Dead daredevil: Motorcycle wheelie turns into a fatal crash on Houston's streets

A local motorcyclist’s wheelie turned into a fatal accident.

The incident took place around 8 p.m. Sunday night in the 4900 block of Reed Road.

A white Acura was traveling southbound on Jutland when it stopped at the intersection of Jutland and Reed. According to a statement from the Houston Police Department, the driver checked to make sure the roads were safe before continuing into the intersection. The motorcyclist, who was performing a wheelie, then smashed into the car.

In 2012, 460 people died on Texas roadways while riding motorcycles and scooters.

A witness said that the motorcycle was going at a high rate of speed traveling in the turn only lane of Reed Road.

The victim was taken to Ben Taub General Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The police are still trying to verify the identity of the motorcyclist. The driver of the car was not injured, which is what often happens when a car and motorcycle collide.

Two-thirds of all motorcycle accidents in Texas result in the serious injury or death of the motorcyclist according to The Texas Department of Transportation. In 2012, 460 people died on Texas roadways while riding motorcycles and scooters.

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Source: Culture Map (Rafte, 7/30)

The Modern Motorcycle Diaries

Take the daydream of every rider who has sat in the saddle, add in a famous book, movie and slice of history and you'll arrive at today's Clutch and Chrome video spotlight.

Created by Alex Chacon from Texas, 'The Modern Motorcycle Diaries' not only shows a biker living out the dream of an ultimate road trip, but the rider ingenuity as he films himself on this two wheeled journey is quite incredible.

Alaska to Argentina in 500 Days, the sights and roads of a motorcycle journey, a one man video documentary of the craziest, most beautiful and intense roads the Western World has to offer.

Follow Alex Chacon from Texas, as he navigates through the dangerous and exciting Pan American route through the Americans on motorcycle, an Epic continuance to the famous motorcycle diaries with Ernesto Che Guevara.

Everyday Clutch and Chrome scours the internet for interesting motorcycle-related videos. Okay, many will see this as goofing off on youtube, but its all a matter of perspective.

We look for everything from classic commercials to excerpts from movies and even interesting videos posted by everyday riders.

Clutch and Chrome is happy to feature these motorcycle related videos. The video remains the rights of its respective creators.



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Source: Clutch and Chrome (AP, 7/20)

Fla. motorcycle racer dies after hitting 285 mph

LIMESTONE, Maine — A motorcycle racer trying to top 300 mph died Sunday after losing control and zooming off a runway at a former air base in northern Maine.

Bill Warner, 44, of Wimauma, Fla., was clocked at 285 mph before he lost control but it was unclear how fast the motorcycle was traveling when it veered off the paved runway and crashed, said Tim Kelly, race director the Loring Timing Association, which hosted "The Maine Event" at Loring Air Force Base.

Warner was conscious and talking after the crash just before 10 a.m., Kelly said, but he died about an hour and 15 minutes later at a hospital in Caribou.

"No one will touch Bill's achievements or be the type of racer he was. He was a personal friend and the land-racing community is less for his loss," Kelly said.

Riding his modified turbocharged Suzuki Hayabusa, Warner previously hit 311 mph on the same course in 2011, using 1.5 miles of pavement. That's considered to be the world land speed record for a conventional motorcycle, Kelly said.

This time he was trying to hit 300 mph using just a mile of pavement, and he'd made several passes before the one in which he crashed, Kelly said.

The Maine Event is an annual timed speed event that utilizes the 14,200-foot-long runway at the former Strategic Air Command base that closed in 1994. The Loring Timing Association uses 2.5 miles of the runway for its events, and there's an additional buffer of 2,000 feet, Kelly said.

On Sunday, about 400 spectators watched as Warner began veering right after passing the 1-mile mark, traveling upright for another 2,000 feet before exiting the runway and crashing, Kelly said.

The remainder of Sunday's event was canceled. The Limestone Police Department and Maine State Police were investigating the crash.

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SOurce: Yahoo News (AP, 7/15)

Steve McQueen's Legendary 1931 Harley Set to Go to Auction

Steve McQueen's 1931 Harley Davidson VL 74 (1200 ccm) [Lot F238] is going to auction at the inaugural Mecum Celebrity Items Auction: Celebrating the Legendary History of Hollywood on July 26-27, 2013 at the Barker Hanger in Santa Monica, California. In addition to this prized motorcycle, several other rare McQueen items will be available, including his 1969 Chevrolet C/10 Baja Truck and 1970 Yucatan trunks. The two-day extravaganza will feature more than 2,000 artifacts and collectibles from cars to motorcycles to props from the golden years of Hollywood.

The landmark '31 Harley VL 74 was awaiting restoration at McQueen's private warehouse when he was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in 1979. McQueen passed away almost a year later and never saw the bike restored to its former glory. Mike Eisenberg, a McQueen collector and aficionado, took it upon himself to finish the movie icon's vision. Barbara McQueen says her late husband would have been pleased by the end result.

About the 1931 Harley-Davidson VL:

The bike was built the same year McQueen was born -- and that year was the debut of the VL model, a twin-flathead which was one of the most popular touring bikes Harley ever produced. Reliable and sleek for its time, the VL 74 captured the imagination of bikers worldwide and established new standards for the industry. It has a 74 cubic inch motor, 3-speed transmission and single tube muffler.

This particular bike was a restoration McQueen was actively working on at the end of his life in Santa Paula, California, where he owned an airplane hangar and large garage. It first sold as Lot 601 at the Steve McQueen Estate Auction November 24-25, 1984 at the Imperial Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada. It includes the original engine, body and frame, and the paint reflects a period-correct color combination of red, black and gold. Other noteworthy features include rear wheel brakes, three-speed transmission, single tube muffler, instrument panel, toolbox, front and rear wheel stands, horn and black leather saddle.

The provenance on the classic bike includes an original certificate of authenticity, bill of sale and official odometer mileage statement from the McQueen Estate Auction in November 1984.

To consign an item or to become a pre-registered bidder at the auction, visit www.mecum.com or call (262) 275-5050.

MECUM CELEBRITY ITEMS AUCTION SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

Barker Hangar: 3021 Airport Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90405-6101

PUBLIC PREVIEW:

Thursday, July 25, 6:00pm - 9:00pm // Friday, July 26, 12:00pm - 5:00pm

LIVE AUCTION TIMES:

Friday July 26, 5:00pm - 9:00pm // Saturday, July 27, 1:00pm - 5:00pm

* Admission: $20 per person per day, children 12 and younger admitted free

SILENT AUCTION:

Opens July 5 exclusively at www.MECUM.com


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Source: Motorcycle Cruiser (AP, 6/18)