Alright Cafe Racer fans and appreciators of vintage speed, it’s time to pull those air-cooled speed machines and modern Triumphs out of the garage for a weekend of fun and throttle twisting ton-up action at St. Pete Powersports “St Pete Thunder” event!
Unfortunately, The DCC Crew has a prior obligation in St. Augustine at Riding Into History forcing us to not be able to attend. So, we’re relying on you to represent Cafe and vintage bike culture at the event. It’s chocked full of more goodies that a weekend in Vegas with a get out jail free card, trust us!
The event is FREE all weekend long so there’s no excuse not to at least go and check it out. All the action starts at noon when the bike show registration opens on Saturday. Make us proud!
The Location: St. Pete Powersports • 555 34th Street South Saint Petersburg, FL 33711
Here’s just a couple of the things going on at the event:
- Music, Art & Motorcycles on Display
- PinUp Pageant & Show
- Ride In Bike Show w/ Trophies & Prizes
- A Dyno Challenge
- A Tattoo Contest
- $100/hr Cash Giveaways
- Indoor Lounge with DJ & VIP Area
- Live Music (10 Bands)
Here’s the full weekend band schedule for your review:
Saturday May 19, 2012
12-1 PM: The Hot Rod Hornets
1:30-2:30 PM: Betty Lou Fox
3-4 PM: Steve Arvey
4:30-5:30 PM: Soul Circus Cowboys
6-7 PM: Thomas Wynn and the Believers
7-8 PM: Hip Hop Artist LK OK
Sunday May 20, 2012
12-1 PM: Moonsnakes (Ricky Wilcox)
1:30 – 2:30 PM: Sweet Spot
3-4:15 PM: Jeremy Thomas Band
4:45-6 PM: Gerry Williams Band
There’s a lot that goes through your mind when you’re preparing for a trip to the Bonneville Salt Flats. What will the climate be like? Will the bike hold-up under such extreme pressures? Will I remember to tighten every bolt and bring all my essential gear?
Regardless though of the myriad of questions that rattle around your brain like pinballs bouncing to and froe inside a glass machine from the 70’s, I have to believe that the one question that rings true to any racer is this:
Do I have what it takes?
This question plagued me the days and nights prior to heading to Bonneville where I would meet up with my good friend Brandon Schrichten to put our marks on the barren wasteland that’s been host to the greatest men in the motorsports industry. The Great Bonneville Salt Flats.
The plan was simple; I’d fly into Salt Lake City, UT with my girlfriend April. Upon arrival we’d pickup a rental car while Brandon and his better half, Leilanni, would drive down from Colorado in their Ford Ranger pickup. In the back of the truck, ready and waiting, Brandon’s 2009 Triumph Thruxton, along with all our gear to create our make shift Dime City while we were guests on the salt.
Leading up to Bub’s Speed Week I spent time researching and communicating with Brandon via the Internet sending photos and details on which nuts and bolts needed safety wired, tire pressure and things the like that needed to be in order to pass scrutinizing. He put his able hands to work on his already highly customized Thruxton and made sure everything was up to spec as per the safety standards sanctioned by the event noted in the rulebook.
We rendezvoused at our fantastic hotel in Wendover, the Rainbow, which although it seemed was stuck in the 80’s, it had it’s own sweet little charm. After some rest and a nice miners breakfast we made our way over the border into Utah to face the vast expanse of salt, wind and sun.
After picking a spot across from the Brough Superior Team adjacent to Big Sid we started to setup our make shift campsite. Pop-up tent, chairs, banner, cooler loaded down with Water, Rootbeer and SourPatch Kids, check! In the spirit of keeping things light and right we had a small toolbox with bare essentials, which was complimented, by our chests full of determination. Our hopes, that shear tenacity and grit would get us through anything that might take us by surprise.
We dropped the tailgate and rolled the Hinckley Thruxton down for it’s first taste of the salt. Sitting so perfectly under the tent she looked absolutely at home. There’s just something about the contrast of machinery against the salt bed. The crisp white particulate reflects the beauty of each paint fleck and weld yielding an image that is both inspiring and celestial.
Once camp was setup we headed out to explore the area and take notice of all the other machines, men (and women) who brought them to the ends of the Earth with the same goal in mind. To make their marks on the salt and share in a long lived tradition to chase the ghost of speed at any and all costs.
Twin-engined Indian’s, Vincent’s and Triumph’s were spotted as often as SUV’s in the local Wal-Mart parking lot. Obscure sidecar rigs from as far as Denmark and Sweden were present. The re-released and newly constructed Brough Superior’s were also present as were handfuls of every other flavor you can imagine. Harley Big Twin Custom’s, Turbo Busa’s and even a fearless 12 year old on an XR100. How awesome it was!
Once we made our rounds it was time to head to both tech inspection and registration. The lines were longer than Rolling Stones concert line and the processes at both we’re less than streamlined. Combine that with the 100+ degree heat beating down on you and it’s a wonder some of the guys we saw didn’t pass out from exhaustion.
Fortunately for Brandon and I, we had our lady friends April and Leilanni there to help hold umbrellas and get us Snow cones. Smart!
Standing patiently, watching and listening to others as they went through tech inspection was quite invaluable to our efforts. Even though we were in the “Run What Ya Brung” class and our requirements were far less than those of the FIM Record chasers to see and learn what could and couldn’t make it through tech would prove to be highly beneficial to us in our future endeavors to up the ante should we choose.
Fast-forward 3 hours, this was it, our chance to prove we came prepared. Brandon and I both stood silently as the tech team inspected our bike with the utmost precision. Employing an inspection mirror they checked for safety wire on the oil drain plug nut, looked at each of our axle bolts for quality safety wire installations, checked our REV’IT leathers, gloves and back protector along with Vitesse Moto boots and Bell and Icon helmets. Check, check check… The only change that needed to be made was moving of the number plate from the front to the sides. No too bad for a couple of rookies the guys commented. Nice!
With smiles on our faces and patting of one another’s backs we headed out of tech and back to the Dime City Salt Shelter to hydrate and make the required changes to the number plates.
As the day moved on we played host to tons of visitors who were curious as to what “machine” we’d brought to the salt. Interestingly enough, we had the only modern Triumph on the entire race list. After talking with veterans for hours on end it seemed as though Brandon and I had received the thumbs up from the majority of them, which I’ll be honest, felt pretty damn good.
One gentleman noted “It’s cool to see the young guys out here with the modern classics doing what we did with them back in the day. It’s kind of a revival I think and it’s great that there’s still youth interested in running their motorcycles down the salt as fast as they can filled with reckless abandon!”
And another duly noted that “If there is gonna be a future for this kind of sport more younger guys need to get involved and the manufacturers should support them. This kind of stuff, the eccentric, wild on the edge fringe of motorcycling is where champions are born and brands are proven.”
Wow. No pressure for us at all as Brandon and I peered to the salt with squinted eyes.
As the sun set on day one we re-packed our camp gear into the Ranger and headed out of the salt. Brandon was right on our six getting a taste of what the track would be like on tomorrows runs. You could see right through his Bell face shield that he was grinning from ear to ear.
After another tasteful evening in Rainbow Casino filled with conversation with Mark Wilsmore (Ace Café London) about the art of speed and pushing it to the right spot on the salt and good family fun with my folks and Aunt and Uncle that headed over to watch, we retired to our rooms. Dreams of salt and speed filled our heads.
Brandon and I both awoke well before our alarm clocks the next morning, the anticipation was just too much. Even a fuzzy Bourbon tainted headache for me and a late night of Family Guy for Brandon (He doesn’t have cable at home.) couldn’t keep us down. We were awake, alive and ready to take our chances.
The sun was barely up and the rider lines were already long, the heat was already barreling down on the surface and you could see the tension in their eyes as you passed by the intake road.
I was first out, like a gladiator heading into the arena I slipped my REV’IT CR race suit over my socks and pulled it up waste high. Back protector comes next and then the suit up over my shoulders. Sitting down now, already feeling the heat, I zip up my ankles and slide my Vitesse Moto “Glove” boots over the suit. My feet almost “pop” as they slide into place, I feel safe in this space.
Standing up, I adjust the suit and slide my chest protector in place zipping up the front that holds everything in place. I’m ready…. I make my way to the bike and slide my Bell helmet carefully over my ears and down around my cheeks, snap in the wind deflector and pop the lid. One by one I pull my gauntlet gloves on making a fist to settle my fingers in to where they feel at home.
I throw one leg over the Thruxton and hit the ignition, the fuel pump primes and then with the flick of a button she roars to life. Heads turn as the unique exhaust note echo’s off the salt and I make my way down to the staging line. I’m on my way.
Or so I thought…
So the processes of Speed Week could use a little refinement. After the first hour of waiting in the blistering sun I thought, surely there is a better way to manage getting people to the salt. Assigning and calling blocks of numbers even, anything was better than this.
Two hours passes and although I can feel the heat, I can’t imagine what it would be like to be wearing some of the older style suits I see guys in. Solid leather with no vents, stiff construction rigid almost. Not my REV’IT CR suit, it has protection in all the right spots and vents strategically placed to help with airflow even when you’re standing still.
Finally, we get the green light and a group of us head down to the second staging area. Again, we wait, but not as long this time. They begin calling numbers within 45 minutes, I’m third in line. Here it is. I can taste it.
I stage to the front of the line, give April a kiss goodbye and hand her my life insurance policy with a grin and make my way to the starting line. I arrive confident and relaxed until I stall the bike trying to find neutral. The guy holding the flag chuckles and says, “Don’t worry, it happens all the time.”
I try to hold my composure.
It’s at this point that it finally hits me. I’m here, on the salt at Bonneville about to embark upon one of the most important rides of my life. How many other men have sat in this same spot I thought to myself? What was going through their minds as their engines idled and they awaiting the figure eight wave of that green flag of redemption?
And then, without any warning my mind went completely blank with the exception of one thought.
“You’ll be fine. Don’t worry. You DO have what it takes. You made it this far, nothing can stop you now.”
As if time almost stopped, it resounded in my mind for what seemed to be hours and then with a flash, I snapped back to reality and saw the flag being waved. I took off slowly and cautiously.
Mile one, passed. Getting up to speed now, you can feel the salt as it moves beneath you. Up to 4th gear.
Mile two, passed. Roll on the throttle and click into 5th before mile 3 comes up.
Mile three, passed. This is it, the timing happens now between mile 3 and 4, wide open. Make it count!
Like the sands of time, I can feel the salt shifting and the bike drifting beneath me, oddly though, I’m not concerned. I keep pushing and tuck further and further into the bike, I become a part of it. My arms are locked; elbows tucked and chin on the tank. Nothing can stop me, I’m one with the salt.
I pass mile marker four and slowly roll off the throttle for a controlled descent from the high I’ve just been on and make my way off the track and back to the pits.
101.2MPH! By no means a record, but to me it was all I needed. To crack the ton with the taste of salt on my lips and white expanse beneath me, what a feeling!
After several pats on the back and bro hugs back at camp DCC Brandon and I switched gear and he made his way out through the same journey as I enduring the heat and pressure Bonneville puts atop a man.
His run, a whopping 113.9 MPH!
And before anyone says anything, he ways 30lbs less than me and rides the bike everyday. A higher time was expected! Seriously though, even at that Brandon commented on how he had the bike totally pinned and it simply didn’t have any more juice. It’s amazing really, the affects the salt and atmosphere has on a machine at speed.
No worry though, we’ve tasted the forbidden fruit and before our trip was over we already began plotting and planning for next year. The changes we’d make, the other bikes we would bring, and the good times we’d share again. It made it all worth it, the challenge that is and the need to come back and try it all again.
If I had to say any one thing was best about Bonneville it would be just that. The challenge. Anyone can go fast on the street with the flick of a wrist, but to go through the preparation, travel the distance and pin it when your mind tells you should roll off is a whole other league.
For those of you even thinking about doing it, do it. Your life won’t be the same afterwards.
For a glance at the full photo album from the trip [CLICK HERE] and checkout the video below for a little sample of what transpired on the salt.
Our good friend and appreciator of all things fast, loud and sexy, Duncan Quinn, recently rang us and said something a little like this:
“Hey, it’s DQ. I need a custom DCC Bonnie for a photoshoot with a Playboy Bunny in 72 hours. In NYC. And of course, I’d like to keep it around for chasing the ton on our tight NYC streets.”
“Duncan, why is it that you always ask for the impossible?”
“Because, I know you can do it…”
“Sigh.”
Fast forward 24 hours, several cooperative calls between Dime City Cycles, Triumph US’s head of Marketing and Jack Trebour Triumph in New Jersey and you end up with what you see below. A 2011 Bonneville SE kitted out with some goodies from The DCC Crew. The full list includes a Predator exhaust system, fender eliminator and blinker delete kit from British Customs, a fiberglass GP style tank, seat and fender by Legends custom painted by Bill Tribby and striped by Liza.
This is a small sampling of two kits DCC will be putting together for modern Triumphs as we move towards the end of 2011. In our mind, there simply is no other choice in the modern line-up that pays homage to Cafe Racers than the Triumph Bonneville and Thruxton.
If you haven’t already, find your local dealer today and go take one for a test ride. Triumph, go your own way!
We’ve kept it under wraps up until now, but seeing as how we’re going to be heading out on a jet-plane this Friday, we figured we can’t keep it a secret any longer! Myself am headed to Bonneville to pilot a custom Triumph Thruxton built by Brandon Schricten out of Colorado. It’s modified to the hilt in full Cafe Racer style with a custom metal tank and seat section, bars, exhaust, intake and a myriad of other items all fashioned by Brandon’s hands in his garage in the great state of Colorado. You may have seen some of Brandon’s fun-loving high-quality video and still work via the Its Better In The Wind Project as he is a major contributor.
Here’s a sample of two of his more recent pieces:
And here’s a shot of the Thruxton he and I will be chasing the salt on [photo by Scott G. Toepfer] from our El Mirage trip earlier this year:
Along with Brandon (and he and I’s girlfriends, Leilanni and April) I’ll be heading out to Bonneville (in spirit) with the great folks from Bell Helmets, REV’IT! Motorcycle Gear and Vitesse Moto in an effort to put some of fine their products through their paces on the salt.
A Bell Star helmet, A REV’IT CR vintage style race suit, gloves and back protector and a set of Vitesse Moto “Glove” boots will be at my beck and call for use and abuse. How great is that? Bonneville is the ultimate proving ground for man and machine and you can rest assured, as a result of that simpel fact, that we’ll have quality and detail rich reviews of all these products upon our return!
Here’s a teaser shot of the Bell Star helmet which was custom painted by Liza to bring that “old-school” feel to something modern: (More high quality images of the REV’IT! CR suit and Vitesse Moto boots are on their way, folks. We don’t want to spoil you in our first post about the trip!)
In addition, I’d like to thank Triumph Motorcycles. Without them and their belief that motorcycles should be as they were; as simple as possible, just fast enough and classically beautiful- riding, simply wouldn’t be as fun. Keep up the great work guys, you’re more appreciated than you know!
Be sure to follow our Facebook feed from the 26th to the 29th for quality images from the basin….talk to you from the Salt, Ace!
This past weekend I had the opportunity to take the keys to a brand spankin’ new 2011 Triumph Bonneville T100 courtesy of my good friend Donny Wilson, the GM at St. Pete Power Sports. Within minutes of my picking up the trusty two wheeled machine I knew it was going to have a good ride. In the end, it blew away my expectations and this week I find myself looking to sign on the dotted line…
Here’s a little bit about the 700+ mile trip up to Panama City Beach and back, enjoy!
So, because I wanted to experience the first part of my trip in the early morning hours when it’s colder, quiet and hardly anyone on the road I opted to leave at 4AM on Saturday morning. I pushed through the tolls on the 589 and made the break of day just as I headed into Homosassa Springs, a quiet little town with lots to offer should you find yourself headed up the West Coast of Florida. My second stop took me to the little town of Perry where I topped of the tank, chatted with a local gas station attendant about “real” motorcycles and from there I steadily progressed West on HWY 98 for a little over 158 miles right straight on through to Panama City.
*The bonnie gets on average of 160 miles per tank, as much at 180 if you’re nice on the throttle. I hit the “idiot” light once and went for another 15 miles and still had plenty to go. Nice to know if you’re exploring some of the more remote areas in Florida.
Here’s the complete review!
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The 2011 Triumph Bonneville is quite possibly the most rider-fulfilling retro classic available in today’s motorcycle marketplace. Whether you’re a novice just beginning the journey towards two wheeled freedom, or a seasoned expert looking to relive your youth (minus the miss-fires and constant adjustments of older motorcycles, of course), it’s the perfect bike to explore the almost endless winding roads and sunny coastal towns Florida has to offer.
With satisfying aesthetic it embodies the “classic motorcycle” look and relives the iconic Triumph styling that made the Bonneville one of the most sought after motorcycles during the 60′s and 70′s. Timeless lines and attention to the right details allow the Bonneville to almost transport itself and the rider to a simpler time. The classic teardrop Triumph fuel tank with functional rubber knee indents, along with the lavish chrome accents and twin cylinder engine meld together perfectly creating a visually stimulating machine. Whether young or old, the Bonneville commands a “Whoa!” look from anyone who may be fortunate enough to catch it at a stop light or intersection. Then there’s the thought that were Steve McQueen still alive today, he’d probably ride a Bonneville. What more could you want?
From a comfort perspective, it’s simply aces. The perfectly stuffed and ergonomically contoured seat will afford any size rider hours of comfort while touring quiet back roads or the highways and bi-ways connecting the quiet coastal towns just begging to be explored. Flick-able yet completely stable, the Bonneville can easily maintain speeds of 80+ MPH without tossing and turning the rider and, equally as important, at low speeds, the light weight construction gives confidence and maneuverability to even the most novice of riders.
The combined flow of the seat, fuel tank and proper placement of the controls gives a virtually perfect base for riding both solo and two-up, which is rare. When riding solo, you can extend your feet to the rear pegs for the occasional rest combined with a forward lean to change things up a tad. You can grip the tank with your knees in both positions inspiring confidence when navigating quickly through tight and close quarters. If you’re riding two-up, the weight of the Bonneville is perfectly balanced and seems to carry two passengers as if they were on a cloud floating westward on a warm sunny Florida day.
The vintage speed machines of yesteryear were more than fast enough for those willing to twist the throttle. Unfortunately, in those days, great performance had a cost. Constant maintenance. Fortunately for the modern and more refined rider, this is something that is not to be true in the modern Triumph line-up. Leveraging the latest in technology, the Bonneville sports a 865c fuel injected air cooled twin cylinder engine that hums along quietly and efficiently, maximizing fuel economy and pure riding time. Simply flick the key, turn it over and you have a ride that is worry free while not sacrificing any performance gains. The peppy twin cylinder engine moves forward with exacting precision and throttle response whether going at it slow or wide-open. And the feel of the ride…is quite like nothing else, it’s as though the machine has a soul beckoning to be mated with that of the riders’.
Satisfying that uncovered niche that exists in everyone’s soul, the 2011 Triumph Bonneville affords anyone willing to ride the ability to explore both the world around them as well as themselves as an individual. By somehow tapping into the framework of man (or woman) it inspires one to go forth and observe the world from a different vantage point – allowing them to appreciate the intrinsic value of life just a bit more. My recommendation for anyone who feels drawn to one in a showroom, make it your own and never look back. Few things in life can offer this much satisfaction. Combine that with the knowledgeable and quality staff of quality Triumph dealership like St. Pete Power Sports and you’ve got a winning combination that will continue to pay dividends as the relationship grows.
Ride fast. Live well.
- Jason Paul Michaels
Recommended Upgrades & Accessories:
1) While the quiet exhaust is welcomed by some, others may find delight in the romp of the throttle just a tad more with a set of upgraded British Customs pipes. They offer a bit more grunt as well as a nice performance gain that can be felt at the heart of the matter whilst twisting the throttle.
2) If riding two-up or one-up with gear the factory available rear back rest is a fantastic option. It’ll keep the Misses happy on long rides and serves as a fantastic place for securing a ruck-sack for those heading out to explore on their own for days at a time.
3) To truly experience the 2011 Bonneville riding experience a retro Biltwell Hustler DOT 3/4 open-face helmet is a must. Feeling the air in your face while still being protected really adds to the whole experience. Slide on a set of Raybans or vintage aviator goggles and you’ll look the part as well as play it.
There’s some people that you meet and after talking about bikes, life or anything in general you just walk away with the feeling of “that’s one solid dude.” Folks, Donny Wilson, the GM of St. Pete Powersports is one such dude. The first time we met Donny was at The Bike Builders Invitational held at Quaker Steak and Lube where Donny was talking up the brand new Triumph Bonneville he had in front of him that was being raffled off, yes, a brand new Triumph Bonneville being raffled off, with all the proceeds going to the Fallen Warriors foundation based here in St. Petersburg, FL. Talk about someone using their powers to do some good, right?
In addition to paying respect to those who truly deserve it, Donny is also a huge appreciator of both motorcycling history and it’s future. Having a love for anything with wheels Donny’s office showcases everything from antique Indian artwork to the latest offerings from Triumph. His power-sports center is one of the few that contains both heritage brands, Triumph and Indian and in addition, they host the complete line-ups of Kawasaki, Polaris and Victory. Talk about having it all! Bonnevilles for weekend road-trips, Thruxtans for hitting the Cafe’s, Victories for cruising long distances and everything else one needs to get dirty or play in the ocean; all under one roof! Did we also mention that for all the brands Donny’s team has been able to achieve best in class status as one of the top dealers for all the marques the St. Pete Powersports Center has on its roster?
After a great meeting setup by Rev. Jim Goodrich, the St. Pete Powersports family and Dime City were working together to showcase the past and pave the way for the future of Cafe Racer culture. The first step, St. Pete Powersports shifting it into first gear and Co-Sponsoring the Dime City Cycles Grand Opening and putting up the $1000.00 in cash prizes for the first annual Miss Dime City, USA Pin Up Pageant. How awesome it that?
In addition, Donny and his killer staff are going to be onsite with a host of retro Triumphs available for show and tell right inside the Ace Cafe tent on premise. And folks, let us tell you- if you love the way a vintage Triumph, Norton or BSA feels there’s nothing closer than a modern Bonneville or Thruxton. Of all the currently available motorcycles Triumph is the ONLY brand to continue to pay homage to the heritage of classic motorcycles and if you’re in the Tampa Bay area, Donny is your guy to talk to about them.
So come check all the cool retro Triumphs on display, haggle Donny for a deal on your new scoot or just kick back for cold brew or Espresso in the Ace Cafe tent while taking it all it.
Folks, this is going to be one heck of an event and we couldn’t not deliver the goods without the assistance of Donny and the entire team at St. Pete Powersports, so come on out and tell ‘em thanks!
