Today in motorcycle history, May 12, 2011

    



  

  

  They say old bikes rattle, that they shimmy, shake or stall but, I'll tell you what, those decades-old machines are unparalleled in their character and artistry.  On this beautiful day, the kind that seems only to be made possible in California, almost 200 vintage bikes and almost 2000 vintage bike lovers invade the Quail Lodge Golf Club in Carmel to witness the latest Quail Motorcycle Gathering. 

  Topping the list of gotta-sees at the Gathering were Rollie Free's "Bathing Suit Bike", the Vincent HRD he set the American land-speed record with on the morning of September 13, 1948, wearing a helmet, bathing suit and borrowed shoes.  Falcon Motorcycles "The Black" was at long-last unveiled; an original modern bike built around the engine of a 1952 Vincent Black Shadow.  A 1929 Sunbeam Model 90 TT that won the Isle of Man TT that same year. The 1971 Husqvarna 400 Cross that Steve McQueen rode for a 1971 cover of Sports Illustrated.

  But, for the Triumph/cafe racer aficionado, hot rod builder So-Cal Speed Shop debuted its first-ever motorcycle, "The Miler". 

  The bike was constructed in conjunction with Streetmaster, which builds Triumph specials and sells performance parts for Bonneville motors.  The Miler’s 865cc engine—tuned to pump out 78 horsepower—benefits from Streetmaster’s cylinder-head porting, lightened flywheel, remapped ignition system, 39mm Keihin flatslide carbs and stepped, mid-level exhausts.  Streetmaster also provided its lightweight, purpose-built frame and swingarm, while So-Cal was responsible for the aluminum fuel tank, tailsection, front numberplate/headlights and sidepanels, finished in the Speed Shop’s signature red paint with bare-aluminum accents.  

  Be still my heart.