Nathaniel Salzman

Chicago area designer, writer, maker and journalist.

Nathaniel Salzman

June 19, 2011

My Vespa is for sale

We all knew this was coming. If all goes according to plan, I’ll be sans-scooter here shortly. I’ve realized that I’d much rather ride a small motorcycle day-to-day than this fine piece of italian stamped steel. It’s no commentary at all on this fine machine, or on scooters in general. It’s simply the best route – Read More –

May 17, 2011

Ride log: An era is ending

May 16, 2011 — Over the past couple weeks, I’ve been spending a lot of quality seat time on my wife’s motorcycle. Honestly, I have a lot of trouble not riding her bike. I can’t stay off of that little machine. Last weekend I did 100 miles around town in a single day. When I – Read More –

April 12, 2011

Ride log: The CM400 comes home

April 9, 2011 — I posted a few weeks ago about finally getting my wife’s ’81 Honda CM400 Custom sorted out after lots of carburetor frustrations and a blown head gasket. Jeff and I got the bike in good mechanical nick and softly customized, but it was still the tail end of winter, so I – Read More –

April 10, 2011

Ride log: The new steed

April 8, 2011 — I started riding two-wheeled vehicles in late 2007. Looking back on my perception of riding, of bikes in general, and of motorcycles in particular, I simply can’t believe where I’ve come to. When I bought that 1979 Vespa P200E, a large part of its appeal was precisely that it wasn’t a – Read More –

April 4, 2011

Ride log: 2011’s Inaugural Ride

April 2, 2011 — It was mostly cloudy, about 50º F and my Vespa was finally back in my garage. I’d been itching to ride, but I had a more practical need. This coming weekend I take delivery of a rather large motorcycle — a 1983 Honda GL1100. With all of an hour of riding – Read More –

March 25, 2011

An amazing meal, the first of many

I’m a big fan of Anthony Bourdain. From his breakout book Kitchen Confidential to his fantastic Travel Channel show No Reservations, I don’t know of anyone doing better experiential non-fiction writing right now. Because of my own trip to Asia in 2005, I’ve always been able to appreciate and relate to his traveling, and just – Read More –

March 15, 2011

My first custom motorcycle

I might as well admit it. I’d rather ride, build and customize motorcycles than do almost anything else. I want to build bikes from scratch. I want to take old machines and breathe new life into them. I want to customize scooters from the wheels up. I’m slowly maneuvering my life and career to make – Read More –

March 6, 2011

Sold: 1980 Honda CB650

So that’s that. I am now sans-motorcycle. A nice guy and his dad came buy this morning and nabbed my CB650. He got a good deal, and the bike went to a good home. It’s going to be his first bike that’s all his. It ought to serve him well.

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