North Alabama Vintage Riders Digest for February 9, 2019

[renchinrider]

 Hi, Everyone!

Every now and then, a rainy morning can prove very beneficial.  Today's rain has sidelined me from home improvements for long enough to assemble this week's Riders Digest. ;D

Last Saturday was a special event, in which professional photographer Larry Mayo shared tips and tricks for photographing motorcycles.  As Larry shared those tips and tricks, it quickly became evident to me that I actually know almost nothing about photography.  But, as Larry repeatedly emphasized, the key to developing good photography skills is to maintain a journal, in which one lists the camera settings used to produce a particular photograph.  By matching the settings from those journal entries to the actual photos, it enables the photographer to identify the settings that produce optimal photo quality with the camera and accessories the photographer is using.  "And," he said, "practice and experiment.  That's the only way to get better!"

Other key principles:

    Use a "stabilizer" whenever possible.  Whether a camera pod, tripod, or other stationary object, any of these will reduce the amount of camera movement, and will result in clearer photos of better quality.  Don't hesitate to add weights to a tripod to reduce movement further still, and use a remote camera actuator when doing "studio" work.
    When shooting while holding the camera, hold your elbows against your chest to improve stability.
    Use of artificial lighting requires a great deal of experimentation to produce the optimal effects and maximize photo quality.  Link your lighting to your camera in order to ensure correct timing.
    When experimenting with light settings on the camera, always opt for darker photos.  It's much easier to use photo enhancement software (i.e. Photoshop) to lighten a photo, than to darken it.

A huge thanks goes out to Larry for all that he shared with us, as well as for having literally created a photo studio inside the Blue Plate so that we could see how all of the components work together.

A huge thanks also goes out to Alan Nicholson for providing his flawlessly-detailed BMW as our model bike for the workshop.  As always, the motorcycle was perfect!

To see a quick photo synopsis of the event, follow this link, provided by guest Win, known on MotorcycleAlabama as Klaviator  (Thanks, Win!):  https://www.motorcyclealabama.com/rides/index.php?topic=3382.0

Racing, Safety, Riding Skills:

Cycle World Editor Nick Ienatsch has published his latest in a series on riding skills.  This article focuses (no pun intended) on "Expert Eyes":  https://www.cycleworld.com/track-focused-riding-tips?con=TrueAnthem&dom=tw&lnk=TA&src=SOC&utm_campaign=trueAnthem:+Trending+Content&utm_content=5c5b9f3c3ed3f0000127c69d&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=twitter

On the subject of racing and safety, I shared an article a few issues ago in which the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) published their new standards for Moto GP racing helmets.  Last week, Bell announced that it has produced the first helmet to successfully pass all of FIM's new standards.  Here's the article:  http://bikersreport.com/blog/2019/02/05/the-bell-pro-star-ece-is-the-first-to-earn-fim-racing-homologation/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+bikersreport+%28Bikers+Report%29

I'm sure I am like many (as discussed in this article) who see motorcycle racers as being somehow different from people like me (and to an extent, they really are!)  But, in this article, author Manuel Pecino takes a look at the non-racing side of Moto GP's only British racer, Cal Crutchlow.  https://www.cycleworld.com/cal-crutchlow-man-in-mirror?con=TrueAnthem&dom=tw&lnk=TA&src=SOC&utm_campaign=trueAnthem:+Trending+Content&utm_content=5c5b2eb400bd470001dca101&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=twitter

Motorcycles and Builds:

Interesting dual sport motorcycle built from an eclectic menagerie of parts, resulting in, "The Contraption"  https://cyclesource.com/the-contraption/

This article does a great job of articulating the geometric considerations that come into play when building a custom motorcycle frame.  While I have no plans to build a hardtail Harley (or a hardtail anything, for that matter!  ;)), the principles the author lays out here are universally applicable to custom frame design and construction.  As I read it, I reflected on the amazing one-off motorcycle that Sammy Stetler and Mike Robinson built last year.  I'm sure these are the same principles that made their custom build such a success.  https://cyclesource.com/hardtailing-a-stock-4-speed-frame/

Industry News:

Guess what's back (in the U.S.)?  The world's most sold motorcycle, the Honda (Super) Cub!

  (Re)introduced for 2019, and now sporting 150cc's, the Super Cub is available through U.S. dealers!  https://www.cycleworld.com/riding-worlds-friendliest-motorcycle-honda-super-cub?con=TrueAnthem&dom=tw&lnk=TA&src=SOC&utm_campaign=trueAnthem:+Trending+Content&utm_content=5c6236bc3ed3f00001633d7c&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=twitter#page-3

Here are one writer's thoughts on why we buy motorcycles--whether new or used, and what dealers can do to improve their sales performance.
https://www.cycleworld.com/why-i-didnt-buy-new-motorcycle-this-weekend-and-how-dealer-lost-sale?con=TrueAnthem&dom=tw&lnk=TA&src=SOC&utm_campaign=trueAnthem:+Trending+Content&utm_content=5c6244c54b73850001755893&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=twitter

And another statistics-laden article in which the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) does an in-depth look at the demographics of motorcycle ownership.  Generally, all reflect good news and a positive future for our beloved sport.  https://www.cycleworld.com/new-mic-survey-reveals-more-details-about-motorcycle-owners?con=TrueAnthem&dom=tw&lnk=TA&src=SOC&utm_campaign=trueAnthem:+Trending+Content&utm_content=5c5b91354b73850001442ea5&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=twitter#page-2

Motorcycle Shows:

The evolving formats of motorcycle shows, and observations of the future of motorcycle shows and rallies in general, has been a frequent topic of conversation.  Shows like Born Free and Mama Tried are hailed as the formats of the future.  Along the same lines, here's the story of another evolving show and format, the Keystone Collective:  https://cyclesource.com/keystone-collective/

Facts Found in Polling:  As noted in my last edition of the Digest, less use of Facebook left subscribers happier.  Well, here's yet another way to feel even more happy and exhilerated:  RIDE! :P  While we all already know this, Roadrunner Motorcycling Magazine presents numerous scientific findings that prove we motorcyclists really are happier (and healthier and more cognitive)!  https://www.roadrunner.travel/2019/02/08/motorcycling-makes-you-happier-healthier-and-smarter/?fbclid=IwAR2h25A1ywcIUK-7iaO9O2mq7IbWiv5LPGOuC2wio0IqPDlQZONQWFJAv38


Now, on to our planned activities:

Feb 15 - 17:  Mama Tried Motorcycle Show, Milwaukee, WI.  http://mamatriedshow.com/

Feb 15 - 17:  2019 Thunder By The Bay Music and Motorcycle Festival, Sarasota, FL.  https://www.cyclefish.com/motorcycle_event/47178

Feb 22-23:  40th Annual Lincoln Highway AMCA National Antique Bike Show and Swap Meet, at Christiansen Field, Fremont, NE.  https://www.cyclefish.com/motorcycle_event/49605

Feb 24:  Clarksville, TN's 33rd Annual Indoor/Outdoor Swapmeet, Clarksville Speedway, Clarksville, TN  https://www.facebook.com/groups/clarksville.swapmeet/

March 1 - 2:  Indoor Flat Track Racing in Lynchburg, TN   https://www.cyclefish.com/motorcycle_event/49633

March 8 - 9:  8th Annual International Vintage Motorcycle Swap Meet and Show, Lake County Fairgrounds, Eustis, FL.  https://www.cyclefish.com/motorcycle_event/47180

March 8 - 9:  2019 AMCA Sunshine Chapter National Swap Meet, Silver Sands Bridle Club Inc, New Smyrna Beach, FL.  https://www.cyclefish.com/motorcycle_event/49606

March 8 - 17:  Daytona Bike Week.  https://www.cyclefish.com/motorcycle_event/3284

March 9-10:  Staytona Bike Weekend, sponsored by Southern Harley-Davidson, Southaven, MS  https://www.cyclefish.com/motorcycle_event/50261

March 28 - 31:  March Moto Madness - Mother Rally, 801 Steer Creek Rd, Tellico Plains, TN.  https://www.cyclefish.com/motorcycle_event/43666  IMPORTANT NOTE:  Al Goodwin and several others are going.   Al has a discussion/coordination forum going on MotorcycleAlabama for anyone interested in joining him and his group.  They'll be staying at the Cherohala Mountain Trails Campground.  https://www.motorcyclealabama.com/rides/index.php?topic=3243.msg29446#msg29446

April 25-28:  10th Annual Spring Shovelhead Retreat, at the Kickstand Lodge, Stecoah, NC.  UPDATE:  It looks like I'll be committed elsewhere during this time period, so I won't be attending after all.  However, I'll continue to carry the event for any of you who may be interested.

These events are still a few months from now, but there will be a lot going on for vintage motorcyclists in New England and Michigan in May-June!  No time like now to start marking your calendars:

May 19:  Classic Motorcycle Day, Mt. Airy, MD.  http://classicmotorcycleday.org/

May 24-26:  AHRMA Vintage Motorcycle Fest and Swap Meet, Millville, NJ  https://www.cyclefish.com/motorcycle_event/50110

May 26:  29th Annual Massachusetts British Iron Association British and Classic Motorcycle Show and Swap Meet, Oxford, MA  https://www.cyclefish.com/motorcycle_event/50228

June 2:  41st Annual British Motorcycle Meet, Lancaster, MA  https://www.cyclefish.com/motorcycle_event/50230

June 8:  Vintage Motorcycle Weekend Saturday Ride and Swap Meet, Hickory Corners, MI  https://www.cyclefish.com/motorcycle_event/50234

June 8:  National Vintage Motocross Series:  Dutch Sports Park, Bloomingdale, MI  https://www.cyclefish.com/motorcycle_event/49721

June 8 - 16:  Laconia Motorcycle Week, Laconia, NH  https://www.cyclefish.com/motorcycle_event/49323

June 28-29: British In the Blue Ridge Rally 2019, Hiawassee, GA.   https://gabma.us/event/2019-british-in-the-blue-ridge-rally/

Please let me know what I've missed.

Let's ride!

[klaviator]

As always Marc thanks for posting all this information.  I agree with your assessment of the Photo workshop.  What I learned from it was about the same as what you posted.

Here's an event you might want to add:  Vintage Bike show in Corinth, MS on May 11th:  https://z-upload.facebook.com/events/607057436407807/

This is at Lake Hill motors which always has an impressive collection of vintage bikes on display in their showroom.

[renchinrider]

Thanks for sharing, Win!  I'll add this to the calendar.  We got to see a selection of their bikes at an ad hoc "show" they assembled in Muscle Shoals last year, and the amount of detail they put into the restoration of their bikes is incredible.  They also brought a photo album that chronicled their trip from Memphis to San Fransisco on the Trans-America Trail on their "Critter Bike" Honda Dreams.  If not for the photos, the story would have been hard to believe! ???  But they did it!

That May 11th show will be well worth the ride!