Tuesday, September 30, 2008

'ROSIE' THE DKW SS350

Perhaps every racing motorcycle has a unique story to tell, but this '39 DKW SS350 production racer has a very interesting tale. When found in Sweden a few years ago, it had previously only had two owners, and was originally a Polish racing machine. 'Why Poland, and how could it have been exported there after the war began?'

The story I heard; a Polish horticulturist (also an amateur racer) had perfected a variety of black roses which were unique. German officers were quite keen customers for his blooms, as they were especially appreciated by their Parisian girlfriends... one well-connected officer asked the Polish fellow how he could reward him for his special efforts on their behalf (the girls must have really liked those flowers!) - he wanted a racing DKW. So, this motorcycle was invoiced to him 'without a petrol tank', but the tank with the bike is from a Works racer, and must have come along with the deal as a special favor.

The DKW was dismantled when things turned sour for his patrons (and for Poland), and was eventually smuggled out of the country to a Swedish collector in the 1980's.

I enjoyed riding near this machine on the Hockenheim circuit; it has no 'ring-ding' of modern two-strokes, but emits a low and raspy bellow. The SS350 is water-cooled and has 'twin cylinders', but four pistons, as the two pistons/barrels for each combustion chamber are used to 'time' the intake/exhaust cycle accurately and push both the incoming and exhaust gases to the right places at the right time. I'll go into how this works in another post, but DKW weren't alone in using two pistons per 'cylinder' - even the last Sears Allstate (Puch) machines used a similar system in the late 1960's - some people call them 'twingles' (twin piston/single cylinder), although I suppose the DKW would be called a 'fourtwin'. These racers also have a Ladepumpe under the the engine, which is a separate cylinder (and crankshaft, on the Works machines) used to compress air into the crankcase - a kind of supercharger for two-strokes. Thus, while this motorcycle is technically a twin-cylinder two stroke, mechanically it is a 5-piston machine - hardly a 'simple two-stroke'. The SS350 produced around 34hp, and used magnesium for the crankcases, gearbox case, and brake hubs, and was what DKW offered to the public for racing. According to Wolfgang Schneider, this complicated multi-piston two-stroke engine is only competitive for racing when the extra 'push' of the Ladepumpe piston is used. The similar Works Ladepumpe 'UL350' racer produced 38hp, but by 1939, the Works machines used a rotary supercharger, and this 'US350' model produced 49hp. And clearly, I need to make a proper timeline for these racers!

DKW joined forces with Audi, Horch, and Wanderer to form Auto-Union in 1932 (making the four 'rings' still seen on Audi), while DKW was the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world (and Auto Union the second largest motor vehicle mf'r). The DKW archives and many of their works racing machines can be found at the Audi museum in Ingolstadt. Audi also has a small museum in their showplace in Neckarsulm, home of NSU, which was absorbed by Auto Union in the 1969. There is a very nice collection of racing NSU machines in Neckarsulm; photos to come shortly.

Kawasaki Recalls 2008-2009 Vulcan Models for Gas Tank Leak

Kawasaki has issued a recall of certain 2008 Vulcan VN900C8F and VN900D8F and 2009 Vulcan VN900B9F and VN900B9FL motorcycles.

Fuel can leak from between the tank filler neck and the fuel cap gasket. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in a fire.

604 units are affected.

Check out my Motorcycle Recalls feature for more details.

Sven & Olie

Since my last post was about the change of seasons, hot and cold, and since Joker made the comment that we all talk funny here in the Midwest, this joke could not be more fitting.

Sven and Ole join an outlaw motorcycle club, and get drunker than skunks. They die in a motorcycle accident and go to Hell.


The Devil observes that they are really enjoying themselves.

He says to them 'Doesn't the heat and smoke bother you?'


Ole replies, 'Vell, ya know, ve're from nordern Minnesooota, da land of

snow an ice, an ve're yust happy fer a chance ta varm up a little bit, ya

know.'


The devil decides that these two aren't miserable enough and turns up the

heat even more. When he returns to the room of the two guys from Minnesota ,

the devil finds them in light jackets and hats, grilling Walleye and

drinking beer. The devil is astonished and exclaims, 'Everyone down here is

in misery, and you two seem to be enjoying yourselves?'


Sven replies, 'Vell, ya know, ve don't git too much varm veather up dere

at da Falls, so ve've yust got ta haff a fish fry vhen da veather's dis

nice.'


The devil is absolutely furious. He can hardly see straight. Finally he

comes up with the answer. The two guys love the heat because they have been

cold all their lives. The devil decides to turn all the heat off in Hell.

The next morning, the temperature is 60 below zero, icicles are hanging

everywhere, and people are shivering so bad that they are unable to wail,

moan or gnash their teeth. The devil smiles and heads for the room with Ole

and Sven. He gets there and finds them back in their parkas, bomber hats,

and mittens. They are jumping up and down, cheering, yelling and screaming

like mad men.

The devil is dumbfounded, 'I don't understand, when I turn up the heat

you're happy. Now its freezing cold and you're still happy. What is wrong

with you two?'


They both look at the devil in surprise and say, 'Vell, don't ya know, if

hell iss froze over, dat must mean da Vikings von da Super Bowl!

Monday, September 29, 2008

Season's of change, and a place I call my home



As I was out riding yesterday, I felt as though I was once again where I belonged. That place I call my home is Minnesota on two wheels.With the cool crispness of the late September fall air rushing at me, I noted the fall colors starting to fire. After many years here, I know that this is only the beginning of the colorful splendor fall will bring. I belong on two wheels, as much as the sun belongs in the sky. I belong in Minnesota, as much as the fish belong in the water. I need to feel the season's of change. I need to bear witness on the beauty these season's of change bring with it each and every year. There is such beauty in all of the four seasons. Spring brings lush green colors as far as the eye can see. Summer brings warmer riding, and good times I'll never forget with friends and family out at the cabin. But Autumn brings mixed feeling for me. It is to me the most beautiful time of the year. It brings an awesome color show with the turning of the leaves. It is to me the most spectacular time to ride and enjoy the views Mother Nature paints for us. It brings milder riding temperatures, but also brings the end of my riding season. Granted, winter is the one season out of the year we cannot ride motorcycles, but I figure it to be a trade off for the one summer season in warmer climates that it is too hot to bear riding comfortably. The upside is that the white snow brings such a clean beauty that I could not live without. It brings Christmas into the right light for me as well. I grew up in Minnesota, and could not imagine life without this wonderful place I call my home.

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Motorcycle Pictures of the Week - Bob

Here are my Pictures of the Week as displayed on the Motorcycle Views Website. These are taken from the Moto Pic Gallery.

See Bob with his prize-winning 1982 Honda CB900 Custom. For details, see Motorcycle Pictures of the Week.

If you'd like to see your bike as Picture of the Week, submit a picture of you and your bike along with a description of the bike.

Friday, September 26, 2008

The Grab-it Pack version 1.5 review


Due to feedback and reviews customers have been providing, including myself, the GRAB-IT PACK has been upgraded. There is now a more durable version called the Grab-it Pack 1.5 Which features: Heavier material than before, better stitching, a metal zipper on the top pocket vs. the old plastic one, and I think the buckles are even more heavy gauge than on the old version. The newer version also has a longer waist and leg strap option (currently on RIGHT SIDE MODEL ONLY).

The newer version 1.5 has definitely changed for the better, and has lived up to what I expected. It looks and feels like the old version, and still holds the same amount of stuff, and unless you load it up with heavy things, you don't even realize it's on. It is lightweight, easily adjustable, and comfortable to wear (all day long). I took it out for a spin the other day on a long motorcycle ride. I forgot it was even there. The back side that touches you isn't like leather or vinyl, it is a soft material so you won't get sweat soaked, or chaffed. Oh, and guys, it also looks like a black gun holster so when you wear it you don't look like a complete dork with a man purse.

I own both the old and new versions of the Grab-it Pack myself, and have used both for comparison purposes. I must say, I'm even more thrilled with the newer version than I was with the original. I'd recommend it to everyone.


Thursday, September 25, 2008

Son's of Anarchy Episode 4 review



The show is starting to get a pretty good base line. Each week we learn a bit more about the MC, their members, and loved ones, or not so loved ones.

The more I know, the more I like the show. I liked it from the get go though. I know some did not. If you are not into it by now, you likely will never be.

My wife has been watching since the first episode with me. She hates them all. She can't see why I like them. I guess I can't say I really like them as person's, they are kind of thug like, cold and heartless, but you get glimpses of good. Especially in Jax. I guess this is part of the draw... Hoping for the good to come out-- a hopeful hero if you will. Anyway, weather I like the people or not, I do like the show. It's good entertainment.

I won't go into any details of the show as usual, as to not ruin it for anyone who has not seen it yet.

In my family, My wife and I have always been extremely open about sex & sex talk with our kids 13 & 16. And I've been letting them watch the show with my wife and me.
Last night's episode might have left them with an eyefull or earfull, had I let them finish watching.

My kids had been watching it with me up until about 2/3rds of the way through last night, when I had to pause the T.V., and ask them to leave. I said if it was O.K. after I watched it, they could finish with the recorded version. I'm undecided as to if I should let them finish it.

I did get an education as to how some different MC's interact. I never knew about one of the things that two might do together.

I'll leave you with that.

Mr. Motorcycle

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Monday, September 22, 2008

HOCKENHEIM - SUNDAY

An extremely generous fellow offered a ride on a 'spare' NSU Sportmax, complete with what seemed to be his extra leathers, helmet, gloves, and boots, for Sunday. When Sunday arrived, there were a few long faces, which I assumed was the result of the late-night drinking party going full swing in the garage when I left. The complete retinue of around 35 people sat in candlelight on long tables, talking, drinking, laughing - it was a quite a scene. As I walked back to my car, almost every other lockup garage had a similar party going on; all of them had quiet lights/candles, tables, food, and one even had a band! I had no idea - these folks know how to have a good time with their motorcycling.

The worried looks had more to do with the over-generosity of my benefactor - he is part of the 'team' and was expected to ride, especially as for various reasons he's had few rides this year, and in fact he had no spare leahters, they were his only pair! 'He is the type to give you all of his money and clothing too' Wolfgang explained.

But, since the ball had been put in motion, it seemed there was a 'spare' mkVIII KTT Velocette, and Wolfgang had an extra set of leathers (from when he was a bit thinner...), someone else had a helmet, and I had brought a pair of proper riding boots (as nobody's feet are the same size, eh?). So, I was set - first track session was 9:30am, and I was suited up and ready to go.

As I've had a bit of experience riding a mkVIII, the bike held no terrors barring the fact that it belonged to my host, and I hadn't seen more than 400m of the 4.4km course! It was a case of get on and go, and my principal goal was not to embarrass myself by 1. falling off, or 2. breaking the bike. Plus, the company was a bit intimidating - Jim Redman on a Honda, and several other World and German champions in the mix on a variety of Works and pukka racing machinery. I bump started the Velo without a problem, and sat warming it up while all the other bikes fired up, and I sat amidst the noise and smoke for a few minutes. I didn't see or hear a signal, but it suddenly got really LOUD and extra smoky, so I dropped the clutch and wound the throttle!

Hockenheim is a flat circuit made for F1, and owned by the municipality. Thus, it has grandstands for 80,000 people, and predictable corners; almost all right-handers, with one left hand hairping thrown in. The Velo had good power and excellent handling, although I was unable to hit top revs on the circuit, so must have been traveling between 40-95mph the whole time. Some of the other machines were sooo much faster than the Velo, especially the newer two-strokes, and of course several of the 80-year-old riders just flew by me - age hasn't diminished their GP-winning style a bit. I was able to hold my own around the bends as the bike was smooth and pulled well, so I did all my passing there, and followed the faster riders around for some warning about coming corners. I found I was chasing a '38 BMW RS51, which would pull me on the straights, but I reeled him in on the bends, so he made a good riding partner. End result; happy rider, intact bike, fun session. Whew.

In between my two rides I circulated the infield, looking at bikes, talking with people, buying books. The other riders were all very friendly, and the atmosphere was congenial and happy; everyone was there to have a good time and show the bikes in action to spectators.
My second session came quickly at 1:45pm - I had been invited by Wolfgang to 'ride with the team' on this session, which I took to mean, ride with the team. When the gang rode off, he wasn't quite ready and waved me on, but I found two team members to follow - my erstwhile generous friend on a Sportmax, and a dohc Norton Manx. We circulated together for 5 laps, when my motor suddenly cut out - scheisse! But, I was out of fuel, no big deal, and I got a free ride to the pits on the back of a flatbed trailer; 'sit on the bike, put it in gear, hold the brake' were my instructions, so I hammed it up and leaned into the corners and lay flat on the straightaways.

There were so many new faces and names, I'm afraid I got a bit mixed up at times, so bear with me on this aspect of the weekend. The photos show the atmosphere of the circuit, and a few of the riders and machines on Sunday. As you can see, variety was the rule; Motosacoche, Condor, Parilla, Gilera, Horex, NSU, BMW, (even Velosolex!).












2008 Fall Flood Run Pictures

The 2008 Fall Flood Run benefiting the Gillette Children's Hospital was a huge success. The beautiful weather brought out a gazillion bikes.
The early fall weather was absolutely gorgeous. It was in the mid to high seventies by afternoon, and that's all the hotter it got. We biker's couldn't have asked for a better day for riding. As you can see the fall colors are just starting. It made for some spectacular scenery. You should see these areas in about a month or so when all the fall colors are in complete bloom. It is amazing!
Anyway, I'll let the pictures do the rest of the talking as for how great of a day this was.





























Sunday, September 21, 2008

HOCKENHEIM 2008


I arrived in Germany on Saturday after 30 hours of plane games (the flight out of SF was delayed 3 hours due to a malfunctioning light in the Boeing 777 instrument panel; spent the night in Denver, and was rerouted to Chicago/Frankfurt). But, it was still only 6am so no racing would be missed, so I drove the 45 minutes to the circuit, where I met my host at the Hockenheim Museum. This houses quite a collection of motorcycles, about 150 I would estimate, from all over the world, plus a few racing cars. As my host owns many of the machines present (several collections are included), I was able to get 'up close and personal' with any of particular interest (see photo of yours truly playing on a Rennsport BMW RS 54). I asked about the handling of these machines, as I've heard they can be difficult when pushed hard;
'on a fast ride they handle beautifully, but at the limit, the torque reaction from the shaft drive can make the bike feel akward. It has been said that one is either born with an instinct to work with this feeling, or not - and Geoff Duke never had this instinct' (but was still able to ride them very quickly!). It felt just fine at museum speeds. More photos to come.

Hockenheim is owned by the German gov't, and a massive investment has brought it up to modern F1 standards, at the insistence of Bernie Ecclestone (F1 impresario). Thus, there are new stands, and the track has been shortened by several kilometers - it used to run off into the woods, but now hugs the grandstand areas more tightly - it's still over 4km long. The seating capacity is something like 160,000 people, who used to fill the stands when Michael Schumacher was racing F1, but now that he has retired, the numbers have dwindled, leaving the gov't holding the bag. The track is smooooth and basically flat; how do I know this? We'll get to that in a moment.

Perhaps 1500 people attended this meet, which was organized by the VFV (German oldtimer racing club). A dozen autojumble stalls and wurst stands serviced the hundreds of racers present; 'our' gang was housed in a nice lineup of team garages, while the riffraff sprawled all over the infield with RVs and their racing machines.

The Hockenheim Museum had its own set of stalls and made up a 'team' for the weekend. The motorcycles in the collection are meant to be used and displayed, and events such as this are used to fine-tune the racers after refurbishment. The focus of the Museum machines this year was NSU racers; not only was a large selection of Sportmax and Rennmax machines lined up, but three of the factory's supercharged postwar 500cc dohc twins were gathered, and raced. Two of these bikes had only recently come back to life, under the incredibly skilled hands of Wolfgang Schneider (see photo). This was the first time in 50 years that these motorcycles had been together on the track. More on them later.

The gathering of riders included Jim Redman, six time World Champion, and several German national champions, as well as winners of GPs in solo and sidecar classes - quite an impressive field.

The bottom photo shows one of the blown NSU racers, with Stephan Knittel on the right - Stephan has been writing for various classic motorcycle magazines for decades and has written many books on the subject. We had much to talk about, and I learned quite a lot from him in the short time we spent together.