At the writing of this blog, the event was able to not only achieve's goal but surpass it by raising over $100,000 for a wonderful cause. The 11th edition was a well run machine (as always). Complete with police escort to ensure the route was safe for all riders and that we were able to truly focus on the cause and the ride itself! We want to thank the organizers for allowing us to continue to help sponsor this event and we look forward to being a part of the ground shaking community that supports this hard working, dedicated and joyous group that year after year pour their sweat and tears to ensuring it's success!
For more information about the ride or how you can support this wonderful cause please check out their website here.
To view some of the fantastic pictures taken by the always awesome The Moto Photo click here.
*Cover Photo from The Moto Foto
]]>As the thermometer drops it can only mean one thing: Winter is coming. Here are 7 easy tips to help you keep your ride in top shape for next season.
]]>Top up your tank. That was easy, right? Well after you've done that, check your bike's recommended fuel stabilizer as well. Why do this? This will help keep the gas from deteriorating and leave a layer that you will need to clean off your carbs. Important to run it for a few minutes so the new mixture can go through all the necessary components.
Be sure to check the brake, clutch, and coolant fluids, replacing or refilling if necessary. Always check for what your specific bike needs!
Important, if you're like us and it gets really cold check your bike’s antifreeze to prevent engine freezing. Don't forget to lube up the throttle, kickstand, shifter, and clutch cables to prevent moisture accumulation and rust (because no one likes rust).
This one speaks for itself.
If you ride an old bike, take it out and store it somewhere warm and cozy. If it is a newer model, make sure to top it up with a full charge and check on during those dark cold times!
Have a center stand? Well lucky you! If not and you can get the bike off the ground do it! Otherwise fill those tires to the maximum recommended amount. Rotate your front tire once a week to prevent flat spots from forming.
If you have metal on your bike, which you definitely do, it best to ensure the non coated areas are protected. Wash your bike, give it a good clean and dry thoroughly. You can also spray WD-40 on your exhaust pipes and a clean towel in the intake! This really helps keeps the squirrels out!
The sun can damage those sweet custom leather seats, so get a proper fitting cover or in a place that will keep the bike out of direct sunlight and out of the snow of course!
Bundle up take out your winter rides (some people call them cars) or a snowmobile and hope that Spring is in the express lane (short winters are always fun)
]]>As the snow (FINALLY) begins to melt away, and the numerous potholes begin to rear their ugly heads on roads across Canada, it's time to take the pledge. Started by Motorcyclists Confederation of Canada (visit them at Motorcycling.ca), Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month aims to "help make Canada one of the safest places in the world to ride a motorcycle." They have created a great campaign to get Canadians to take the pledge to commit to Motorcycling Safety!
To take the pledge you can check it out here!
Motorcycling Safety is everyone's responsibility!
For more resources check out Motorcycling.ca
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For those who have never been to the show, let us give you a quick rundown of what to expect, if this isn't your first rodeo by all means skip this part we won't mind too much. The Spring Motorcycle Show, is the last big indoor show in Toronto before riding season really starts (we're hoping Mother Nature can stop teasing us with this spring like weather and let the rain wash the salt & sand away).
This will be the 28th Annual edition of the show (that's a lot of shows!) and it all started back on Sunday, April 22nd, 1990. Back then it was originally called the "International Swap Meet & Vintage Motorcycle Show", it has obviously changed it's name since then! Listed in the About section are some fun facts like:
You can read more by visiting the Spring Motorcycle Show's About Page
This year the Spring Motorcycle Show has brought back some classic features and have introduced some new events that we're excited to see!
New this year at the Show, is the Barn Find display! We are very excited for this particular display, because we ride our own barn find (check out our blog post about finding your own Barn Find). The Show is aiming to showcase for some great examples! Rusty heaps or beautifully patina'd ready-to-rides, they want to display the rides just as they were found!
The 5th edition of this fantastic feature! The Show does a fantastic job of showcasing the ever growing demographic of female riders. As per the site, the feature will be in Hall #1, and will be a great way for female riders of all ages and backgrounds to meet some inspirational riders! We look forward to meeting the great riders that are being showcased and hearing the stories they have to tell!
The Show is just around the corner and so is riding season! So bring the family, riding buddies or someone who is thinking about getting on two wheels! It's a great time for everyone and we hope to see you there!
Also here's a great deal if you buy your tickets online you can save $3 per ticket! You can purchase your tickets here.
]]>One of the best parts about the motorcycle community is the uniqueness of each ride. This can be from the customization of the ride through parts like adding or removing original items to give the bike more personality that matches the rider. It can also be accomplished in another form: customizing the paint job or adding some airbrush art to the motorcycle. Airbrush is one of the great ways that you can make your bike standout and really showcase who you are as a rider. It also speaks to the long connection between the motorcycle community and the arts community over the years! We recently interviewed Mike St.Pierre from STP Airbrushing to showcase some of the great work being done right here in Ontario!
Tell us a bit about yourself, what do you do?
My name is Mike St.Pierre. I am a professional freelance Artist with a diploma in Fine Art. I have worked in many mediums including oils, inks and pencils but my mainstay weapon of choice is Airbrush!
How long have you been doing it for?
I have been Freelancing since 1980 and have worked for major advertising agencies in Canada and the United States doing magazine work, Album Covers and book jackets.
I am a self taught Airbrush user, as there were no teachers for it when I went to College and certainly no Youtube channels or internet. Just the odd book here and there! But with my traditional training as a painter it came rather easily.
When did you start airbrushing?
My first airbrush project was in 1974 as a young kid in high school painting a friends van! I would probably cringe if I saw it today!!! But you have to start somewhere!!
How would you describe your style?
My style has always been “realism” and my training in advertising kept me in that realm. But I also like to lean my work towards “fantasy”. This helped in the transition to painting Motorcycles and Goalie Masks!
What is your preferred motorcycle to work on?
Although I had done a number of “automotive” pieces in my youth, my career in doing motorcycles didn’t really start until 8 years ago when I was approached by a gentleman who wanted a bike painted for an upcoming show. We took first prize in that show and then the orders started coming in and I became a “motorcycle” painter!!
The artistic process of painting a motorcycle or a guitar or a goalie mask is no different than painting on a flat panel..there is the design, the masking, the free hand, the color theory, etc.. The only difference is the prep and the clear coating, which I had to learn but prefer to let someone else do as I work with several bodyshops in the area!
When a client comes to me with a vision, I treat it like I would a tattoo artist would. This is a personal piece with a fair bit of commitment on the part of the client. So we discuss the project and how to personalize it. This is where my design sense comes in. Many times a client will just have bits and pieces of an over all theme, and it’s up to me to bring it all together in a design that not only works on the motorcycle, but also falls within the clients budget and expectations! This is the most gratifying part of what I do, when I present a unique rendering to a client that is beyond their articulation of what they envision.
But other times clients are very specific in what they want..and they simply present me with a picture and say “Please paint this on my bike!!” LOL
And often the customizing does not entail Illustration, sometimes its a Graphic look with geometric designs, flake and candy colors, lacework and filigree!! It’s all fun!!
What advice would you give to a young person looking to get into the industry?
My advice for anyone starting into airbrushing, and I tell my students this all the time..is learn how to draw!! A sloppy first rendering will only lead to a sloppy airbrush final piece! Learn the basics of perspective, foreshortening, contrast and color theory. The airbrush is simply a tool, just as tape and stencils are. Don’t rely heavily on quick gimmicks to get you to the finish line...use them as a tool to run the race.And build your sense of style and design that will help you see what your clients are trying to see and ultimately set you apart from other artists. And this is the advice I would give anyone “looking” for an airbrush artist. Look for someone that does not just “color” in the design. When someone simply uses stencils it is very obvious and quite frankly very lazy! Look for someone with a flair for illustration and their work tells a story!
I have no real preference to what “style” or “make” of motorcycle I paint..I just like the ones that have enough space to do my work on!!!!But having said that, I have done a number of portraits on golf clubs!!! My pleasure comes from seeing peoples faces when the clients pick up their projects and the huge smiles on their faces. I am fortunate enough to make a living doing what I love!
Checkout STP Airbrushing's work by visiting their website: http://stpairbrush.ca/
You can also check them out on Facebook!
Did you enjoy this post? Let us know below! Or check out some of our previous blog posts!
]]>The cold hard truth is this, it is not easy to find, let alone buy a motorcycle that qualifies as a barn find. The first step to finding a barn find, is knowing what you are looking for. Then you'll need a bit of luck! In today's world, that can mean finding a posting before someone else does or looking through old postings on used motorcycle websites that haven't been taken down or have been forgotten even by the owner of the posting!
There are those who have been able to travel the world and establish a career out of finding and selling classic motorcycles. For the rest of us, we refer back to the previous paragraph, of getting lucky! However there are other ways to get 'lucky' and it does require some work. That being said, if you are serious about discovering a classic under some old sheets in an old storage locker then keep going.
Of course, there will be the instances where you will accidentally discover some classic motorcycles in places that will floor you, which is why the search can be worth every painstaking moment that your wife or partner accuses you of "wasting" instead of cleaning up the yard or the basement!
Don't fool yourself, again it can be about being in the right place at the right time as well!
So you're probably asking yourself: "How do get to be in the right place at the right time?" Great question, here's our answer in one word: NETWORKING!
No seriously, networking in the motorcycle world is just as important as networking in any aspect of life. Knowing when a good swap meet is, or the next big ride is great, but it's at those meets and rides where you can meet someone or make a networking connection that can provide you with a tip about a weird lost uncle living in the boonies who has a garage and used to ride!
Now you're probably thinking to yourself, where do I start to build my networking in the motorcycle world? Easy go to as many events as possible! They can range from big shows like the Toronto Motorcycle Show, the Spring Motorcycle Show, OneMoto Show, charity rides, weeknight meet ups like the ones hosted by TheMotoSocial (check them out in your city for upcoming rides), and so much more!
Ultimately, it's all about the hunt which ends with you having some creaking old barn door or garage door slide open and hiding in the back is a familiar shape of a two wheeled chariot waiting to be given life again!
Often those classic rides will be in poor condition, but that's just the best part about it! Restoring and giving it new life, assuming you are ready to put the time and money into it, can be so rewarding! Especially when it finally roars again on the road! So go out there and discover your barn find today!
Interested in reading up on some barn finds that we have featured? Check out our past posts here:
Have your own barn find? Send us an email: info@clutchmonkeymoto.com
Want to check out some local barn finds? Visit the new Barn Finds Class at the Spring Motorcycle Show in Toronto from April 7th-8th at the International Centre in Toronto! Need more information, visit the Spring Motorcycle Show website!
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We have decided to dedicate a section to those awesome unreal barn finds. By definition a barn find is classic motorcycle that has been 'discovered', often in rough shape. The term comes from the tendency that the bike is usually found in places such as barns, sheds, the back of your weird uncle's garage and outbuildings where they have collected dust (unless covered) for many years. Sometimes a barn find can snag a sweet return!
So this blog series in 'Featured Builds' will be dedicated to those oh so sweet and beautiful barn finds! Our first barn find comes from our friend Todd! The story of this classic barn find from Todd was a simple one but gave him a rather unique find!
An old friend of his knew it had been sitting for years! The original owner, unfortunately passed away, left it to their family. When Todd's friend asked the family if they be okay to pass it along to Todd, they were thrilled to see it taken by someone as passionate about restoring it and giving it new life!
After speaking with him, Todd told us he is going to leave the patina and is simply going to upgrade the electronics on the bike! For those who don't know, it is a 1967 Triumph Tiger with a 650 CC Single Carb engine. We can't wait to see it back on the road and look forward to seeing what the finished project looks like! Thanks Todd for sending in the pictures! Enjoy the ride!
Did you enjoy the read? Have a suggestion or want to submit your Barn Find? Visit our 'Contact Us' page to send in your ride! Don't forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!
]]>It's finally here! The Toronto Motorcycle Show did not disappoint at all! There are some great releases from Moto Guzzi, Honda,Yamaha, Indian, Ducati, Kawasaki, Harley Davidson and many more!
It's also a great chance to checkout local area shops and enthusiasts like Moto Revere, No Fun Press and Perth County Moto! Also stop by Moto Revere to grab your ticket to Freedom Machines 2018!
Nice to see all the parents bringing out their kids on the PA Day (in Ontario) to get them interested in the industry from an early age! I was lucky enough to spend it with my old man, a tradition we've continued for a few years, and look forward to continuing that for many more to come!
There are some great demonstrations and awesome vendors for every age and skill alike! Check out our Instagram page for some highlights, but if you really want to enjoy the show go and check it out for yourself!
Read our previous post here.
]]>Date | Show Hours |
Friday, Feb 16th | 12:00 PM - 9:00 PM |
Saturday, Feb 17th | 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
Sunday, Feb 18th | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
One of our favourite weekends of the winter months, oddly it's an indoor event! While the winter months can be long and dreary for those who love to ride, it offers a great look at what well known manufacturers will be releasing for the upcoming season! This year, we are looking forward to the continued resurgence of the retro style bikes that Triumph, Yamaha and Suzuki have been releasing!
It's a great way to spend a day (or two) with the family or friends! Whether you are a new rider, a hardcore road jockey, motorcycle enthusiast, it doesn't matter! We hope to see you there!
We're excited to see what's in store for the upcoming season! Drop follow us on Instagram to see some exciting stories from the Show!
For more information on the Toronto Motorcycle Show, you can visit their website here!
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At Clutch Monkey Moto, we decided to combine the two! Our goal is help artists who love motorcycles and the culture surrounding it a platform to sell their work! We are always looking for new artists who want to be featured or who want to sell their projects!
A bit about us, Clutch Monkey Moto is a passion project for me. I've been riding for a little bit now but was raised on two wheels by my hero, my dad. He has passed on the wisdom of 30+ years of riding experience onto me and riding has only brought us closer together. As I write this introduction blerb to Clutch Monkey Moto, ride a 1978 Yamaha SR500. We're restoring her to as original as possible!
Thanks again for joining us on this wild ride, we hope you enjoy it as much as we will!
- The Clutch Monkey Team Team
P.S. Don't forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!
]]>This series of our blog aims to find small shops or individuals that have built incredible custom rides! We look for those who are passionate about their builds and want others to see their hard work.
]]>Featured Build aims to find small shops that have built incredible custom rides! We look for those who are passionate about their builds and want others to see their hard work. This does not exclude restoration projects, as we are currently working on our own project! Blog post to come soon! Do you know a builder/mechanic who fits what we are looking for? Refer them to us and both of you will get a special discount code!
Don't forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!
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