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Michael Dapper, co-author of the upcoming book, Victory Motorcycles 1998–2017, will be at DAYTONA BIKE WEEK 2018.
On Thursday morning, March 15, he'll be signing EXCLUSIVE ADVANCE COPIES of the book at Volusia Motorsports in New Smyrna Beach prior to the dealership's Victory Ride at 10AM. On Friday March 16 from 6–8PM, Dapper will be at Volusia's Victory Bike Night held at BJ's Brewhouse on Int'…
In 1925, Deere & Company found themselves in a game of catch-up with International's newly released Farmall general-purpose tractor. Engineers scrambled to get the Model C Experimental out on the field as quick as possible, and rushed to send it to production. What resulted was an imperfect tractor with a short production run of just over one month. The model, despite imperfections, would be…
Victory Motorcycles 1998–2017 author Michael Dapper shares photographs and interviews gathered from his access to project codename "Platinum" development. The Victory Vision was not only one of the most complex models in the history of the brand, but one of the most anticipated as well—clandestine test runs took place in the dark of night, and with a posse of protectors. Check back next week for…
Enter the Alaskan expanse on the northern-most road in North America: the Dalton Highway. This steadily plodding pathway charts a lonely route through three different geologic regions: the forested sub-alpine Interior, the mountainous Brooks Range, and the tundra-covered Arctic Coastal plain. Find more maps routes, accommodation lists, and essential tips for the Dalton Highway and many other…
In this Red 4WD Tractors excerpt, then-Steiger media relations director Scott Westland Anderson describes the brand's entry into the industrial tractor business: a venture that began out on the field as a series of unconventional modifications, and resulted in partnerships with Caterpillar, Magnum, Grouser, Allison, and many more to produce a streamlined series of industrial tractors. Read the…
In this original article, Victory Motorcycles author Michael Dapper shares priceless memories from his time spent backstage and on the road with “The Gunny”: a Kansas-born farm boy, Marine veteran, Hollywood star, and Victory’s greatest spokesperson. Since we couldn’t fit it all in Victory Motorcycles 1998–2017, we included it here on the Octane FUEL Blog. Check back for upcoming posts on the…
The following is an excerpt from the diary of Don Murray, IH chief engineer for Grain Harvesting Engineering. Murray was the leader of the Axial-Flow project and kept a detailed written account of the process, providing an insider’s view of the trials and tribulations faced during the development of the Axial-Flow combine. In this chapter, Murray chronicles the development of the 1470 hillside…
Despite positive customer satisfaction reviews, the 4994 (and its sales representatives) couldn’t overcome the bad reputation held by V-8 engines at the time. Ultimately, the engine’s reputation would precede the tractor, resulting in limited sales success throughout the model’s short run. Read more about the 4994 and its place within the 94 Series lineup in this excerpt from Red 4WD…
In a small town in central Iowa lies the epicenter for tractor restoration: the Peterman family shop. For over two decades—and between two generations—Rusty Acres Restoration has serviced some of the rarest tractors in the world. At the heart of the operation is Dan Peterman, who took over the family business after his father’s passing and who practices his craft with care, meticulousness, and…
In his decades-long career with Victory Motorcycles, author Mike Dapper witnessed the groundbreaking creation of The Vegas, the model that would later be called “The Bike that Saved the Brand.” In this original article, Dapper details a handful of special appearances made by the Vegas throughout the brand’s fiercely exuberant marketing efforts to revive the Victory name.
Since we couldn’t fit it…