Winter is right around the corner, and if you own a motorcycle and live in a part of the country that endures freezing temperatures, rain and snow this time of year, you’re likely also staring at a long, painful stint out of the saddle. The good news is that time keeps on slipping into the future, and spring is but a skip down the calendar. Fortunately, we have the power of the internet to help scratch the riding itch during the dark months. Scott Toepfer has finally released his short film, “It’s Better in the Wind,” and the 15-minute clip spends time following three riders as they explore the world on a trio of vintage customs.

Toepfer himself rides an old Yamaha XS650, and the machine consumed a number of mechanical pieces during the months that it took to shoot the film. While Toepfer relied on plenty of digital equipment to capture his scenes, he also turned to a classic Super-8 as well. The finished product is perfectly cool, and makes us pine for another road trip. Hit the jump to check it out.

Continue reading “It’s Better in the Wind” short film is a beautiful ode to two wheels

“It’s Better in the Wind” short film is a beautiful ode to two wheels originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 06 Nov 2011 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you have no interest in motorcycles, mechanics or old machinery, it’s probably best you skip this post. You see, the short film after the jump is perhaps the best depiction of the highs and lows associated with those three horsemen that we’ve ever seen on screen. The video features plenty of lengthy shots of a Triumph motorcycle single dashing across the open country side. It’s exactly what every motorcyclist thinks of when the words “perfect” and “ride” worm their way into conversation. There’s no traffic and no foul weather – just miles of meandering asphalt and nowhere to be.

But our hero rider runs into a bit of a mechanical hiccup when he stops for a spell. Fuel floods the cylinder, and despite his best efforts, he’s reduced to a raving ball of frustration after frantically trying to get the bike to start. As the crew at Visordown accurately point out, the scene is the visual embodiment of Robert M Pirsig’s famous line, “If the machine produces tranquility it’s right. If it disturbs you it’s wrong until either the machine or your mind is changed.”

We won’t spoil the ending for you, but if you’ve ever found yourself in a similar situation, you know the elation of victory all too well. Hit the jump to check out Blazer for yourself.

Note: Language makes this one Not Safe For Work.

[Source: Visordown]

Continue reading Short film depicts the definition of ‘triumph’

Short film depicts the definition of ‘triumph’ originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Apr 2011 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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“The goal is to be nifty.” Quite a gem of a quote from Car & Track’s look into the work behind bringing the Chevrolet Vega to market. C&T was among the first national television shows that covered both auto racing and road tested the cars of its day, and their videos remain fun to watch and offer a glimpse into the past to see cars that have become both famous and infamous in their original context.

Looking at the Vega’s design, testing, engineering and construction, C&T calls it “the most precisely engineered car built in America.” Uh-huh. Thankfully, ‘precisely engineered’ means something rather different today, and even if we don’t lust after the Vega like some other cars from its era, we can still enjoy a glimpse inside some of General Motors’ vehicle development and testing methods from some forty years ago. Check out the video after the jump – and be sure to scroll down to see what C&T has to say about the one-and-only 1971 AMC Gremlin, too! Top tip, Tom!

[Source: Car & Track via YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Chevy Vega development film yields priceless look at 1970s auto design

Video: Chevy Vega development film yields priceless look at 1970s auto design originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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