Author: illnoise

Courtesy of Slatch, LoopNYC’s Mod Refrigerator Magnets, available from PinUpGirl. Apparently you can spell any Mod phrase without a “W.”

One of the first bikes to spur my interests in motorcycles was fictional: Tetuso’s Neo Fukuoka from the film Akira. Scott Baxter found the link, I have no idea what it says, but if they’re producing them, sign me up.

Wow, 2sb really dropped the ball, between the computer problems, work, the stomach flu, the complete and utter destruction of Arsenal Football Club, and whatever other excuses I can come up with, I haven’t posted for almost a month. Lucky for you, I have a nice big backlog of posts to get us back on track. Plus, I might actually post the Music Poll results eventually, and Galewood rally info is coming soon. Mark your calendars for Memorial Day Weekend. Thanks for your patience.

Bill Murar has set up a Yahoo Group about the Lake Erie Loop, and now has registration forms available. The event is May 14-16, starting in Wellington, Ohio, travelling clockwise around Lake Erie. The ride benefits Aluminum Cans For Burned Children.

NH-scooters.com reports that Cycleworld has stopped importing Peugeots. Peugeot’s official site has never acknowleged Cycleworld as the US importer, and from what we can tell, they’ve been importing just an occasional handful behind Peugeot’s (and probably the DOT’s) back all along. I’ve only seen two on the road, both grey-market models that didn’t meet US standards. It’s a shame because they’re great bikes, but don’t say we didn’t warn you.

South Dakota Congressman (and ex-attorney general and governor) Bill Janklow was sentenced to only 100 days in jail last week for killing motorcyclist Randy Scott, while speeding and running a stop sign near Trent, SD on August 16 2003. Janklow had been served 13 speeding tickets since 1990, but argued that, being a diabetic, his low blood sugar had affected his judgement in the fatal crash. Motorcyclists across the country are outraged that a well-connected politician known for his tough stance on law-and-order was given such a light sentence, and several biker groups have threatened to boycott Sturgis in protest. Janklow has since resigned from the House of Representatives.

Nitro reminds us all: “Be careful where you park in Taiwan”.

Chances are you know my brother Keith and his wife Carole, they’re leaving Chicago today for Cincinnati [ 1 | 2 | 3 ]. Goodbye, you guys.

Poster Corner has a large selection of reproduction vintage motorcycle posters, including Iso and Starlett scooters and a Moto Guzzi moped.

The UK patent office has cleared the way, designers are free to overuse the RAF Roundel once again. Better yet, we can listen to the Rondelles!

Belated congratulations to Chicago scooterist Kim Stewart, she’s now the sous/pastry chef at the northside restaurant Tweet, which recently recieved a glowing three-star review in the Tribune. We can’t wait to check it out, we’ll be visiting as soon as we find a babysitter.

2SB reader Tom Shaddox sent us an Economic Times of India story about the Kinetic/Italjet deal, he actually sent it a while back but we were caught up in parenthood (our apologies, Tom). This story is a bit more clear and reveals a bit more, Kinetic will become the sole worldwide manufacturer and distributor of the current Italjet models Jet Set, Dragster, Formula, Torpedo, Velocifero, Millennium and Jupiter. All will be outfitted with Kinetic motors. Italjet founder/owner Leopoldo Tartarini will also be involved in future Kinetic design projects.

A source tells us that 300 Vespa GT200s are currently in Newark, NJ, being prepped, and, that Piaggio is planning to import the 50cc Typhoon as soon as late spring (under $2000) and the X9 as soon as this summer. I hope Piaggio and/or Vespa will bother to show up this year at the Chicago Motorcycle show.

Speaking of the Cycle World Show, it’s February 6-7-8 at Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont. We’ll try to write up another overview like last year, only with more cute photos of Milena on bikes. And we’ll buy our “Phillipines” patches before the booth closes.