This Month in Fast Dates 2009
This is Hot! Our beautiful British Fast Dates World Superbike Calendar Kittens Gemma Louise Henry and Rhian Snugden get the year started off right with Max Biaggi's Alstare Corona Extra factory Suzuki GSXR 1000K7 racebike at Brands Hatch.

Buy the 2009 Fast Dates Calendar • Download Big Screensaver Photos in Members Corner

And in both the Iron & Lace and Fast Dates Calendars ....
This is really Hot! FastDates.com Calendar Kitten Tiffany Toth gets ready to ready to race this 1920s Excelsior V-Twin replica board track racer created by famed Japanese customizer and LA Calendar Motorcycle Best of Show winner Shinya Kimura / ChabottEngineering.com. The above picture is featured in Iron & Lace for Januray, with a similar shot of thebike with Tiffany in the 2009 Fast Dates Calendar for October 2009.

Bill Clinton Presidential Library Center Hosts “Art of the Chopper”
with Shinya Kimura's Iron & Lace Calendar Bike
Through Feb. 8, the Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock, Ark hosts “Art of the Chopper” an exhibit of 30 gleaming handcrafted motorcycles from around the country, including Shinya Kimura's Henderson Board Track racer featured in the 2009 Iron & Lace and Fast Dates Calendars.

Clinton center director Terri Garner says “Just as Bill Clinton defines the end of the 20th century, so does the chopper”. These custom motorcycles (with portraits of the builders) are already featured in Tom Zimberoff’ 2 hard cover books “Art Of The Chopper I & II’. The exhibit is included in the museum’s regular admission price. Tickets: $7, adults; $5, seniors (62 and older)

Oh, and did we forget to mention that Tiffany was recently photographed by Playboy to be a new upcoming Playboy Playamte centerfold! You'll find large size screensavers of all our past and present Calendar pages and lots of very revealing pictures of our Calendar Kittens including Tiffany in Members Corner.

Buy the 2009 Iron & Calendar • Download Big Screensaver Photos in Members Corner

Killinger & Freund - Ahead of its Time
In 1935 a group of five German engineers including Killinger and Freund from Munich started to design a more streamlined and modified version of the German Megola front-wheel drive motorcycle that had won many motorcycle races in the 1920s. The work took three years to complete but the result was impressive. The engine displacement stayed the same as the Megola at 600cc but was much lighter and more simplified than a standard 100cc motorcycle of the time.

The Design
The motorcycle featured a three cylinder two-stroke engine built right into the front wheel, including the transmission and clutch, with more comfortable front and rear suspension. Streamlining was important with aerodynamics being the first priority of the team who also wanted all the moving parts covered, for dirt and mud protection, and an elegant style. Other priorities were that the motorcycle was to be multi-cylinder and possess front-wheel-drive. Their design met with success.

Aerodynamics and Steering
The first impressions of the new motorcycle was of a streamlined racing machine with rounded covers for the front and rear wheels, aerodynamically improved fork, frame, and fuel tank all built on a tubular framework covered in sheet metal. The rear suspension was linked to the lower end of the tubular frame and featured flexible rubber and metal elements that did not require servicing. Steering was much like an ordinary motorcycle but with more vertical telescopic elements than usual, which translated into a wheelbase that wouldn’t change much whenever the front fork dived.

Front Wheel Drive, Carburetor, Ignition
The new front-wheel-drive was a vast improvement over the old Megola design. The weight of the engine was lower. The front wheel with integrated engine had a combined weight of 50 kg (110 lbs). Additionally, a custom carburetor without a float needle didn’t have the problems caused by vibration. And finally, the light-weight battery ignition allowed trouble-free engine starts and helped to keep the engine weight low. The distributor and the points were located in the hub. The technicians originally intended to build a dynastarter. These improvements would have been impossible to add to the old Megola design.

The Engine, Timing, Clutch, and Transmission
The three cylinder two-stroke engine used a Drehschieber ( turning disk, with intake holes for exact timing of the fuel-air mixture intake). The fuel-air mixture was sucked in by the vacuum in the three crankshaft housings as usual. The Drehschieber does the intake timing for all three cylinders. The engine was not a radial engine associated with aircraft and there is no need for a flywheel. All three cranks worked on one common gear. This arrangement and the recoil of the pistons in the turning direction secured a perfect balance of the moving parts. The cylinders were made of KS (Kolbenschmidt) iron cylinder walls and were embedded in the Silumin alloy engine housing. The only things that could be visibly identified as engine parts were the alloy cylinder heads with multiple cooling fins and the exhaust pipes located between the spokes of the cast alloy front wheel. These flat spokes were designed to serve as a functional cooling fan. The two-speed transmission was built as a differential transmission and used slope-meshed gears. The clutch was made of conventional clutch disks. The clutch (with the springs at the outer circle) was located in front of the transmission. The transmission was actuated by foot-operated steel cables. All parts of the engine allowed easy access for service work. After the removal of the engine – only two bolts and some wiring had to be removed – all important parts were within reach.

Tires, Shock Absorbers, Fuel, and Seat Adjustment
The tire could also be removed easily. You had to unlock a safety mechanism and then remove the tire completely with the split rim (very similar to the split rim developed by BMW). The front brake was installed in the hub. The rear suspension also had telescopic oil-filled shock absorbers. The gasoline flowed down through flexible hoses. A panel in the frame allowed easy access to the seat springs to adjust the hardness of the seat’s suspension.

Operational History
The Killinger and Freund Motorrad (motorcycle) was test-driven after the engine was tested on a test stand. Its total weight was 135 kg (297 lb). This design was intended for civilian production but the start of World War II cancelled those plans. One motorcycle was discovered by the US Army in the spring of 1945 at a German military installation but it is not known if this was the original prototype or another Killinger und Freund Motorrad. The disposition of that captured vehicle (shwnbelow with an American GI) is not known.

Naked Supermodels hang out with elephants in the 2009 Pirelli Calendar.

2009 Pirelli Calendar
Hanging Out with Naked Models & Packaderms in Botswana
The 2009 edition of the Pirelli Calendar, cult object for more than forty years among connoisseurs of photography, beauty and cultural evolution, was unveiled in a world premiere in Berlin ths past November.
The setting for the 36th "Cal" is the landscape of Botswana, where famed photographer Peter Beard spent ten days immortalizing seven internationally renowned models. Beard, who lived in Kenya for thirty years, is one of the world's greatest interpreters of the mystery and charm of Africa.

The final result is a calendar/diary that Peter Beard describes as "a living sculpture". The 56 plates of the new Cal are a rich collage of images, quotations, observations by the artist on the environment, climate change and global warming, overpopulation and the depletion of natural resources. "My real concern", says the photographer "is the destruction of nature on a global scale. We've totally lost track of what evolution is based on, and how important diversity is in nature. This concept is the very foundation of survival".

The seven models are: Daria Werbowy of Canada, Emanuela de Paula and Isabeli Fontana (who debuted in Demarchelier's 2005 Calendar) from Brazil, Lara Stone and Rianne Ten Haken from Holland, Malgosia Bela of Poland and Italy's own Mariacarla Boscono (who first appeared in the 2003 edition by Bruce Weber and again in Nick Knight's 2004 Calendar).

The The elephant trainers ride with the models, and get retouched out in the final calendar photos.

Throughout the shooting and production of the Calendar, a number of measures were taken to minimize its environmental impact. In keeping with Peter Beard's message, the Pirelli Calendar and the gala presentation of the 2009 edition will be Zero Impact®.

Pirelli, in cooperation with a LifeGate initiative, will contribute to the creation and protection of a forested area in Costa Rica capable of absorbing the same quantity of CO2 emissions generated by the production and printing of the Calendar and by the presentation gala. Additionally, the Calendar will be printed on natural, lead-free paper.

The Theme
Peter Beard has chosen an authentic and ancestral land that is born of the interpenetration of two different worlds: the aquatic oasis of the Okavango River delta and the arid expanse of the Kalahari Desert. A place that has been spared both the exploitation of the land and the impoverishment of its resources, the ideal setting for the photographer's representation of nature as a metaphysical entity, always in motion, source of infinite creativity, within whose rhythms and laws everything must begin and end.

The Reality
We are impressed each year by Pirelli's milion dollar budget to photograph and produce a promotional calendar with the world's top supermodels, which no one can buy. And utterly amazed that the calendar has no relevance, whatsoever, to the motorsports tire products which Pirelli manufacturers and are used by the top teams in international sports car, rally car, and motorcycle superbike racing. Wouldn't you love to buy a Pirelli
Calendar with supermodel Kate Moss or Adriana Lima spread naked across the hood of Valentino Rossi's World Rally car or a LeMans Porsche racer?

This year's 2009 Pirelli Calendar should have been photographed at the Ringling Brother's Barnum & Bailey circus if they wanted to use trained elepahnts. And you can see from the photos above and below, the trained elephants' human handlers (the wilds of Africa?) had to be cropped or retouched from the finsihed calendar images. As for creating awareness for the enviroment which Pirelli says they are protecting, the Calendar's publicity may just increse tourism, and hence more envilomental damage to Botswana and Africa. - The Editor

Here kitty, kitty...

2009 Vogue Calendar
Damn the elephants! When it comes to Supermodel Calendars we think this sexy and fun cat themed calendar from Paris Vogue, the woman's fashion magazine is the hands-down winner! And they keep fashion as the theme, both in the models' apparel/styling and in the days being celebrated.

You will find this Calendar free in The December/January issue of French Vogue. Inside the issue is the most brilliant insert of a 2009 pin-up calender shot by Terry Richardson and styled by Carine Roitfeld. It will be on the news stands for the next 2 months, but do not procrastinate, especially if you are in the US because distribution is limited here. Jourdan Dunn is a sexy nurse, Ali Michael a sexy cheerleader, Eniko Mihalik graces the cover as sexy kitten — Carine even included a spread for the solar months, with patrons saints Alber Elbaz, Gareth Pugh, Lara Stone from the Pirelli Calendar, Erin Hetherton and their ilk celebrated. More HERE.

We like Erin's cute furry pussy!

V-Twin Sportbike Exotica
Here's some more cool exotic V-Twins we'd love to fnd next to the the tree on Christmas morning! Hopefully Calendar Kitten Rachel knows we've been good?

Above, the Ecosse Titanium Limited Edition features a turbo charged American V-twin in a hand made titanium frame with Ohlins race spec Superbike suspenion and ISR 6-piston brakes and controls. Get 9 more for your best friends frm Ecosse's exclusive 10-bike production run at just $275,000 each. And we though Ducati Desmosedicci RRs were a little pricey.

Below, the Bimota DB7 finally gets the new generation Ducati 1098cc Testastretta V-twin Superbike motor with 160hp. Unfortunatley Bimots is always stuck with outdated powerplants, Ducati is now fitting their new 2009 Superbike models with abigger 1198cc 170hp engine.

Roehr Turbo Harley V-Rod Superbike HERE

Visit Pit Lane News New Bike Index

Max Biaggi dialing-in the new Aprilia V-4 Superbike during the SBK team tests at Kyalami this week.

2009 World Superbike Team / Rider LineUps:
Look for an exciting jammed packed 40 Rider grid for the first time ever!

BMW Factory: Troy Corser, Ruben Xaus
Ducati Xerox Corse: Noriyuki Haga, Michel Fabrizio
Boulder Ducati: Jake Zemke?
RG Ducati: Regis Laconi and - Fonsi Nieto, Luca Scassa, Ben Bostrom.Lorenzo Lanzi?
Ten Kate Hannspree Honda: Carlos Checa, Ryuichi Kiyonari, Jonathan Rea - World Superbike
   Andrew Pitt and Kenan Sofuoglu - World 600cc Supersport
Althea Hannspree Honda: Tommy Hill
Alto Evoution Honda: Gregorio Lavilla
HM Plant Honda: Cal Crutchlow and ?
Pro-Bike Honda: Gregorio Lavilla
Sterilgarda Alex Polita Ducati: Shane Byrne (2008 British Superbike Champ), Alessadro Polita
Guandalini Team: Jakub Smrz,
Stiggy Motorsports Honda: Leon Haslam, Robbie Rolfo
DFX Honda: Karl Muggeridge, Regis laconi or Luca Scassa
Kawasaki Europe Factory / Paul Bird Motorsports: Makoto Tamada, Broc Parcs
PSG-1 Racing: ?
Aprilia RS4 Factory Team: Max Biaggi, Shinya Nakano
Alstare Team Suzuki : Max Neukircher, Yukio Kagayama
Celani Team Suzuki Alstare - Karl Muggeridge
Yamaha Motor Italia: Tom Sykes, Ben Spies (2008 American Superbike Champion)
Yamaha Team France YZF: Unnamed Japanese rider, Regis Laconi
GMT 94 Team: David Checa

2009 MotoGP Team / Rider LineUps:
Dec 16th FIM Announcement - 2009 MotoGP: 19 or 17*Rider Provisional Entry List

3. DANI PEDROSA, SPA, REPSOL HONDA TEAM
4. ANDREA DOVIZIOSO, ITA, REPSOL HONDA TEAM
5. COLIN EDWARDS, USA, TECH 3 YAMAHA
7. CHRIS VERMEULEN, AUS, RIZLA SUZUKI MotoGP
14. RANDY DE PUNIET, FRA, LCR HONDA MotoGP
15. ALEX DE ANGELIS, RSM, SAN CARLO HONDA GRESINI
21. JOHN HOPKINS, USA, KAWASAKI RACING TEAM - *Kawasaki may withdraw ofr budget reasons
24. TONI ELIAS, SPA, SAN CARLO HONDA GRESINI
27. CASEY STONER, AUS, DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM
33. MARCO MELANDRI, ITA, KAWASAKI RACING TEAM - *Kawasaki may withdraw ofr budget reasons
36. MIKA KALLIO, FIN, PRAMAC RACING
46. VALENTINO ROSSI, ITA, FIAT YAMAHA TEAM
52. JAMES TOSELAND, GBR, TECH 3 YAMAHA
59. SETE GIBERNAU, SPA, GRUPO FRANCISCO HERNANDO
65. LORIS CAPIROSSI, ITA, RIZLA SUZUKI MotoGP
69. NICKY HAYDEN, USA, DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM
72. YUKI TAKAHASHI, JPN, SCOT RACING TEAM MotoGP
88. NICCOLO CANEPA, ITA, PRAMAC RACING
99. JORGE LORENZO, SPA, FIAT YAMAHA TEAM

The State of World Roadracing and the Economy
MotoGP like Formula One car racing, has always been one of the biggest fan based sports in Europe since WWII. Unfortuately like Formula One, because it is very expensive to compete and difficult to be competitive, 1-2 teams/riders can dominate the racing and it can be very boring at times to watch.

Kawasaki is the smallest of the Big Four Japanese manufacturers and has never really competitive in MotoGP, and as such, when new bike sales are as bad as they are now in the World economy, MotoGP is the first place they need to slash costs.

On the other hand, World Superbike, the Championship series based on production street bikes is extremely competitive and very exciting to watch with 7 major manufacturers involved in the 2009 Championship including Kawasaki, and now BMW, with a full 40-bike/rider grid. And the old addage “Race on Sunday, Sell on Monday” still applies. Ducati won the 2008 World Superbike Championship, and was the only motorcycle manufacturer to show an increase in World and USA motorcycle sales in 2008 (also thanks in part to their introduction of some exciting new bike models).

Unfotunately in America, motorcycle roading just has never had a big fan or market base. I’d guess it to be around 100,000 fans based on American sportbike sales, low race attendance and the poor quality of the tracks here, low sportbike magazine readership and SpeedTV viewer numbers. The biggest attended roadrace venue in America has been Lagna Seca which has never pulled more than 35,000 spectators for a MotoGP and in 2008 only pulled about 15,000.
The 2009 Indianapolis MotoGP should do better than this thanks to its great track facility and race weekend show.

As for American Honda with drawing from AMA Superbike roadracing, there are a number of factors here besides just the economy and the drop off of new bike sales. The takeover of AMA Pro Racing by the Daytona Motorsports Group has been another factor (also affecting American Suzuki) . But the major factor is American Honda Motorcycles and Hnnda of Japan do not share a good relationship. American Honda will not budget to buy competitive race Superbikes and parts from HRC of Japan, instead choosing to build their own AMA Superbikes in house, which has proven to be a disaster over the last 5 years with no race wins. Rather than step up and spend the necessary money to buy a competitive AMA Superbike team, American Honda has chosen to quit and run to save further embarassment and wasted money in the current economy . Just as Kawasaki did in MotoGP. - Jim Gianatsis

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