THE PROFILE - MAN & MACHINE
I have interviewed people with a passion for motorcycles.
Øyvind &"Chinese"
Who: Øyvind Skilbrei Maroni, student counselor at high school, 48 years old, living in Hakadal
Jostein's CB500Four
Who: Jostein Strømsnes, 62 years old, vocational teacher at high school, lives in Ålesund.
Kjetil's Bonneville 650 Thruxton replica
Who: Kjetil Eide Andersen, 66 years old, retired flight captain, residing in Ski
Rune's straight-six KZ1300
Who: Rune Granum, 67 years old, senior advisor at the Norwegian Public Roads Administration, residing in Drøbak
Peter's Bonneville Bobber
Who: Peter Hassel-Fjellheim, 67 years old, retired, lives at Majorstua in Oslo
Inge's Yamaha RD500 - Pure 2-stroke magic
Who: Inge Jonstrøm, 64 years old, driving instructor, living in Fetsund
Henning and the Chief
Who: Henning Trulsrud, aircraft systems mechanic, 61 years old, living in Bærum
Gunnar Oles Powerplus
Who: Gunnar Ole Vadset, car damage repairer, 58 years old, lives in Vestrefjorden in Haram municipality
MV Agusta 750 S Magni: - In Norway, almost no one knows what it is
Håkon Thorstensen (right) on his MV Agusta 750 S Magni in France this summer. A French friend is riding the Magni on the left. It is also owned by Håkon, but that is another story. Photo: Private
Mortens 69` California style
Building a headturner out of a classic California-style Harley chopper requires knowledge and skills in history and mechanics. Morten Kvilhaug's 1969 Harley-Davidson is just such a bike.
Terje's tough T500
The latter half of the 1960s marked the beginning of a new era for motorcycle manufacturers. The English machines were “still going strong”, but the future lay on an island in the Pacific Ocean. The Japanese manufacturers now tightened their grip, and one of the first big motorcycles from there was the Suzuki with the fierce model name T500 Cobra. I have taken a closer look at Terje Høiland’s T500 from 1970.
A wolf in sheep's clothing
For Ole Andreas Thomasgaard, an original was not enough BSA Spitfire. Because even though his 650cc was among the fastest motorcycles available in the 1960s, he had to have more. After taking a closer look at his bike, we're really talking about a wolf in sheep's clothing, because there's a lot going on under the surface on this twin.
Knut never forgot the Madura
After many years without a motorbike, Knut Brattvik from Strømmen has revived his interest, and this spring he went to Namsos to bring home the same type of bike that he never forgot, but in a slightly more powerful version. As a newly trained police officer in the mid-1980s, he cruised around Oslo on a Suzuki Madura 700. Now he has acquired a Madura 1200, and doesn't regret it for a second.
Hand-built in 33 copies
The old Italian crossed himself after counting the cooling fins on the orange Laverda. He realized that it was a real SFC 750. Perhaps it was no wonder that he crossed himself. Laverda SFC 750 is a legendary endurance racer that made it big in the first half of the 70s. It was developed from the twin SF 750, with increased power, lower weight and better handling.
-I've owned it since it was new in 1981
Who: Jon Sigmund Løken, pensioner, 69 years old, living in Oslo
The Yamaha was on a field in Colorado
When the calendars were flipped to 1969, this marked the start of a new generation of motorcycles, where Honda CB750Four and Kawasaki H1-500 turned the entire motorcycle world upside down. Close on their heels came Yamaha's best-selling XS-1 650. It wasn't quite as sharp as the other two, but for Ola Ernst Moe it was the dream classic that had more than enough power for cruising on winding western roads.
Steph's Suzuki Lowrider Bobber
Who: Steph Jean, event organizer, 55 years old, from Nice, but lives just outside Oslo
Bovolden's Bonneville T120 Diamond
Who: Øistein Bovolden, product manager for BEKO Nordic A.S, 59 years old, from Trysil, living in Stovner in Oslo
Ulf Sandberg's motorcycle basement
Ulf Sandberg from Oslo has a basement living room that is a little out of the ordinary. "Furnished" with motorcycles that are a little out of the ordinary, such as BSA DBD34 Gold Star, Velocette Thruxton and Norton Manx, IKEA and Ekornes have had to report their passports.
Klæboes Kawasaki ZX-10
The ZX-10 fits nicely into the line of fast motorcycles from Kawasaki , but the model had a short life, and was only produced for 3 years, from 1988-1990. There was nothing wrong with the ZX-10, but at Kawasaki , development was supposed to go fast, literally, so the next step on the ladder was the ZX-11. We have spent some time on the ZX-10, a sports machine that is both rare and greatly underrated.
Kenneth Rickman -Métisse
If you were into heavy motorcycles in the 1970s and 1980s, Rickman was probably a household name. For those with enough cash and a need for more speed and more powerful acceleration beyond what a standard motorcycle could offer, the products of English brothers Don and Derek Rickman were the solution.
Chief Hoel
I'm hardly exaggerating when I say that Arne Bjørn Hoel is not only a legend in the Norwegian veteran motorcycle community, but one of the great "chieftains" in the Norwegian Indian community.
Thorsen's Twin from Bologna
Ducati is known for its forced valve control system, known as desmodromic valve control. When the brand emerged from the shadows with the 851 Strada street racer in 1988, the desmodromic system was just one of several technical solutions that, in total, offered owners a power package that would take Ducati up to the top tier, not only on the road, but also in racing. We have taken a closer look at one of the very few of this model that can be found in this country, and which belongs to Robert Thorsen from Oslo.
Gard Ivar's Thunderbolt
The start of the 1970s was the beginning of the end for what was once the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer, Birmingham Small Arms, or BSA . The brand was struggling, both financially and technologically, and despite upgrades to the 650cc Thunderbolt, it was far from sufficient to survive in a global motorcycle market. The Thunderbolt is a great machine, however, and the example I present here, a 1970 model, belongs in Sunnmøre, more specifically in Skodje.
Meos Moto Morini 3 1/2 Sport
Axel Meo has a strong passion for Italian motorcycles, and the Moto Morini was a great fit for him, because as he says; “I am half Italian, and needed a hobby. When my friend was going to sell his bike, I couldn't resist buying it, and a dream has come true.”
Aarseth's Retro- Bonneville 800
Who: Nils Tore Aarseth, electrical engineer, 60 years old, from Ørsta
Van Buis classic cafe racers
The cafe racer scene and interest is on the rise, and bikes are being built like never before. I met Andrè Van Bui from Oslo, and took a closer look at his bike, an old Honda CB550Four. His classic cafe racer shows that "less is more", and that it is entirely possible to build a bike without breaking the bank.
-When he parks the Kawasaki, people flock to watch
Oddbjørn Mikkelborg from Bærum has a number of classics to choose from when he goes on a trip or a meeting. He has been featured previously here on the website with his six-cylinder Kawasaki Z1300Dfi. Now he is back with a small but lightning-fast Kawatrippel. When it comes to short rides to the nearest cafe and nostalgic experiences, his first choice is the little 3-cylinder 2-stroke Kawasaki 400 S3 Mach II. “When I park the bike, it is crowded with people who want to take a closer look at what kind of bike this is,” says Oddbjørn.
Rogers' man cave
If you were born in the mid-1960s, you were old enough to experience the "invasion" of Japanese motorcycles in the 1970s, at least if you had an interest in mopeds and motorcycles. For Roger Paulsen, the encounter with Japanese motorcycles at Notodden in that decade was something that has followed him his whole life, and the garage at home in Sauland is more like a little piece of Japan in Telemark.
"Geir ran and bought the Combat immediately"
Geir Hellum from Oslo didn't hesitate when something as rare as a Norton Commando Roadster Combat 750 came up for sale online. "It was snapped up and bought immediately," says Geir, pointing to the red-painted Englishman. The Commando, a 1972 model, has been completely renovated and significantly modernized, making it reliable and a pleasure to drive. "It's both fast and furious," says Geir, pulling the tight wire up the slopes towards Ekeberg. The sound from the two Raycon silencer mufflers is indescribable, and can hardly be expressed in words on paper.
Frank Robert's low-flying Heinkel
Frank Robert Weydahl had known about the scooter for a long time, and when it was put up for sale he was ready with cash. Thus he secured this rare example, an original and patinated Heinkel Tourist 175, sold new in Norway in the spring of 1958. In the summer months Frank Robert can enjoy the sun, the scent of the cornfields, and not least the sound of the Heinkel as he “flies low on the winding roads in Follo.
"I've driven Moss-Inderøy round trip, and it's 150 kilometers"
Tor Boye Okkenhaug's Ariel , a VG500 De-Luxe from 1932, is used as often as he can, and the engine, which is a 2-port 500 that produces 25 hp at 6000 rpm, does the job, even on the highway. The cylinder is almost square, so the rev-friendly engine gives the bike a top speed of over 140 km/h. Tor has, among other things, ridden from Moss up to Inderøy and back, a distance of 150 miles.
"I had to replace the front tire which was from 1955"
"The tires that were on the Harley when I bought it were pretty good, but they were probably mounted on the rims before 1955. They were a little rusty, but had plenty of tread. I did change the front tire, though, to be on the safe side," says Halvdan.
He could never forget the sound of the six.
For Oddbjørn Mikkelborg, originally from Harstad, now living in Bærum, there was no way out. “I just had to have this six, you know.” He and his partner were out for an evening walk in Kristiansand when he spotted the bike that he had seen in Harstad when he was young, and had always dreamed of owning, a Kawasaki Z1300 Dfi. There it was, displayed in a shop window, and for sale at that. The price tag was high, but in return the bike was almost better than new!
"I had two toy motorcycles as a kid, including a Commando "
Norton was one of the most important brands in the British motorcycle industry, and their Manx racers are widely known for their achievements in the TT races on the Isle of Man. The models used on the "street" were no slouch in traffic either. I had a chat with Morten Myrdal Køien, and took a closer look at his RGM- Norton , a Commando a little out of the ordinary.
-Aage's tribute to Queen Elisabeth
When Triumph factory in Meriden celebrated Queen Elizabeth's 25th year on the throne in 1977, this was in the form of a jubilee edition of their legendary model, Bonneville . Few, if any Triumph models have been more significant to this traditional English motorcycle manufacturer, and the sporty twin became the backbone of Triumph motorcycle production from 1959. The Silver Jubilee model in silver, red and blue is a relatively rare item, but there are still a few examples of the bike here in Norway, more specifically with Triumph enthusiast Aage Gjelsvik in Romerike.
-I've hunted bears in Canada, now I'm hunting Indian motorcycles in Norway
Jørn-Inge Håvik from Fyrde would probably describe himself as an ordinary man, but after a visit to his home in the "wagon shed" surrounded by wild and beautiful nature, just like in Flåklypa, I have a completely different opinion. I would rather describe him as the heir to Reodor Felgen, but with a slightly more modern machinery and not least a few more accessories on 2- and 4-wheels.
-He lives and breathes for classic choppers
1960s choppers were in many ways the start of a genre and a style of motorcycle customization that is still going strong. Many well-rounded bikers would probably argue that a rigid frame and twin engine, preferably a Shovel engine from Harley-Davidson , are "State of the art". It was all the more fun to meet a young man, specifically Adrian Aslaksen from Sarpsborg. He is in his early 30s and has a passion for old and classic 60s choppers.
"If you're going to start this, you have to be strong on your feet"
Suzuki DR650 is no small off-roader, quite the opposite. In the 600 class, it is probably one of the largest, with solid ground clearance and a high seat height. "The only thing I have to complain about is that it lacks an electric start, because it requires a strong pedal to start it," says Svein Hellegaard, pointing to the kick starter. He bought the Suzuki so that he could take a trip on the forest roads in the area around Aurskog, but before that was possible it had to undergo an extensive restoration. It took time because parts for the DR600 are not easy to find.
The hunt for the forgotten Honda
Chasing an old dream when it comes to motorcycles is something many of us can identify with. For Bjørn Tore Faalund, the hunt paid off when an old Honda CB750F2 from 1982 appeared in his sights.
"I wanted a green elephant"
Rolf Barry-Berg from Oslo bought his first vintage motorcycle in Harstad in 1976. This was a “Wehrmacht machine”, more specifically a Zundapp KS600 with sidecar from 1939. Rolf became good friends with the Zundappen despite the engine being fairly worn out and thus offering constant challenges.
Tom Anders Bimota
“The most brutal bike in the collection is undoubtedly this one,” says Tom Anders, pointing to the polished Bimota, a KB1, with Kawasaki engine of course. Tom Anders Rein from Skedsmo knows and can do most about the classic Kawasakis from the 1970s. He owns a number of different models of the Japanese brand that were first out of the traffic lights, which makes me assume that the Bimota must have been the fastest of them all. “That’s right,” says Tom Anders, quickly adding that “it has the engine from Kawasaki Z1000, so with 84 hp in the light chassis it was superior to the competitors.”
"I just had to have this Honda"
Every now and then a motorcycle comes along that you "just have to have", and that's exactly what happened when Jørgen Lund heard about a Honda CL450. Even though his garage at home in Gjerdrum was already well-stocked with heavy and fast asphalt burners, he just had to have this off-roader. A "ground-breaker" for speed and excitement on gravel forest roads can be a fun experience.
Jan`s Luxus- Villiers
The pace of Jan Rasmussen, more specifically a Villiers Luksus from 1952, is fairly spartan, quite far from Luksus, but all the more charming. And best of all; it is almost completely original and unrestored. Villiers like that are few and far between.
Jan's Knuckle bobber
"I like the minimalist and have removed everything that is strictly unnecessary," says Jan, pointing to the bobber parked next to the curb. After taking a quick look at the old Harley, a 1947 Knucklehead to be exact, I realize he is serious, because there is not much superfluous here.
"Finally fulfilled my childhood dream"
If you were 16 years old in the 1980s and were going to take your place on the street, it was definitely Suzuki's off-roader TS100ER that mattered. The tough lightweight that replaced Suzuki GT100 became very popular. Sven Kenneth Nilsvik from Ørsta drove Suzuki GT100 when he was 16 years old, but dreamed of the rugged off-roader Suzuki TS100ER. The dream has now become a reality even though Sven Kenneth has long passed the age of 16.
Stig's RIXE 250
"It can easily cruise at 100 km/h, and is fully usable for both short and long trips," says Stig Knudsen from Lørenskog. He has owned a number of old motorcycles, and the "journey" started in 1981 on an old Honda CB500Four. He then acquired a Yamaha SR500 and of course he had to have a Tempo in his collection too. If you were born in the 1960s, Tempo is part of your upbringing. Whether the blue smoke from your childhood left its mark is uncertain, but Stig can say that his interest in an old 2-stroke brought him to finn.no where he found the RIX, more specifically the twin R250-2. Stig says that this was exactly the kind of bike he had dreamed of, with a lot of patina and quite lively.
Snipsøyr's Fifty-Seven
"My godfather had a red VFR like this for many years, and since the first time I saw and heard about it, I had decided that I would have one like this one day," says Mathias Snipsøyr. The young Ørstingen knows how to appreciate his childhood dream, which has now become both complete and polished.
Eldar's Retro-Guzzi V7II-Racer
Eldar Øye from Ørsta has a passionate relationship with two-wheelers produced in Italy, because as he says: " Moto Guzzi has always appealed to me. The racing history and the ability to maintain its identity in the development of engines and new models is something I am very weak for. For me, Moto Guzzi is about a bit of the same thing as my fascination with Italy; emotions, aesthetics, and unmistakable identity."
Hans Torvalds Ariel
"I like that there's a little extra thrust in the engine," says Hans Torvald, and twists the throttle. The Ariel, a 500cc motorcycle from the 1940s, stands out in the crowd of veterans with its lightly modified racing character. The "Endunker" has received a number of modifications both on the outside and inside the engine, which gives it speed and excitement.
Øyvind's Rocket III
"It's not exactly a rocket as the name suggests, but it's pretty fast for an English car," says Øyvind, and hastens to add that "since it was actually sold new in Norway, I just had to secure it."
Arnes Model F from Milwaukee
Some blacksmiths forge jewelry from gold, others from steel and iron. Arne Aarum from Oslo belongs to the latter category, and it is no small amount of work that he has put into restoring the Harley I present here, the 1000cc "F" from 1917.
Bear's Babylon Flyer
Bjørn Henning Larsen from Rasta in Lørenskog likes it "low, mean and clean" to say the least. He builds bikes that are a little out of the ordinary, something The Harley his is a rolling testimony to. Bjørn Henning is no novice in the motorcycle world, but a connoisseur who enjoys high respect for his knowledge and creative abilities. So it is perhaps not so surprising that he is the man who selects a large proportion of the motorcycles exhibited at the Oslo Motor Show itself. The needle's eye is narrow, to say the least.
