MotoGP Indy - 2013: A Study in Contrasts

The word for today is juxtaposition, sponsored by the Indy paddock yesterday:

New:

Old:

Deserted Pitbox next to:

 

Overflowing pitbox:

Very Cool Bike:

 

Insanely Cool Bike:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The last was at a gas station on the way back just over the Indiana border in Coldwater.  He was on his way from Indianapolis to Cleveland, that night, and the pictures were taken at sunset.  Note not only the suicide shifter but also the suicide clutch.  Nuff respect. 

Supermono D'ART

The metamorphosis of stalled race bike project to object d'art is straightforward:  simply roll the bike from the shop into the gallery, et voila, ART!  Not the Aspar Racing Team (ART) running CRT bikes in the MotoGP series (go GO Espargaro!!!), but actual art.  And if you're still with me, of course I would prefer to show the Aprilia engined CRT bike in the gallery because it would be an infinitely better piece of art than a ratty old TZ250 chassis with a Yamaha 660 motor cobbled into it, the question is, why?

The answer, of course, is that the ART bike is functionally better, in every respect, than any privateer supermono project could ever be.  And therein is the conundrum:  The more beautiful, breathtaking, thought-provoking, higher level of art, is defined by it's inherently superior function.  At least when it comes to racing motorcycles (and cars, boats, planes, etc.).  Which is why no racebike, racecar or any other crackling, nasty, evil, viciously fast piece of racing machinery belongs next to anything which was created purely for it's aesthetic properties.  The latter is art because it was created to be art.  The former is art only because it can't help but to be breathtaking.

As for the supermono in question, it is:

'91 Yamaha TZ250 chassis
'98 Yamaha TZ250 wheels
'96 MZ Baghira engine - similar to Yamaha XT660 engine, same top end as in 660 Raptor
Lots of little bits to connect the above together.


Not really so much left to do, but more than what time allows currently : (

Gallery Opening Party Ypsilanti

The soft opening party for friends and family was a great time, thanks to all that were able to attend, your support is much appreciated.  On to the pics!