Top 5 Yamaha SR400 Custom

It’s one thing to talk about the 'enduring appeal' of a motorcycle. It's quite another for that appeal to translate into solid showroom sales, year after year. There are a handful of bikes that have stayed in production for decades, essentially unchanged—Royal Enfields and Urals spring to mind. But the king of that particular hill is the Yamaha SR400, a bike that has been punching above its weight for over 35 years.

It’s one thing to talk about the 'enduring appeal' of a motorcycle. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1ZIrLz)

Not surprisingly, there's a huge array of aftermarket parts available for the SR400. It's a mainstay of the thriving Japanese custom scene, and it's now available again in the USA—this time with fuel injection. If you’re tempted to lay down some cash for a new model, or even dig out a secondhand one, take some inspiration from these five great recent builds.

1. Deus Grievous Angel 

Outside Japan, the Australian company Deus is probably the greatest exponent of the custom Yamaha SR400. 'Grievous Angel' is one of Deus' signature builds, with looks that have scored it a place in Sydney's Powerhouse museum.

Deus Grievous Angel. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1ZIrLz)

This SR400 is sporting a tweaked frame, an alloy bullet-style fairing, beadblasted engine cases, a CV carb and a K&N intake kit. The tank and ducktail seat unit are from the legendary Japanese brand Nitroheads, and the tires are classic Avon Speedmasters.

2. Skull Motor Cycle No.019

With so many custom SR400s around, it's hard to find one that's truly different. This machine from a little-known Japanese workshop fits the bill, with radical hub-center steering and a pair of shocks tucked under the custom seat unit.

Skull Motor Cycle No.019. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1ZIrVt)

The tank is from a Honda Dream 50 and the lovely pipe is from an XS650. Hiroshima-based Skull built this machine a couple of years ago as a showcase for their fabrication skills, and not surprisingly, it whipped the Japanese custom scene into a frenzy.

3. Gasoline Customs 'Tomahawk'

Sometimes simple is best—especially if you're after a daily rider, a role the SR400 fulfils admirably. We’re back to Australia for our third choice, this time to East Sydney’s Gasoline Customs, a workshop of some 20 years' standing.

Gasoline Customs 'Tomahawk'. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1ZIrih)

There's no rocket science in this build, but it's beautifully judged—from the powdercoated XS650 wheels and brake rotors to the reworked frame and minimalist tail unit. The exhaust system is as simple as it gets, but adds to the industrial vibe of the machine. The tires, in case you’re wondering, are Shinkos originally designed for trials use.

4. Motor Rock SR400 #5

There's relatively little 'formula' in Japanese custom building, compared to the West. You'll often see the top workshops building a Kawasaki bobber one week, a Triumph café racer the next, and a Harley with skyscraper-high ape bars the week after that. Motor Rock of Nagoya is one such shop.

Motor Rock SR400 #5. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1ZIs2i)

Since opening for business ten years ago, they've built 20 Yamaha-based customs—most of them super-clean SR400s. Like many Japanese bikes, this one looks a little off-kilter to Western eyes. But it has a strangely appealing charm: there’s a hint of bobber styling at the back end, and a touch of café bike at the front. The detailing is beautiful, and the paint on the tank is to die for.

5. Boogie Single Racer SR400 

At the EICMA motor show 2013 in Milan, Yamaha Europe caused a splash by showcasing three 'Yard Built' customs. One came from the Wrenchmonkees, one came from Deus Milan, and one came all the way from Japan itself. 'Boogie Single Racer' was built by one of Tokyo's top customizers—who officially remained nameless—and just drips with style.

Boogie Single Racer SR400. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1ZIsBk)

The forks are vintage Ceriani, the tank is immaculately cut-and-shut, and the rear frame loop isn’t simply chopped and tucked under the seat—it curves over the outside of the custom rear fender. There's a vintage Honda drum brake up front and delicate filigree carving on much of the bare metal, including the wheel rims. Pure class. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | BIKEEXIF]

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A smart umbrella that tells You if it will rain

Wezzoo, a Paris-based technology company launched a smart umbrella called 'Oombrella,' which is expected to be a smart gadgets in our lives.  According to the maker of Oombrella, this smart umbrella can tell us when it will rain. Oombrella that alert you before it rains and if you leave your umbrella behind.

The 'Oombrella' that informs You if it will rain. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1ZDfQR)

Designed to remain strong in windy weather, Oombrella has a frame made of Kevlar. The company said, the material can withstand rainstorms and snowstorms. Oombrella also waterproof, has an ergonomic grip with anti-ultraviolet canopy.

You do not need to buy a new Oombrella. If you already have a favorite umbrella at home, Wezzoo launched the capsule sensors that can be embedded in ordinary umbrella. Turning it into a smart umbrella.

How's about the Oombrella prices, the smart umbrella that can tell when the rain will fall has a not cheap prices. One umbrella appreciated US. $66 or about Rp.867 thousand. As for the sensor only has the price of US. $32 or Rp.420 thousand. There are three colors options, namely white, black and light colored.

Are you interested to buy it? *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | WEZZOO | KICKSTARTER]

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MV Agusta released a new sportbike with a feminim costume

MV Agusta, an Italian sportbike manufacturer who is widely reported experiencing financial difficulties. However, the company was not despair, it seem with the launch of their latest product of a new F4 RR Hello Kitty Limited Edition sportbike.

Unlike the version generally appear with the fierce looks. But this limited edition actually has a feminine appearance. Its body using the color pink, with the pictures of hearts in all parts of the body. While Hello Kitty, the cartoon character is placed in the middle of the fairing.

MV Agusta launching a new strategy to increase sales through the launch of Hello Kitty version of F4 RR sportbike. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1Z5fEi)

In its official statement, as quoted from Autoevolution, MV Agusta has made a new strategy to increase sales through the launch of Hello Kitty version of F4 RR sportbike.

And this strategy as previously done by launching of the Batman version of MV Agusta F3 675, and its sales figures was quite fantastic. Even the famous artist like Justin Beiber became one of the owners of limited edition sportbike with the cartoon characters.

Justin Bieber's the Batman themed of MV Agusta F3 675. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1Z5fnN)

Meanwhile the engine of Hello Kitty version of MV Agusta F4 RR is technically has no difference with the regular model. It used a 995 cc engine which can be produces the power up to 200 hp at 13,600 rpm, and torque of 109 nm.

Despite the motorcycle has been launched, but MV Agusta itself was not released the pricing information offered for the F4 RR Hello Kitty. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | AUTOEVOLUTION]

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Now the autonomous technology began touching war vehicles

Along with the development of technology in the world automotive industry. Now autonomous vehicle technology is now starting to touch the military vehicles. It as did by an Indian military purposes manufacturer, Kalyani Group presents an autonomous rover vehicle named 'ECARS-Enhanced Collaborative Autonomous Rover System'.

Kalyani Group presents an autonomous rover vehicle named 'ECARS-Enhanced Collaborative Autonomous Rover System' at the 2016 DefExpo in Goa, India some time ago. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1Z9YOm)

The ECARS is an ATV type that made for detect the presence of mines, bombs, and can perform security operations on the battlefield though. ECARS technology was not up there alone. This autonomous rover also could be armed with the automatic weapons. As quoted of Rushlane, the privileged of ECARS which is the most prominent compared with the war vehicles in general is its ability to carry out the military operations without a driver.

Rear side view of 'ECARS-Enhanced Collaborative Autonomous Rover System' at the 2016 DefExpo in Goa, India some time ago. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1Z9YOm)

The greatness and toughness of the Indian autonomous rover thanks to the presence of video motion sensors to avoid collisions, detect threats, and are able to plan the mission in accordance with instructions that are controlled remotely. That way, you could say the ECARS is a multi-tasking war vehicle.

The driving system of 'ECARS-Enhanced Collaborative Autonomous Rover System' at the 2016 DefExpo in Goa, India some time ago. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1Z9YOm)

The all-terrain amphibious vehicle derives power from a battery-powered electric motor. It can last for up to 6 hours in silent mode. In manual mode (when operated by a human remotely), it has a top speed of 20 kmph, while in the autonomous mode it has a top speed of up to 15 kmph. Climbing capability stands at max 45 degrees slope.

As information, this smart war vehicles was running its debut in the military industry exhibition called '2016 DefExpo' in Goa, India which has lasted a month ago. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | RUSHLANE]

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Scientists found a similar surface to Mars in India?

A place that is similar to the surface of Mars have been found in India. As reported of India West on Tuesday, April 5, 2016, a team of researchers have identified and documented the existence of jarosite, a rare mineral through the study of streptoskopi in the Matanumadh region, Kachch district, Gujarat India. The study is part of a Mars mission initiated by Space Applications Center (SAC) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

"Matanumadh landscape with assemblages unusual mineral, including jarosite in the land of basalt, resembling geological environment that has many jarosite as identified on Mars," said Saibal Gupta, a professor in the department of geology and geophysics at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur to Indo-Asian News sevice.

An image of the Gusev crater on Mars where the Spirit rover examined volcanic basalts in 2007. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1ZDZVb)

The emergence of rare minerals were first reported from various parts of the Mars by Opportunity, the NASA rover in 2004. Since then, the other robot is also detected jarosite in some of the Red Planet's surface. Jarosite is a mineral found in certain environments. It means that the substance was formed in the extreme and unusual conditions. Previously, jarosite is also found in Australia. But the minerals found in India is more similar to jarosite on Mars.

An image of jarosite mineral. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1ZDZpf)

"The surface of Mars have experienced the similar conditions some time ago. Thus, the discovery of jarosite is supporting the argument that Matanumadh represent the surface of Mars," said Souvik Mitra of IIT-Khargapur.

Mitra added, "Two important conditions for the formation of jarosite is close to the surface of the water acidic and oxidizing conditions. By studying the process of formation of jarosite in Matanumadh, allows us to understand the final stage of water-based activities in some parts of the surface of Mars."

As we knew, NASA found no evidence of water on Mars last year.

"... In addition to sending robots and sophisticated probe to Mars to study it, the investigation can be carried out in Matanumadh and reduce costs to understand what is happening on Mars billions of years ago," said Gupta.

He also added, "It does not replace human exploration on the surface of Mars, but it was committed in a long time. While waiting for that moment, Matanumadh can be a start to imagine what it's there." *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | INDIA WEST]

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Trying to understand the figure of the future racing car

The point is that we all did not fail to understand about the form of a racing car of the future. And referring to the following figure is a vehicle similar jet land in the future, and looks quite strange. This racing car was designed not have a racer seat just like Formula One (F1) at this time.

This is the world's first autonomous racing car. The figure of a racing car developed by London-based Kinetik, the car itself is set to feature in its first 'shows' during the 2016/17 Formula E series.

It is an autonomous race car that will compete in the new autonomous car racing competitions named RoboRace. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1Z06im)

The initial design of this racing car produced by Simon Daniel. As the creator of the race cars of the future, Simon known as the designer who entrusted to create the future motorcycle in the 'Tron: Legacy,' one of the famous Hollywood's sci-fi movies. According to him that the low aerodynamic profile is to generate the huge amounts of grip required.

This car is scheduled to compete in an autonomous car racing competition called 'RoboRace.' Everything will work based on advanced technologies. Although it does not require a driver, but the role of humans in this race is still dominant.

RoboRace is a planned driverless series that will see 10 teams compete to develop the best artificially intelligent controlled car. The challenges are quite difficult in this autonomous racing, the engineers must set up the sophisticated software to be connected to one another in order to avoid collisions between the cars.

While the team behind the car have given very few details about how it will work, or its size, Denis Sverdlov, from RoboRace told Wired, when the series was announced, that the cars would have top speeds of "more than 300 kph (186 mph)". When they take to the track, the cars will be using the same tarmac as the Formula E cars, but take place before the main race, as the technology showcase series travels around the world.. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | WIRED]

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