Girl with the dragon tattoo bike

[bucktownbilly]

just in case anyone is interested.  Haven't seen the movie yet but fine choice.  I see a bit of my 919 in there.  Love the tires.

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/11/building-the-bikes-of-the-girl-with-the-dragon-tattoo-w/

[bomber]

I've not seen the movie, but I must admit I'm nonplussed by the custom scene's fascination with what would have been called beaters 40 years ago . . .. perhaps it is a reaction ot Orange County and Jesse James, et al, but the bikes hold no interest for me . . . ..

[CosmicCowboy]

+1

I did my time keeping old bikes running with duct tape, baling wire,  electrical tape and a packet of extra bolts and nuts for when shit fell off.

They're cool things about which to reminisce; I won't be regressing that far in my bike ownership experiences.

Same. I wanted to go cafe racer on my old CB350, but when I sat down and actually starting looking at the bike.....it was all nostalgia. So I sold it. Go twice what I payed for it 15 years ago.

[AzItLies]

that's some great stuff there buck.

have seen the original Swedish version of this movie  and it's damn impressive. really like the bike builders saying "let's keep it true to form", cuz there's no way she'd be riding some suped up sports bike.

looks to me to be the exact kind of bike she would have ridden.

it's a great movie... prepare to be a bit torn emotionally.

[Kootenanny]

I haven't seen the movie (either the Swedish one, or of course this new American one--which isn't out for a few days yet), but I read the trilogy, loved it.

In the book, as I recall, Lisbeth rode a smallish dual-sport type bike (although at one point she takes off on a bad guy's Harley, has a few issues with it at first--she's not used to the weight--but figures it out pretty quick).

Recently read a pre-release review of the film, the reviewer commented on the reworking of Led Zep's "Immigrant Song" used as the movie theme...seems somewhat apt...

I'll probably see the film (although films taken from novels never live up to the original work, especially when it's a dense novel like this).

[bucktownbilly]

that's some great stuff there buck.

have seen the original Swedish version of this movie  and it's damn impressive. really like the bike builders saying "let's keep it true to form", cuz there's no way she'd be riding some suped up sports bike.

looks to me to be the exact kind of bike she would have ridden.

it's a great movie... prepare to be a bit torn emotionally.

yep, when you are dirt poor you seek out what you can afford like she did.  I'm thinking the CB350 is a good call on her part because of the Honda reliability.  

Take a look at a CB919 and you'll see the resemblance.  Plus I have bar end mirrors too.  Napoleons, functional and great looks, love them.

[DogBoy]

I've not seen the movie, but I must admit I'm nonplussed by the custom scene's fascination with what would have been called beaters 40 years ago . . .. perhaps it is a reaction ot Orange County and Jesse James, et al, but the bikes hold no interest for me . . . ..

I will stay off your lawn.

[squeezer]

In the book, she rode a beat up Kawasaki 125. I don't recall the author being specific about year or model. It was just cheap transportation.

[bomber]

I will stay off your lawn.

rof -- thank you ;-}

[ridingfar]

I've not seen the movie, but I must admit I'm nonplussed by the custom scene's fascination with what would have been called beaters 40 years ago . . .. perhaps it is a reaction ot Orange County and Jesse James, et al, but the bikes hold no interest for me . . . ..

I don't get this...

It's not "The Custom Scene", it's an inexpensive bike to fit the characters role in a movie. And 40 years ago they were not beaters, they were were the most reliablle bikes available given the other choices were British and HD. Not as cool as Triumph, BSA, Norton or HD, but if you wanted one to ride and not work on, or replace worn, broken or fallen off parts then the little Jap bikes were your ticket. Seems like a logical fit for flick.

[mxvet57]

+1

I did my time keeping old bikes running with duct tape, baling wire,  electrical tape and a packet of extra bolts and nuts for when shit fell off.

Now we have JB weld.

[Kootenanny]

I will stay off your lawn.

 

[rgbeard]

I'm anxious to see how the movie turned out - the book was awesome!

[Orson]

I've not seen the movie, but I must admit I'm nonplussed by the custom scene's fascination with what would have been called beaters 40 years ago . . .. perhaps it is a reaction ot Orange County and Jesse James, et al, but the bikes hold no interest for me . . . ..

Didn't Motorcyclist magazine publish an article on this genre about a year ago?

I recall it was something about riding a motorcycle without being biker-ish. Some type of urban hip thang.

In my view, anything that injects motorcycles into the mainstream or popular culture is a plus.

The highwater mark was probably when Easy Rider came out. I don't recall anytime since then when motorcycling held such a prominent position in popular culture.

In the 1980s, when American riders dominated Grand Prix motorcycle racing, it didn't even make a blip on the radar back in the states.

[Bounce]

I'm anxious to see how the movie turned out - the book was awesome!

the original and it's sequel (The Girl Who Played With Fire) were very good.

[bucktownbilly]

In my view, anything that injects motorcycles into the mainstream or popular culture is a plus.

I'm always amazed at the huge difference between motorcycle culture here and in Europe.  Way of life there, after thought here.

[AzItLies]

the original and it's sequel (The Girl Who Played With Fire) were very good.

There's 3, the last is The Girl Who Kicked The Hornets Nest.

They are all very good, once I saw the first one there was no stopping me getting the others. Like a good book you can't put down.

[94gixxerod]

If you have a Netflix account, you can stream all three of the original Swedish movies. My wife has read all three books and found that the movies are true to the novels, although with the usual cavets of each being different mediums.

[bomber]

Didn't Motorcyclist magazine publish an article on this genre about a year ago?

I recall it was something about riding a motorcycle without being biker-ish. Some type of urban hip thang.

In my view, anything that injects motorcycles into the mainstream or popular culture is a plus.

The highwater mark was probably when Easy Rider came out. I don't recall anytime since then when motorcycling held such a prominent position in popular culture.

In the 1980s, when American riders dominated Grand Prix motorcycle racing, it didn't even make a blip on the radar back in the states.

Yessir, and Cycle shows em from time to time . . . . . I agree that anything showing riding in a positive, or, at least, nuetral light is a plus . . . .

[Rogue]

Didn't Motorcyclist magazine publish an article on this genre about a year ago?

There is a magazine out there called Cafe Racer.  Most of the articles are about taking an old bike and fixing it up to Cafe Racer status but you get the drift.  It's a cool magazine and its chief editor used to write for Motorcyclist (big black guy I can't remember his name).

They often features bikes and Cafe Racer clubs in SoCal of course (that's their headquarters).  There are a few clubs here that are part of that niche scene.  They often dress the part of retro sportbikers/Cafe Racers.  

I think the idea of taking an old bike and fixing it up is cool.  Rat bikes are very cool to me.  Having said that, I have never done it before.  I've taken relatively newer bikes and fixed them up.  

[bomber]

I agree entirely that someone rescuing a scoot and bringing it back from the dead is cool, and very motorcyclist, ast it's core.

It's the shops that are replicating the held-together-with-good-intentions-and installing-mismatched-tires shadetree mechanic look, and touting them as customs that seem silly to me . . . the same thing is going on in the hot rod genre, with painter learning how to replicate decades of sun fading and rust blooms on brand new fiberglass 49 Mercs . . . .. .

[Rogue]

Agree with that.

I just saw an article in Hot Rod magazine on How-To replicate rust and faded paint.  There was even a hotted up 1930's Chevy Coupe in there that looked the part but inside it was all modern with an LS powertrain.  

What I have in mind is actually buying a slightly older sportbike or VFR; maybe around late 90's early 00's.  Perhaps one that had been dropped (gently) but has a sound chassis and powertrain in hopes of getting it cheap.  Then I convert it to a daily commuter with a comfy riding position, modded fairing, stealthy paint job, and stealthy exhaust.  So something practical, but fast, light, and fun to ride, but looks like no other.  Either Motorcyclist or Cycle World did an article on something exactly what I had in mind.  They started out with a 1998 or something Yamaha R1 with road rash.  They modded it, headlights from the Buell Lightning, cut the damaged fairing so that it only had half a fairing, etc.,  It turned out pretty decent for very little money.  I believe it was John Burns who wrote the article and the whole magazine was dedicated to "Recession Bikes".  

[Orson]

The article I wuz thinkin about wasn't about cafe racers..

it wuz about some urban hipster scene with bikes throw in almost as an afterthought, which I guess explains the bikes I-don't-care-how-ratty-it-looks appearance  

[Bounce]

There's 3, the last is The Girl Who Kicked The Hornets Nest.

i did not know that.

thanks! added to the queue!

[Kootenanny]

I've not seen the movie, but I must admit I'm nonplussed by the custom scene's fascination with what would have been called beaters 40 years ago . . .. perhaps it is a reaction ot Orange County and Jesse James, et al, but the bikes hold no interest for me . . . ..

Special, just for bomber...



http://silodrome.com/bandit-9-motorcycles/

[buls4evr]

 Just saw the Swedish version of the movie last night. Think she is riding a 449 Husky SM. I doubt a poor person would be riding that bike in Sweden! They have like a 50% sales tax over there. But a 125 would not do for that final chase scene I suppose. That bike is about $15K USD over there.

[bucktownbilly]

In my view, anything that injects motorcycles into the mainstream or popular culture is a plus.

Just saw the movie last night.  I'm not sure it "injects motorcycles into the mainstream or popular culture"  but I do think we could start seeing a lot more bi-sexual, pierced, goth chicks who kick ass on bikes

[DogBoy]

 Just saw the Swedish version of the movie last night. Think she is riding a 449 Husky SM. I doubt a poor person would be riding that bike in Sweden! They have like a 50% sales tax over there. But a 125 would not do for that final chase scene I suppose. That bike is about $15K USD over there.

Its a Yamaha WRX250X supermoto in the Swedish version.

[atadaskew]

The article I wuz thinkin about wasn't about cafe racers..

it wuz about some urban hipster scene with bikes throw in almost as an afterthought, which I guess explains the bikes I-don't-care-how-ratty-it-looks appearance  

yeah, it was that dope Catterson jumping on the latest what is cool bandwagon.
I guess Ducati doesn't make a man purse with a strap long enough to go round his gut anymore...

Anyway, it's huge in my neighbourhood, with the VVMC (Venice Vintage Motorcycle Club) having group rides once a month.  What a flippin mess.  Beater bikes with straight pipes, running like crap, everyone wearing some sort of 30 year old metal flake helmet where the padding has long since rotted out - but it's authentic man! -  wearing mechanics jackets and Chuck Taylors high tops, riding to the front of the line at every stop light in groups of 20+.  And then stalling...

Their destination is Neptune's net on PCH at the far end of Malibu.  Where they pound beers then wobble back.
Awesome.

[bomber]

Special, just for bomber...



http://silodrome.com/bandit-9-motorcycles/

LOL -- Thanks, Koot!

[DogBoy]

yeah, it was that dope Catterson jumping on the latest what is cool bandwagon.
I guess Ducati doesn't make a man purse with a strap long enough to go round his gut anymore...

Anyway, it's huge in my neighbourhood, with the VVMC (Venice Vintage Motorcycle Club) having group rides once a month.  What a flippin mess.  Beater bikes with straight pipes, running like crap, everyone wearing some sort of 30 year old metal flake helmet where the padding has long since rotted out - but it's authentic man! -  wearing mechanics jackets and Chuck Taylors high tops, riding to the front of the line at every stop light in groups of 20+.  And then stalling...

Their destination is Neptune's net on PCH at the far end of Malibu.  Where they pound beers then wobble back.
Awesome.

Sounds like fun. I'll stay off your lawn, also.

[bucktownbilly]

yeah, it was that dope Catterson jumping on the latest what is cool bandwagon.
I guess Ducati doesn't make a man purse with a strap long enough to go round his gut anymore...

Anyway, it's huge in my neighbourhood, with the VVMC (Venice Vintage Motorcycle Club) having group rides once a month.  What a flippin mess.  Beater bikes with straight pipes, running like crap, everyone wearing some sort of 30 year old metal flake helmet where the padding has long since rotted out - but it's authentic man! -  wearing mechanics jackets and Chuck Taylors high tops, riding to the front of the line at every stop light in groups of 20+.  And then stalling...

Their destination is Neptune's net on PCH at the far end of Malibu.  Where they pound beers then wobble back.
Awesome.

I've been to Neptunes!  Except I took the high road through Santa Monica mountains.  Great ride!  Did take the PCH back, nice view on your right

[Rogue]

At, have you seen Larry Crowne?

Scooter love all over that one plus love story.  I liked it.  I thought it was a pretty uplifting comedy/drama/love story with lots of scooters.

[bomber]

At, have you seen Larry Crowne?

Scooter love all over that one plus love story.  I liked it.  I thought it was a pretty uplifting comedy/drama/love story with lots of scooters.

Oh, yeah . . . . . made scooters look positively FUN (whch they are) . . . .

[atadaskew]

At, have you seen Larry Crowne?

Scooter love all over that one plus love story.  I liked it.  I thought it was a pretty uplifting comedy/drama/love story with lots of scooters.

Actually was invited to the premiere in Hollywood and got to ride our scoots down the red carpet with Tom Hanks.
Here he is posing w/ my (since sold) Stella and my gf:

[AzItLies]

Actually was invited to the premiere in Hollywood and got to ride our scoots down the red carpet with Tom Hanks.
Here he is posing w/ my (since sold) Stella and my gf:

snip'n the pic for brevity

very cool very cool!! no I mean the gf, she's hot

[Hardware]

Atadaskew sold his girlfriend?  

[swimmer]

There's 3, the last is The Girl Who Kicked The Hornets Nest.

They are all very good, once I saw the first one there was no stopping me getting the others. Like a good book you can't put down.

+1.  Enjoyed the hell out of those movies.

[cbsnbiker]

Just saw the movie last night.  I'm not sure it "injects motorcycles into the mainstream or popular culture"  but I do think we could start seeing a lot more bi-sexual, pierced, goth chicks who kick ass on bikes

I've taught a  few to ride.  

I'll have to see the movie.

[MidLifeMike]

I saw the American version on the 25th. Slow to build then gets interesting. But that's how a traditional 'who dunnit' works. My girlfriend has just finished reading all three books and she enjoyed it. Now you shouldn't go running to see it for the bike but considering it's just transportation to the character, the bike does get some decent closeups and screen time. It looks badass and the exhaust sound bouncing off the stone walls is a treat.

[Kraz]

Went and saw the movie last night - I thought it was really good.  Cool bike too!

[JonS]

When I saw the movie, I thought that the bike was spot on for the character. The only thing that bothered me was seeing her lean the bike over with the streets always cold and wet. The tires scared me.

[stromgal]

The only thing that bothered me was seeing her lean the bike over with the streets always cold and wet. The tires scared me.

And on cold, wet cobblestones!

[mugwump58]

That's just how "bad" she is!

[MidLifeMike]

The Swedish "Girl Who Played with Fire" has a motorcycle scene that had us lol. Lisbeth has an ear to ear grin but I'm not going to spoil it for you.

So far Swedish 2 : Hollywood 1.  I'm liking the Swedish versions, dubbed in English. One more episode to convert. I need to buy an Apple TV box really soon.