Jim Bryant in Beijing
(Newest images are at the top of the page.)

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"One of the ladies on the ride last Sunday [Sabine Hartmann] is an artist who takes lots of pictures. Here they are."
July 9, 2008  
"We went on a nice ride today. It's been raining almost every day for what seems like the past month so when it cleared into a beautiful day with blue skies, five of us went out to the mountains."
"Coincidentally, every bike was BMW powered and all built by yours truly."
"The nice part was we were able to take a highway out of the city, cruising at about 120-130km/h for about 45 minutes until we reached the mountains."
"We then spent the rest of the day cruising the canyons."
July 7, 2008  
           
"After working all winter (off and on anyway!) I just took my bike out for it's maiden ride. This is the same bike I rode around the world back in 2004-05. It had a Velorex sidecar back then. Now it's got a Dong Hai sidecar which will easily hold my son and all our camping gear with room to spare. The name (BeemerChangHai-Davidson) came from the fact it's got a BMW frame and drivetrain, Chang Jiang sidecar fender and a few other parts, Dong Hai sidecar, and H-D seat. The rework involved, let's see, new high-domed pistons, new rings, re-sealed engine, all new gaskets, resealed transmission, new clutch, new 37:11 rear drive, new (to me) Dong Hai sidecar that was missing a seat, fender, and spare tire carrier, so it's wearing a Chang Jiang sidecar fender, a Chang Jiang spare tire carrier, and a new sidecar seat copied from a Dong Hai original seat, newly powder coated frames (bike and sidecar) new paint, and a few other things I've forgotten already. But she goes like a bat outa h*ll now. I'll be riding down to Shanghai via Huang Shan and Taiping lake next week for her maiden (long) ride."
April 20, 2008  
This artist is amazing...
April 9, 2008  
From Jim: "Not much of a ride but the BBQ and airbrush demonstration was really sweet. Zhao Shuang, the guy doing the air brushing, is now open for business. I'll try and get his contact info tomorrow. He's just on the border with Huairo which is an easy ride for any Beijing riders. The amazing thing to me anyway is that I just brought him the airbrush a little over a week ago from the States. This guy learns fast!"
And from Clay: "After reading Jim's post, I called him for the directions to the place (it was hard to find) where the BBQ and exhibition of art accomplished with a new airbrush purchased by Jim in the States on his last trip home. The artist, Zhao Suang, a quiet young man, shows promise with an airbrush and an element of history that is illustrated by his art. The BBQ was delicious and the courtyard in the country where it was held also contained a kennel of dogs and examples of "rock art" as well. Interested in getting some of this fine work on your iron (and who wouldn't be?) contact Jim."
March 30, 2008  
"If anyone wants to get ahold of Zhao Shuang his e-mail address is z1224s@hotmail.com.Or you can contact Wang Dong-liang at tt8688tina@yahoo.com.cn. Tel:13466377360"
"Neither guy speaks English so if that's a problem just send the info to me (Jim) and I'll forward it. (jim@way2prc.com) I'm rebuilding and repainting my bike (R69S) so I have to decide what airbrush artwork I want on it."
March 31, 2008  
"Here's a couple of pictures from Tim's stash at our shop. It's a CJ M5 frame versus a BMW R80/7 frame. In many aspects they measure identical. There are a few differences though such as the motor mount recepticals on the BMW are welded just underneath the down tubes whereas the M5 the motor mounts pass through the frame as in a CJ."
"The battery mount on the M5 is behind the rear frame brace and on the Beemer it is welded just in front of the rear frame brace. The center stands appear to be interchangeable, and in fact the frames are very close to being interchangeable except for some very minor points. I thought it was interesting and makes me wonder how the folks in Nanchang came to make the jigs for the M5 bike."
November 29, 2007  
Had a great ride this weekend Luke sponsored the ride and it was led by Lao Ren. We rode up to Bai Hua Shan (White Flower Mountain) pretty high in these parts at 2000 meters.
I guess my definition of overnight ride is different that some of the others. I brought along a tent, sleeping bag and camping gear. Others broght nothing, so we ended up in a really clean Ming style motel. US $13 a night so who's complaining?
The next morning we rode to Chuan Di Xia, a preserved 600 year old village. It's one of the last Ming era villages that hasn't been torn down or disintegrated.
And to add fuel to the fire, the only bikes that had problems were... you guessed it, the flatheads! Overheating, detonation, you name it. They just can't haul the weight up the mountains. [Dan says all they had to do was lean out the carbs to compensate for the altitude!]
September 9, 2007  
"We went on a really incredible ride a couple weeks ago in the mountains.
Got above the tree line at the summit. About nine CJs made it up and back without any trouble other than a flat tire."
August 9, 2007  




"I attended the 4th annual Ron-Dee-Voo for sidecars in Weikert, Pa. There were 160 sidecars! I got the award for travelling the furthest distance. I borrowed a customer's BMW powered CJ which was a hit. Just about every Ural rider told me they wished they knew about our bikes before buying a Ural. There was one other CJ there, a WWII-like M1 with an R71 gas tank. The owner thought he bought a real R71, and he bought it from a museum in Florida. It was a CJ and not even an old one. There were no zerks at the seat or steering head, the front lower sidecar mount was welded, not clamped to the frame. I didn't have the heart to ask him what he paid for it. But at least it ran well at the rally."
August 9, 2007