Black Earth Library
Bonneville and Beyond: Meet WI's champion motorcycle speed racers
Sunday April 29 - 2:00 pm

Great day for a ride, a stop at the motorcycle museum and to join us for this panel discussion of area champion motorcycle racers and hear about their careers and record-breaking races, moderated by Peter Egan. The panel will include Bill Whisenant, Lew Terpstra, Gary Ilminen, Tym Williams and Patrick Zeigle. Slimey Crud Run will be in only one week from this day! Fast bike(s) will be on display, too!

Bonneville Celebration!

Sunday, November 12
2-6pm
Motorcycle Performance

See the Bonneville Ducatis (some of the world's most extreme custom Ducatis!) along with our other Bonneville racer friends, record holders and their motorcyles.

Come help us celebrate a great effort and thank our sponsors!

American Pickers Ride

Sunday, July 31st
leave at 9:00am

American Pickers Store
La Claire, Iowa

Leave from PDQ on Verona Rd and PD (the one West of Verona Rd, since there are two of them). Ride to Dubuque, fuel stop, then follow the river road on the west side of the river.

If you would like to join the group, send email contact to mcperf@tds.net with subject line July 31 ride. Hope you see you then!

Eddyville Raceway Park "Night of Fire"

Saturday, July 2
6pm, 9pm

Eddyville Iowa
http://www.eddyvilleraceway.com

Nostalgia Nitro Funnycars, Dragsters, Altereds, and Sam Wills' Top Fuel Bike are booked in! Sam is scheduled to run at 6pm and 9 pm. Come on out and smell the NITRO!

We are leaving Madison at about 9 am for the track so we can be there early enough to help set up.
(5 hour drive to Eddyville)

April 29: 7pm - Black Earth Public Library Event
Motorcycle Movie: "Girl Meets Bike: a story of motorcycle love"
At Black Earth Public Library.

April 30: 12-3pm - Bull Session II (Q&A) Slimey Crud Weekend: Shop tour, meet and greet, plus get your tickets for the SCMG movie at the Barrymore this evening!

April 30: 1pm - Black Earth Public Library Event
"The Perfect Vehicle: What it is about Motorcycles" and "the Man Who Would Stop at Nothing: Long-Distance Motorcycling's Endless Road"
Author visit by Melissa Holbrook Pierson, at Black Earth Library.

April 30: 6:30pm - Slimey Crud Motorcycle Gang Film Festival!
"One Man's Dream - the Britten Bike Story"
Barrymore Theatre, Madison.
Tickets available here!

May 1: Slimey Crud Run!

See slimeycrud.com for more info

Slimey Crud Run

Last Sunday was a great day for riding - had the chance to hang out with some friends, see some cool bikes, and have fun with a cranky old Triumph Chopper that really underscores the underlying principle of motorcycling: that every trip has the potential for adventure.

Ride to Motorcycle Museum
Sunday Sept. 20th
Meet at the PDQ on McKee Rd/PD West - 8:30~9:00

Come ride with a group down to the National Motorcycle Museum in Anamosa, Iowa. We meet in Madison, ride down, eat lunch, see a ton of incredible bikes, then back to Madison! It's all about the journey, but the destination is pretty great too!

Please RSVP via email (mcperf@tds.net) so we know how big of a group to expect - we will be calling ahead so the museum knows how many will be coming, and to make sure there will be restaurant space when we stop at "Scooter's Bar and Grill."

Also, RSVP'ing will ensure that we don't leave anyone behind if you are running a bit late in the morning. See you there!

Bull Session 
June 6
Here at the shop from 1-3pm.

We will be starting the Bonneville Nitro Bike to check our warm-up system and see if there are any leaks.  This is the last scheduled session for the summer unless there is a massive outcry for more.  Subjects are completely open and it’s always fun to try and stump the guy with the gray beard.  Progress on the Banana will be on display as well (the floor in the back is completely gone at the moment…). We have really enjoyed the Bull Sessions and look forward to the future and seeing you here!

Q&A at the Shop and SCMG Film Festival!
Saturday, May 2nd
1:00-3:00 pm

Another "Bull Session!" We will have some coffee on and open to discuss whatever may be on your mind motorcycle-wise, and if we run out of things in that vein, we can move on to other subjects.  I have been in the industry for forty years now, and have seen the start of most every trend in play today. Bring your questions!

If you have something you were always wondering about, about tuning, riding, racing, motorcycling history... whatever you might be wanting to know! Bring your questions, pull up a chair and we will chat. All are welcome.

Afterwards we will head over to the Barrymore Theatre for the 6th annual SCMG Film festival, featuring "The John Penton Story"

Barrymore Theatre
2090 Atwood Ave, Madison WI
6:30pm
(come at 5:30 to hang out with fellow motorcycle enthusiasts and admire all of the bikes parked out front)

April 26, 2015

38 Years of Motor Journalism with Peter Egan
Sunday April 26 2:00 pm

Black Earth library is hosting a talk by renowned writer Peter Egan. You don't want to miss this! He will be talking about his work with Cycle World and Road & Track, as well as his numerous adventures on the road and in the air (flying small planes across the country!)

http://www.bepubliclibrary.org/

Q&A at the Shop
1:00-3:00 pm

***I know we said it's the first Saturday of the month, but we are moving this one back a week to April 11 due to scheduling conflicts***

Another "Bull Session!" We will have some coffee on and open to discuss whatever may be on your mind motorcycle-wise, and if we run out of things in that vein, we can move on to other subjects.  I have been in the industry for forty years now, and have seen the start of most every trend in play today. Based on questions brought forth in the last session, we will have a station set up to take a closer look at suspension, but we will range into other subjects as well, so bring your questions!

If you have something you were always wondering about, about tuning, riding, racing, motorcycling history... whatever you might be wanting to know! Bring your questions, pull up a chair and we will chat. All are welcome.

See you there!

Weaver AutoFest
Saturday March 28, Sunday March 29

Alliance Energy Center - New Holland Pavillion
http://www.autofestonline.com/event/295

We will have a few bikes in the show, and there will be a myriad of incredible vehicles to see from all over the area. Join us!

March 7, 2015

Q&A "Bull Sesson"

In the spirit of motorcycling camaraderie, I thought we would try something different at the shop.  As many of you are aware, we have hosted clinics in the past on various aspects of motorcycle maintenance, but this year we would like to know what you want to learn about.  We will have some coffee on and open to discuss whatever may be on your mind motorcycle-wise, and if we run out of things in that vein, we can move on to other subjects.  I have been in the industry for forty years now, and have seen the start of most every trend in play today.

If you have something you were always wondering about, about tuning, riding, racing, motorcycling history... whatever you might be wanting to know! Bring your questions, pull up a chair and we will chat. If you want to send them in via email over the course of this next week, we could even get a bit of a head start, especially for more obscure historical or specialized inquiry.

See you there!

Slimey Crud Run

Pine Bluff

We'll be out there with both bikes at around 10:00am - it's always nice to see familiar faces and meet new ones, so come on down!

Come out and hang around with several hundred other motorcylists for a last hurrah before winter snows start falling...
See the Crud Run website for history and details

First Ducati in the 7's!

See the video on our youtube channel

The Drag Ducati ran a 7.99 this Sunday, down at Byron Dragway. Great work to everyone involved, and thank you to the folks who came down to see it happen!

Testing at Byron Dragway

Sunday June 15th

We became the quickest Ducati in the world this Sunday!

Congratulations to the team, and thank you to everyone who came out to see it happen! Our previous best time was 8.27, and the previous quickest record time over a quarter mile was 8.18.

Next up: hopefully the 7's!

SCMG Film Festival!

Barrymore Theatre
2090 Atwood Avenue
Madison, WI

What’s showing:

6:30pm
Bonneville Project: Soundtrack Edition

7:00pm
The Best Bar in America

Also, join your fellow motorcyclists on the Crud Run this Sunday – now that decent weather has finally arrived!
Want to know more about the Slimey Crud Run? 
Visit their website here.

Starts at Pine Bluff: 
Sunday, May 4 – 10:00am

See you there!

Shop Show-and-Tell

January 25
10:00am-noon
Motorcycle Performance - Madison, WI

Free!

Come in for a backstage tour of the Bonneville Projects and their inner workings, see in-progress work on the bikes and talk with the guys who are putting it all together.
Brave the cold - we'll have the heat on!

Thank you to everyone who came out through the wind and ice and snow from all corners of the state - it was great to see old faces and meet some new ones as well!

Out Racing at Byron Motorway

Racing went so well last weekend, we decided to go again!
The Nitro bike ran an 8.43 at 158.46mph! (previous best time was 8.68, set the previous weekend)

Nov 12, 2013

Movie Release Party for the Bonneville Project!

November 12
Quaker Steak & Lube
6-9pm

Coffee and soda provided

Thank you to everyone who came out on Tuesday to see the bikes and congratulate the filmmakers on the release of the Bonneville Project. (They do fantastic work – check it out here!)

The DVD release/shop party on the 12th was well-attended at Quaker Steak and Lube.  A great turnout of enjoyable people made it a memorable evening. The Slimey Cruds stopped in to add their unique spin as well!  Thanks to the excellent staff at that fine establishment!

Thanks again for stopping in, and stay in touch!

Slimey Crud - Fall 2013

Thank you to everyone who came out to see the bike! There was an
excellent turnout at the Crud Run, and it was great to finally
show everyone in person!

Gary Ilminen sent us this photo of the guys talking about the bikes - thanks Gary!

We posted some sponsor photos with the bike on the Bonneville Blog!

Bonneville Project Film Kickstarter Successful!

The Bonneville Project is a documentary that follows the story of a a small independent motorcycle shop from Madison, Wisconsin in their attempt to break several land speed records. Made by Second Society, the same filmmakers that produced American Cafe – (a documentary on the SCMG and the Cafe Racer movement), this film follows the development of the bike and the trials and tribulations out on the salt. Fantastic cinematography and quality camera work gives you a crew’s-eye-view of the entire process.

The film premiered at the Sundance Theatre in June this year, and now they are looking to release it on DVD.

You can help make this dvd release happen!

Visit the kickstarter page and pledge at different reward levels to help push this project towards the final goal. Remember, with Kickstarter projects it has to be fully funded for them to receive the money. Come check it out!

Group Ride to National Motorcycle Museum

Sunday, July 21st
Leaving between 8:30-9:00 am

Meet at the Speedway Station at Verona Rd and Raymond Rd

Fuel stop in Dubuque
All arrive approximately 12:00 in Anamosa, IA
Grab some lunch, then meet up at the motorcycle museum

Group admisson discount: $7 each

Have a great Sunday ride and see a bunch of unique motorcycles from over 100 years of motorcycling history!

Special Advance Screening!

The Bonneville Project

Sunday, June 23
Sundance Cinema – Madison, WI
4:30 pm
Tickets only $10!

A film chronicling several years of work preparing for a land-speed record attempt on the legendary salt flats of Bonneville.
Produced by Second Society, the same filmmakers who created“American Cafe” in 2010, a fantastic documentary about the SCMG, the Crud Run, and the cafe racer movement.

Get tickets now!

Watch the new trailer here

Second Society’s Website

Let us know you’re coming on the Second Society facebook event!

4th Annual SCMG Film Festival at the Barrymore Theatre presents:

World's Fastest Indian
Saturday, May 4th
7:00 pm

Read more about the Slimey Crud Motorcycle Gang and the history of the Crud Run
Also, if you haven't already, see American Cafe
a great movie about cafe racer motorcycle culture and the SCMG

Salt Assault 2013 Fundraiser

Quaker Steak & Lube - Middleton
November 28th 6-9pm

See the Facebook page event

A celebration and fundraiser for Bonneville Salt Flats 2013. We will have a turbocharged Ducati 999 and a Nitro burning Ducati 749 there for show. We will be running the Nitro 749 at 8pm! Lots of great noise, and there will be a video loop of footage from the most recent trips to the Bonneville Speed Trials and Valdosta, Georgia.

Remember, we're starting up the fueler at 8:00 sharp.
Come out to hear the noise and smell the nitro!

Nitro Clinic
with special guest speaker John Gregory

On Saturday May 5, from 12-3pm we will have the builder and tuner of the “Hogslayer”, John Gregory here for a Nitro Clinic at Motorcycle Performance, 5205 University Ave. in Madison. 

John’s experience with fuel systems and technical expertise is a phenomenal opportunity to learn the basics and more. 

We will be running, adjusting and servicing our Ducati Fueler to give a visual display and help with the understanding of what to many is a bit of black art and voodoo. 

Come experience the learning, noise and smell of Nitro Racing!

Fabrication and Builder's Clinic
Metal Finishing Start to Finish

This clinic will cover the various aspects of metal finishing up to but not including painting. Various types of manual and power finishing techniques will be covered along with the proper use of files and saws. This is intended to allow the builder of a custom bike to achieve the next level of finish on his project, as well as save some time and money in prepping a part for welding. Sanding, grinding, file work, saw use, and glass beading, along with various air and electric tools will be demonstrated. 

If you have a small part that can be hand carried (gas tank, fender, battery box, bracket, etc.) feel free to bring it along and we can give it a go. I reserve the right to select the parts to deal with, and will probably not finish any one part, but use the opportunity to show the various aspects of the clinic. 

Attendance is limited to ten people and you can sign up via email, phone or actually stop into the shop. If you stop in you can see the builder's wall for yourself and maybe get the cogs turning.

Suspension Tuning and Adjustment Clinic

This is the one everyone asks about!  Due to popular demand it’s back.  There will be a nominal charge for refreshments and handouts. 

The basics of suspension both front and rear will be covered.  This will be relating to both street riding and road race applications. 

An inverted fork will be disassembled along with a conventional unit to show you what is in there.  The gold valve kit will be displayed and explained.

Scaling the bike will be demonstrated and the significance explained. The setting and significance of sag will be demonstrated.   

Rear suspension will be dealt with from inspection to adjustment (ride height,swingarm down angle, etc.). 

From all the pre-registered attendees we will draw TWO names out of a hat March 14, to determine who gets a FREE suspension adjustment, including scaling!  The winners will be notified a week in advance of the clinic and will need to have a way to get their bikes to the shop for this adjustment during the clinic.  If the winner(s) can’t get there we will draw another name.   

Chassis Clinic

This clinic will cover the basic elements of custom chassis building.  The bike we will be working on will be either a land speed bike for a customer in Idaho, a prototyperoadracer, or a nitro Ducati, depending upon how the projects progress over the winter. 

You will be able to see a frame jig and how it is used, tubing bending, fitting, TIG welding, and mounting bodywork. 

Basics of safety items for tech inspection at the dragstrip, track days and Bonneville will also be covered.

Bodywork and Paint in your garage

This clinic is intended to show you what you can do to detail and repair your bike’s damaged  bodywork and appearance. 

Basic plastic repair, fiberglass repair, body filler application, sanding priming and painting with aerosol cans will be covered.  Buffing and scratch removal will also be shown.  

There will also be a demonstration of basic spray gun techniques and comparisons to aerosol processes.

Salt Party

Join us for a late-season bike event at Quaker Steak and Lube.

We will be featuring a "Salt Party" contingent featuring the Bonneville Record-setting 1966 Blown Triumph, the 195 mph Salt Flats Ducati and the Champoionship-winning SV-650 roadrace Bikes ridden by Ed Key  

The format of the evening will be similar to that of "Bike Nights" and will have a forum at 7:00pm where we will field questions and explain some of the individual subtleties of the Bonneville Salt Flats and winning at the Daytona Super Speedway.

Suspension Clinic

Intro to Fabrication Clinic

"Thanks again for a great opportunity to learn some new things, meet interesting new people, and stay juiced for our passion in the dead of winter. As always you put on a great clinic, and I truly appreciate the knowledge, skills, and camaraderie that you extend. Thanks again and have a great holiday."
---Ray Felber

"I know Guy and I both learned some things. Time well spent."
---Ed Key

demonstration tables

kevlar, cardboard templates

fiberglass molds

Basic Suspension Clinic
with special guest speaker Ed Key

Ed Key presenting

pretty good turnout

lots of people here to learn...