Soliciting opinions...

Hey Folks,
As a few of you know, I was a writer/segment producer at Naked News TV. Okay, okay, calm down! Anyway, even that famous program saw its rating go down the drain. (People really do get sick of everything.) That means I'm no longer on the staff of that fine production.
So... I'm interested in soliciting some opinions about a half hour motorcycle tv show that I'd like to put together. No, not another OCC fantasy chopper shtick. The Batman Bike, the Shrek Bike, The Transformer Bike, the Spiderman Bike, all with the same kicked out forks and 110ci S&S engine. Yawn... No, not like that. And not another stunting show either.
When you think about it, most riders out in the real world own and use Japanese street bikes that are probably 5 to 10 years old and older - sometimes MUCH older. No big fuss. They just get on them and go. There are also tons of online forums devoted to single Japanese models, like the XJOG and XSOG groups I belong to. Most of these groups have members who have gone crazy customizing, doing mint showroom restos, ratbiking their rides, vintage racing (yeah, that too!) and so much more. For instance, I think the annual vrra do at Mosport would make for a great feature.
The half hour show would be made up of 4 segments looking at real world rides and real world riders, rallies, shows and so on. The host would be an attractive young lady that is a fairly experienced rider. (No, she won't be naked so don't even ask!) The idea is to produce a half hour pilot and then try to sell a 12 to 16 episode series into syndication.
I figure I may as well try and put all my time at Naked News TV to some good use.
So any and every opinion is welcome. Fire away!
thx,
baz

 

Actually that sounds like a great idea. All the TV shows out there are like, trick my bike, bla bla bla boring. I mean, you could have like 3 or 4 people that you "Check up" on that are restoring an older bike. Check out their customizations and such.
What other content would be included? How tos??
Could call it,
"This Old Bike"

 

Actually that's a good title for the show. Yeah, how to's would be a great idea. Keeping the old bike on the road. So many people into older Japanese bikes seem to have more than 1. I've got 3 of the basterds! XJ650, XJ900 and XS650. I sold the Ninja 900 after getting 2 speeding tickets in the first few weeks i had that animal. Now I'm looking for a supermoto type deal. Anyway, it would also be cool to visit owners that have a several bikes or rallies like the XJ Carb Clinics. I could do it pretty cheap too, one digital cam, sound person and host. Maybe even travel around on bikes doing the show.
Thanks for your input - definitely good ideas.
thx,
baz

 

Include "how-to" segments on the basic stuff, if you want to pull the newbies in to watch. I know a lot of things are model-specific, but there's plenty of things experienced riders take for granted that new riders would really benefit from actually seeing done.

 

It's looks like the how to idea is striking a chord. A regular how to feature included in the half hour would definitely work. Simple stuff, tune ups, the like. Maybe even how-it-works, ie: this is how your forks works - even though you probably aren't going to rebuild them yourself. Perhaps use some cool graphics/animation.
thx for the input,
baz

 

how soon are you looking at starting taping cause there is a swapmeet here and i will be there on my XJ. it is not showroom at all but is not a full on custom either

 

Sound like a great idea, love the hot host!!, and the how to for tune ups, maintanance and maybe storage as it seems to be a hot topic here during the fall months, you could also highlight new safety gear as it would be nice to get a little more awareness out there.
Shaun

 

Thanks for the responses. I'm thinking of starting production in August, if we can raise the money - which isn't actually all that much. But since the wife won't let me take out a second mortgage I'll have to do it the usual way, by bringing in investors. I've got a few bike crazies interested. In the current economy, that might be the toughest part. But as one bike dealer told me; "The bike makers have hardly any place to advertise! Do it!" So I guess we'll see. As usual, it's dependent on the green stuff. But as I said, we're looking at an early to mid-August start time. Shooting for a week, editing, etc for a week and then marketing like hell.

 

I like the idea of a show like this too. I'd watch it, especially if there were tips and tricks on how to repair older bikes, the mods people have come up with, the improvements on old designs... the opportunities are endless!

Why can't there be a magazine with this kind of stuff? There has to be a market for it. Heck, I'd buy it!

Maybe this show could interview some of the xj guru's here on the site.

 

I like the whole idea. "Two Guys' Garage" but for old Bikes? You could do it all with featurettes, like Corbin's "Ride On" or a mix of hands-on and features like "Two-Wheel Tuesdays" on Speed; or go mostly hands on with side features like on "Two Guys' Garage."

Whichever way you do it, DO IT. Great idea; SpeedTV or someone should pick it up. There was a British-produced show where a guy was restoring an old Triumph, I think it was on Discovery or History Channel.

 

OK, I just have to know. How do you get a job producing naked people doing the news? I'm in the wrong business.

Seriously, this sounds like a great idea. I'd bet there are more people riding Japanese bikes than all others put together.

 

I like the idea - If you keep a good mix you should draw viewers.

 

There's a human story too - this forum is full of triumphs and tragedies - I'm imagining you following up with the guy who gets the XJ to turn over after a whole winter of wrenching on it, and the guy who blows the transmission the day after he fixes his carbs!

 

How did "Wide World of Sports" used to put it? "The thrill of victory, and the agony...of defeat."

 

Yeah this sounds great! I'd even Tivo the bad boy!
But if yuo're gonna do the how tos, dont be all monotone and boring like most of the other shows that do stuff like that. Like, you'll be interested in what the guy on tv is doing, but hes soooo boring you gotta flip the channel.
I think this'll really work out for you in your favor! I think its a fantastic idea sir! Dont loose sight of the goal before august!
-Chris
MadMax85, btw. There's no Magazine?? Make one!! You jsut had a million dollar idea sir. And you can travel and get all the info, shots, stories, tips, tricks, ect from everyone here! Shoot, if you were photographing my bike for the day for a magazine i'd be stoked! Who needs a hotel to stay at? You got buds on here!

 

Baz... I think it's a fantastic idea!! One who's time has come. I personally think most real bikers, and I don't mean the snaggle tooth smelly gang member (no offense meant) but bikers who wrench on their rides and would like to do more, would be VERY interested in watching. Personally the only reason I watch OCC is to get ideas to do on my own rides. A How-to segment would be good. Watching some one take an old bike and breathe new life into it would be great!(but might present logistics problems due to return visits during the build) Heck, if your 'crew' wanted to do a segment on any of my stuff 8O I'd give ya free room and board! Segments on tips and tricks for restoring bikes, like how buffing can bring a chrome shine to old aluminum parts, taking the mystery out of painting a bike yourself....all things that would (I think) leave people drooling for more. This would definitely be a show for the working man. What a cool way to show Joe-six-pack that he can have his own ride that's as cool as any $20k plus chopper!! Definitely keep us in the loop as things progress!!!

 

Actually, there is a magazine. It's from the UK and it's called Classic Motorcycle Mechanics (real not retro). They cover mostly Japanese bikes from the 1960's, '70's and 80's, some from the 90's. The writing and how-to features are first rate. There's also a section for readers to ask questions. The editors are all master mechanics and riders, of course. It's one of my main inspirations for doing the TV show. The magazine finds guys and gals who are restoring or customizing old Japanese machines, test rides their bikes, does a feature on them. Great photography. You can usually pick it up at Chapters, Indigo, that kind of place. I have a subscription and their how-to articles (with tons of color photos) have helped me many times. Anyway, thanks for all the support and great ideas. I really appreciate it and I'll try not to lose sight of the goal. Thanks to everybody.
baz

 

You keep Bob Vila out of this!

Not to mention there was a thread on here about a year and a half ago where someone was spreading the word about another magazine in the works.

http://www.xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=7671/

Bonus content: I stick my foot in my mouth!

 

Sounds like a winner to me!

Maybe have riders/viewers send video clips from their trips for a twist on the "Reader's Ride" feature.

 

You could have an "On the Road" segment kind of like Charles Kurralt did and highlight different motorcycle rides around the country. Show a bit of American and Canadian life. Their similarities and their differences maybe?

It wouldnt be an 'every' episode thing but maybe once a week or month...or so.

 

Wow, no shortage of great ideas and I'm listing them all to include in the proposal. Thanks again for the input. There's a few venture funds I'm going to try and hit up. I know, I know, everything you read on the subject of trying to launch a new tv series tells you its almost certainly doomed to fail, etc, etc. But what the hell do I know so I'll give it a shot anyway.

About the Classic Motorcycle magazine that Mitch Boehm and Motorcyclist magazine test-launched last year - it suffered the same problem that all North American motorcycle magazine suffer from - too much advertising, not enough useful content. The UK vintage mag, Classic Motorcycle Mechanics is jam packed with actual real world information and bikes that real people build in their garages and actually ride without spending a small fortune.
Same goes for the mainstream UK bike mags like Two Wheels Only, Ride and Bike. They might cost a bit more but you're talking over a hundred pages chock full of great writing about new bikes, older bikes, equipment, accessories, etc. Motorcyclist, Sport Rider and the like have a few columns, a couple of Gee Whiz articles about the latest Nipponorocket or German urban assault vehicle or finicky Italian exotic and that's about it. Must be nice to have the latest Hayabusa and a fleet of other new machines provided as long-term loaners by the manufacturers. Too bad Mitch and friends don't manage to get better magazines out of all that. Anyway, don't get too exciting, just my own opinion.

 

google up "quaker steak & lube" they , at least ours has a bike night every thursday
every kind of bike you could imagine and maybe a built in sponsor

 

Actually, I read that Motorcyclist was working on a spinoff mag for old metrics called "Classic Motorcyclist." I don't know if they've gone into print or not. They were concerned that they would not have enough interest to generate adequete circulation, and weren't sure about sponsorship interest either.
I hope you're right and this TV thing takes off. There's a lot of old Jap iron out there that could use some exposure!

 

Yeah, Classic Motorcyclist came out last year for a test issue. It wasn't very good - too thin - not enough meat and potatos content. Anyway, we'll see if a tv version can be done. The response on this forum and others has been overwhelming. Maybe there really is a niche that needs to be filled. I'm not worried about sponsors. Just because somebody owns an old bike - or 2, or 10, it doesn't mean they don't own a new bike or aren't considering a new bike to add to their collection.

 

I'd watch, with enthusiasm... And I don't watch much TV. I have a few awesome names for the show! (Obviously all of these are jokes Chromeless, Ef Orange County Choppers, The Sound of Righteous Ignition, Without The Price Of A Name, Bikes That You Can Ride Without A Truck And Trailer... and others.

The host should be a nice looking Japanese girl, Because it makes sense, of course.

Oh, and... Will she be naked? (j/k... I can't believe no one else has done it)

 

Actually, I already have a host in mind. She's an attractive woman and not a bimbo and no plastic parts. She's not Japanese but she rides an old Magna (okay, it's not an XJ but hey, at least it's old). And she does know something about bikes.
I really feel kind of humbled by the level of enthusiasm and support I'm getting on this forum and others. People are offering to volunteer their time, bikes, services. Maybe the motorcycling gods want this to happen!

 

That's good. I could get episodes to watch without hearing my wife screaming about the objectification of women