Today in motorcycle history, June 28, 1992

                                        

                                         

 

  Joe Teresi's neighbors think they live next to a pigsty, and he is determined to prove them right.

 

  Joe Teresi had originally planned to expand his Malibu Mountains Racquet Club, but Los Angeles County planning commissioners revoked the club's operating permit in April after neighbors complained that the onetime tennis ranch had degenerated (?) into a rowdy biker hangout.

Neighbors noted that the land was zoned for light agriculture--for hogs with tails, not tailpipes.  Now Teresi says he is giving them their wish.

  Teresi is preparing to reopen the club July 3 with a new name: the Malibu Mountains Hog Ranch, in honor of the "attack pigs" he plans to raise there and of his members' fondness for riding large motorcycles known as "hogs."

  Known throughout bikerdom as publisher of the adult custom motorcycle magazine Easyriders, he has appealed the Regional Planning Commission's revocation of his conditional-use permit, thereby staying the action until a September hearing.  He plans to ask for a new permit to run a recreational facility for bikers--who, he notes, also play tennis--and may continue farming at the rural Malibu property along Latigo Canyon Road.

  In addition to the "attack pigs" (actually they're tamed, tusked boars), Joe said he also intends to raise turkeys, chickens, rabbits and beefalo (a cross between buffalo and cattle).  One of the tennis courts is being transformed into a chicken coop and he envisions one of the club's swimming pools as a trout pond.

  The pigpen will be dubbed "Le Corral Gee Wulliger's," Teresi said, in honor of one of the county planning commissioners, Richard Wulliger.  At the Regional Planning Commission meeting in April, Wulliger said he became convinced that the club was no longer a tennis ranch when he learned that its restaurant was named "Le Cafe Bubba."

  "With all due respect," Wulliger said before voting to revoke the permit, "I don't know of any tennis players named Bubba."

  At the April meeting, there were complainaints of loud engines and alleged crime and drug use from the club.  Teresi denied that any criminal activities were ever traced to his club and said the noise problems had been corrected.

  Now that it appears that Teresi is taking those sarcastic comments literally and the neighbors panties are getting all bunched-up.

  One of the bitchy neighbors particular concern is Joe Teresi's offer of free beer at the opening celebration and a map used in advertising that shows the Rock Store, a nearby motorcycle hangout, as the only area landmark.

 

 

Today in motorcycle history, June 26, 1955

 

 

 

  Geoff Duke wins the German Grand Prix enroute to his sixth consecutive GP World Championship.

  Geoff Duke dominated motorcycle racing in the 1950s, winning six World Championships and six Isle of Man TT races.   After winning the 1949 Senior Clubmans TT and the Senior Manx Grand Prix 'The Duke' become the very first post-war motorcycling 'superstar'.   Riding for the Norton works team for the 1950 TT, he finished second in the Junior TT and then broke both lap and race records in the Senior TT.

  Still hungry after winning three World Championships for Norton, (1951-350cc & 500cc, 1952-350cc), he moved to Italy and won three consecutive 500 cc World Championships for Gilera.  His support for a riders' strike demanding more start money led the FIM to suspend him for six months, dashing any hopes for a fourth consecutive title.

  In 1955 he was declared the first rider to lap the Isle of Man TT course at 100 mph, though this was later corrected to 99.97.

 

  Highly honored by the Isle of Man, where he made so many of his world record breaking rides, a point on the Mountain Course is named after him. Three sharp bends at the 32nd Milestone between Brandywell and Windy Corner are now known as the 'Duke's'.

 

  Geoffrey Ernest Duke was awarded the Order of the British Empire in 1953.

                                   

Today in motorcycle history, June 25, 2002

 


 

  On June 25, 2002 India's Federation of Motor Vehicles estimates 37 million motorcycles/mopeds are registered countrywide, making it home to the largest number of motorized two wheelers in the world.

 

  Realizing this ever-growing body of potential buyers, Royal Enfield decides to market their bikes aiming for the young and hip, playing the Retro card. 

  As the only genuine touring motorcycle that is manufactured in India, Royal Enfield has more recently stayed away from regular mass media advertising and has concentrated more on building its brand around the values that the brand stands for - riding and eating up the miles.  It has positioned itself as a cult brand.

  Royal Enfield has been promoting motorcycling as a lifestyle and encourages Enfield riders/owners to keep riding and riding and riding.  The company also began organizing annual events and rides to further strengthen the cult status, such as the Himalayan Odyssey, the tour of the Rann of Kutch, the tour of NH 17 (Mumbai to Goa), the Tour of Rajasthan, the tour of the North East and the Southern Odyssey.

 





 

Today in motorcycle history, June 24, 1967

 

 Yoshimi Katayama wins the Dutch TT, 50cc class, at TT Circuit Assen in the Netherlands.

 

 Yoshimi Katayama began his Grand Prix career in 1964 with Suzuki riding mainly in the 125cc class.  1964-1966 seasons were mostly filled with fifth and sixth place finishes often due to mechanical problems. The  1967 season things would turn around for Katayama as he would win two Grand Prix races and finish the season in second place behind his Suzuki team-mate, Hans-Georg Anscheidt in the 50cc world championship.  Yoshimi finished the 1967 season in fourth place in the 125cc championship.

 

  Katayama would switch to cars in 1968, competing in domestic series mainly as Mazda's factory driver until he retired at the end of 1990.

 

 

 

 

Today in motorcycle history, June 21, 1968

                                         
                                                                                     

   The Girl on a Motorcycle is released in France.

 

   Also known as Naked Under Leather, it was a 1968 British-French film starring Marianne Faithfull and Alain Delon (who was once called "the male Bridget Bardot").  The film also featured Roger Mutton, Marius Goring, and Catherine Jourdan. 

   Originally filming was wrapped-up in time to compete at the 1968 Cannes Film Festival, but the festival was canceled due to the largest general strike ever attempted in France, and the first ever nation-wide wildcat general strike in May of 1968. 

   The Girl on a Motorcycle is probably best remembered for the leather jacket/full body suit (see Emma Peel) that Marianne Faithfull wore in the film. 

  In a nut-shell, the plot is new-bride Rebecca leaves her husband's Alsatian bed on her prized motorcycle (a 1967 Harley-Davidson FL was used)—her symbol of freedom and escape—to visit her lover, Daniel, in Heidelberg.  On her way she indulges in psychedelic and erotic reveries as she relives her changing relationship with the two men, before crashing into a truck at the film's conclusion.

  It is based on the novella La Motocyclette by André Pieyre de Mandiargues.  

  Little known fact- in the medium to distant shots the rider was the British GP champion Bill Ivy wearing a blonde wig. 

  Much to their dismay U.S. fans would have to wait until October for it's release. 

Today in motorcycle history, June 18, 2004

 

  Honda announces the release of it's all-new 50cc scooter, the Dio Cesta.

 

  Designed as a "fun and convenient way to commute and get around town".  The Dio Cesta features a large, fully-integrated front basket to satisfy all your grocery and liquor store needs.  The Dio Cesta will be manufactured by Sundiro Honda Motorcycle Co., Ltd. in China and released in scooter-crazed Japan on July 2.

  The 4-stroke, air-cooled engine offers low noise and excellent fuel economy.  Fully integrated with the scooter body, the large front basket provides greatly increased carrying capacity and has a rolling shutter to deter theft and hold items securely.  The headlight is positioned below the basket so as to remain clear of items at all times, while the handle cover position lamp serves as a convenient light source at night.

  Dio Ceasta's seat is a stylish two-tone black with brown, and the accents, such as the floor, are a delicate and appealing brown and it's 28" height makes it ideal for female riders and with that in mind, the steering column is designed for lightness and ease of handling.  Introduced with three exciting color options for you or the little lady to pick from: Pearl Procyon Black, Pearl Quench Yellow, and Sirius Blue Metallic.

 

Today in motorcycle history, June 17, 1975

                                

 

  An electric powered Corbin-Yardney motorcycle climbs Mt. Washington, New Hampshire.

 

  During the week of June 15-20, 1975, the first annual alternative vehicle regatta was held at Mt. Washington, New Hampshire.  The regatta was created by environmentalist Charles McArthur, who sincerely believed that the rally was necessary to gather together and test all possible forms of alternative transportation to the internal combustion engine.  The regatta placed emphasis on low energy consumption and minimum pollution.

  Mike Corbin, president of Corbin-Gentry, and Dr. A.W. Petrocelli, Chief Operating Officer of Yardney Electric in Pawcatuck, Connecticut, met in March to make final arrangements for the high energy density silver zinc battery to be used in the Mt. Washington attempt.  On June 17, 1975 this super battery, with a total energy content of over 4,680 watt hours, successfully powered the Corbin designed motorcycle 8 miles to the summit on an average grade of 12%, through 99 hairpin turns, in 26 minutes nonstop.  

  On June 18, this same winning combination made 2 nonstop trips to the summit, thus setting another record.

  Corbin-Gentry seats and accessories company name came from Mike Corbin and the beautiful southern singer Bobbie Gentry (Ode to Billy Joe), who had nothing to do with the company but was great to look at.

 

  Mike Corbin was inducted into the AMA Hall of Fame in 2000.

                                             

Today in motorcycle history, June 14, 1954

  The re-introduction of the Sidecar TT Race for the 1954 Isle of Man TT is met with much controversy, it was opposed by the motor-cycle manufacturers who, "declare themselves as appalled" by the inclusion of a sidecar race.  It was also opposed by the factories for the inclusion of the first female competitor, Germany's Inge Stol.  The matter of female competitors was raised in the Isle of Man Parliament but, much to their chagrin, "Tynwald refused to ban the Fräulein."

  However, tragedy would strike at the 1958 Czechoslovakian Grand Prix when the Norton sidecar that Inge was racing, with Jacques Drion driving, while holding 2nd place the bike left the road on a right-hand corner on the penultimate lap.  The sidecar outfit hit a fence and turned over.  Inge Stol was killed instantly and Jacques Drion died from his injuries after being admitted to the hospital.

                                                     

Today in motorcycle history, June 12, 1973

                                     

                                                                                   

                                        

  Norman Keith "Sailor Jerry" Collins dies. 

 

  He may not have even owned a bike, but there is no denying the mark he left (no pun intended) on hundred's, if not thousand's, of bikers world-wide. 

  Norman Collins was born on January 14, 1911 in Reno, Nevada, but his family moved shortly afterwards to Northern California.  Legend has it that as a child he hopped freight trains across the country and learned the old "needle in hand" tattooing from a man named "Big Mike" from Palmer, Alaska.  In 1928 he met Tatts Thomas from Chicago who taught him how to use an electric tattoo machine which he then practiced on drunks brought in from skid row.  

  In 1930 Norman enlisted in the United States Navy.  During his subsequent travels at sea he was exposed to the art and imagery of Southeast Asia.  He fell in love with the art, the sea and Hawaii.   Collins remained a sailor for his entire life thereafter.  Even during his career as a tattoo artist he worked as a licensed skipper of a large three-masted schooner, on which he conducted tours of the Hawaiian islands.

  Sailor Jerry's last studio was in Honolulu's Chinatown, then the only place on the island where tattoo studios were located.  His work was so widely copied, he took to printing "The Original Sailor Jerry" on his business cards.

                

     

Today in motorcycle history, June 11, 1996

                                            

 

 

  Hear Me Roar: Women, Motorcycles, and the Rapture of the Road by Anne Ferrar is released.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

   "Hear Me Roar" traces the history of women on motorcycles, shedding light on women riders from the early 1900s to the modern era.  Society's perceptions of female riders are explored in the context of mass media, fashion, entertainment and motor sports, where female bikers have always been viewed either as progressive icons, or through the lens of tired stereotypes.

  More than 100 female riders are shown and/or interviewed, including such    exemplary women in the first half of the 20th century as Bessie Stringfield, the African American “Motorcycle Queen of Miami” in the pre-Civil Rights era ; the Van Buren sisters, among the first women to cross the continent on the eve of America's entry into World War I and Dot Robinson, sidecar endurance champion and Motor Maids co-founder.  Riding further into the present day are Catharine Rambeau, who rode a dirt bike solo from Florida to Patagonia, South America; and Sue Slate and Gin Shear, Arctic adventure riders and founders of the first national motorcycle relay ride to benefit breast cancer research.  Plus many other ladies who refused to "sit down and be quiet".

  To research and write Hear Me Roar, Anne logged 30,000 miles on her own motorcycle, observing, and participating, in charity rides, poker runs, swap meets and biker bars across the United States.

 
 

Today in motorcycle history, June 10, 1959

                                      
                                               

  The 1959 Isle of Man TT witnessed the first entry from a Japanese team in the World GP series, the four 125cc Hondas being managed by Kiyoshi Kawashima, who had the complete trust and support of Soichiro Honda.  This first challenge resulted in Honda claiming 6th, 7th, 8th and 11th in the 125cc light weight class, as well as the Manufacturers’ Team Award.

  With the excitement of Honda doing well at Isle of Man a small expeditionary force headed by another Kawashima, Kihachiro Kawashima, left Japan on June 10, 1959.  He was going to establish Honda's first overseas base, American Honda Motor Co. in Los Angeles, California.

  To save expenses, the Honda lads shared a one-bedroom apartment and stacked motorcycle crates by hand in the company's Pico Boulevard warehouse.  Frustration soon set in when the first Honda Dream motorcycles seemed to be too fragile for the sustained speeds and long distances it would need to cover to be successful in America.  The 50cc Honda Super Cub cycle used by the team for a run to the liquor store, groceries and other errands roused unexpected interest.  Since Piper Aircraft was already using the Super Cub trademark, Honda's pioneering product simply became known as the Honda 50.

  Neither a moped nor a scooter nor a conventional motorcycle, the 50 combined a female-friendly step-through chassis with a clean, quiet engine unlike the "loud and dirty" American and British bikes.

  Humming like a well-oiled sewing machine, the Honda 50 was the anti-Harley.  Sales brochures called it "the thrifty, nifty Honda 50."  Instead of selling them through traditional motorcycle dealers, Honda recruited agents in Popular Mechanics and offered sales franchises to hardware stores, lawn-mower repair shops, and even college bookstores.  By the end of 1961, Honda's network of 500 dealers reached the East Coast.