Gyles Fairclough Passes

Rest in Peace, Gyles. 1973-2008

Randy Tefft's V50 Flat Tracker!

"I purchased my 1978 V-50 about a month and a half ago, from a local
dealer - EDDIES MOTORCYCLES in Swanzey, NH. The head of the service
dept. - Aran Johnson and service tech.- Brian, were glad to help me
make the V-50 into a flat tracker. They both race.

We didn't get the bike running very, well until we drilled out the
pilot jets. It seems to be running pretty, strong now (30mm
Delorto's). It's running on a 'total loss' system, since we were
having some trouble getting the regulator up and running (I think it
needs some new parts!).

I put a 19" front wheel on (from an old Honda 750), but still have to
use the 18" rear. I did find a rear wheel from H****'s (for a V65
TT), but they want $600.00 for it... a little too steep for me right
now. I was able to find a used 18" Goodyear. I'm still looking for a
rear hub that I can put a 19" rim on.

I'm not too worried about getting more horsepower out of it just yet,
as I'm the 'weak link' in the performance end of things. It's only my
third time on a flat track. I'm hanging with the pack, just not
running at the front right now. I race the VINTAGE catagory - bikes
1980 and older. I'm racing with 750cc Triumphs etc...

Over the winter, I'll look into running the exhaust to the right
side, getting the 19" rear and perhaps some better forks. The stock
forks are quite narrow, causing the tire to rub on each side (not a
big deal really).

I don't know how much horsepower I'd realistically, get out of the
V-50. It may be cost prohibitive for my level of expertise. In the
mean time... I'm having a blast riding this bike. And... it sure does
get a lot of attention at the race track. It made the AMA website for
the Monticello, NY race on Sept. 06th 2008."

Seiler and Son

Kev Seiler with Ivan "The Terrible". Check out the T-shirt.

Daytona Project

Here's another project I got myself into...I commandeered Tim Crump's old Centauro for transformation into a cafe racer. The Centauro is a bit of a cult bike. The powerplant (same as the Moto Guzzi Daytona) is a snappy, ~90hp development of the Guzzi engine, but the bodywork makes the bike appear large and bulky. That will soon change. I'm aiming for a very stripped down cafe racer with all the benefits of the most powerful and most refined Guzzi engine of the period.

Stay tuned for more photos as it develops. Oh, and BTW, I need another cafe racer like I need a hole in the head.
















Start, May 2008















Progress, September 2008