Hit the Road Jack
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I have been intending to visit the Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum for quite some time. When I checked out their website and saw that they had the #10 of 10 built Britten V-1000's (new in crate, never raced). I knew that I was there!
The Missus (Hit the Road J'Kay) and I departed Bakersfield after topping off with a $20 tank of unleaded regular. Headed south, west, northwest and a multitude of directions toward the coast on Hwy -166 (Google Route Map)
Decided to explore the oft-mentioned Tepusquet Rd. and Foxen Canyon Rd. route in lieu of the 101 slabway.
Tespusquet Rd., great road!
Tespusquet Rd., rest stop
Found the bridge that wasn't there! What's the deal with that? GPS quickly allowed us to find our way across the dry riverbed and onto Foxen Canyon Rd. Lots of lovely farms and vineyards. Saw Fess Parker's crib. It ain't no log cabin!
Southward thru Los Olivos toward Solvang. Arrived at Solvang and located the Museum. Parked the FJR and walked uptown to find some lunch. Solvang is a Danish themed little burg. The wife even commented that she felt like she was at Disney World or Epcot!
Found some delicious EATS! Kinda like in Creston, only different!
Cafe du EATS. A perfect outdoor lunch day! Although our server was quite the gender-bender!
Here are the obligatory food photos required of all Ride Report!
J'Kay about to attack the Niçoise Tuna Salad w/ Italian Soda: Had to look that one up on Wiki:
"As suggested by the name, it is a specialty of the region of Nice in France, and should always contain tomatoes, anchovies, garlic (usually in the dressing) and black olives, and usually contains green beans, tuna, new potatoes and hard-boiled eggs, served with a french dressing. Other ingredients can include capers, crispy lettuce, finely chopped shallots or onion, cucumber chunks, artichoke hearts, raw peppers, or broad beans. Salade Niçoise come in many different forms and its 'true' ingredients are often debated."
Mine all mine: Italian sub, kettle chips and a cold pint
After savoring the grub, it was time to accomplish my mission.
The Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum is only open on weekends from 11-5 and admission is $10/each, cash only.
The show room is packed full, to the point that not all of the collection is on display. I was somewhat disappointed that I didn't get to see two bikes that I have owned previously: the 1979 Honda CBX six and the 1982 Suzuki GS1000S Katana.
I had seen the original Britten V-1000 race at Daytona in 1991 (I think) in the Battle of the Twins class. Smoked everyone big time!
Many other interesting bikes that I will post photos of later. For now, here's the Britten:
As stated, this is the tenth of ten that were built by Kiwi Renaissance man John Britten. Never raced and in immaculate condition! The display included one of Britten's elementary school report cards full of C's and D's. A's for art. But comments that he would never amount to much if he didn't start reading more.
I had actually located and visited Britten's shop and offices in Christchurch when I was in New Zealand several years ago, but I was there on the weekend and didn't get to see much.
As someone who works with carbon fiber, it is amazing to see an entire bike made of the stuff, and designed from scratch, including the engine and wheels!
The museum lady was kind enough to move the display easel out of my way so that I could see everything.
RHS view of the rear suspension linkage in front of the engine/ boot fairing
I don't know about the hot pink color, but the blue is color matched to a certain species of starfish found in Micronesia. Bike sure catches your eye!
Frameless design w/ girder front suspension, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder, very aerodynamic!
Underseat radiator with undertail exhausts (back in 1991).
That's all of the museum for now. I will post additional photos of other scoots later.
Back to the Ride Report...
101 rest area, southbound toward the coast
Pacific Ocean, Channel Islands and oil drilling platforms
Cruised the 101 toward Santa Barbara. Stopped and refueled to the tune of $22 and change!
Took Hwy-150 around Lake Casitas to Ojai and headed north on Hwy-33.
Us Candy Butt members take lots o' breaks!
Creek under the bridge
Final rest stop in Cuyama Valley
Mom checking in with the Home Office (boys watching TV all day!)
Official CBA resting position (in a bed of ants)
334 miles, 42 mpg and a great ride. Hope you enjoy it too!
The Missus (Hit the Road J'Kay) and I departed Bakersfield after topping off with a $20 tank of unleaded regular. Headed south, west, northwest and a multitude of directions toward the coast on Hwy -166 (Google Route Map)
Decided to explore the oft-mentioned Tepusquet Rd. and Foxen Canyon Rd. route in lieu of the 101 slabway.
Tespusquet Rd., great road!
Tespusquet Rd., rest stop
Found the bridge that wasn't there! What's the deal with that? GPS quickly allowed us to find our way across the dry riverbed and onto Foxen Canyon Rd. Lots of lovely farms and vineyards. Saw Fess Parker's crib. It ain't no log cabin!
Southward thru Los Olivos toward Solvang. Arrived at Solvang and located the Museum. Parked the FJR and walked uptown to find some lunch. Solvang is a Danish themed little burg. The wife even commented that she felt like she was at Disney World or Epcot!
Found some delicious EATS! Kinda like in Creston, only different!
Cafe du EATS. A perfect outdoor lunch day! Although our server was quite the gender-bender!
Here are the obligatory food photos required of all Ride Report!
J'Kay about to attack the Niçoise Tuna Salad w/ Italian Soda: Had to look that one up on Wiki:
"As suggested by the name, it is a specialty of the region of Nice in France, and should always contain tomatoes, anchovies, garlic (usually in the dressing) and black olives, and usually contains green beans, tuna, new potatoes and hard-boiled eggs, served with a french dressing. Other ingredients can include capers, crispy lettuce, finely chopped shallots or onion, cucumber chunks, artichoke hearts, raw peppers, or broad beans. Salade Niçoise come in many different forms and its 'true' ingredients are often debated."
Mine all mine: Italian sub, kettle chips and a cold pint
After savoring the grub, it was time to accomplish my mission.
The Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum is only open on weekends from 11-5 and admission is $10/each, cash only.
The show room is packed full, to the point that not all of the collection is on display. I was somewhat disappointed that I didn't get to see two bikes that I have owned previously: the 1979 Honda CBX six and the 1982 Suzuki GS1000S Katana.
I had seen the original Britten V-1000 race at Daytona in 1991 (I think) in the Battle of the Twins class. Smoked everyone big time!
Many other interesting bikes that I will post photos of later. For now, here's the Britten:
As stated, this is the tenth of ten that were built by Kiwi Renaissance man John Britten. Never raced and in immaculate condition! The display included one of Britten's elementary school report cards full of C's and D's. A's for art. But comments that he would never amount to much if he didn't start reading more.
I had actually located and visited Britten's shop and offices in Christchurch when I was in New Zealand several years ago, but I was there on the weekend and didn't get to see much.
As someone who works with carbon fiber, it is amazing to see an entire bike made of the stuff, and designed from scratch, including the engine and wheels!
The museum lady was kind enough to move the display easel out of my way so that I could see everything.
RHS view of the rear suspension linkage in front of the engine/ boot fairing
I don't know about the hot pink color, but the blue is color matched to a certain species of starfish found in Micronesia. Bike sure catches your eye!
Frameless design w/ girder front suspension, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder, very aerodynamic!
Underseat radiator with undertail exhausts (back in 1991).
That's all of the museum for now. I will post additional photos of other scoots later.
Back to the Ride Report...
101 rest area, southbound toward the coast
Pacific Ocean, Channel Islands and oil drilling platforms
Cruised the 101 toward Santa Barbara. Stopped and refueled to the tune of $22 and change!
Took Hwy-150 around Lake Casitas to Ojai and headed north on Hwy-33.
Us Candy Butt members take lots o' breaks!
Creek under the bridge
Final rest stop in Cuyama Valley
Mom checking in with the Home Office (boys watching TV all day!)
Official CBA resting position (in a bed of ants)
334 miles, 42 mpg and a great ride. Hope you enjoy it too!
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