Back Street Heroes November 2018 preview

ISSUE 415

NOVEMBER 2018

£4.20

UK OFFSALE DATE: 01/11/18

LAST CHANCE TO VOTE!

accessories

clothing

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42 74 BE PART OF THE BACKSTREETHEROES COMMUNITY

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6: NEWS all that’s new and happening in the custom bike world 8: PRODUCTS loads of good stuff for you to spend your hardearned on 12: LETTERS sound off, one, two, sound off, three, four!

58: CENTRESPREAD Louise Limb’s latest artistic offering 60: SUBSCRIBE TO BSH see here for the best subscription offers 78: KATANA PROJECT our new build is not your average project bike build…

82: TECH BSH’s resident spanner monkey twirls his implements… fnurk 86: MR BRIDGES the guru imparts more of his knowledge of mechanics 90: MAG NEWS our regular column by the MAG chairnongenderspecificperson

92: INDIAN LONG-TERMER Wor Davie’s been putting the miles on it 94: (ALMOST) A ROADTEST the new Moto Guzzi V7 Carbon 98: EVENTS your essential guide to the best rallies, shows and parties 102: SMALLS sell your bike here for free!

104: READERS’ LIVES your pictures and our silly captions... yeah, sorry about that 106: NEXT MONTH just to whet your appetite…

113: RICK HULSE the musings of one of the most eloquent thinkers in bikerdomerd 114: BACK IN T’DAY retro choppers from the depths of timeeom

NOVEMBER 2018

TO GET THE DIGITAL EDITIONS APP, SIMPLY SEARCH FOR ‘BACK STREET HEROES’ IN THE APPLE APP STORE FOR iPAD OR ON GOOGLE PLAY FOR ANDROID CHECK OUT THE BSH FACEBOOK PAGE (BACK STREET HEROES) AND THE BSH FACEBOOK GROUP AT BACK STREET HEROES – THE OFFICIAL GROUP

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editor:

NIK SAMSON

nik@backstreetheroes.com

07884 052003

Jambo!

staff writer:

DAVE MANNING

Sorry, I was being all cosmopolitan there and using the only word in Swahili that I know… well, actually, I know two – jambo and ngiri – but the opportunities to use them both together don’t arise very often as ‘hello warthog’ isn’t really a phrase that you can use socially… well, not if you want to remain on social terms with people anyway.

dave@backstreetheroes.com

I don’t know about you, but I find that fact immensely gratifying and utterly terrifying at the same time. I’m very pleased, obviously, and proud that the magazine is still going all these years later, but the fact that I can remember buying issue 2 (missed no.1), and the fact that it doesn’t really feel, in my addled brain anyway, THAT long ago, is the scary part. Yes, I know that 35 years ago I was a mere slip of a lad of…. umm, counts on fingers… 16, but all these years later I still don’t think I really feel any different to how I did then… well, apart from the fact that I ache more these days. No, back in those days I was always broke from spending all my money on keeping me bike on the road, and drinking beer underage, and all these years later, guess what?

I’m still always feckin’ broke trying to keep feckin’ bikes on the road. The difference is, I s’pose, that back then it was one bike, and these days it’s… umm… eight, and that back then the one I had was worth two-thirds of f**k all, whereas these days the ones I’ve got are actually worth summat, so that’s a gain. Of sorts.

Anyway, we’ll have a proper look back to those halcyon days in a couple of issues’ time when, for all intents and porpoises (other smaller aquatic cetaceans are available), the mag will officially be 35 (the first issue was cover-dated ‘NovemberDecember 1983’). Watch this space!

✱✱✱✱✱✱✱✱ I’ve been thinking about this proposed Ultra-Low Emission Zone thing that the Mayor of London, in his wisdom (possibly…), wants to impose on us come April next year, and the more thought I give it, the more it sounds like bollocks.

Yes, I know that the idea is to make central London a cleaner and more healthy, and therefore more pleasant, place to live, and that’s an entirely laudable and commendable thing to want to do; it’s just the way they’re going about it is arse.

Y’see, as our Selina, she of the MAG top table, has been saying for a while now, they want to charge vehicles that don’t meet certain emission standards – Euro 4 for cars (registered before January 2005, although a lot of cars made after 2001 do actually meet the standard) and Euro 3 for bikes (registered before July 1 2007). That means that, for us two-wheeled types, if your bike was registered prior to 2007, you’ll have to pay £12.50 a day, £62.50 a normal working week, to go into the ULEZ (which is, basically, anything inside the North/South Circular).

Pic by Alex

Anyway, welcome to this, the 415th issue of Back Street Heroes, put together by me (Nik), ’im (Dave M), and ’im (Gareth Williams), along with a supporting cast of delightful advertising, production and freelance folk, some 35 years after the very first issue of BSH came out.

design:

GARETH WILLIAMS publisher:

TIM HARTLEY advertising contact:

RICK NICHOLS

rnichols@mortons.co.uk 01507 529357

Again, I can see what they were trying to do – stop older, more polluting vehicles from spewing out their toxic filth and, as I said, that’s very much a Good Thing. It’s just that the reasoning behind it is flawed. Let me give you an example to demonstrate what I mean; my good lady lives just outside That London and works inside the ULEZ. If she takes her car, a 2004 Vauxhall Astra, it takes her about two hours to get there, much of which is spent sitting in traffic with the engine idling, and therefore putting out pollution. If she takes either of her bikes, a 2007 Hornet 600 and a ’90s GSX-R 750 ratfighter, it takes between half an hour and three-quarters of an hour less, and doesn’t involve much sitting in the traffic with the engine idling at all. This means that, although both bikes don’t meet the required standard as specified, they put out less harmful pollution than the car, which does meet the required standard, because they aren’t sitting stationary for anywhere near as long. And, of course, the car, by way of its physical size, takes up more room on the road and so causes congestion and, therefore, even more pollution. See what I mean?

Good idea, diluted by flawed thinking.

Now, as you’ll be able to read in Selina’s column, the Mayor of London has refused to meet with MAG to discuss this, despite the fact that other transport authorities around the country have seen the sense of their arguments. The ULEZ will go ahead in seven months’ time despite the fact that it won’t really reduce pollution in the way it’s intended to, and the fact that it’ll affect countless London businesses, and penalise the lower-paid in society who use bikes, in particular little bikes, to get to and from work or actually as work. Doesn’t seem a very good, or very fair, idea, does it?

If you’d like to know how to tell His Big Gold Chains Round His Neckness that his policy is fundamentally flawed, then turn to page 90 and Selina will tell you how to do it. I know this is a bit Londoncentric, and I apologise for that, but these things do have a habit of spreading (Brussels, for example, has had a ULEZ that requires all foreign vehicles to pre-register before entering), and people-in-power do tend to look towards London when it comes to trends, don’t they?

See you next issue!

NIK

divisional ad manager:

BILLY MANNING

bmanning@mortons.co.uk subscription manager:

PAUL DEACON circulation manager:

STEVE O’HARA marketing manager:

CHARLOTTE PARK publishing director:

DAN SAVAGE

commercial director:

NIGEL HOLE

freelance contributors:

WILL WEBB, SIMON EVERETT, MIKE AT MUGSHOT IMAGE, COLIN STRONG, POPPY STRONG, KEVIN SOUTHEY, FAZERDAZE, STRING, ORANGE STREET PHOTOGRAPHY, KEITH SEARCH, GARRY STUART, KEITH NICHOL, LOUISE LIMB, MARCEL ORTMANS, POINTY HAT WIZARD FABS, MR BRIDGES, SELINA LAVENDER, ROSS MOWBRAY, MAU SPENCER, RICK HULSE editorial address:

BACK STREET HEROES, MORTONS MEDIA, MORTON WAY, HORNCASTLE, LN9 6JR subscriptions:

01507 529529 website:

WWW.BACKSTREETHEROES. COM enquiries and back issues:

01507 529529 24hr answerphone

archive enquiries:

JANE SKAYMAN

jskayman@mortons.co.uk 01507 529423

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Distribution by Marketforce UK Ltd, 5 Churchill Place, Canary Wharf, London E14 5HU. Tel: 0203 787 9001. Printed by William Gibbons and Sons, Wolverhampton. ISSN: 02679841. BSH is copyright to Mortons Media Ltd 2018 and all rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted, in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system without prior permission in writing from the publisher.

The publishers accept no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or photographs. If you send material to us for publication, you are strongly advised to make copies and to include an SAE. Original material must be submitted and will be accepted solely on the basis that the author accepts the assessment of the publisher as to its commercial value. BSH UK subscriptions £45.00, European subs £55.89, all other countries £67.89, from BSH Subs, Mortons Media Ltd, PO Box 99, Horncastle LN9 6LZ. USA subs $60 per annum from Motorsport, 31757 Honey Locust Road, Jonesburg, MO 63351-9600 and additional mailing offices. Periodicals postage is paid at Jonesburg, Missouri, USA. Postmaster: send USA address changes to BSH, Motorsport, 550 Honey Locust Road, Jonesburg, MO 63351-9600.

NEWS

More attractions’ve been added to the National Motorcycle Museum’s Museum Live on Saturday, October 27.

The big news is that TV personality Henry Cole’ll be launching his new book, A Biker’s Life, there and will be personally signing copies which will be available to purchase on the day.

There’ll also be a huge autojumble and trade area, a ‘meet the experts’ feature where you can meet the folk who restore and look after old bikes, live wheel-building demonstrations, a ‘Stars on Stage’ feature with famous riders and racers, famous race machines being started up, and a whole ruck of genius special builder Allen Millyard’s stunning creations.

As I said, entry is free, but car parking is £5 (bikes are free), and you can get more info from www.thenmm.co.uk

Triumph Motorcycles has announced it will be offering 0% APR finance deals on its Street Twin family of modern classic models; the £9,000 Street Scrambler, the £8,800 Street Cup, and the £7,800 Street Twin.

The limited-time offer runs until October 31 and means you spread the cost of a new Triumph over three years through interest-free monthly payments. To find out more or to book a test ride, visit: www.triumphmotorcycles.co.uk

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NOVEMBER 2018

Iconic Czech beer brand Budweiser Budvar have had a custom bike built by BOLT Motorcycles, based around a 1980 Jawa CZ 250, and they’ve ridden it from London to Budweis in the Czech Republic via Amsterdam, Hannover and Prague.

The six-day ride followed the building of the ‘Budvar Bike’ earlier this year. This saw the team transform a boxy, 1980s Czech bike into something extraordinary; a motorcycle that echoes the classic bikes built in the Czech Republic between the 1940s and ’60s. BOLT say they were inspired by a visit to the brewery in Budweis, and made sure the bike’s design wove in cues from Budvar’s heritage and brewing story, such as hand-painted vintage logos and hand-tooled whole-cone hop leatherwork.

The story of the Budvar Bike’s build and the road trip to Budweis can be seen on Budvar’s story site at www. czechstories.com, and Budvar and BOLT’s social channels.

The Moto Guzzi Club GB was established in 1976 by a small band of just 40 enthusiasts, to support Moto Guzzi owners, riders and enthusiasts. It now has about 2,500 members in the UK, Ireland and overseas, and they have links with Moto Guzzi clubs and enthusiasts across the globe and host international visitors every year. They can offer technical support for singles and twins, four-strokes and two-strokes – if it’s a Moto Guzzi it’s welcome, and so are Guzzi enthusiasts.

There’s a members’ magazine, a club website, and an active Facebook page, and club activities include rides out, social meets, camping weekends and rallies. Membership benefits include associate membership of the BMF and MAG, insurance, ferry and retail discounts, group touring trips, high-quality club regalia, a members-based Rescue Register, machine dating, and free members’ advertisements.

For more information go to the website www.motoguzziclub.co.uk, check them out on Facebook, or email membership@ motoguzziclub.co.uk

New for 2019 is the Harley-Davidson FXDR 114, a new power-cruiser based around their proven 114 cubic inch (1868cc) engine and Softail frame.

The new bike is drag-bike styled with a raked and inverted front end, a little headlight cowl, a new massive air intake and power exhaust, a proportional

A charity is offering a chance to win a new Triumph Bobber, valued at £10,650. The initiative is being organised to raise funds for Teen Challenge North East Scotland, which helps men and women break free from the nightmare of addiction.

Tickets cost just £5, and you can get them from www.tcns.org.uk/prize-draw

contrast between the wheels (240 rear), a clipped tail section, an aluminium swingarm, and fully integrated digital instrumentation and makes 119ft-lb of torque, so it should be no slouch!

Pricing for the FXDR starts at £19,855, and you can get more info from your local Harley-Davidson dealer or www.harley-davidson.com

By the time you read this we should’ve arranged all the bikes (note the ‘should’ve’…) for Custom Xtreme at Motorcycle Live at the NEC in Birmingham from Saturday, November 17 to Sunday, November 25 and, boy, have we got some crackers for you to see!

Already confirmed are: the late Norm from Deathgrip Choppers’ stunning Seventies Panhead, Will Webb’s Shovel from the cover of this issue, the GSX600 bobber built by Mr Bridges that we’re going to be giving away to one lucky reader (watch future issues for details!), at least one and possibly two of Destiny Cycles’ amazing creations, and, of course, the five winners of the BSH Custom Bike Champs. It promises to be, as usual, the most exclusive (only 18 bikes!) and best custom display in the land!

Advance tickets cost just £19.50, or £25 with an Oxford disc lock worth £24.99 on its own, or £25 (with no lock) on the door, and you can get more info from the event website at www. motorcyclelive.co.uk

NOVEMBER 2018

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PRODUCTS

This Resurgence Gear black canvas protective riding shirt is stylish and is made with 60% PEKEV coverage to the body, a quilted faux silk liner with thermal padding, pockets at the shoulders/ elbows/spine for armour, and internal and external pockets. The black canvas fabric is certified to exceed European performance requirements, and is also available with a D30 armour kit if you want one.

Available in sizes S-XXXL, it costs £195 from anywhere that stocks the Resurgence range – go to www. dot4distribution.com/ stockists to find your closest place.

This sleek billet aluminium rear brake master-cylinder comes in chrome or black, and has a 14mm bore size.

They’re now available from your Zodiac dealer – go to www.zodiac.nl to find your closest stockist.

HJC have launched a new range of superherothemed helmets, based on their renowned RPHA70 lid.

There is a range of themed helmets, including goody-goodies Iron Man and Black Panther, and bad boy Deadpool, and they’re built to HJC’s ridiculously high standards. Available from all HJC stockists or online from www.oxfordproducts.com, they come in all the usual sizes.

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This great new sat nav unit from Beeline Moto makes following a course ultra-simple. It’s a tiny thing, just 51mm wide, but has an ingeniously straightforward way of showing you your route, using just an easy-to-see direction arrow, with other relevant information set around it.

It’s waterproof, shockproof, easy to see in bright sunlight and back-lit at night, has speedo and odometer functions, and comes with an easy-to-fit mount.

The Beeline Moto will be on sale in February for £199.99, but you can pre-order one at the price of just £110 from www. beeline.co

The Vario Clamp allows the mounting of accessories (smartphones, sat navs, cameras) to the handlebars, crash bars, frame tubes, etc. It comes with ‘half shell’ spacers to fit any tube from 20 to 28.5mm, and devices can be secured to the clamp using either the optional MultiPod socket, a single socket, or with an M6 or M8 screw fitting.

Made from drop-forged aluminium for strength and low weight, it comes in either black or silver anodised finishes, and retails at £21 from www.nippynormans.com

OCTOBER 2018

These distinctive headlights have ornamental top caps and a conical shape, reminiscent of 1930s streamlining designs as seen, for example, on Mercury trains of this era. They will look great on your classic chopper or bobber (or locomotive).

They have a diameter of just over 5.75 inches, and take an H4 12v, 60/55W bulb, and you can get them from anywhere that stocks the W&W Cycles range – check out www.wwag.com to find your nearest place.

PRODUCTS

As the colder weather threatens, these Weise Luna trousers for ladies will keep you/her warm and dry on the chilliest of days.

They’re made from a heavy textile outer and are waterproof, windproof and breathable, and have CE-approved armour in the knees (and pockets for hip armour too), and a removable thermal lining, while the waist is raised at the back to zip to a jacket if you so desire.

Available in sizes 8-22, they come with a no-quibble two-year warranty, and cost £129.99 from anywhere that stocks the Weise range or www.weise. co.uk

This new water-based, non-toxic paint will give you a perfect, highly-reflective chrome finish on both metals and plastic, and can be sprayed over glossy, nonsanded surfaces (you’ll need a gloss black base coat to make it work).

Applied direct from the bottle (20psi inlet), it costs £42 for a 4oz bottle (8oz, 16oz and 32oz are available too) from The Airbrush Company on 01903 767800 or from www.airbrushes.com

These PBI Sprockets kits convert your belt-drive Sportster to chain-drive, and fit all Sportsters from 1991 to the present day. Each kit includes a 530 pitch steel transmission sprocket and aluminium rear wheel sprocket in a model specific ratio, and they come in a zinc-plated/satin finish.

Get them from anywhere that stocks the W&W Cycles range – check out www.wwag.com to find your nearest place.

Icon Motorsports, the American clothing and accessories specialists, have come up with a new range of backpacks.

The 20L Dreadnaught has a water-resistant roll-top, a PU-coated poly chassis, a riding-specific chest harness with a magnetic chest buckle, articulated shoulder straps and an internal tool roll. Available in red or black, it costs £131.

The 12L Slingbag has a roll-top, a water-resistant liner, a wide padded strap with magnetic closure, a tool roll, and a secondary anti-swing strap, and costs £113.

Finally the 20L Advokat is a waxed canvas backpack with padded shoulders and adjustable webbing, chest closure, 3D mesh panelling, multiple pockets, a 15-inch laptop compartment, and compression straps. It costs £174.

Get them from anywhere that stocks the Icon Motorsports range or from Parts Europe/Drag Specialities dealers – go to www.partseurope.eu to find your nearest place.

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NOVEMBER 2018

Dear BSH, Need to agree or even disagree with something you’ve seen in the mag? Heard a bloody awful joke you think we should groan at? Email nik@ backstreetheroes. com or send it snailmail to the address in the front (somewhere) of the mag!

Dear BSH, Motorcycling is dead? Well, it will be if you don’t do something about it! Yes YOU! Saturday, July 7, 2018: I had been eagerly awaiting its arrival. Booked time off work, changed shifts and put in place all of the family things I need to do to make my voice and presence felt at the Big Brum Demo.

I set off in plenty of time and had a leisurely ride over to the Hare & Hounds.

The weather was fantastic, and all was well with the world – the roads over were impressively arsehole-free on this wonderful morning.

The last section of the A38 approaching the meeting point was awash with bikes, hundreds and hundreds of them, all travelling southward to the start of the run. It reminded me heavily of the days of yore when we would ride helmetless under police escort into and around the city, people waving, horns blaring. What a fine spectacle we were.

On arrival at the pub, there was no room for the massed cavalcade and so the road was lined on both sides with resting bikes, while the pub made a healthy trade of tea, coffee and breakfasts. Music blasted from on-bike entertainment systems, and a carnival atmosphere descended on this quiet suburban idyll.

Wibbly wobbly bit – wibble wobble, wibble wobble...

“Time to get up, love!” calls the wife.

“Get yer skates on or you’re gonna be late!” And I’m back in the real world.

I’ve just returned from a fantasticallyorganised Saturday demo ride in the West Midlands; glorious weather, fabulous organisation, professionally marshalled, great route taking in some of the finest country roads the big metropolis of Birmingham has to offer. The reception at the Motorcycle Museum was excellent; Selena Lavender and partner, along with Colin Brown’s ever supportive other half, a few stalls to mooch around from security firms, the Blood Bikers, as well as a bikers’ charity that supports those who’ve been involved in an accident. There was a great prize of a VIP guided tour of the museum for the lucky raffle winner, which went to a lucky lady from Coalville. (For those not geographically-minded, or who think technology is the be-all and end-all, it’s in Leicestershire, some 35 miles, yes, 35 miles away from the meeting point of the Hare & Hounds in leafy Birmingham suburbia, and still she made the effort.

Well done that lady!) So it was well worth getting off your arse and showing support for West Midlands MAG. Sadly, the majority of you failed to do so, both members and non-members. Bitter?

Probably. Disappointed? Too damn right!

For the thousands of bikers that support the Ride For Life or Ride To The Wall,

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NOVEMBER2018

egg runs and rallies each year, if only 10% could show a bit of dedication to the cause here in the Midlands that would be very, very welcome and encouraging indeed.

Not only was social media flooded with the regional advert, but dedicated members also made sure the message went out to groups and clubs they’re involved in, and the response was? Well, ambivalent, to say the least.

Local political figures were invited to come, as were quite a few local newspaper and TV journalists, to record the open and frank discussion with West Midlands MAG and its multitude of disgruntled motorcyclists, at recent proposals for clean air zones, security issues, congestion, etc, etc. None of them could be bothered with turning up. So where the f**k were you? And the press? Well, thank god they were as bothered as the bikers who failed to attend, because if they had arrived and seen the pitiful turn out, what would they’ve thought about the organisation and, indeed, its political representatives who have valiantly flown the flag? Imagine the embarrassment when next they meet any of these representatives and policy makers. What credibility? What power of negotiation?

Or perhaps they did? Saw the turn out and decided to put away the notebooks and cameras, get back in their cars and f**k off back home.

Yeah, yeah, I’ve heard all the excuses before; I have a family, I was at a rally, the football was on, the dog’s toe nails needed clipping… Just two hours from the day was all that was needed – just two hours. I despair, as a lifelong evangelist of motorcycling, working with bikes, riding bikes, earning a living from bikes, and making a stand against discrimination of bikers. I wonder why I bother to stand up for those who can’t be arsed?

Will this rant change anything? Well, my therapist said it might help (well, me anyway), but will it motivate you into doing something? I doubt it! Shall we just draw a line underneath the apathetic attitudes displayed by the massed ranks of motorcyclists? Leave the worrying and fighting to the dedicated few? Let the lawmakers, policy creators and nonbelievers just everso lovingly and gently bend us over and f**k our arses red raw?

“Thank you, sir, can I have some more sir?”

I for one can’t!

“Evil prevails because good men do nothing!” When it’s all gone, then you only have yourselves to blame. Do something now or you won’t be doing the egg run, Ride For Life or Ride To The Wall, or going to those fantastic rallies, because you’ll have no bike to be able to do it on.

I’m off for a lie down in a darkened room with my nurse.

GETHIN EVAN

Did you happen to see the Generation Sensible article on the BBC website the other day? It praised the young for being, in some ways, less rebellious and less likely to take risks in view of the reduced figures for pregnancy, alcohol and drug use. While I agree wholeheartedly that’s a positive outcome, I would say that the lower figures in relation to those issues can possibly be down to improvements in education in those areas.

However, in no way should the proliferation of a less rebellious youth be lauded as a positive thing. The protests of old required a bit of effort rather than pressing a button on an online petition and then have your worthwhile cause sit alongside the ‘petition for a sarcasm font on social media’ – we used to get out there and elicit change!

The dismaying accompanying photo of six teenagers, each with a phone glued to their hand and not actually looking at each other, made me think perhaps phone addiction is the new opiate of the people, at least as far as teenagers go? Doesn’t society need an element of rebelliousness and risk taking? Without risk-taking we wouldn’t have had the Wright Brothers, Concorde and the International Space Station. With rebelliousness we got the Stones, Hendrix, Sex Pistols and Nirvana. Without it we get Ed Sheeran and One Direction. In your youth it should be all and every direction.

Does the world need the next generation to be a swathe of passive conformists with seemingly no fire within?

An armada of floating voters unsure what to do next and frightened to dip their toes in the sometimes-cold waters of independence! Surely rebelliousness in your youth is a rite of passage? If you can’t do it when all your hormones are raging, what chance have you got when career, mortgage, parenthood and arthritis have quelled your enthusiasm?

KEITH, Hampshire

The best letter each issue will now receive a free T-shirt from those lovely people, Laura and Mark, at Fat Maggot T-Shirts (www.fatmaggot.com) – get all your rally shirts etc. from them, they’re triffic!

Dear BSH, I bought BSH 413 today, after a not-sogood session of Mod 1 training for my Mod 1 re-test on a 125 – I crashed while doing the swerve test. So I’m in the back garden with a Newcastle Brown Ale and I thought: “I’m going to read the editorial, that’s going to take the blues away,” and it did, especially the bit about beer mats!

And then I turned over to the steampunk trike feature, and had a good chuckle at the images, especially the one of the guy in the boiler suit holding up his passport.

Nik, the editorials are great!

SHAUN Cheers, mucker, hope you’re not too sore after your off – that swerve test is a tw*t, I’m told. N.

Dear BSH, Wow, BSH has transformed into Captain Sensible!

(Rick’s column, BSH 413). He has a good point though – us old guys don’t bounce like we used to, so some proper riding kit is in order.

It’s possible to be protected from spills and idiots without looking like a spaceman or wearing a leather babygrow – check out Resurgence jeans and shirts. They’re pricey, but top class and you can wear them off the bike without feeling a dickhead.

Cheers!

CLIVE There’s loads of good kit around these days that looks like normal clothing, but protects properly. Just about all the clothing manufacturers do stuff that’s protective, but doesn’t require you to look like a Flower Arranger. N.

2019 CALENDAR CARL FUNEVALL’S BAY AREA SHOVEL Photo: Siwer Ohlsson

WILL WEBB’S SHOVELHEAD CHOPPER Photo: Simon Everett