Our buddy Paul Crowe over at The Kneeslider (www.thekneeslider.com) has the info V-Max lovers have been waiting for: yes, finally, a photo of the new-for-2009 Yamaha V-Max! It's taken Yamaha quite a while to get to this point, but by our eyes, it was worth the wait!

Although thoroughly updated and complete with an  exhaust reminiscent of the vacuum-cleaner design on the first Yamaha Royal Star Warrior, it is obviously a V-Max and nothing else. Motorcycle News (www.motorcyclenews.com) reports an expected standing quarter-mile time of under 10 seconds for the bike, as the giant V-Four engine may be larger than 1,800cc with more than 200 horsepower.

The motorcycle will officially be unveiled on June 4th, so expect more photos and info to be released soon!

With the two California Giros coming up (the Motogiro America this summer and the Giro d'California IV this fall), along with another Motogiro USA in Vermont in September, we've had our collective eyes open for something that would make a great Giro ride.

The seller of this MV Agusta 175 claims the bike is complete, correct, and in running and riding condition, if a bit rough around the edges. This is the overhead valve "AB" model as compared to the earlier overhead cam model, and was only available from 1957 until late 1959.

It has a brand new exhaust system, new Radaelli rims, new tires and more. Interested? Ready to ride a Giro? See the auction here.

It may sound like an odd mix, but if you've ever wanted to visit the Ace Cafe, you can do it this summer without ever leaving the country. Just head to Sturgis. Yes, Sturgis.

Here's the press release:

Dealer World Inc, publisher of American Motorcycle Dealer (AMD), Dealer World and International Dealer News magazines, as well as owner/operator of the AMD Official World Championship of Custom Bike Building, announced that it has reached an agreement with Ace Cafe London Ltd to bring the legendary gathering spot for millions of motorcyclists, the Ace Cafe, to Champions Park on Lazelle St. The Ace Cafe will be a part of the Champions Park entertainment complex along with The Official World Championship of Custom Bike Building, Champions Park vendor row and the S&S Cycle 50th Anniversary celebration.

“Our vision has always been to have Champions Park as a center of activity on Lazelle St during the Rally”, says AMD Publisher/Owner Robin Bradley. “We have always wanted to bring something to Sturgis that would be iconic for all bikers and what better than the Ace Cafe.”

Originally opened as a 24 hour road side cafe in 1938, the Ace Cafe quickly began to draw motorcyclists who would hang out, fix bikes and listen to music. The height of the site’s popularity came in the 1950’s and 60’s with the “Ton Up Boys” and “Rockers” who established the Ace Cafe as a cultural center for rock and roll and motorcycles in England. The Ace Cafe was also the birthplace of many motorcycle clubs and the legend or “record racing” were riders would race one another by dropping a coin in the jukebox and race to a certain point and back before the end of the song. The cafe was closed in 1969 due to cultural changes, growth in the car market and the expanding highway system in and around London.

Re-opened in 1997 by Mark Wilsmore, with a major refurbishment in 2001, the Ace Cafe is once again the center of motorcycling for a new generation of enthusiasts. Hosting bike gatherings, hot rod and car clubs, rock n’ roll bands and industry events such as the recent S&S Cycle X-Wedge European launch, the Ace is, once again, the motorcycling destination in England.

“We are very excited, thrilled and honored with the opportunity, in this the cafe’s 70th anniversary year, to not only be present at the world renowned and legendary Sturgis Rally, but also to be able to play our part at the prestigious World Championship of Custom Bike Building,” says Mark Wilsmore, Managing Director.

The Ace Cafe will be open the entire week of the Sturgis Rally - Sunday, August 3rd through Saturday August 9th from 10:00am to 6:00pm. Champions Park and the Ace Cafe will be located at 3rd and Lazelle St in Sturgis.

To visit the Ace Cafe's website, go here.

This week's eBay searching had its highlights, and one of the coolest bikes we came across was this sweet 1978 Kawasaki Z1R. With approximately 30,000 miles on the clock, it looks as though it has been well cared for. The paint looks to be original, and though the seller mentions a couple of small things the bike is in need of, we bet this would make a great ride with a little bit of wrenching.

For more info on the bike, go here.

The documentary film The Indian Wrecking Crew has begun production with a scheduled release in the spring of 2009. A project by by design2pictures, LLC, this film tells the incredible story of the Indian Wrecking Crew motorcycle racing team of Bobby Hill, Ernie Beckman, and Bill Tuman that, against all odds, took the post-World War II racing world by storm. The film utilizes in-depth interviews with the surviving team members, mechanics, family members, and competitors.

The Indian Wrecking Crew is a legend in American motor sports who’s story, until now, has never fully been told. The team at design2pictures is ready to change that. Through interviews, narration by Jay Leno, re-enactments, recreations, a plethora of memorabilia, and 8mm home movies provided by those who were there, the legend of The Indian Wrecking Crew comes to life.

This film would not be possible without the support and blessings of the 1940s-1950s racing family. This film tells the story of the machines, the races, and, most importantly, the families who raced and wrenched for the love of the sport in post-war America. To find out more about the film The Indian Wrecking Crew, go to www.indianwreckingcrew.com.

The Indian Wrecking Crew is the first in a scheduled series of films documenting the post-war motorcycling era in America. The Man and Motorcycles project will also document The Motorcycles of Daytona – covering the beach racing from 1938-1960; and The Enduros – documenting the emergence of the sport of enduro racing 1959-1969. To learn more about the entire Man and Motorcycles project go to www.manandmotorcycles.com.

Around here, we’re suckers for old Hondas, and the CB450 “Black Bomber” is one of those great “early” Hondas that we’d just love to have sitting in the garage, waiting for a ride now and then.

This 1966 CB450 Black Bomber is original save for the seat, tires, and battery, and looks to have been lovingly cared for all its’ life. With just under 7,000 original miles, the owner claims that the bike runs and rides great, and “looks to be about 5 years old.” Not bad for being more than 40 years old! The current owner bought the bike at the Daytona Antique and Classic Motorcycle Auction in 2005 for his father, who kept the bike in his garage and would hardly ride it because it was “too nice.”

To visit the auction, go here.