Our August/September issue is out this week and we’re proud to serve our readers the latest in a series of in-depth profiles of motorcycle riders who make cafe racing the fascinating, global phenom that it is. In the latest issue, our ace writer Anthony Conroy catches up with San Fransisco’s Paul d’Orleans, a globetrotting raconteur who not only rides and collects vintage speedbikes, he also serves as a test rider, two-wheeled travel expert and on-air commentator for Mecum Motorcycle Auctions. We’ve known Paul for several years and read his way-cool book “Ton-Up” about 100 years of cafe racer culture and machinery. He’s got a keen eye for motorcycle culture and history and regularly lectures at museums and rallies about the subject in fine detail. He’s currently involved with an exhibit that he curated and researched on the world of motorcycle adventure riding that’s on display at California’s Petersen Museum which is well worth a visit of you’re in the So Cal region. It’s an honor to chronicle the life of someone who’s involved with motorcycles in such a comprehensive level, whether it’s trekking across Europe on a rare Brough Superior or unearthing oddball videos of handbuilt, two-wheeled contraptions from the far corners of the planet (which are available on Paul’s Instagram feed @thevintagent.) There’s also a slew of amazing custom machinery to check out in the latest mag including an eye-popping Norton ES2 single bobber that we spotted at last fall’s Ace Cafe Reunion. Our chief shooter Simon Everett tracked the bike down in Wales after the strict British Covid lockdown finally lieftd earlier this year and the details and images of this lust-inducing ride are well worth a look. Enjoy the mag and we hope to see everyone on Sunday, August 1q5 at our 13th Annual Reader’s Ride-In Custom Show here in Sewickley.
