Vintage Pistons - Prachinburi

Yesterday we went to check out the first "Vintage Pistons" meeting at the Wang Bon reservoir in Prachinburi (Thailand).

Being the first time they organized this event, one can not expect it to attract a huge crowd like the Vintage Bike Meeting in Kanchanaburi (24/02/2018), but this shouldn't (and didn't) detract from the quality of the event.
There was everything you would expect at such a meeting: stalls with parts and clothing, food, amazing custom bikes, tasty vintage bikes, lots of rat bikes, crazy, barely moving and completely illegal constructions, a camping site...all set in a beautiful scenery with the backdrop of the Khao Yai mountains.
The most valuable asset of this event however, was in my opinion, the refreshing positive attitude of the organizers and the participants. As soon as we arrived and got out ticket with t-shirt (300Baht each*), we were greeted with nods, smiles and waves by almost everyone. Once again I have to say: you meet the nicest people on a motorcycle.
*Once costs have been covered, the rest goes to a temple donation.

We didn't stay till late as we had to head back home and I hate riding in the dark (very dangerous), but I'll definitely join next year for the second chapter of Vintage Pistons!

An aluminium helmet, hmmm

P'Ut (builder of this bike) and Kung (SR parts shop owner)

sometimes 1hp is enough

Once again, it's competition time!

After the big surprise of winning the Big Bike Custom Show in Bangkok last April, I was invited to enter Sunmaster14 in another competition. Still in Bangkok, but this time it will be held at Central World, the biggest shopping mall in Thailand.

This time I feel much less stressed out about the whole thing.

Give me a LIKE on the FB post below if you like it. Thank you!

Guzzitaly Tour 2017 - The Video

It took 4 months, but the video is now finally ready.

Enjoy

Ruote Da Sogno - A 2 wheel heaven

My brother is an avid bike collector and we both share that passion for vintage bikes. There is however a special soft spot in both our hearts, reserved for small, vintage 2 stroke bikes.
The story goes that he found a place where there were lots of such bikes for sale, some 300km from our house.
One morning, after waking up with a nice hangover, I got a text message from him asking me if I wanted to go to visit that place sometime that week. I said sure thing, I'm all up for it. 5 minutes later I get another message saying he got the day off from work and he's on the way home. "Get ready and bring me the phone charger. Meet you in 20 mins". Crap

Mom and wife pissed off because I had to change all our plans for the day, but hey, it was one of those improvised and impulsive things that either go terribly wrong, or end up being a brilliant and unforgettable experience.
So, off we go, take the motorway and blast 300km in one go to Reggio Emilia, where "Ruote da Sogno" is located.
First though, we stopped at a special garage that specializes in vintage Ferraris.

                                           

 

First off, let me explain what Ruote da Sogno is. RdS is a gigantic showroom, with over a thousand classic and vintage bikes, as well as several interesting cars. This place is the brainchild of 2 friends, one being Stefano Aleotti, a wealthy businessman and Giuseppe Agnello, a car and motorcycle enthusiast. Money was not really an issue for their project, so they went all out on building the showroom and filling the 5.000sq meters with over 1.000 bikes and dozens of cars. The bikes were bought from entire collections and museums all over Europe and are now available for purchase to anyone.

This was the bike my brother was lusting after: A Guazzoni Matta 50cc

 
 
I forgot to mention...
When he told me about the RdS, my brother told me that he was actually interested in 2 bikes, but could only afford one, and that he just couldn't decide which one to buy.
Guess what, being the knight in shining armor that I am, I offered to buy the other one. The first time I saw the Teconomoto Special 50 on a picture, I was hooked.

They have some pretty remarkable bikes there. This 1946 Vespa for example, is the third ever produced Vespa. Also remarkable is the price tag: 250.000Euros!

 

 

 

 

 

 

A special mention should go to our amazing host: the very Giuseppe Agnello who co-owns the place, guided us on a complete 4 hour tour giving us tons of info about the exhibited bikes. In Italian we call people like him "malati di moto", meaning he's got the motorcycle 'sickness'.

They have a huge collection of 60's and 70's Italian 50cc bikes, called "cinquantini". There is a growing interest and market for these bikes, and the prices reflect this trend. Some cinquantini go for up to a staggering 25.000Euros for a Guazzoni Matta Ingranaggino!

 

 

Here are some of the more prestigious bikes. This Moto Guzzi V7 Sport with red frame....hmmmm

A Ducati MH Replica

A Laverda SFC 750

A Moto Guzzi MGS-01

Thank you again Giuseppe for the unforgettable day.