20 September 2022

The Most Expensive Classic Cars Ever Sold At Auction



There are cars. And then there are extraordinary cars.

The latter refers to the vehicles that today represent the absolute pinnacle in classic automotive machinery. Some raced, some were owned by celebrities, some are extraordinarily rare, and others still ushered in landmark new technology.

29 August 2022

Is Harley-Davidson's new Nightster a true Sportster?

#webuildriders


Now, don’t get me wrong. I loved my Iron 883 Sportster. It was my introduction to the Harley-Davidson family and served me well for several years until I moved up to the Milwaukee Eight. So it was with some curiosity when I was introduced to the svelte little Nightster with its 975cc version of the new liquid-cooled Revolution Max (RevMax) 60-degree V-Twin.

13 July 2022

Gettin’ Our Guzzi On.

As published in Australian Road Rider. Issue 142



Every rider knows the Putty Road. Three old guys take their first dates on a romantic spin along this historic scenic byway. Roderick Eime 


Could we do him a favour? That was the question Paul McCann of PS Imports asked me when I enquired about a Moto Guzzi test ride.

06 June 2022

Secure it with ZIPPYLOK

 


A lot of you have got a 'HELMETLOK' from Rocky Creek Designs, or, you've probably seen the combination lockable carabiner used by another biker to secure their helmet to a bike. Well, the same people who designed that item, have a new gadget for doing a similar job. 

Enter the ZIPPYLOK, which, for all intents and purposes, looks like a fancy Zip Tie. That said, you could probably use it for many similar functions. : It consists of an adjustable (stainless?) steel strap, 450mm long and 10mm wide, contained in a tough flexible rubber/plastic scratch-resistant covering. This allows you to lock your helmet or other motorbike related item securely to your bike without scratching your steed's paintwork. It can loop as small as 40mm x 70mm or as large as 140mm in diameter. The strap can easily thread through a helmet strap 'D' shackle.

There is no doubt a multitude of uses for this lightweight, durable and lockable device. I'm informed that it is water-resistant and won't corrode, and can be left in place on your bike rack or grab rail when not actually employed in locking a valuable. The 3 digit combination is resettable to any 3 numbers you find easy to remember.

The good thing about it is the price because at $39.95 you can get a few of them and the security possibilities are endless.

I'm carrying mine around on a belt loop or in my jacket pocket, it's brilliant!

Ian Parks


15 May 2022

SOLD: 1987 VL HRT Replica in full race trim

 SOLD



Relive the glory days of 1980s Group A Touring Car racing with this immaculate VL HRT tribute car. Meticulously built to full race specification, this vehicle only has “running in” mileage and is ready for the track, tarmac rallies or touring car parades. 

The equipment list includes adjustable coil-over suspension, fully-floating 9-inch diff, 5-speed transmission, high-horsepower 308 Holden V8, wiring for MoTeC ECU and mounting for Rallysafe rally management system. The cabin, with passenger/navigator seat, is protected with a CAMS-approved roll cage.

Currently offered for sale at Collecting Cars Auction Site

12 May 2022

Elvis's Harley-Davidson is in Australia


The King of Rock had a love for motorcycles, and a particular interest in Harley-Davidson

What’s the first thing you do when you sniff success? You go and buy a motorcycle of course. And what sort of motorcycle? A Harley-Davidson, naturally.

Well that’s what Elvis ‘The King’ Presley did anyway.

Read the full report at Bikesales.com.au

29 April 2022

After nearly 70 years, MOTOR Magazine is dead

 After 825 issues over 68 years, Wheels Media is retiring its MOTOR masthead.

First published on 9th May 1954 as ‘Modern Motor’, MOTOR has long been Australia’s go-to magazine for performance car reviews and news. Today’s announcement is therefore saddening, though it represents a necessary response to changing market dynamics and consumer preferences in an increasingly digital age.

“Given MOTOR’s prestigious history, today’s decision was certainly one of the hardest we’ve had to make in the history of our business,” Wheels Media CEO Christian Clark said.

“While print remains an important and unique channel for Wheels Media, market conditions are driving a consolidation of titles across the industry. In terms of consumer demand and long-term sustainability, one new-car masthead in Wheels – as part of a comprehensive multi-channel digital and print offering – makes best sense.

“Wheels and MOTOR have always had a subtly different voice and focus, but there is inevitably plenty of natural content overlap. Consolidating our editorial efforts allows us to more effectively entertain and inform our loyal audience of enthusiasts and new-car buyers.”

Wheels Media continues its evolution from a print-focused operation to a multi-channel publisher, powering its rapidly growing digital presence in alignment with its long-term vision for the business.

The good news for fans of the MOTOR brand is that much of its heritage will live on with editor Andy Enright and much of the team moving to key roles with our Wheels and WhichCar titles.

The last edition of MOTOR Magazine will be the July issue, which goes to print in June.

Source: ARE Media

20 April 2022

Riding and Driving Glasses for Older Eyes

We recently tested several leading brands of riding/driving glasses, especially for those with ageing eyes. 

We ask whether it's worth shelling out a few hundred dollars for top tier specs, or can you get by with budget glasses? 

Read our full report at Australian Road Rider

13 April 2022

First look: Porsche 911 GT3


friend of Motorweb, Damian Reid, seems impressed with the new GT3

 No bad angles. Also, no ecu-assisted exhaust pops, no engine noise piped through the speakers,  no electrically-assisted performance, no drift mode, no turbochargers, no superchargers. Why? It needs not one of them 😁 

The #porsche911 #gt3 is about as raw and as emotional as it gets in the 2022 performance car world. Earthy, natural grunt from its 9000rpm, 4.0, naturally-aspirated six-cylinder just as God intended under the right foot and minimal sound insulation to ram home the message. 

I'll be happily deaf for the next six weeks. They definitely won't be making them like this in the very near future. 

Check these numbers: 375kw at 8400rpm, 92kw more than the Carrera S, 9000rpm redline, 470nm at 6100rpm. 3.4s to 100kmh (Carrera is 4.2) and 328kmh (Carrera S 293kmh). Buy-in? A$500k for starters



06 April 2022

Ride Cancelled: Venues stay open. Naked Racer's Rock'n'Roll ride to Bendigo, the Black Swan and Elvis


Due to a most unfavourable weather forecast, I have made the decision to delete the ride component from this Saturday's Bendigo event,

If I haven't called you personally to discuss, please accept this as a formal announcement along with my apology.

On the upside, both Dave Reidie at Castlemaine and Dugal James at the Black Swan in Bendigo have agreed to remain open in the event visitors still want to see these amazing collections. Having seen for myself Dave's collection of historic Harley-Davidsons and Dugal's Indians (and others) I can only describe both as 'jaw-dropping'.

Dugal will be on site at 117/119 McCrae St, Bendigo to receive guests from 2 - 4pm [Google map link]

Dave will be on site from 12-2pm. Please email for directions

Rod Hadfield's Hot Rod Museum will be open as normal at 624 Pyrenees Highway, Chewton

Elvis Exhibition is open as normal. Bookings are strongly recommended.
Food and drink will be available from numerous local outlets

Unless I am advised otherwise, the other venues will be open as normal
Harcourt General Store - Shiraz Republic - St Anne's Winery 

St Annes Winery will be open as usual on Saturday and riders would be most welcome to pop in and have a taste of some of our wines. Should they like to stay and enjoy a ploughmans lunch this option is also available. On Sunday each week we do offer pizzas with our live music amd for these events it is always a good idea to book

Again, I'm sorry we won't be riding, but please enjoy these great exhibitions regardless.

Cheers
Rod

0418 214 028

=========

11 February 2022

Premium 'old school' Aviator motorcycle goggles from Ugly Fish


Biggles may not have ridden a Harley-Davidson, or any motorcycle for that matter, but that shouldn't stop you from channelling the famous fictional air ace with these magnificent hand-made goggles from Ugly Fish. The Aviator series are a premium item from the famous Australian eyewear company and are a perfect companion to any classic, cafe or retro-styled motorcycle.

View Brochure
"These superb heritage-styled goggles are hand-made for us in Italy," says Faraz Darabi, CEO of Piranha Eyewear, the creators of Ugly Fish glasses, "and you won't find these just anywhere. These are limited to our higher-end stores and customers."

The frames are powder-coated and finished with a hand-stitched, soft leather face mask. The head strap offers enough flexibility to wear under or over an open-faced helmet and feature silicon non-slip strips on the underside to prevent the goggles from moving.

The Aviator series lenses are made from tough polycarbonate material and are designed to protect your eyes from harmful elements. You can also have a prescription lens fitted with an RX gasket (available separately).

Be sure to try them on next time you're at any Harley-Heaven dealer or AMX Superstore.

The Ugly Fish Aviator Goggle R101 has an RRP of $199.95


28 January 2022

Harley-Davidson MY22 lineup [video]

Harley-Davidson is all cock-a-hoop with the announcement of the 2022 models. The biggest eye-poppers are the new big-engined models with 117ci M8s available in non-CVO models. See the full line-up here as well as background on the design, racing and new motorclothes

11 January 2022

Motorcycle sales surge in 2021


The FCAI, the peak body for Australia’s automotive industry, has today released sales figures for motorcycles and off-highway vehicles (OHV) for 2021.

Put the S into Sportster with Harley's all-new sport cruiser.

#webuildriders


Born in 1957, the Harley-Davidson Sportster celebrates 65 years this year and has demonstrated lasting desirability with Harley fans and riders.

04 January 2022

Heavy Duty ISSUE #180 out now

HEAVY DUTY #180 is out
 Perfect to read while the boring folk are talking cricket on Boxing Day.

Leading the way is the Sportster S. We bagged it and tagged it while other titles were still checking out their goodies bag at the Australian launch! 

Yeah, but what’s it like? It’s not a traditional Sportster, that much is pretty obvious to the naked eye. The Sportster S is a modern, water-cooled, V-Twin power cruiser. There’s more power than any factory Sportster ever dreamed of. It’s a beast hidden in modern clothing. Read Mick’s launch report for his initial impression.

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