GEAR: Bell Bullitt Helmet Hits Production

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Bullitt DOT

$399.99
Remember that amazing vintage full face helmet concept named the Bullitt by Chad Hodge featured a while back? Well Bell did, and has developed the concept into a production helmet. And yes, it's DOT approved. Bell says it will be available March 1 2014, just in time for next year's riding season. Check out the fully detailed write up on Silodrome for all the specs.
UPDATE: Word was just released that this helmet meets ECE 22.05 standard as well!



As seen at the AIMExpo. It's important to note the plush Oxblood leather interior. Could this be a critical blow to Ruby?
Chad Hodge's original design concept from 2010.

GEAR: Matchless Paddington Blouson Jacket

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Paddington Blouson
$664.00

The Matchless brand has been reincarnated, springing back to life as a fashion forward moto apparel company. Their style is clearly reminiscent of their 2-wheeled roots, and their detail and craftsmanship appears to be top notch. This Paddington Blouson jacket is my personal favorite. The description boasts that it's a great cut for riders, yet there's no mention of padding.






DAILY INSPIRATION: Rudge-Whitworth Custom by Jean-Claude Barrois

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Rudge-Whitworth Custom
by Jean-Claude Barrois
Photos by Guerry & Pratt 


It's funny how certain things in life seem to hang low then present themselves at the most opportune moments. For instance, this Rudge-Whitworth custom build by Jean-Claude Barrois surfaced back in 2008. I completely missed it. But, looking back at myself during that time I know I would have never been able to truly appreciate it the way I do now. 5 years ago I had never even sat on a 2-wheeled machine and these days every spare moment outside the design studio is consumed by them. I've rebuilt motorcycle engines with discontinued parts that were only 40 years old so I can appreciate the countless hours and one-off pieces that must have gone into this 87 year old power plant. I've taken classes in welding, machining and fabrication so I can appreciate the Rudge-Whitworth's ground-up frame construction and perfectly arched backbone. I've been to the Harley Davidson museum multiple times, spending hours pouring over the board track racers of the 1920's so I can appreciate the history behind Jean-Claude's aesthetic nod. And I've been to the Bonneville Salt Flats during Speed Week so that I know how un-fucking-believably gorgeous this thing must have looked out there back in 2011 when Barrois chased the line. ...and how ballsy he was to even bring such a beauty to the most corrosive place on earth. 


Suicide knee shifter. Are you serious?



Enjoy this bike. Take in every detail. Most of these shots are desktop sized thanks to the equally elaborate photography of Guerry & Pratt.










What's the kicker is I found this bike by flipping through the 2011 BikeEXIF calendar that's been hanging in front of my desk, untouched since November of that year. The Rudge-Whitworth was December's bike, hanging one page turn away from sight all this time. Hrrmm, yes, quite opportune indeed.