Michelin House London U.K.

Michelin House at 81 Fulham Road, Chelsea, London was constructed as the first permanent UK headquarters and tyre depot for the Michelin Tyre Company Ltd. The building opened for business on 20 January 1911.
Designed by one of Michelin’s employees François Espinasse, the original building features 3 large stained glass windows. The designs are based on Michelin adverts of the time, and all feature the Michelin Man “Bibendum”. At street level, there are a number of decorative tiles of famous racing cars of the time which used Michelin tyres. These decorative tiles wrap around the front of the original building. More tiles can be found inside the front of the building which was originally a tyre fitting bay for passing motorists. People walking into the reception of the building are greeted by a mosaic on the floor showing Bibendum holding aloft a glass of nuts, bolts and other hazards proclaiming "Nunc Est Bibendum" (Latin for "now is the time to drink"). The reception area features more decorative tiles around its walls. Two glass cupolas, which look like piles of tyres, frame either side of the front of the building.

Michelin moved out of the building in 1985, and it was purchased by the late publisher Paul Hamlyn and restaurateur/retailer Sir Terence Conran. The pair had shared a love for the building for many years and embarked on a major redevelopment, which included the restoring of some the buildings original features. The new development featured offices for Paul Hamlyn’s publishing company and a shop and restaurant for Sir Terence Conran’s retailing and restaurant group.

In August 1987, Michelin House re-opened as a restaurant and bar: Bibendum Restaurant & Oyster Bar, offices for Octopus Publishing and The Conran Shop.

The architect behind Michelin House was François Espinasse (1880-1925), who was employed as an engineer in the construction department at Michelin’s headquarters in Clermount-Ferrand. It is believed that he worked on the design of Michelin's Headquarters in Paris (1908), but this is the only other known architectural work of his. The French Order of Architects in Paris have no record of him. Not much else is known about him other than he spent most of his working life at Michelin.

Source text: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelin_House

Source photo's: Wikipedia + unknown

Classic motorcycle fair Rosmalen Holland 2010

Classic motorcycle fair Rosmalen Holland

Petroliana

Some people collect stuff, other people collect stuff as a fanatic for decades and finally display their collection online. Alan Chandler is one of them.

Enjoy his collection of historical petroliana artefacts on his website:

http://www.petroliana.co.uk/

Source: http://www.petroliana.co.uk/

Pin up - striping of the month - Keith Weesner

Keith Weesner's artwork of hodrods and rockabilly 50's style pin ups, sure is candy to the eye !

Pictures: http://www.keithweesner.com/

Metalback - designerbike by Jordan Meadows

The Metalback concept exists at the junction of substance and sustainability meeting speed and style. Currently, the Motorcycle market is devoid of product which has been designed for sustainability while still offering style and uniqueness for the enthusiast.
The concept is powered by a v4 engine running on bio diesel. This increases the range and MPG well above conventional gasoline bikes while running on a fuel which is more environmentally-friendly. Its frame and skin are crafted from recycled aluminum. This has the advantage of saving weight to enhance performance while reclaiming pre-used material. In the manufacturing process, the alloy is treated to patina and age naturally without expensive and harmful paint applications. The net effect is a raw natural surface which suits the classic cafe racer and recalls the romance and power of vintage WW2 fighter planes.

Source text & photo: http://jordanmeadowsdesign.com/index.php

KillaCycle - Worlds fasters electric dragster

KillaCycle® is the quickest and most powerful electric motorcycle in the world.

It is quicker and faster than ANY other electric-powered vehicle on the drag strip. (This includes dragsters, etc.) It has over 500 hp and accelerates 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in less than a second! The secret of KillaCycle®? - The batteries! The powerful A123 Systems nano-phosphate™ battery cells are what makes the KillaCycle® go as fast as it does! The same battery cells are found in DeWalt cordless hand tools.

KillaCycle® facts:


0-60 mph (0-96 km/h): 0.97 seconds
Acceleration: 2.89 G (almost 3 times free fall)
Best Top Speed in ¼ mile: 174.05 MPH
Lowest ¼ mile Elapsed Time (ET): 7.82 seconds @ 168 mph
Power: over 500 hp
Battery: 1210 lithium iron nano-phosphate™ cells from
A123 Systems
Battery weight: 200 lbs (90 kg)
Battery voltage: 374 Volts
Battery capacity: 9.1 kWh

Owner: Bill Dubé
Driver: Scotty Pollacheck

Source text & photo: http://www.killacycle.com/

The Bruce Weiner Microcar Museum

The Bruce Weiner Microcar Museum

The Largest Collection of Microcars In The World – with a free virtual tour

Half a boy and half a man… you know the song?
Well, this is half a motorcycle and half a car.

The microcar, a vehicle born out of need, was a child of its time and became the symbol of a people's spirit.
World War II came to an end in 1945 and Europe lay in ruins. A shell-shocked population came out of the bomb shelters and faced an unimaginable scene of devastation and ruin.
As if the seemingly endless task of clearing away the rubble wasn't enough, there were crippling shortages of food, raw materials, electricity and gas. Value and worth were measured in Chesterfield cigarettes.
The population collectively rolled up its sleeves and went to work. The astonishing rebuilding of an entire continent over a period of ten years was accomplished through a unity of spirit and purpose unimaginable today. Bright, talented engineers, many out of the former aircraft industry, put their minds to the problems of mobilizing the population under adverse conditions. It's said that the true master reveals himself within limitations and so this focusing of energy and talent resulted in an enormous variety of small vehicles; some successful, others less so - but all of them interesting!
The microcar or "bubble car" came to symbolize this period of renewed energy and pulling together.
The bubble car boom lasted only a decade, but the period left a lasting impression even on those who abandoned their Kabinenroller for a "real" car.
The cars continue to be found in barns and collections throughout the world but are particularly meaningful to the Europeans, whose lifestyle was, in part, made possible by these tiny cars.

Maybe today with massive, almost 24/7 traffic jams in the cities and suburbs, this tiny cars do have a future… with an electric engine!
Source text & photo:
http://microcarmuseum.com/index.html

MAD MAX – Goose “KWAKA” Kawasaki replica

Mad max the Australian Cult movie still inspires people today. From Britain to Japan, several handy bikers make replica’s of this famous bike.

There even was a Japanese company (Whitehouse) that produced replica’s and even a pocketbike version of the Goose bike. As you can see in their brochure.

The origins of the Goose bike design seem to be the Australian police bikes.

About the MAD MAX movies, vehicles in the movies and much more visit:
http://www.madmaxmovies.com/

British Goose Replica
http://www.z-power.co.uk/

Japanese Goose Replica
http://z1000goose.fc2web.com/

Project Runningblade - fastest lawnmower speed record

On 4th July 2006, on a home-built lawnmower driven by Bob Cleveland, a land speed record was broken. The machine reached 80.792mph on Bonneville Salt Flats. Cleveland aimed to reach 104mph but poor aerodynamic and a lack of power held him back.

In February 2010 a team from the New Forest, led by Stephen Vokins (Team Principal), aim to break that record again by traveling 100mph (147ft per second) on a Countax ride-on mower.

Louisa Braithwaite spoke to Stephen, during an official launch at the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu, about the project and it's aims.

For further information visit:
http://www.projectrunningblade.co.uk/
Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPwhZtovgnw
Video produced by New Forest Community Media.

2010 Comoto - electric motorbike concept

The 2010 Comoto was conceived and engineered by Jeff Hirsch of Hirsch Design. The Comoto was meticulously designed, and, entirely hand built from the ground up, using only high strength 6061-T6 alloy aircraft aluminum sheet metal in its unique monocoque frame design. No welding is used, except or a few cross members and head tube, therefore there is very little welding to lose the structural integrity of the T6 temper. Only world class high end electronics and high intensity components were chosen for the Comoto's overall strength, weight savings, handling and aesthetic look.

The Comoto is a 100% all electric, all aluminum alloy, lightweight motorcycle. Specifcally well suited for police patrol, airports, emergency response, campus and mall security, commuting, trail riding, and other recreational uses.

Source text & photo: http://www.comotoride.com/