112 degree's in Wichita today....maybe higher.

yesterday was 108, i shut the garage down around 3'oclock and hung out in the apartment.Last night me and the family went out to celebrate our 24th wedding anniversery and on the way home swung by the video store in anticipation for today's Heat wave...why fight it.just wanna sit still in front of a fan in A.C. ...Dear LOrd please keep my air conditioner running smoothly.

Little Honda

１９６６ Little Honda P25 ad from Japan.

It has got nothing to do with the song by Beach boys. As you see, this 2 wheeler was marketed toward mostly women. The motor was mounted inside of its rear wheel. You start the motor by pushing a lever on left handle bar and pedaling. 4 stroke, 49cc single cylinder OHC. Leading bottom link shocks on front, Rigid on rear. Top speed was about 18mph. If you got legs, you can pedal home even if you are out of gas. It was replaced with PC50 in 1969, and motor was installed toward front. The turn signals, and rear shocks were added. Also better top speed though it was still 49cc single. I would buy one if I find it. Even if it is a non runner. You can still use it as a bicycle.

All Ceramic Motorcycle by Moto Sugai

Qoute " I'm not an artist "

Nearby in distant past....

Friend and local historian Jeff Roth sent this pic of a railyard from the 20's i assume,that used to be just around the corner from the Go Away Garage. Of course now it's a parking lot. Sure would like to find some of them old passenger car's....

No Yamaha in WSBK

I enjoyed watching WSBK at Silverstone. Race 1, race 2 both were pretty fun to watch, though both were won by the same rider and the rider I am rooting for retired on both.
I just heard the news that Yamaha is pulling out of WSBK races after 2011 season due to the usual downtrodden economy and slow sales. It was sort of shock to me since Yamaha has been a strong manufacturer there. Ben Spies brought them a championship in 2009 and the recent races at Silverstone, Yamaha riders did not win, but occupied podiums on both races. Current Yamaha riders, Marco Melandri (33)and Eugene Laverty(58), along with all the Yamaha Racing Team in World Superbike racing, have been overwhelmed needless to say. They all had contract with Yamaha, (Melandri just renewed it, in fact) this withdrawal screws up everything.

I understand that MotoGP is considered as more popular, and higher class. But I enjoy watching WSBK way much more. There are fewer manufacturers in MotoGP and riders there are bunch o' Prima donnas, refusing to go race at Japan because they are worried about exposure to radiation, which is lower than a stick of banana at this point. They get money from Japanese manufacturers and put support Japan stickers on their bikes but boycott the race there. There seem to be more drama in paddock, too. Which rider hates whom, refuse to shake hands, and what not. In WSBK, it is usually just Max Biaggi being a douchebag.

Yamaha in MotoGP has such a History; produced legends likes of Kenny Roberts, Eddie Lawson, Wayne Rainey, Valentino Rossi, And reigning MotoGP champ, Jorge Lorrenzo is still with Yamaha, and Ben Spies is seems to be doing good there, so if they decided to pull out one of championships, they sure would kill WSBK, but I really do not enjoy much of MotoGP anymore.

By the way, Yamaha will continue to supply YEC kits for its R1 and R6 models to private racing teams.

Source: motoblog.it

Iver Johnson

here are some pictures of Iver Johnson motorcycles. they were made in the early part of the 20th century like 1907-16. they were of exceptional quality. first picture is a Iver Johnson ad promoting arms, motorcycles and bicycles. second is a v/twin from 1915. third is another of about the same age showing the exhaust side. fourth is a 1913 v/twin engine picture and last is a 1913 4.5hp single. i have several of the Iver Johnson pistols and a couple of shotguns but could not afford one of the motorcycles. they are pretty scarce and expensive when one is available. the motorcycle side of the business was shut down because of increasing arms orders and sales which was the main focus of the company in any case.