go as straight as the riders would like...
Friday, 12 November 2010
Stunt Starz feat Chesca Miles
Couldn't get enough of Chesca Miles, our featured babelicious stunt rider this month? No, us neither.
Well here she is in glorious technicolour moving image, out practicing with partner Alstar. Check out www.stuntstarz.co.uk or look up Stunt Starz on Facebook for more. And of course, if you haven't already, go out and buy SF #202 for our exclusive interview. With naughty pics! Wibble.
Well here she is in glorious technicolour moving image, out practicing with partner Alstar. Check out www.stuntstarz.co.uk or look up Stunt Starz on Facebook for more. And of course, if you haven't already, go out and buy SF #202 for our exclusive interview. With naughty pics! Wibble.
Thursday, 11 November 2010
Fighting Talk 202
Despite our incessant whining over the issues that motorcyclists face in everyday life, it's actually been over a decade since we last had any great threat to the lifestyle of the inveterate motorcycle tinkerer, and while the huge Euro Demos of the time were, seemingly, effective in ridding us of the threats of power limits and anti-tampering regulations, nobody was under the illusion that the suits in power in Brussels were going to leave us alone for the rest of time...
So none of you should be surprised at the recent announcement by the European Commission, which intends to implement regulations that restrict modifications made to motorcycles – a move eerily close to the proposed anti-tampering legislation of a decade or so ago.
As has become common practice amongst those who, seemingly, create new legislation in order to keep themselves in a job, rather than pass on a consultation document to parties with an interest (and knowledge of) the area in question, they keep it quiet, whisper amongst themselves and hope that no-one who is likely to disagree with their aims ever hears about the legislation in question.
Luckily for us, we have our eyes and ears amongst both the British and European parliaments, and although they couldn't be seen as being quite as exciting as international espionage – we haven't quite got a mole in Whitehall, or even a badger in Brussels (although we do have a stoat in Amsterdam…W) – the work that the Motorcycle Action Group and the British Motorcyclists Federation do is invaluable for the future of motorcycling...
Read the rest of this Fighting Talk in SF202
So none of you should be surprised at the recent announcement by the European Commission, which intends to implement regulations that restrict modifications made to motorcycles – a move eerily close to the proposed anti-tampering legislation of a decade or so ago.
As has become common practice amongst those who, seemingly, create new legislation in order to keep themselves in a job, rather than pass on a consultation document to parties with an interest (and knowledge of) the area in question, they keep it quiet, whisper amongst themselves and hope that no-one who is likely to disagree with their aims ever hears about the legislation in question.
Luckily for us, we have our eyes and ears amongst both the British and European parliaments, and although they couldn't be seen as being quite as exciting as international espionage – we haven't quite got a mole in Whitehall, or even a badger in Brussels (although we do have a stoat in Amsterdam…W) – the work that the Motorcycle Action Group and the British Motorcyclists Federation do is invaluable for the future of motorcycling...
Read the rest of this Fighting Talk in SF202
Tuesday, 9 November 2010
One memory of Fighterama...
... but more are appearing through the fug.
There'll be loads more pics in issue 203!
There'll be loads more pics in issue 203!
Streetfighter & Stunt Fest @ Wembley
Here tis, the video of the event. Filmed and edited by Matthieu Ferreira, it's essential watching if you weren't there and essential watching if you were. Either way, it's essential...
Thursday, 4 November 2010
Rrrrrrunaround... Now!
There's been a slight lack of posts here on the SF blog of late, as Will and MDM prepare themselves for a weekend of Continental debauchery.
Will's heading to Italia, to check out the bikes at the Milan show which, besides being the manufacturers' venue of choice to reveal the new European market machines, also has a big custom bike show.
Meanwhile, MDM and the advertising Js are hitching a lift with merchandising guru Glyn, piloting the fun bus through the night to get to Fighterama by tomorrow morning.
Consequently, there'll be no posts on here until sleep has been caught up on and hangovers banished...
Will's heading to Italia, to check out the bikes at the Milan show which, besides being the manufacturers' venue of choice to reveal the new European market machines, also has a big custom bike show.
Meanwhile, MDM and the advertising Js are hitching a lift with merchandising guru Glyn, piloting the fun bus through the night to get to Fighterama by tomorrow morning.
Consequently, there'll be no posts on here until sleep has been caught up on and hangovers banished...
Monday, 25 October 2010
SF202
Streetfighters issue 202 is grinding its way through the printing presses as we speak, ready for departure on Pat's van on Thursday to head to subscribers front door mats.
Containing dynamic pics of streetfightered motorcycles from aroud the globe (the Blackbird on the cover, an LC from the Midlands, a Gixer from the east coast, an ultra trick GSX1400, a Katana-style Bandit, a Yam from the flatlands of Holland and one of the maddest GSX-Rs you've ever seen, amongst others) reports from the European Stunt Competition and north-east America's FighterFest, plus the regular updates on drag racing, circuit racing and the onrunning project bikes, it's essential bedtime reading for the cold Autumn evenings...
SF202, on sale in newsagents from Thursday November 4th.
Wednesday, 20 October 2010
South West Stunters
We'll be bringing you the full details of the European Stunt Competition from the South West Motorcycle Show in the next issue (out next week, hint hint), but here's a taster video courtesy of Kiff at Deviant Videos...
A Quick Breather...
... from the deadline chaos, means we can drop in a few pics from the Custom Paint Shop...
We'll be bringing yoummore more details on the Custom Paint Shop in the next issue!
We'll be bringing yoummore more details on the Custom Paint Shop in the next issue!
Wednesday, 13 October 2010
SF201 Fighting Talk
While we've always been more than happy to get involved in political rants in our Fighting Talk editorial column, here at Streetfighters we're not really the sort of mag to plagiarise other publications' publicity drives, and we tend to leave the motorcycle industry to get on with its own self-promotion too.
Recently, there's been something of a drive by both the MCIA (Motorcycle Industry Association) and Britain's Most Popular Motorcycling newspaper (ie Britain's only motorcycling paper) to encourage more people to take up motorcycling, both as a hobby and as an environmentally-friendly and economic way to commute to work. And they have good reason.
The number of new riders coming into motorcycling has plummeted faster than Shell Petroleum's street cred over the last year or so (estimates suggest that the number of completed tests in the UK is down by 60%, that's fifty thousand fewer people gaining their bike licence over just one year!), partly due to the horrendous weather last winter, but primarily due to the new half-arsed approach to the testing system, as brought in in April last year. Not only were the number of test centres reduced (thus forcing some people to have to travel in excess of 100 miles to get to their nearest centre), but changes in the test itself (including a compulsory 'brake and swerve' test that had to be undertaken, even in wet weather) dissuaded many people from bothering. Fortunately, it appears that the testing procedure is now being reviewed, but is this too little, too late?
Now, no-one who reads this magazine got into motorcycling because of economic reasons or environmental concerns, but because it is FUN. Nobody who has ever ridden motorcycles needs to be told how great they are (although our little corner of biking is particularly exciting, thanks to all the one-off machinery and some rather extreme engineering and power outputs). But, it could also be said, that many of us have become a bit jaded with bikes over the years – we've accepted that modern bikes have prodigious amounts of power, razor-sharp handling and brakes that can stop the world from spinning on its axis, but many of us can't remember what it was like to just get out on a bike, any bike, and the liberating sense of freedom that it brings...
Read the rest of this Fighting Talk in SF 201, on sale now
Recently, there's been something of a drive by both the MCIA (Motorcycle Industry Association) and Britain's Most Popular Motorcycling newspaper (ie Britain's only motorcycling paper) to encourage more people to take up motorcycling, both as a hobby and as an environmentally-friendly and economic way to commute to work. And they have good reason.
The number of new riders coming into motorcycling has plummeted faster than Shell Petroleum's street cred over the last year or so (estimates suggest that the number of completed tests in the UK is down by 60%, that's fifty thousand fewer people gaining their bike licence over just one year!), partly due to the horrendous weather last winter, but primarily due to the new half-arsed approach to the testing system, as brought in in April last year. Not only were the number of test centres reduced (thus forcing some people to have to travel in excess of 100 miles to get to their nearest centre), but changes in the test itself (including a compulsory 'brake and swerve' test that had to be undertaken, even in wet weather) dissuaded many people from bothering. Fortunately, it appears that the testing procedure is now being reviewed, but is this too little, too late?
Now, no-one who reads this magazine got into motorcycling because of economic reasons or environmental concerns, but because it is FUN. Nobody who has ever ridden motorcycles needs to be told how great they are (although our little corner of biking is particularly exciting, thanks to all the one-off machinery and some rather extreme engineering and power outputs). But, it could also be said, that many of us have become a bit jaded with bikes over the years – we've accepted that modern bikes have prodigious amounts of power, razor-sharp handling and brakes that can stop the world from spinning on its axis, but many of us can't remember what it was like to just get out on a bike, any bike, and the liberating sense of freedom that it brings...
Read the rest of this Fighting Talk in SF 201, on sale now
Tuesday, 12 October 2010
Bonehead
There's several reasons why so many people chose a Suzuki Bandit when they're thinking of owning a naked performance bike. There's the fact that they wheelie like a good un; the engine is emminently tunable; it's a piece of gateaux to swap the front end for something trick and upside-down; and there's probably more bolt-on parts available than any other model of bike.
But it's never, ever for the reason of putting on a headlight like this one...
But it's never, ever for the reason of putting on a headlight like this one...
Friday, 8 October 2010
Sorcerer's Apprentice...
Many of you will remember the utterly superb 'Judge' - the turbocharged ZX-9R as built by Australia's Extreme Creations. Since we featured the bike, it's remained in use, and recently went for a check up on the dyno...
Ouch. As you can see, oil pouring out of a huge hole ripped in the crankcases by a conrod that didn't want to be in there anymore was ignited when it splattered over the turbo. The incident was caused by an oil filter collapsing and restricting oil flow to the bottom end of the motor. Remember people, disposable filters that are changed regularly are that way for a reason...
For those of you who can devote a bit more time at work to watching videos, here's the full footage of the dyno day. The Judge is on at about 2 mins 30...
Ouch. As you can see, oil pouring out of a huge hole ripped in the crankcases by a conrod that didn't want to be in there anymore was ignited when it splattered over the turbo. The incident was caused by an oil filter collapsing and restricting oil flow to the bottom end of the motor. Remember people, disposable filters that are changed regularly are that way for a reason...
For those of you who can devote a bit more time at work to watching videos, here's the full footage of the dyno day. The Judge is on at about 2 mins 30...
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