Gene Romero Memorial on Saturday was awesome.

Posted on June 25, 2019January 30, 2020 by Steve Carpenter

25 Jun

It was with a little bit of a heavy heart as I rode my Scrambler to Triumph in Brea on Saturday morning, but, the Sun was out and as soon as I pulled into Southern California Motorcycles, I could feel the buzz of excitement, apprehension and sadness, all mixed into one.

I parked up the Triumph and walked up to where everyone was gathered, and a nice turn out to remember the Flat Track legend Gene Romero, most remembered him as the flying Burrito and he sure was, this guy came from a humble background, always living in a small travel trailer and with his brothers, they all had a passion for 2 wheels.

Seeing the many early Racers, fans and of course Family in one place was something to behold and I was glad that Jennifer and I could make the trip to Triumph to honor such a great guy.

Here are a bunch of pics I took from the memorial on Saturday.

I was stunned at so Many original riders that turned up for the event and turned around and saw this little fella with a huge Cowboy hat, then realized it was king Kenny Roberts himself.

I couldn’t believe I was seeing Kenny Roberts, the last time I saw him in real life was way back in 1975 at Snetterton Race track when I watched him Race my Hero Barry Sheene and Gene Romero in the Trans Atlantic Series, I shook his hand and said I last saw him 43 years ago.Kenny Replied- I had a Funny Accent and must be from the other side, I laughed and said Barry sends his regards.

I was so stoked to meet Kenny and to see all the other Vintage Riders that raced against the Flying Burrito, what a super turn out. First pic is Ricky Johnson, what a Legend there too.

In the Triumph Motorcycle shop, they had made a great Gallery of some of gene’s personal things, I loved all the riding gear, and the trophy that gene won back in 1975 when I saw him race at Snetterton. Meant a lot to me to attend this memorial, a hero of mine who ended up being a good friend and we hung out a lot at my shop with him telling me so many stories about the racing days.

Gene Romero “The Flying Burrito passes away at 72 years Young

Posted on May 13, 2019January 30, 2020 by Steve Carpenter

13 May

It is with a heavy heart that I write this post today, last night I found out that an Iconic hero of mine and great friend, Gene Romero, the Flying Burrito as many knew him, passed away of Cancer at the young age of 72 .

Gene Romero was one of the best-known motorcycle racers in the U.S. during late 1960s and early ’70s. Romero won the AMA Grand National Championship in 1970 riding for Triumph. Known as a TT specialist early in his career, Romero became a top contender in all forms of Grand National racing and won nationals on miles, half-miles, road-racing circuits and TT tracks.

The biggest win of Romero’s career came in the Daytona 200 in 1975. Romero had been racing in the 200 since 1967 and came close to winning in 1970 and again in 1971, when he was the runnerup. Romero came through with an excellent ride in 1975 aboard a factory Yamaha. He rode for most of the race in fourth. About midway through the race, he began to pour on the speed, passing Giacomo Agostini and Steve Baker and eventually taking the lead when Steve McLaughlin crashed under Romero’s relentless pressure. Romero cruised home to victory. It would prove to be his only win in the Daytona 200 in 14 starts.

Born on May 22, 1947, in Martinez, California, Romero honed his racing skills on the dirt track and scrambles tracks of the Central Valley of California. He cites Johnny LaManto as a major influence on his desire to race. Romero described LaManto as a hell-raising local legend who lived at a ranch that neighbored his grandfather’s ranch near Hollister, California. As an amateur, Romero used his scrambles skills to become a top TT Steeplechase rider. Not surprisingly, Romero’s first pro finish came at the Castle Rock (Washington) TT in July of 1966. His first national win came two years later, again on a TT course, this time in Lincoln, Nebraska, riding a Triumph.

Romero won 12 AMA nationals during his 16-year racing career. He became known as one of the first riders to bring sponsorship into the sport from outside the motorcycling industry. One year the famous motorcycle stuntman Evel Knievel was Romero’s primary sponsor. In 1970 Romero won the prestigious AMA Most Popular Rider of the Year Award.

Romero raced motorcycles until 1981. After a short auto racing career, Romero became the manager of Honda’s AMA Grand National dirt track racing program from 1982 to 1985. From there, Romero formed a promotions company and is involved in numerous projects from motorcycle racing series to town fairs and festivals.

Gene came to my shop quite a lot and used to hang out and tell me many stories of his racing career, I was always in awe of him and we got on like he was my uncle, such a great guy and will never be forgotten.

I mentioned to Gene that when I was a kid, I loved the smell of Castrol R oil as i used to hitch hike to Snetterton race track to watch the international Trans Atlantic series, where Gene raced my Brit hero Barry Sheene, the very next day gene turned up and gave me some of his old Castrol R oil , he was sponsored by Castrol and still had some left, what a great guy.

A man I will always respect and hold in high esteem, Thank you gene for spending many hours with me and making me feel part of the Romero Family, you have completed your final lap but can now look down on us all and smile that people will always love you mate. Rest in peace gene, my thoughts are with you and your family today.

HELL ON WHEELS 2016 Glen Helen

Posted on April 12, 2016January 30, 2020 by Steve Carpenter

12 Apr

Well, it’s that time of year and even though Dakota has not finished built his TT 500, Meatball was kind enough to loan Kota an old 250 Honda to bimble about for the Hell On Wheels Races that were held at Glen Helen on the Lucas truck race track.

The weather was ominous but no matter what, this event will go on, Rain or Shine.

We got there around 10am and people were already set up, we put the easy up together and unloaded the bike etc, and Kota got to do some practicing, and had fun as the bike was just a little 250 and would give him some good practice for when he gets into the Flat track season later on.

To be honest, the weather could not be better as we had a little light rain and that took care of the dust, as out here in the desert, it sure does get dusty, so it was great to have intermittent weather and everybody was thankful for that. Taking off on jumps with a lose foot peg was hilarious for me to watch and Dakota was having fun.

After practice, Dakota got a late start, as the bloody foot peg fell off, so he was half a lap down at the start of the Race, but still managed to get onto the track and have fun on that 250 with no working front brake and leaking front forks.

The races were fun, the track was bumpy but not technical enough to be dangerous as to crash all the time.

He did well and managed to get a lot of experience on that track, on a bigger machine he would of really placed well for sure, but this was a fun event and the commeraderie is unsurpassed at any event that I have attended and loved all the different styles and era’s of machines that were there for people to get close to.

My old room mate Granter Peterson of now Born Free fame, has recently acquired this unreal 1929 Harley tank shifter and so original its stunning to see and hear.

I have known Grants for over 16 years and was so glad that he got into Motorcycles, I thought I was the only nutter in that town we lived in.

Plenty to see and do and to watch these old boners bang and shake their way around the track at speed was immense, and this is how the Pioneers did it back then, showing the owners of these prestigious two wheeled contraptions, how hard it was- and still is to run an machine over hard dirt.

I was in for a treat of Vintage Motorcycles and some wearing vintage style clothing just added that proverbial Cherry to the top of the cake.

You should try and make it out to these events as Meatball has run these types of events for a long time.

This is a event for every type of classic machine and so many different people and we all had a unique bond with motorcycles and the like, something that is missing from many events these days.

The track was perfect for racing and lots of room to pass and do your thing as you fight your way around this infamous race track.

There were plenty of Machines I liked and I was stoked to see an Elsinore to be amongst the machines for this race event.

I loved this Trumpy and boy did it sound smooth.

This Bultaco bought back awesome memories of me and my brothers era of Dirt bikes and riding when we were teenagers back in the UK.

Another sweet Trumpy that was fun to watch out on the track all day at Glen Helen. Be sure to spread to word and bring a bike to race for the next one.

Here he is having a go and made me very envious in a good way, so cool to see these ridden on the dirt.

People were doing their own wrenching, and helping out with others, a really cool atmosphere that was rare to see these days.

Another Triumph taking a corner as he enters the whoops and then the table top here at Hell on Wheels in Glen Helen.

How about the Girls then? They too were racing and I loved that, so much fun to watch and these Girls were into it too.

Classic shot of this Tall Girly on a Trumpy and having fun yet still being really competitive too.

We need more ladies doing this, so pass the word.

This girl was a blast on a Motorcycle and in Trumpy attire too!

I was so glad that I captured this shot, just so Nostalgic and goes back to the day of rigid rides and back ache!!!

How about this, Suzuki, Yamaha and Husky in the bend with this slick Hipster smoking like a Reefer.

Such a Classic start line and was glad to be part of it, the weather was bang on for this race.

Committed to the corner, this looked like a blast.

Three deep and such a fun wide turn and made for a cool shot of these Classics battling it out for the lead.

Grant Peterson Hauling more Arse than a truck load of Colostmy bags as he hits the corner on this Dirt track on his 29 Harley.

Great racing and all mates afterwards, we need more of this going on thats for sure.

Epic shot of the table top and these guys were on it for sure.

Airborne and having fun, sure looked like he was having a blast .

These bikes are super hard to find and to race them is even rarer, I loved watching all the Boner shaker Tank Shifter machines giving it all they had.

I love this shot, I took it just as he got to the top and am so glad I captured just a little of the intensity but fun they were having at the track.

Big Fella, Big Bike, bring your vintage bike out next time, you will love it.

Flying like a bird as he gets to enjoy the view of coming back down to earth with a shuddering Rattle.

This Bloke was having a blast, he fell off on the corner but was still smiling, right on mate.

Giving it all as he hits the corner and his mates not far behind him, and he knows it.

The chase is on and the determination shows too.

Great photo as they are pushing each other to their max with old Jacket, jeans. Boots and Helmet, love this stuff.

Grant, gritting his teeth as he fights his 1929 Bone Shaker around the track.

Taking his Harley to the limit as the final lap approaches here at Glen Helen.

Now on the the straight and hold on .!!!!

Determination with a capital D as he enters the final lap of this race.

Giving it all he has got as the Checkered flag is not too far away.

This is hard to get around on the bend.

It goes down but softly and people quick to get the fella back up and in the race once more.

Back up and ready to continue, all fun and games and the soft dirt made it a little more forgiving if you fell.

Hitting the corner and ready for the straight away, such a Classic Harley to watch as it speeds by me.

Head down and wind it all the way open, hoping to keep his lead as the guy behind is trying hard to catch up.

I took this shot for the last Race and it sure looks like they are all set for the flag start from the cool Girl in the Red Jump Suit.

Everything was fun and the Flag girl was into it for sure.

On the start line once more, fun to watch them Roar off at once, backfiring and smoke too.

I took this shot from the pits of the start from behind, looked great.

Even with Mud all over his Glasses, he gritted his teeth and had such a blast on the track.

Grant seemed to have a blast on that 1929 Harley, a very Rare machine none the less but- so good to see it used like it was many moons ago.

Grant is all focused as this is the last lap for him and a fun one at that, good job mate.

On the last bit of the straight just before the finish, the old 29 held up well and it was brilliant to watch that’s for certain.

Grant finishes and everything is still in one piece, not sure the rider is though!

What a blast it was to see these Vintage Motorcycles rip along this dirt track, I sure hope that they continue to hold these races and if so, please try and attend, you will love it.

It sure was entertaining watching these heavyweight machines tear it up.

The Bomber Class is a Must to see.

Was great watching the girls and hopefully more will follow.

Everybody enjoyed these machines and I thank you for all your effort getting them ready.

Could not of asked for better weather for this race Event.

Top quality Rain wear too!

Until the next time.

Make sure you pass the word on this great event.

All types of machines too.

This Husky sounded great.

Old XR Honda, I have had a few of them over the years.

Gimme Gimme!

Honda getting some air time too.

These Girls love to race, get your lady out on a bike, its a Blast, My Girlfriend rides and loves it.

Classic Racing Jersey.

Elsinore got a few laps in too.,

Dug all the vintage styling too.

Have fun in the dirt and get some practice in for the next one.

Original 1967 BSA A65 Race Bike For Sale ! $8000

Posted on August 10, 2015January 30, 2020 by Steve Carpenter

10 Aug

HUBBA HUBBA! Look at this thing of original beauty, this is a killer Diller of a machine and full of Nostalgia too.

This Motorcycle is screaming out yesteryear and the owner doesn’t want it cleaned or wiped down as that’s the way he likes it, this kicks over and runs right away and thats because that good old magneto gives it plenty of spark, and its a reliable motor that’s for sure.

I am helping the old fella sell this and will be posting on a few Vintage motorcycle race sites too, but I sure hope it goes to a good home.

Just look at that patina and all the great parts this A65 has, Original Borrani Rims still hold the air in the old tires.

The owner cannot remember what was done the the motor but its fast, the Bell mouths are bloody awesome and once you tickle and give her just a little choke, she fires into life and vibrates like a jack hammer.