Union Motorcycle Classics work out of a remodeled 100 year old dairy barn in Idaho which they describe as "no longer home to lowing bovines, we now attend to the gentle rumblings of a slightly more untamed beast". Formed by a group of guys who all had different skills but one passion... classic motorcycles. Luke is professionally trained motorcycle mechanic, Bret is the owner of Glass From The Past (GFTP) which manufacture killer looking cafe racer fairings, race seats, fenders and tanks. Mike, Jeff and Andy are all graphic designers who love nothing more than getting their hands greasy on a vintage classic.

The pictured Ducati 900ss is one of their proud creations and we will let them describe this Cinderella story: "Boy meets bike, Boy likes bike, Boy crashes bike. Keep reading. It gets better. From the ashes of its damaged frame, all parts were removed. A one of a kind fiberglass tail section was crafted to work with a sectioned stock frame that was rebuilt from the rear motor mounts back. The proportions of this bike puts one in mind of the Scuderia Spaggiari Ducati and Tony Rutter's TT2. Once again, a GFTP piece was created just for this rising phoenix from the ashes: a modified 900SS front fairing to accept the headlights and turn signals. The tank is a collaboration of a 900SS tank and a late 80's 750 Sport. Custom brackets and period race parts complete the package". In my humble opinion this bike has been transformed from a chunky and dated Italian sports bike into a stylish modern cafe racer. For more images of this bike and others, including a fine Yamaha RD60, visit the well designed Union website.

This stunning M30 International 500cc motorcycle was recently sold by John De Kruif from the Norton site unusually named Rapid Hare. He bought the bike as a "basket case" and we love how John describes the build: "Restoring was not that difficult. The engine was rebuilt by Stu Rogers and you drop the engine parts at his place, wait for one and a half year, collect and fit. Many of the other parts are similar to abundantly available 16H items that can be made to fit with a little work. What's left is very careful assembly. It's not an original bike but then again, very few Inters are". You might be wondering why he sold such a beautiful machine? Well, like a lot of motorcycle enthuisasts he ran out of room in his garage and moved it into his house for a little while "where it spent a few happy years next to the television", he then ended up buying a vintage flat tank OHV Norton so this beautiful Inter had to hit the road. To read the full story and to check out a couple more pics check out John's Norton blog.

John Mossey Restorations used to be one of the leading classic motorcycle restoration companies in the UK. They are not any more. Unfortunately they stopped trading under that name, but there's a new mob in town that have taken over where they left off. They are called JMC Classics and still have the talented John Mossey as the head engineer and designer. It looks like JMC are pretty much the same classy outfit, specializing in restorations of classics and unparalleled new builds of Egli-Vincents and Norvins, just under a slightly different name. The new JMC Egli-Vincent which was originally released as a 1000cc is now available as a ballsy 1200cc version, which will definitely get a lot of people excited. We asked Mr Mossey the price of the new Egli-Vincent 1200cc but he would prefer to answer the question to serious buyers (he obviously saw right through our cheap leathers). If you are interested in buying one of these stunning bikes, or just want some info, visit the JMC site. To check out more mouth-watering restorations visit their impressive gallery.

This breathtaking photograph is just one in the series by Los Angeles based photographer Jerry Garns. If this shot doesn't inspire you to head to the 2010 Bonneville Speed Week then nothing will. Jerry tells us that someone once said that "if you are a Buddhist you go to Tibet, but if you are a motorhead, you go to Bonneville". Jerry had been wanting to go to Bonneville since he was a kid so when he finally arrived last year this is how he described the life long dream: "Once you leave the paved road and roll out onto the salt, you feel like you are in another world. The expanse and flatness, along with the history of racing, creates a sense of place that is beyond written description. Everyone should go to the salt flats at least once in your life to experience it for your self". To see the other spectacular shots in the series, including legendary Shinya Kimura and Randy Speranza check out Jerry's portfolio.

This beautiful Vincent Grey Flash Replica was sold at auction a few years ago for $29,250. Quite a lot of money but when you hear that only 31 were ever built (less if you look at Vincent official records) then an authentic Flash would probably sell for well over $100k. This classic British motorcycle was briefly manufactured between 1949 to 1952 and was advertised as the new racing "thoroughbred from the Vincent stables". It was based on the Vincent Comet and the 1000cc Black Lightning but was stripped down to 330 lb (149kg) as a 500cc single. Unfortunately most of us will never afford one but we can still dream of finding one in a country barn, just like in the book written by Tom Cotter called 'The Vincent in the Barn'. For more specs and a list of every Grey Flash manufactured check out this comprehensive Vincent site.

This has to be one of the most beautiful British racers ever made. It was Matchless’ first attempt at a 500cc production racer. Not very reliable and even had a tendency to blow up. A cross between a special version of their roadgoing 500cc two-cylinder engine and the AJS 7R (everything but the engine). AJS and Matchless were both owned by AMC (Associated Motorcycle Company). The British sure knew how to make exceptional motorcycles. Shame about their reliability, although Triumph has pretty much sorted that out these days.

Richard from Sweden's Richard Garage is an amazing BMW motorcycle restorer. We all love before and after shots, and this is one of the best I've seen. The 1952 BMW R25/2 motorcycle, was found in a garden where it had stood for 42 years, only covered with a oil cloth. That's Richard standing with the bike when he found it. The stunning white BMW motorcycle is what he turned it into after lots of hard work. Respect.

We have been looking at all the winners from the European Championship of Custom Bike building. Most of them are choppers but one classic caught our eye. It is a 1934 Harley Davidson Knucklehead that has been totally rebuilt by a German shop called Classic Bikes (doesn't sound very German). We love how they have kept the heart and soul of this classic. For more pics and details click here.