For people with deep pockets who can't be doing with all this primitive open-cockpit, petrol driven FF nonsense, Peraves now have their brochure for 2018, offering the most efficient production vehicle on earth, the all electric Monoracer for only 79,500 Euro. plus a selection of second hand Monotracers using the BMW K1200 motor for rather less money. Accurately described as the worlds only premium class cabin motorcycle.

For further information www.peravescz.com

RIP Dan Gurney. 1931-2018. One of the all-time greats of American and World Motorsport has passed. But what a great life, lived to the full for 86 years. Among countless other victories, Dan won the 1,000km race at the Nürburgring with Stirling Moss in 1960; in 1967 he became the only American to win a Formula 1 race in a car designed and built by his own company and the same year started the tradition of spraying the champagne when he won the Le Mans 24 hour race with AJ Foyt. He introduced full face helmets to both Indy cars and F1.

My VMCC magazine* tells me that as of next May, bikes over 40 years old will become MOT exempt**, and this will roll on every year maintaining the 40 year period. This does not apply to modified vehicles or Q-plated vehicles (damm!).

This should make keeping early Quasars on the road easier at least.

Royce

*both I and my bike are over 25 years old, it's the obvious club to join, insurance discounts, news, easy outrage.

A little bit late but as Ive only just joined this forum I thought I would make a contribution

There are several really good technical reports on BMW's very advanced E-powered scooter. It does seem to have all the power management features needed in a two wheeler and the i-3 car the software was developed from is a really nice drive. Performance, speed, range and so on, are all first class for current battery technology and bound to improve. Only the eye watering price, for what is basically a large scooter, is a deterrent.

A link you may have missed, having not selected 'read more'. Other FF advocates may like to contribute..

It's obviously time for electric FFs to spread their wings! Good to hear of Dave Arthurs project, another person who's found the Niche Vehicle group ("promoting disruptive low carbon vehicles") completely useless, but pressed on regardless - Monoliner is still moving towards first run.

Hi everybody I wasn't going to break cover before i had more to show, but with all the current activity on site re looking for an FF, on yahoo, and electric motorcycles on bikeweb, here goes.

I recently came across this 'publication'* that might interest anyone with an interest in the future, rather than the past - https://electricmotorcycles.news/

Regrettably it is all about electric motorcycles, they're another group that's never heard of FFs, including E-tracers and the X-prize. But anyone can put them right on that, perhaps by sending them links to this very site. You won't be the first to do this but don't let that hold you back!

Royce

*Through linkedin. Imagine that!

Bob Tait. 1935-2017
in memoriam
Bob Tait, engineer and innovator, responsible for key developments of the 'double wishbone' hub centre steering system pioneered by Jack Difazio, died peacefully at home on the 16th July 2017.

This no longer available, bought by a group member: I saw a Difazio-style hub for sale at the Kempton jumble yesterday.. It is VERY similar in appearance, but seller said made by someone near Swindon. It has a 40 spoke ,18 in alloy rim/tyre, and axle, but no caliper mounts or anything else. Seller is open to offers. I would say it is in very good condition, no bearing noise etc. Please contact me if interested. Jan. 07939 123555.

What goes around comes around – as they say. For all the wet Euro-tours we have had, it was certainly time we had a dry one. In 17 years of trips, this must have been the first time it never rained on us at all. Tom and Steve on big Varderos, Mike on Triumph 800 Tiger and me on the BMW F650GS

El Roadmaker

Hi Everybody just to let you know, i am the new owner of the Honda Goldwing Phasar recently advertised on this site, i am hoping to eventually put it back on the road, but it is unlikely to be fitted with a leadwing engine, possibly even electric drive. If anybody can tell me any info re the bike ie, original length of front spring/dampers, and approx spring rates, and any more info on Tait front end would be appreciated. thanks in advance yours Dave Arthur

Recent news that a Quasar, or strictly speaking a Phasar, had been stolen from a barn in Heddington appears to be just one version of events. Another version is that the person who owned this bike before it went to live in the barn found a buyer and simply removed it in order to deliver it to the new owner. Obviously the person who was keeping it in the barn may have other ideas, but who am I to unravel a little local difficulty in a far away land (Wiltshire) of which I know little?

RECENTLY SAVED FROM A BARN IN YORKSHIRE,BODYWORK AND FRAME PARTS INC FRONT WHEEL, STILL TRYING TO WORK OUT HOW TO UPLOAD PIKS, I ALSO HAVE THE V5/LOGBOOK AND COUPLE OF OLD MOTS, WAS SET UP FOR A HONDA GOLDWING MOTOR WHICH I DONT HAVE,NOT SURE WHAT ITS WORTH SO IF ANY ONE CARES TO ENLIGHTEN ME IT WOULD BE APPRECIATED, IT IS FOR SALE, CONTACT ME THRU HERE OR darenrudling@aol.com ...or bell me on 01205 760926

The Aerobike is currently partly dismantled, I was selling more as an on going project rather than a going concern ..so this is the current state of things -

I have taken the body panels off and drilled out the rivets that mounted the front wheel tunnel as I was using the remaining chassis and engine for experimenting with a tilting 3 wheeled tadpole trike -

Mostly due to a lack of a suitable place to safely test and refine the Aerobike, it is up for sale, either mostly complete or as a body / chassis.. I am not expecting to recoup the money that was spent on it and are willing to dismantle it to make it easier for overseas shipping if required ... (thinking maybe $2000 US for chassis, moulds, bodypanels,stabilisers etc? )

Read more about it - http://aerobikeenclosedmotorcycle.blogspot.co.nz/
or at Manfeild racetrack - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuK-Dg2Se-E

Contact me at rogerdunkley@gmail.com if you are interested ...

A unregistered Quasar, bought as an uncompleted bike at the end of the Qusar project is reported as stolen last Thursday (20th. October 2016) from a barn near Heddington Wilts. (The village where Malcome Newell lived). Quasar specialist Mark Crowson has been put in touch with the owner and more details may be forthcoming. In the meantime anyone hearing of a Quasar for sale should contact Mark.

2 Varaderos, a Triumph Speedmaster (almost an FF) and a BMW F650GS go boldly in France
Prologue
Maybe I should have written this on 20 June, immediately after we got back from the French tour.
But I didn’t and the madness of June 23rd has left me numb and angry. I enjoy these trips, partly because we are on holiday in familiar but varied landscapes with great roads, and partly because we are welcome and feel we belong. Sadly the whole tone of June 23rd has put two- fingers up to these very people. May the perpetrators of this lunacy be held accountable.

Just a reminder that the period for making an offer for Voyager 04 is coming to a close. Details below, if you haven't already looked. If you want to buy this bike make sure your offer is in by the 30th. April. "You have to be in it to win it"