Maximum Exposure: Rigging a Motorcycle with FilmTools

Whether its a track day, an off-road ride or a cross country trip, motorcyclists seem to want to record their latest adventures. Mounting a camera to a vehicle provides the most versatility, and to learn more about how to do it, we spoke to Cinematographer, Stan McClain.

Stan has been a director of photography and he's worked on over 50 motion pictures, mostly in aerial units. He was the aerial camera operator for one of my favorite TV shows, Magnum PI. Let's put it this way, Stan knows how to handle a camera, and rig just about any vehicle imaginable.

Stan has built a whole business around supplying trick bits to the Hollywood film industry, drawing from his unique work experience. We met Stan at FilmTools in May, where he tuaght us how to rig a motorcycle and setup creative camera angles. And we captured the whole experience on tape. The reulting video contains simple, clearly explained instructions for how to rig, where to get the tools, and how the new HD mini cameras are opening up new possibilities.

Jack Reynolds: Blazing New Trails in the Motorcycle Rental Landscape

Jack Reynolds and werentmotorcycles.com are blazing a new trail in the motorcycle rental business, renting high-end adventure touring bikes, sport-bikes and unique motorcycles -- dropped off and picked up at your doorstep.

Why Rent? Let's be honest with ourselves. We all love riding, but how much do we ride each year? Not "how much do we want to ride," but how much do we really ride? The average American rider puts 2000 moto miles on the clock each year. When we consider how much money we've got locked up in a motorcycle that may spend most of its time bench-racing with the lawn mower, it's probably not the best return on our investment.

I don't know about you, but we’re working all the time, and when we finally get a day off, it takes a few hours to get to roads that are curvaceous enough to actually enjoy. Despite the fact that we've got $30,000 worth of motorcycles in the garage, our best moto-experiences happen when we fly down to California to rent awesome motorcycles, and ride on awesome roads. That's where we met up Jack Reynolds, who has a cutting edge approach to renting motorcycles.

Quick Rides: 2009 Moto Guzzi V7 Classic

We posted a short, real world review of the R1200R a little more than a year ago. It is by far our most popular video, having been viewed over 62,000 times. I think this review was so popular, despite its crude production, because it had a lot of close-up views of the motorcycle, it captured the sound of the motor, and it expressed my true impressions of that machine. We still get a lot of e-mail about this video, and requests for more of this type of review. So, if you happen to be a Moto Guzzi fan, we’ve got a “Quick Ride” video just for you.

I first saw the Moto Guzzi V7 Classic at a Motorcycle show back in December, and I’ve been wanting to try one ever since. Dave Richardson of Moto International in Seattle was kind enough to set me up on a date with one of these little sweethearts.

The V7 Classic was born during rather brief Aprilia years, when the Aprilia design team put their touch on a few new models in the Guzzi line up. It’s basically a restyled Breva, and the result is a handsome, comfortable motorcycle that that pays tribute to the Guzzi heritage. Aprilia updated the Beva’s two-valve 750cc engine, with fuel injection being the most significant improvement. This motor’s lineage is directly connected to the iconic, air-cooled V twin that Guzzi has been producing for decades, unlike some modern classics on the market today.

I’d describe the whole riding experience as relaxed, mild even, but not boring. This bike is very well behaved thanks to its linear power delivery, with plenty of mid-range grunt, and the suspension is well sorted. And then there’s that beautiful exhaust note, which you can enjoy at real-world speeds. Even if you do ratchet things up a notch or two and take the bike for a spirited ride, the V7 Classic takes it all in stride. The Brembo brakes do a good job of shaving off the speed, despite there being only one disc up front. I prefer having two discs on a front wheel, but it’s certainly not a deal breaker.

To sum things up, the V7 Classic is fun and easy to ride. It will appeal to those who appreciate a classic look without the hassle of maintaining a classic bike. The engine delivers power in a predictable, linear way, and the ergonomics are relaxed and comfortable. This Guzzi is about classic looks and a pleasant riding experience, and I give it high marks for delivering both in a handsome well-made motorcycle.

Trials First, Trials Last

A lot of people think competitive motorcycle sports are fraught with danger -- X-games, Supercross, World Superbike -- where thrill seeking speed junkies surgically remove their survival instincts and drink danger straight from the bottle. Guess what? Not all motorcycle competitions involve grinding down your foot-pegs while rocketing from apex to apex.

Observed Trials is a non-speed event performed on specialized motorcycles. It’s one of the most unique motorsports in history. Think of it as Tai Chi, on two wheels. It’s all about balance, precision, and control.

A trials rider must navigate a series of sections – tight turns, slippery slopes, boulders, logs – pretty much a bunch of obstacles the rest of us would try to avoid. Observers watch, and keep score, as each rider attempts a section. The observer is looking to see if a rider touches his foot down. A dab costs a point. Breaking the tape or riding outside the section costs five points. The rider with the lowest score wins – kind of like golf.

Modern trials has been drifting towards the extreme sport side of things, but Vintage trials, such as the AHRMA event we covered at Gray's Farm in Washington, are relaxed and friendly. I didn’t say easy; some of the trials sections were enormously challenging.

Girl Wonder spoke with the gentlemen who organized this trials event, Derek Belvoir, a life-long trials rider who still competes in the premier heavyweight expert class. He’s been at it for nearly six decades, and his passion for the sport is evident in this webisode. John DeSoto, the legendary motocross champion know as the "Flyin' Hawaiian" also appears in this video.

Touratech

Girl Wonder interviewed the Vice President of Touratech USA, where he explained how and why Touratech engineers their products to such high standards. This is an informative video for adventure touring riders who want to learn about adventure touring accessories.

Alisa Hensley-Lane, Stunt Professional

Alisa Hensley-Lane’s resume includes firearms, fencing, martial arts, horsemanship, swimming, wirework and dirt bike riding. She is a Hollywood stuntwomen at the top of her game. Alisa is a 2nd Degree Black Belt whose wonderfully choreographed martial arts scenes range from movies such as “Charlie’s Angels 2, Full Throttle,” to NBC’s comedy action series, “Chuck.”

When she’s not working as a stunt double for Nicole Kidman or Yvonne Strahovski, you may find her enjoying a relaxing day of motocross racing. Dirt bikes are both a family activity, and part of the training regiment for this V10 Womens Stunt Professional. Girl Wonder interviewed Alisa at Los Angeles County Raceway, during an event sponsored by the Hollywood stunt and film community.

Eddie Mulder's Triumphant Garage

Eddie Mulder was a leading TT Steeplechase and desert racer back in the 1960s. He won The Big Bear Race at age 17, beating a field of over 500 racers -- even after getting a late start because he was in the bathroom instead of on his bike. He is best known for his five AMA Grand National victories, all on TT circuits. Eddie Mulder, was a factory sponsored Triumph racer who ran under National #12, and he's been a Triumph guy ever since.

Eddie retired from professional racing in the mid-1970s, and became a leading Hollywood stunt rider, doubling Clint Eastwood in Magnum Force and other movies. He still works as a stunt coordinator, and he's still a a die hard racer -- especially when there is dirt involved. Eddie and his wife run the West Coast Vintage Dirt Track Series, and Eddie gets out on the track to ride the blue groove whenever he can.

We flew to California in November to interview Eddie about his various motorcycle-related ventures. Eddie runs a small business that builds custom Triumph street bikes closely based on his Triumph racers of the 1960s and ‘70s. Although he does do some restoration work, the bikes he builds have very modern components: Brakes by Brembo, cables by Motion Pro, and Works Performance shocks. The hand crafted motors come with Johnson cams, electronic ignition and all sort of trick bits housed in a C&J Frame. A Carbon fiber tank and body works keeps things light, and Maxxis tires provide the grip. As he said in the interview, "The only thing really vintage on them is the motor and the guy sitting on 'em."

We hung out with with Eddie in his Triumphant garage, where he discussed the West Coast Vintage Dirt Track Series, the beautiful Triumph motorcycles he has in his shop, and what life is like for a guy who has been riding for more than five decades.

Dave Terrell's Day in the Dirt

A Day In The Dirt is an Annual Motocross Event held on Thanksgiving weekend. It’s hosted by the Hollywood Stunt and Film Community, and it brings together people from the entertainment industry: actors, directors, stunt professionals and crew – as well as Motocross and Supercross champions, both past and present -- for three days of racing, reminiscing and good times. In its 11th year, A Day In The Dirt has become a modern classic. It has done so by capturing the spirit of the great Grand Prix races of the past.

Some of the racers are here just to have fun, while others are fiercely competitive. And then there’s Dave Terrell, who adds a layer of complexity to the vintage Grand Prix by wresting 600 lbs of German war machine around the track, in the spirit of “The Great Escape.”

You’ll probably never see Dave Terrell riding at the X-Games, or taking huge jumps like a freestyle motocrosser. You will see him at “A Day in the Dirt,” and I spoke with him about his rather unusual choice of motorcycle for the Vintage Grand Prix, a 1938 BMW 750.

Cycle World International Motorcycle Show

Get a first look at the hottest new motorcycles at the 28th Annual Cycle World International Motorcycle Show in Seattle. The expo, which runs from December 12 – December 14 at the Qwest Field Event Center, features hundreds 2009-model street bikes, dirt bikes, cruisers and ATVs and fuel-sipping scooters. The show is an opportunity for riders to speak with manufacturers’ representatives who aren’t pressuring you to buy a motorcycle. This is your chance to come out and learn about all the options available to you, including a chance to get a close up view of all the cool motorcycle-related accessories.

As Robert Pandya, the show spokes person says, "It's really a backstage pass into the motorcycle world." I interviewed Robert, who has his finger on the pulse of the motorcycle industry. We talk about the history of the show, motorcycle sales trends, and the latest in technology. If Robert’s enthusiasm doesn’t inspire you to brave the cold and rain to get to the event center, nothing will. The show will feature events for all ages, so bring the whole family.

Bonneville: Passion, Endurance and Teamwork

It's not just fuel that propels riders into the record books at Bonneville. Breaking a land speed records requires passion, endurance and teamwork. These three tenants of racing are exemplified by Paul Friebus and Team American Cycle Fabrication in this video podcast.

Paul’s family, together with Crew Chief Albert Pepe, and team members Ron Amos and Bob Berry, set a new land speed record at Bonneville this year, on a 1937 Harley Davidson Flathead.

Paul’s parents came all the way from Cape Town, South Africa to be with Paul and the crew at Bonneville Speedweek. His father, Henry Friebus, took a ride down the salt for his 83rd birthday. Henry Friebus broke the existing record in the APS-VF 1000cc class setting a new record of 137.541mph. Henry Friebus said, "We reckon that it's been riding a Harley that's kept us so fit and healthy, because we ride them everyday."

Paul Friebus is a well known engine builder and rider. Paul was born in South Africa and moved to the United States 14 years ago. He and his wife Barbara run American Cycle Fabrication, located in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. American Cycle Fabrication specializes in engine building and restorations.

Paul had his first ride on a Harley Davidson motorcycle when he was 10 days old, which seems to have instilled him with a passion for riding, racing and setting land speed records. Paul has built two other vintage motors at American Cycle Fabrication that have set Land Speed records at Bonneville. A 1938 Flathead currently holds six records in the 1350cc Vintage class, and a 1950 Panhead, owned by David Pilgrim, holds six records in the 1650cc Vintage class. These records can all be found under the name "Bonneville Bobber."

Paul Friebus can be contacted by visiting the American Cycle Fabrication website, or by calling 570-752-8715.

You Know What We Did This Summer...

The sound of rain pattering against the window reminds us that summer is over – especially for those of us living in Seattle. The next few months will be punctuated with a few storms, the absence of sun, and falling temperatures. Fortunately for Girl Wonder and me, we still have a few events to cover in warmer, and presumably sunnier venues.

2008 was a great summer for us at peckhammer.blip.tv. Sure, the price of gas catapulted to over four dollars a gallon, and travel costs made our video shoots a lot more expensive to produce. The good news is that more people are riding motorcycles, lots of old Hondas and Suzukis and Yamahas buried beneath sun-bleached blue tarps have been exhumed from their dusty resting places, and our travels took us to locatons we've never been before. On the latter point, we owe a lot of our success this summer to a friendship formed with Rod Falkner, and Paul and Becca Livingston, AKA Faulkner Livingston Racing.

We’ve been busy shooting story after story, about some of the most fascinating people – some of the most motivated people— we’ve ever met. You don’t win races or realize personal goals by sitting on the couch with a remote control in your hand, and these motorcyclists make it obvious. There have been so many stories to chase, in fact, we’ve fallen behind on our production schedule. Fortunately, with the rainy season upon us, we will have an opportunity to catch up. We expect to finish the year with twenty-four shows. We are currently in post production on a truly inspiring piece about Paul Friebus of American Cycle Fabrication, his family, and several of his loyal customers who all worked hard to set some notable land speed records this year. Trust us when we say it will be worth the wait.

Girl Wonder and I are off to the Bonneville Salt Flats next week to document more great moments in motorcycling history. This may further slow some of our planned vidcast releases, so we are posting this video short that highlights a few of the great riders we’ve been privileged to meet this summer (as well as one driver). The video is by no means an inclusive list of riders we've met this summer; there have been many great riders we've done shows with, and we’ve been inspired by every one of them.

Alan Thoresen: Black Thunder at Bonneville

Alan Thoresen’s 50th birthday was a wakeup call. He was running out of time for all the adventures he wanted to experience. One of those adventures was to follow in the footsteps of a famous New Zealand racer named Burt Monro, and race on the Bonneville Salt Flats. Monro is an inspiration to many racers, but for New Zealander’s, it is a special honor to step upon the salt where Monro rode the World’s Fastest Indian.

Thoresen returned to drag racing in preparation for Bonneville, and he had a very successful first season. Thoresen came in second overall in the NZ Drag Association (NZDRA) Points Series for Modified Bike, winning the Season Points series at Meremere for Modified Bike, and Breaking the NZ National Record for Modified Bike twice, as well as a successive series of wins at other venues.Last year was Thoresen’s first attempt at setting a record at Bonneville on his modified Kawasaki ZX1400. Thoresen was doing well, improving his times with each run. His attempts ended abruptly, however, when he crashed through a timing tower at 180 mph.

Undeterred, Thoresen has returned to Bonneville Speedway with a goal of hitting 197 mph. His ZX1400 has been repaired and reconfigured to run in the stock class. We caught up with this very spirited Kiwi at the starting line on August 19, 2008. Thoresen spoke of his crash last year and what he is doing differently this year in this video podcast.

Texas Panhead Blazes Its Way Into The Record Books

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David Pilgrim of Rockport, Texas, has set numerous Land Speed records with his 1950 Panhead motor at Bonneville Speedway. A Panhead? Really? That goes 140 MPH?

Yes, really. It not a 120 cubic inch aftermarket Panhead either. It's the real deal, and it meets all the requirements set by SCTA to race in the Vintage Class. The motor was built by Paul Friebus of American Cycle Fabrication, who also races at Bonneville and has set his own Land Speed records on a 1937 Harley Davidson.

David Pilgrim owns four motors built by Friebus, three of which are record setters. Pilgrim has set numerous world speed records in excess of 140 MPH on motorcycles, and also holds a 236.664 mph record in his Chevy Corvette. Girl Wonder interviewed Pilgrim at the impound area for record setting vehicles on August 20, 2008.

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Randy Smith, The BMW R75/5 Bonneville Racer

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"We had an internet film crew that found us waiting in line the first day. They seemed interested in our project and followed us for a couple of days. I think they put together a video that shares my Bonneville experience pretty well."   Randy Smith, 2008

This year marks the 60th annual Speedweek, hosted on the famous Bonneville Salt Flats. Speed demons come from all over the world to see the salt flats, to set world speed records, and to take part in one of the last refuges of grassroots racing. At Bonneville, it’s you and your machine, racing upon a vast plain of white salt.

Randy Smith made the 1500 mile journey from Southern Illinois to race at Bonneville Speedway. Randy is the fastest man in the 750cc push rod class, setting a world speed record on his 1970, partially streamlined BMW R/75. Last year he posted a top record speed of 120.357 mph – and now he’s back to top his personal best. Randy set a new speed record, and he shares his Bonneville experience in this video podcast.

Zachary Norman and His Amazing Electric Motorcycle

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Numerous speed records have been achieved on the Bonneville Salt Flats, a surreal white plain that looks other-worldly. Some of the vehicles that race here look other-worldly, too. Imagine a 50cc streamliner rocketing down the salt speeds over 100mph, or the eerie whine of a lithium ion powered motorcycle, built on an old-school bobber frame.

The latter vehicle, built and raced by Zachary Norman of Venice, California, is the perfect juxtaposition of old and new technologies. Zack has outfitted a Flyright Choppers frame with a suitcase-sized lithium ion battery that powers an 84 volt, AC induction motor. A Curtis controller is matched to the AC motor for precise and smooth speed control. Zack also rides this motorcycle on the street, and claims a 50 mile range on a full charge.

Zack set a 69.059 mph record in the Omega class on his electric-powered motorcycle at the Bonneville Salt Flats this August. He also clocked a run at 77 mph, and was trying to solidify that record with a second run. At the end of the day, he had set a world speed record of 73.056 mph. I interviewed Zack about his unique motorcycle as he was approaching the starting line.

Interview: Bob Milewsky, 2008 Chehalis Classic

The Chehalis Classic is one of the American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association’s premier vintage events. Vintage MX Racing enthusiasts have been coming to “the farm” for 11-years. The farm is exactly what it sounds like – an agricultural property transformed into a great natural-terrain motocross track. This is the way things were done in the old days: Carve out a track, fire up the bikes, and then go racing.

A lot of people are attracted to vintage MX because the speeds are lower, and there aren’t so many punishing jumps and whoops like in modern motocross. This brings out riders of all ages, men and women, who have a love to race and ride older bikes.

The Chehalis Classic attracts vintage MX racers from all over the country. I was fortunate enough to run into a racer I had met at the Pikes Peak Hill Climb just a few weeks ago, Bob Milewsky and I sat down and talked about the Chehalis Classic, vintage motocross racing, and the special reasons that he and his wife Kim chose to attend this event.

Interview: Glenn Cox, "Lucky 13"

[Slow Connection? Click to view the YouTube version.]

Glenn Cox is a motorcycle racing privateer who is a seven-time competitor in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. This year he was racing a KTM Super Duke in the 1200 Class, alongside top racers such as Greg Tracy, Joe Kopp and Alexander Smith. The 1200cc motorcycle class is new at PPIHC. "It's not whiskey throttle, grab it and go," explains Cox, "You really have to play it finely, with a lot of finesse."

Handling a four-hundred pound street bike in the dirt sections is quite a challenge. Cox says that he can be doing 80mph in 4th gear and the rear wheel is still spinning from lack of traction. The bike is most at home in the paved sections, where Cox excels.

Cox's qualifying time put him on the front row at the 86th running of the race. Cox got the hole shot and ran the fastest pace he had ever carried up the mountain -- for about a mile and a half. After a perfect start, he led the race until Greg Tracy, as Glenn described it, "put a beautiful pass on me." Cox was determined to stay in front of the rest of his pursuers. He held the throttle open about a second too long while rocketing up the Picnic Grounds straightaway. When he finally grabbed the binders to break his 120 mph pace, it was too late. He couldn’t make the left-hand corner he was attempting to negotiate. Cranked over and sliding under full braking, he stood the bike up at the last moment and drifted off the pavement. Cox crashed into a 10 foot ravine and flew over the handle bars like a man being hurled into outer-space.

Waving like a beserker Viking, Glenn motivated eight spectators to help him drag his KTM up the embankment and back onto the course. Through sheer determination and a healthy dose of control, he managed to pass two other racers. Glenn finished in 9th place with a time of 14:38.

Glenn said it was ironic that he had been most worried about the dirt sections, and yet it was a paved section that bit him in the end. He admits that over-confidence on the pavement was the reason behind his mistake. Always the optimist, Glenn says he be a little wiser in next year's race.

In this video interview, conducted by Girl Wonder the day before the race, Glenn Cox shared his excitement and anticipation about running in the 2008 PPIHC on a KTM Super Duke.

Interview: Eddie Mulder, Racing Legend

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This year marked the 86th running of the "Race to the Clouds." We travelled to Colorado Springs to produce a series of video podcasts that would capture the buzz of this unique and exciting event.

The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC) is the second oldest motor sports race in America. This annual automobile and motorcycle hill-climb, also known as The Race to the Clouds, starts at 9,390 feet and ends at the 14,110 foot summit of Pikes Peak in Colorado. The course covers a distance of 12.42 miles on paved and dirt/gravel sections. Racers must negotiate 156 turns -- many of which are lack guard rails -- as they climb nearly 5000 ft to the finish line.

The air density thins as racers approach the summits, slowing both man and machine. The reduced oxygen level robs engines of 30% of their power at the summit, and slows reflexes and strength of the participants.

I spoke with Hall of Famer Eddie Mulder in the first episode of this series. Eddie is one of the most colorful racing legends I've been able to kick back and chat with. Eddie was a leading TT Steeplechase and desert racer of the 1960s, and he's been racing for five decades. We talked about his early days as a dirt racer, his work as a stunt double for Clint Eastwood, and about his uncertainty in racing PPIHC because of altitude-related health problems he experienced last year.

Interview: Team MAX BMW at PPIHC

[Slow Connection? Click to view the YouTube version.]

The 86th running of the “Race to the Clouds” took place in Colorado Springs on Sunday, July 20, 2008. Hundreds of competitors on motorcycles, quads, sidecars, cars and trucks raced to the 14,110 foot summit in this event.

BMW Motorrad Motorsport sent a factory team to participate at the Pike's Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC) last year. The five-rider team of Gary Trachy, Casey Yarrow, Micky Dymond, Greg Tracy and Markus Barth secured the top five 1200cc class positions on the HP2 Megamoto.

For 2008, BMW Motorrad Motorsport decided not to participate. TEAM MAX BMW took matters into their own hands. MAX BMW principal Max Stratton and his brother Ben, along with two customers, decided to take on the PPIHC themselves. We interviewed this grass roots team of dedicated riders at one of the early morning practice sessions.

Interview: Alan Heffernan, Desert Racer

Alan Heffernan is primarily a desert racer, but he has been competing in the Pikes Peak International Hill climb the past two years. Last year he came with Faulkner Livingston Racing. This year he came on his own, armed with a 1997 CR500, which has been grandfathered into the 450 Class. “It’s like bringing a gun to knife fight,” explains Heffernan. This analogy is especially spot-on when he talks about his secret weapon: Holtzman Engineering’s innovative carburetor compensator, used to combat the horsepower-robbing effects of altitude.

What’s next for Heffernan after Pikes Peak? A little vacation, and then he’ll return to Costa Rica to do a little surfing and fishing. Heffernan runs a motorcycle and surf camp in Costa Rica during the winter months. Then he will begin preparing for the Baja 1000.

As you will learn in Girl Wonder’s video interview, his “vacation” will likely include a few cold compresses to help him recover from the race.