One Smokin’ Hot Café Racer…From China?

08/16/2012

“Made in China” might make you think a product is going to be second rate, and just a little bit on the not-too-pretty side. This racer, known as the Bandit 9 “Nero”, turns that stereotype right on it’s head.

This really eye catching café racer style motorcycle comes from a boutique shop out of Beijing and the custom bike is a minimalist, all-black, fascinating piece of work.

The designer says the inspiration comes from the movie Alien where every element looked only essential to the life of the creature. That’s not to say it wasn’t complex, it’s just functional complex. In other words, no bling. 

In fact, this bike is the polar opposite of bling. Many parts – like the fork and handlebars are actually made from one piece. Going deeper you can see that the parts all substance and in fact, many are hand made.

I personally like the spoke wheel in the front, and alloy in the back. There is nothing about this bike that says traditional.

This bike is dark, no chrome and perhaps the kind of bike Batman would ride if he didn’t need all his gear. Maybe it could be his weekend ride.

 

Sources:

The Coolist

Pipeburn

Café Racer’s “Finish the Line” Winners & Julia Haltigan Live Skype Performance Tomorrow

06/26/2012

Café Racer Season Three may be over, but we still have little surprises here and there. Like the winners of the “Finish the Line” contest and a Skype performance from Julia Haltigan via Café Racer TV’s Facebook page tomorrow, June 28th.

The Grand Ascent Hillclimb 2012

06/16/2012

On Tuesday 12/11, you'll get to see a classic episode of Chasing Classic Cars where Wayne Carini goes through his plan to market and then sell th Porsche Special Hill Climb Car. He takes it to the Hershey Hill Climb race to put it through its paces and has a darn good time doing it. But that doesn't stop him from taking it to auction.

THough the Hill Climb took place back in June, we were lucky enough to have Kenneth Visser - automobile fan, blogger and photographer extraordinaire on site and reporting back on the action. Take a walk down memory lane below, and don't forget to tune in to Chasing Classic Cars starting on Tuesday 12/11 starting at 9p.

Another fine tradition has been reignited with the second running of the The Grand Ascent Hillclimb held on the grounds of the Hershey Hotel.  This is a VSCCA sanctioned hill climb exhibition and features a wide variety historic racing cars thundering up a five turn three quarters of a mile long course.  A unique opportunity to see, hear and smell vintage race cars slamming gears.  This event was reignited with the start of the Elegance At Hershey.  We'll talk more about the Concours later.  Let's take a look at some of the neat machinery that was attacking the hill.

Wayne Carini was selected as the Honary Grand Marshall of the Grand Ascent.  He brought his smile and his driving skills to the hill.

Wayne Carini of Chasing Classic Cars took the Bill Rutan VW* special with a 356 four cam motor up the hill.  Wayne spoke about the rides up later "I had a blast"  And his sub 57 second times were reflective of his blistering pace. 

 

Our Q&A With Café Racer's Julia Haltigan...Find Out Her OMG Moment On A Bike

06/05/2012

So you all have been hearing a lot about Julia Haltigan as we gear up for the premiere of her video “Fast Lane” in Thursday night’s episodes of Café Racer beginning at 10:00p E/P. You are probably more than intrigued about this awesome chick who literally rocks with her music and rolls on her Triumph.

We thought we’d ask Julia a few questions about music, bikes and if she’s ever had an OMG moment while riding. We guarantee you’re going to love her even more after you have a read.

New Music Video Clip Alert from Café Racer's Julia Haltigan! It's All Part of Finish the Line Contest

06/04/2012

Alright Café Racer fans, here’s the second clip from Julia’s new single “Fast Lane.” You know the drill, from here it’s up to you to head on over to our Facebook page  and post your version of what you think the finished words should be on the top-most thread titled “Finish The Line with Julia Haltigan.”

The very generous Julia will be performing a live intimate and acoustic session of “Fast Lane” for Café Racer fans via a live video feed in the coming weeks. In addition to performing the complete song she’ll also be performing a version of the song with her favorite fan comment lyrics in exchange for her own. How cool would it be to help finish the lyrics for "Fast Lane?" Pretty cool we'd say.

You know the gang at Café Racer always have something more up their sleeves. Julia will also be picking a daily winner from the comments on Facebook. Winners will receive a free signed copy of her new CD, the season 2 Café Racer TV DVD set and a Café Racer TV tee. How great is that?

 

Alright gang here are the facts:

• There’s no cost the enter the contest
• Watch the CRTV BLOG and Facebook pages today, June 4th and 6th for the videos and posts to comment your version of the finished lyrics
• Tune in to Velocity on June 7th at 10PM E/P to see Julia’s Video Premiere and the Season Finale of Cafe Racer
• Watch CRTV BLOG and Facebook pages on Friday the 8th for the announced winners and the link to watch Julia perform live

The Velocity Network loves Cafe Racer and Julia Hartigan (how could we not!?!) but we've got to say the legal stuff - Velocity is not responsible for this contest or any winner selection. If you have any questions, you should direct them to the Cafe Racer TV team.

Head over to Julia's website so you can check out her CD and find out more about what makes her tick! Plus you can join other her other fans and like her on her Facebook page!