William Dunlop killed in crash at Skerries 100 road races

Posted on July 7, 2018January 30, 2020 by Steve Carpenter

07 Jul

Northern Ireland motorcycle racer William Dunlop has been killed in an incident at the Skerries 100 road races in County Dublin on Saturday.

Dunlop, 32, was taking part in practice for the event when the crash happened.

The Ballymoney man was a member of the renowned Dunlop family and was a winner at the North West 200 and Ulster GP.

William’s father Robert died as a result of an accident at the North West 200 in 2008, while his uncle Joey was killed in a crash in Estonia in 2000.

Joey holds the record for the most Isle of Man TT wins with 26, while William’s brother Michael has registered 18 wins at the event over the Mountain Course.

William has also competed regularly on the Isle of Man but sat out this year’s races after coming home during practice week to be with his pregnant partner Janine.

Dunlop indicated after the event that there had been concerns about a 20-week scan but that the situation had improved and the couple were looking forward to the arrival of their second child.

Photo by Stephen Davison

A statement released by the Loughshinny Club, the organisers of the Skerries 100, said that they “deeply regretted that William Dunlop has passed away following injuries received in a tragic accident that occurred during practice which took place today, 7 July 2018”.

“The Loughshinny Motorcycle Supporters Club extends their heartfelt sympathy to William Dunlop’s family and friends. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this very sad time,” the statement continued.

It is understood that William was taking part in an Open race practice session on his Temple Golf Club-backed R1 Yamaha when he crashed at the Sam’s Tunnel section of the 2.9-mile circuit on the third lap around 17:00 BST.

Red flags were immediately displayed to halt the session and medics and Gardai attended the scene.

Distinguished road racing career

Dunlop began racing in 2000 and accumulated 108 Irish National Road Race wins during a distinguished career, including 15 at the Skerries circuit which ultimately claimed his life.

Photo Derek Wilson Photography

The elder of Robert Dunlop’s sons rode for many of the leading road racing teams, including Hector and Philip Neill’s Tyco-backed TAS Racing team, Shaun Muir’s Milwaukee Yamaha outfit, Wilson Craig Racing and most recently Tim Martin’s Temple Golf Club Yamaha team.

He achieved four wins at the North West 200, including successes in the 125cc and 250cc races in 2009, a Supersport triumph in 2012 and a Superbike victory in 2014.

William won seven races at the Ulster Grand Prix in Dundrod, three in the Supersport class, two on 125cc machines and two in the 250cc class.

His best result at the TT was a second place in TT Zero in 2016, while he also finished third on four separate occasions.

Rest in peace Will, you have a family up there you will be now racing.

International Motorcycle Show Long Beach Nov 2017

Posted on November 20, 2017January 30, 2020 by Steve Carpenter

20 Nov

Well, it was that time of year and we were all ready to head to the show, I started my Thruxton up, it purred away as it usually does, rode it onto the kerbside and let it warm up whilst I struggled with my Jacket and gloves etc, Sunday morning, all seemed well, Air pressures were checked, chain tension, Oil Level, Fuel level, Brake fluids, Lights function, Horn, signals and lights.

Looking forward to riding to Long Beach with my Girlfriend Jennifer today and her bike was now ready to fire up, but I heard just for a split second, my Thruxton Hiccup and drop the revs a tad.

I turned and looked at my machine and there was Fuel pissing out faster than a Rhino with a Full Bladder. FFS !

Thinking quick I hot kill switch and that shuts the fuel pump off, the motor was warm but not hot but, it sure was steaming from the fuel pouring over the whole motor, so glad it didnt reach the coils.

I put bike away and could see it was a fuel line issue, so had to admit defeat today and jump in the Car and head to Long Beach, that was a bummer as the weather was perfect for a ride.

But, we made it to the show, seemed a lot smaller than the old shows as it used to be held in both buildings, but none the less a great show as usual.

Met James O’Donnell, Scott the Baker from our 59 club and then 2 minutes later Dave and his side kick from the San Diego chapter of the 59 club, so that was quite a coincidence in the first minute of walking in the place.

The show was buzzing and we saw this woman explaining how easy it is to pick up your motorcycle if you are unlucky enough to drop it, Jenn was all up for it, so videoe’d her having a go, so stoked she gave that a try, as it is a very useful tip if you find yourself in that predicament.

I had noticed some cool machines, I only had my Iphone on me but thought I would take some snaps, as people ask me to Blog and show them whats about, so here it is.

Above, one of Kottys machines.

What is not to like about this Vintage Indian, I would be on this and taking around the flat track, leave it in a Tall second gear and start to wear that steel shoe out big time, loved this.

I wish they had fired the Norton up as the straight through Megaphone would be louder than the local Fire Station Alarm, what a wicked Machine.

I saw a lot of Gilera’s back home as a kid, seemed to be tons of them in my area in the 70’s but I bet they are all dried up now?

Vintage Hill Climber would still be fun today, short exhaust pipes would be a Hot and loud ride for sure.

Do not often see these Beemers about and to have one in original condition was epic to see, back home the rain and snow would of eroded this German masterpiece to just a rusting frame over the years.

I still see a few of these around but not so much the Race bikes, except for the 250RR Harley I had in my shop, that was killer too.

Royal Enfields Answer to the BSA, these were and still are a thumping big fun bike I always love the sound of when its on the pipe.

One of our friends wives has one of these and this is a pretty good example of the 175cc, many in the UK when I was a kid.

I would take any one of these out for a Blap, such great memories come flooding back with these Motorcycles.

Tiger Tiger Burning bright, so stoked to see this piece of Mechanical fun.

What I would have done to be able to sling my leg over this as a teenager in England, boy would I of had a Blast on this.

Every ones a winner, right down to the Chrome moly frame, HUBBA HUBBA.

The old Husky 360 Automatic was a popular bike when I was at school.

I remember the first time I rode one of these, the Power band was tremendous, I ripped past my Brother in the Kings Forrest one day, leaving about a 4 inch deep trench all the way up the trail.

Plenty to see and at least one bike here would have a certain connection in your life I am sure.

I think this must of been George Jetson’s inspiration

Could never afford these Ducks back then and still cant today but what awesome machines and these really had a unique sound.

Vincent of anything is cool, this Rapide is begging to be ridden, I have never had the opportunity to even sit on one, let alone ride one but maybe one day, so nice to see.

Another Machine you dont see enough of, Velocette’s were a common machine 40 years ago where I lived, seems the internet has changed all that, never really see them at all anymore.

Baby Duck would probably still cook my Goose.

ERM!

Above, well you could get an air brushed tattoo to pass the time, this area was pretty cool, even had a Barber and an open workshop.

Above-A lot of work went into this head light fairing on the Indian.

Old and New seem to work quite well.

The Indian seemed More menacing from this angle.

One of Motone’s Triumphs.

Motone had 2 bikes this year and engraving was pretty intricate.

So much work in the side car.

Maybe next year they will fill the old Round building with Vendors like they used to as it was lacking vendors to be honest and more show bikes too.

So all in all not too bad but done it all in 2 hours, so hope it gets bigger again as this was lacking in something but lets see what next years event brings.

CRASH HELMETS- How people make theirs Different.

Posted on October 24, 2017January 30, 2020 by Steve Carpenter

24 Oct

Happy Tuesday

Quick Blog today

As its 106 degrees and I have to do some welding too, some days its just not fair but there ya go, so I thought I would add a little Humor to the page today with a little Blog on Crash helmets, Skid Lids, Brain Buckets, what ever you lot want to call them, we mostly all have to wear them, except for Nevada I know but over here in So Cal we do.

So-here are some crackers that may make you smile today, I know that made me laugh as I added these to my files and thought what better way to get the day going by, then to add these.

Some I like and would wear, the Full face above is cool and still available at some retail stores, very Stealthy and compact, loved it.

This Shark is great, always loved the Camo stuff since I was in the Royal Anglian Regiment and thought this was pretty cool and again, still available today.

Anyone for Tennis, some one has lost their Balls if they are wearing this on the road, havent seen one about anywhere to be honest.

This Bandit full face looks like it has had a Punch right up the Hooter, Bloody awful looking thing.

I like this, whether it means Danger, Hazardous, or Toxic, this is a great and easy design that says it all.

Custom Crash Helmets are always cool to see and very individualistic, this must get many looks when they are stopped at a major traffic light in the town center on a Saturday Morning.

I really like the simplicity of this and Orange and Black goes surprisingly well together , yet to see this on the freeways but I am sure at some point I will as its pretty darn cool.

This is Halloween, Halloween, Halloween, how frigging cool is this, I would wear it for sure, not sure how long until the Old Bill would pull me over but a head turner for sure.

Something a little different too, I am sure many a Car driver will stop and their eyes widen when they see this next to them in the street, very cool indeed.

This is another cool one to wear on Halloween night, riding around with maybe a neon light under it with some dry ice fog belching out underneath it.

Looks a cool idea but not much vision out of that eh?

You stop and have a double take when you see this coming down the road at night, bad ass and looks the part for sure.

Neat, smooth and very cool, see a few of these about and they get people looking out of the corner of their eye when stopped at a T Junction in Town.

I have seen a few of these about but they need the whole costume to pull the effect off though.

Custom painted or wrapped Helmets are very popular right now and have seen some great stuff, but never have enough time to get my phone out to take a picture of them though.

Clowns are really popular too and this is pretty scary, I wouldnt like to look in my Mirror at night and see this thing pulling up behind you on an old back road with no light poles anywhere.

Pretty effective this Skull design, a lot of time must of gone into these paint jobs and it sure shows it, some clever designers out there taking advantage of their skills, and why not indeed.

I’d wear this to shoot down to the shops or something on Halloween, thats pretty cool looking, hope I see something like this on the road next week.

More Crazy Clown stuff, I think we shall start to see a lot of these designs coming out as a mainstream Crash helmet by the big guns soon as they really are becoming sort after these days.

This is very cool and very detailed, has a great depth to it, I am sure this was not cheap to do but it sure is effective and hope to see this somewhere like the Sema Show Next month.

Now that really is plain weird, bet you cannot stop looking at it though?

Some talented people out there and sure will start seeing many more one off custom Skid Lids at the shows and the events that we attend during the year, love to see these Custom lids.

This will be popular next month for sure, get your Nan to crochet you a Santa hat for your Lid and a beard to match, easy to do but really effective whilst riding down the road at night.

No idea whats going on here but a lot of work to get this to come out like that, wonder if the Visor will still function as a one piece, looks like that it might do, very strange but cool art.

Just when you have seen it all eh? Get someone in your family this for a Christmas gift and watch your Nan’s face when they reveal the gift they have been given, Classic!

Thanks for looking today, have a great Tuesday.

Insane Meat Slicer Turbo Visor from back in the day!

Posted on November 12, 2015January 30, 2020 by Steve Carpenter

12 Nov

As a kid, I used to think that this was nuts even then and now, well how frigging crazy is this invention to see, I cannot imaging the distraction from the noise of this circular Buzz saw that screams around at the speed of sound to “Fling” off any H2O that maybe sitting on the visor.

So Today I thought that I would show some of these Crazy inventions and make you smile today, but- in all the many decades of riding I have done back home and all over Europe, I have never encountered one of these.