Speed of Cheese Racing

Quail Motorcycle Gathering 2017

2017 Quail Motorcycle Gathering at the Quail Lodge & Golf Club put on by Peninsula Signature Events was a new level of bike show for me. I didn’t have time to see all of the spectacular bikes that were at the show. Rows of Vincents, Broughs, Vellocettes and much more, were too much for a guy to take in, in a day. There were at least four Yamaha TZ750s one of which was Kenny Roberts OW01?; who was there as “Legend of The Sport” honoree. Best of show was won by a 1957 Mondial GP bike that was simply stunning.

The setting was serine and quite beautiful, although I bundled up in every stitch of clothing I had, as it was cold. I wasn’t really expecting an award, but was hugely honored to have Craig Vetter present the Innovation Award to me. I have read more stories and articles about Mr. Vetter over the years than I can remember. Truly an inspirational character in the motorcycle world, and his back ground in aerodynamics was fitting for the streamlined Alpha.

It was really a great experience and one I will be back for, even as a spectator.

@speedydonahue took this photo. I think it really captures the setting, and Alpha in it. Beautiful. 

 

Behind the Scenes of Photo/Video Shoot of the BMW Alpha

Alpha: Behind the Scenes / Custom BMW K75

It was great fun to work with Salt City Euros, and be interviewed, as they did the photo/video shoot for a video showcasing my BMW Alpha project (click the video button at right). 

We borrowed my friend Cougar Elfervig’s detail shop, Luxe Auto Spa, to do a final photo shoot on Alpha. Jun Song has been involved in documenting the proccess of Alpha from the start, so the begining of the Salt City Euro video is his. He is such a very talented guy. For this final photo shoot Max Daines, and Nico Cages from Salt City Euros got involved and brought the terrific video together. I can’t thank these guys enough

I am not a regular in front of the camera, so I was pleased with how this interview came out. I think I got the meat of the story, which really is a cool story. I learned a lot building Alpha, and am grateful to Mehmet for being patient with me through my own learning curve. Not everything goes well or according to plan! Part of my build process is to tackle the bits as they come. Trying to absorb the entire project is too much to think about and makes the project overwhelming. I like to solve one piece at a time. Alpha was a bigger build than any other motorcycle project I’ve done, so that thinking played more of a role than on other bike projects.

Building the BMW Alpha, a Concept Bike from Mehmet Doruk Erdem

BMW K75enlarge

This was the original bike before it became project material (click image for more).

This story was originally published as a thread on ‘Adventure Rider.’ You  can read the entire thread (and see more images) there.

Every winter I redesign and build a new engine for the landspeed bike, but since we did not run last year, I have a ready-to-go bike for 2016. The engine I have makes enough power to reach my goals. That with the Ryger two-stroke coming out that will change that genre for the better, leaves me with an open winter. My ADD would consume me and I would start drinking again if I didn’t fill my time and head with a new project.

I had been watching a Turkish designer that does incredible futuristic concepts. He is an architect and an industrial designer so this is his hobby/fun. You have probably seen some of his designs. He love landspeed racing. I immediately fell in love with his thoughts on motorcycles. His name is Mehmet Doruk Erdem.

The design I fell in love with is named ‘Alpha.’ It has clean, aggressive lines. Shark nose and bold side trim as a tribute to Paul Bracq. Exquisite!

I just happen to have a broken K75 in the backyard waiting for some spark of life. It’s a bike I have ridden for twenty years. I crunched it up a couple of summers ago.It is the perfect platform for the Alpha bike. Just the right size. I hauled it to the shop, built a stand, and got busy.

An aside: The famous Bonneville salt flats have been mined to the point of depletion. Meaning the salt is so thin we may never race there again. I hope not. There is a pretty good push to have the mining company try to replace the salt that is piled up on their land, but they really have no incentive to, and the cost is more than anyone involved can do anything about. Thank the BLM for this debacle. More info at savethesalt.org

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