In December 2007 I wrote about steampunk motorcycles. It was a wildly popular post and, to this day, is my most-viewed post ever. Back then steampunk wasn’t necessarily a new concept, but was quickly gaining speed in becoming a massively popular trend.
Since then, the steampunk movement has become it’s own subculture, popular among goths, punks, cybergoths, rivetheads, gamers, and geeks. It has influenced fashion, art, books and movies and there was even a steampunk cruise on Sydney Harbor for those who dress up wearing cool goggles and their neo-Victorian best.
a fine example of steampunk fashion (from the LiveJournal Steampunk community)
So, what is steampunk?
The literal definition of steampunk is: a genre of science fiction set in Victorian times when steam was the main source of machine power. But the original idea of steampunk came from scientific, fantasy novels written by H.G Wells and Jules Vern. A facet of steampunk culture is comprised of modifying a modern object (computers, ipods, guitars & amps, etc.) using materials like old cogs & gears, rivets, polished brass, iron, and wood.
Some of the motorcycles highlighted here may not necessarily been created with steampunk specifically in mind, but the end result of the design can easily fall into the category.
The Whirlygig Emoto is a steam-electric hybrid motorcycle that actually doesn’t “go” using steam, it’s propelled by propane and batteries. You can read my original post about it and even watch video of it in action!
Whirlygig Emoto
Dave Geertsen’s metal sculpture on wheels. There are more photos of his creation at bentwheel.com.
Dave Geertsen's steampunk creation
Choi Minsoo’s steampunk motorcycle is a hybrid motorcycle powered by gasoline and electricity, and the big box on the bike probably holds the batteries.
Bike builder Chicara Nagata hand-crafts every element on these bikes that he can, except for the antique drivetrains he uses. There are almost 500 parts on each bike and fabricating each part and assembling it can take Nagata up to 7,500 hours per bike, which cost a cool million each.
Chicara Art Classic 1
Chicara Art Classic 2
Chicara Art Classic 3
Chicara Art Classic 4
Are you drooling yet? I don’t know about you, but I don’t have a spare million for one of Chicara’s bikes (although I wish I did!).
More, more, more Steampunk
So do you think Steampunk is the coolest thing you’ve ever seen, or you just don’t get it and you want to learn more? Here are some great sites to peruse and discover more:
While the current hockey season may not be the Bruins best, the Boston Bruins Foundation, in collaboration with Dirico Motorcycles (formerly Red Wing Motorcycles), presents a truly one-of-a-kind Boston Bruins themed motorcycle.
one-of-a-kind Boston Bruins themed motorcycle
Dirico Motorcycles is the merged talents of music innovator Steven Tyler and master inventor Mark Dirico. They have joined creative forces to build this custom Dirico motorcycle which embodies the celebrated history of the Boston Bruins. The motorcycle will feature custom Bruins themed paintwork, authentic signatures from Steven Tyler, and the signatures of the following sixteen prominent current and former Bruins players:
Zdeno Chara
Cam Neely
Johnny Bucyk
Ray Bourque
Milt Schmidt
Terry O’Reilly
Gerry Cheevers
Phil Esposito
Rick Middleton
Brad Park
Tim Thomas
Patrice Bergeron
Marc Savard
Milan Lucic
Derek Sanderson
Ken Hodge
signatures of prominent current & former Bruins players
These attributes make this bike a priceless collectible (estimated value of this prize is $33,000.00) which any lucky participating Bruins fan has the opportunity to win and call their own.
The motorcycle will be raffled of during the course of the season, beginning on January 2, 2010 and ending on April 11, 2010 at midnight. Proceeds generated by the raffle will support the Boston Bruins Foundation, where you can purchase raffle tickets.
As I was perusing my news reader the other day I came across this list on another site and I enjoyed it, so I thought it would fun to share with you guys. I take no credit for the compilation and commentary of this list (the author is Gracie Murano on Oddee.com). Just consider me the vessel of delivery.
That being said, if you know of some other kooky, concept-type motorcycles: share with the group!
Predator Motorcycle
Predator motorcycle
Are you a tough guy that likes intimidating people just by passing close to them along the highway? Then, this awesome and scary skull-covered design is just the right one for you! The Predator motorcycle was made as a commission, by Pitstop Motors, a custom bike shop in New Jersey. (Link)
Jaguar Motorcycle
Jaguar concept bike
This cool Jaguar “leaper” cat logo concept bike was created by Barend Massow Hemmes of Massow Concept Cycles along with Polar cycles of Doncaster UK. Professional computer illustrators and even a sculptor contributed to get this truly unique final result. (Link)
World’s Tallest Rideable Motorcycle
Biggest rideable motorcycle
Do good things come in small packages? Not in this case! This massive motorcycle was built by Greg Dunham and is 6,500 pound heavy, 15 feet tall and 20 feet long. The huge design has entered the Guinness World Records, as the world’s tallest rideable motorcycle. It took 3 years to have it finished and its price is $300,000.
Suzuki Biplane (Motorcycle)
Suzuki Biplane concept motorcycle
This futuristic Biplane concept motorcycle was presented in 2007 by Suzuki in Tokyo. Due to the awesome aircraft-inspired design the rider is supposed to have the same feeling as being in an open-canopied biplane. (Link)
World’s Biggest Single-Cylinder Motorcycle
Biggest single cylinder motor on a motorcycle
This outrageous motorcycle was built by Franz Langer, a retired German engineer who had his name written in the Guinness Book of Records for building the biggest single cylinder motor on a motorcycle. (Link)
Flying Motorcycle
Flying motorcycle
If you are a thrill seeker, you will love this one! A flying bike called the Super Sky Cycle, created by former test pilot Larry Neal of Boyd. This original machine can go as fast as 70 mph in the air and 60 mph on the road. The price? About $ 25,000! (Link)
F15 Fighter Jet Motorcycle
Fighter jet motorcycle
This oddity is actually an Honda Goldwing motorcycle that has been modified to look like a mini F15 Fighter Jet! Who would have thought?
Uno Motorcycle
Uno cycle
Wait a minute… isn’t one of the wheels supposed to be in front of the other? Not when we talk about The Uno. This orange and grey colored machine made its first appearance in the 2008 NationalMotorcycle Show in Toronto. It was invented by 18-year-old Ben J. Poss Gulak, who also gave the unique motorcycle certain interesting features, like running on electricity and being controlled by body language. (Link)
World’s First Motorcycle
This one’s really a collection piece. The First Motorcycle was created in 1885 in Stuttgart, Germany. It was designed and built by the German inventors Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach. The invention was also the first petroleum-powered vehicle. (Link)
Electric Motorcycle
OCC's electric motorcycle
Take a look at The Smart Chopper, an awesome electric motorcycle presented a few months ago by Siemens. It is charged in 5 hours when plugged into any 110-volt socket but this could be reduced to even one hour when plugged into a higher-voltage station, according to Siemens.The Smart Chopper has a countrywide tour scheduled for next year, in order to promote sustainable and green technology. (Link)
Shoe Motorcycle
Marshall's shoe motorcycle
Now, this is an original one! The orange shoe motorcycle was spotted by Dale Murray around Chicago downtown. The unusual machine was promoting a shoe sale at Marshalls. (Link)
Cartoon Motorcycle
Rat Fink "cartoon" motorcycle
Are you the kind of person that wants all the attention on you? Well, you would love a ride on this one! This crazy cartoon-inspired motorcycle took part in a Motorcycle Rally. The event, that gathers motorcycle enthusiasts from around the world, presents the weirdest of motorbike designs once a year in Sturgis, South Dakota. (Link)
In November Sucker Punch Sally’s in conjunction with Progressive Insurance kicked off their 2009-2010 International Motorcycle Show Tour. Announcing their continued partnership in 2009, Sucker Punch Sally’s, the premier old school motorcycle builder and Progressive Insurance, the country’s number one motorcycle insurer set off on an 11 city IMS Tour.
IMS attendees and motorcycle enthusiasts across the country have been visiting the booth in droves in order to catch a glimpse of this year’s impressive 50-foot trailer and two new bikes including Flo’s Flyer, the Progressive Custom Bike built by Sucker Punch Sally’s and named after perky Progressive spokeswoman, Flo. In addition consumers can register to win a Progressive custom bike built by Sucker Punch Sally’s. Not even halfway through this year’s tour, Sucker Punch Sally’s is reporting a huge increase in participation and customer response due to the booth’s lounge atmosphere where bikers can relax, enjoy the bikes and learn more about Sucker Punch Sally’s and Progressive Insurance.
Sucker Punch Sally's owner Christian Clayton with SPS giveaway bike
Progressive custom bike built by Sucker Punch Sally's
The weekend of January 8-10 the IMS Show Tour was in Greenville, SC where the booth boasted another impressive showing. The IMS Tour’s remaining destinations include: Washington DC, Jan. 15-17; New York, NY Jan. 22-24; Cleveland, OH Jan. 29-31; Minneapolis, MN Feb. 5-7; Chicago, IL Feb. 19-21 and a final stop Daytona, FL March 3-6 during Daytona Bike Week.
If you’re in the area make sure to drop by the IMS Show Tour and visit the Sucker Punch Sally’s and Progressive booth. As always the booth will be staffed by SPS and Progressive representatives who are ready to answer all of your old school chopper questions as well as insurance inquiries. The IMS Show Tour’s next destination is Washington DC, the weekend of January 15-17. To get a peak Flo’s Flyer and the wide array of bikes that SPS has available, all of which include genuine SPS style visit suckerpunchsallys.com.
Update 2/2/10: Harley-Davidson is extending its Competitive Bike Exchange trade-in program through February 28, 2010
The holidays are over and now we’re launched head first into the long stretch of winter where we get cabin fever and our claustrophobia starts to make our brains get a little crazy. We start to get antsy. We daydream about doing something crazy. Then boom: the next thing we know we’re doing something a bit spontaneous and a little irrational. We’ve just made a large purchase. Like, say, a brand new motorcycle! Sure we loved our old ride. It was perfectly fantastic on those hot summer days. But in the dead of winter we just need something to perk us up and get us through until spring.
If this perfectly describes what you’re going through then Harley-Davidson has an incentive that might give you that extra push you need to dump open your wallet. They just launched a new program called the Competitive Bike Exchange. Dealers will accept competitive bikes and provide $500 over the trade-in value toward the purchase of a new Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
Harley-Davidson's Competitive Bike Exchange website
The website not only has some drool-inducing photography of the many different models, but also has a fun lil quiz that you can take to find the right Harley-Davidson that fits your personality. It’s kind of a cool thing for anyone who is having trouble figuring out what model will work for them. I took the quiz and got 5 different bikes for my soul: Wide Glide, Fat Boy, Street Bob, Softail Deluxe and the Crossbones. Pretty accurate for me, I’ve always said I wouldn’t mind a Fat Boy if I ever went the H-D route…
Anyway, even if you’re not in the market for a new bike, let alone an H-D, it’s still fun to peruse the site and waste a few fun minutes taking the quiz. And if you’re in the shopping kind of mood this will provide some good incentive.
Harley-Davidson just released a new video featuring the 2010 models, with music by Rocco DeLuca and the Burden (I don’t know who they are but the song isn’t half bad). You watch it here or their YouTube channel.
It’s a free country
Also, they’re giving enthusiasts a chance to raise their voice on riding and living free. Visit http://www.h-d.com/freecountry to make your statement and see nearly 6,000 others. Using your message and an image of a 2010 Harley-Davidson motorcycle of your choice, you can create a custom banner ad that can then be shared on social media sites and turned into a wallpaper.
This is a cool way to get H-D enthusiasts engaged not only with the brand, but with the new line of 2010’s. Here’s my banner! Isn’t it inspiring?
Every once in a while something comes along that really pisses me off and I have to spread the word. Yesterday one of those things happened.
I rode into Boston and when I came out from my appointment, I found that the Boston Police left me a little note. Not the dreaded orange kind where I end up owing them money kind of note. This was something new and interesting.
Pipe down please
PIPE DOWN PLEASE
Be considerate of the neighborhood where you are operating your motorcycle. Loud exhaust pipes become a quality of life and a noise issue. We need your cooperation.
There is a Massachusetts Law under Chapter 40 Section 22 for Excessive Noise, an EPA Federal Law that requires the labeling of exhaust pipes and a City of Boston Ordinance on Altered Exhaust Systems. Please operate your motorcycle within the confines of the law. Boston Police Officers will enforce the law when you have altered exhaust pipes or caused excessive noise from your exhaust pipes. Be courteous and obey the law. It’s much nicer to be quieter.
Boston Police Department
Now if I look beyond the total pandering copy of this sickly sweet “we hate you” note Boston’s well documented prejudice of bikers shows through.
There have been rumblings of this evil $300.00 Boston City Ordnance among riders here in Massachusetts. Basically, it’s illegal. This Ordinance goes well beyond pulling you over if your bike is stupid loud. This specific ordinance requires that a Motorcycle Exhaust must carry an EPA stamp which is visible to a parking or police officer who can issue a citation if they don’t see the EPA stamp – violation is subject to a $300 fine. Citations can be issued whether the vehicle is in operation or parked on a street in the City of Boston.
So now Boston wants my pipes to have some sort of stamp on them visible to a parking nazi, yet the State of MA says that I must have heat shields on my bike. How can you have both? Also, just because an exhaust pipe has a stamp doesn’t mean it falls within the 105db limit in MA.
If we allow fascist dictators like Mayor “Mumbles” Menino, of Boston, or any local officials to concoct asinine laws directing their prejudice against us, they will legislate our past time of motorcycling completely out of existence. We must take a stand against this tyranny.
If you’re a fan of the Harley-Davidson Sportster then this will be of interest to you:
Harley-Davidson is bringing back its Ride Free Guarantee. Specifically, Harley-Davidson will guarantee the value of its legendary Sportster motorcycles by backing their trade-in value.
Riders who purchase a new 2009 Harley-Davidson Sportster motorcycle at a participating H-D dealership between July 1 and August 31, 2009, will receive the value equal to the original MSRP when they trade in for a new Harley-Davidson Big Twin or V-Rod motorcycle within one year of the purchase date.
Wow, I some how lost track the calendar and this sort of snuck up on me. Bike week in Laconia, NH is almost upon us, happening June 13th-21st this year. For the majority of the country I would imagine this particular motorcycle rally is barely a blip on their radar, but for us New England riders it’s a milestone event for the summer.
Sure, our New England weather is typically true to form and is as unpredictable as ever during this week, 90 degree temperatures one day or cold and rainy the next. Actually, inevitably is almost always rains one of the weekends! But that’s part of the fun!
This year the Broken Spoke Saloon in Laconia is stepping up their game a little bit with an East Coast vs. West Coast biker build-off between Paul Cox and Chica (which should be really interesting) and Boston’s very own, multi-singer-kick-ass band, Bang Camaro, will be rocking everyone’s world the very first night.
The Legendary Buffalo Chip Announces Theme of 9th Annual Motorcycles as Art Exhibition presented by Michael Lichter
The theme of Michael Lichter’s 9th annual Motorcycles as Art Exhibition during the Sturgis Rally this year will focus on history and motorcycle icons. The exhibit will be presented at the new Lichter Exhibition Hall on the grounds of The Legendary Buffalo Chip. Although there are many “iconic” symbols that have defined motorcycle culture, this year’s exhibition entitled “Rebel Rousers – Motorcycle Icons that Inspired Us to Ride” will remind Sturgis rally-goers what motorcycle icons may have fueled their passion for ride through a stunning review of world-class motorcycles, art and movie memorabilia.
Rollie Free
While the word “icon” has come to mean “someone or something widely and uncritically admired” and is often used synonymously for “fame,” “renown” or “legend” in our celebrity-driven culture, this exhibition will attempt to recapture some of the original sense of the word “icon” as it refers to symbols and revered images. On display will be motorcycles, from Captain America and Billy bike to Dave Mann’s Ghostrider, and memorable images like Rollie Free flying down the salt, as well as posters and stills from films like The Wild One, On Any Sunday and Easy Rider. All of the objects in the show have in some way become sacred to bikers. They have inspired — and will continue to inspire — the devotion of enthusiasts. In addition to looking back, the exhibit will look at contemporary images and bikes that may be considered iconic to future generations of bikers, such as films from Biker Boyz to The Worlds Fastest Indian, and motorcycles like Jesse James’ “Camel Bike” and Indian Larry’s “Wild Child” BBO bike.
Easy Rider poster
The Legendary Buffalo Chip has built “The Lichter Exhibition Hall” which is a 7,000-square-foot facility designed to showcase art and motorcycle exhibits like this year’s “Rebel Rousers,” as well as future shows by Michael Lichter. The exhibition will be open to the public Saturday, August 1st through Friday, August 7, 2009, and admission is free. To see more about this year’s exhibition and Lichter’s past exhibits, visit www.motorcyclesasart.com
“Rebel Rousers – Motorcycle Icons that Inspired Us to Ride” would not be possible without the generous support of the National Motorcycle Museum in Anamosa, Iowa, the Wheels Through Time Museum in Maggie Valley, N.C., and many industry and private collectors. Conceptual help came from Professor Steven Alford, Professor Suzanne Ferriss and Dave Nichols. Presenting sponsors for this year’s exhibit include, Interstate Batteries, Metzeler Tires, Progressive Insurance, and Spectro Oil.
Now celebrating its 28th consecutive year as “The Best Party Anywhere,” The Legendary Buffalo Chip is the Sturgis Rally’s best-known hot spot. Since 1982, the Chip has become internationally famous for the performances on its 4 stages, hotbartenders and special events presented “by bikers, for bikers.” The Legendary Buffalo Chip has been featured on one 13-episode television series and five television specials, some of which remain in current broadcast rotation. Its 2009 schedule of events includes its 9-day concert series (free to campers) featuring favorites like Aerosmith, Toby Keith, Cheech and Chong, Hinder, Tesla, George Thorogood and Creedence Clearwater Revisited.
Captain America shot by Lichter
Michael Lichter began photographing custom bikes and the biker lifestyle after merging passions for photography and Harleys in 1977. In the years since, Easyriders Magazine and their sister publications have published over 900-articles with his photography. Michael continues to supply imagery for clients as diverse as Nikon Cameras, Rolling Stone magazine, Indian Motorcycles, S&S Cycle, Baker Drivetrain, Wiley X sunglasses and more than 20-motorcycle magazines internationally. Since 2001 he has exhibited his limited edition archive prints in galleries across America and abroad and is now finishing work on his 10th book.
