Ural Patrol T

An all-terrain sidecar motorcycle for extended journeys or off-road adventures

One of the premier producers of sidecar motorcycles, Ural‘s designs, created to handle any type of terrain, date back to World War II. Established in 1939, the Russian brand’s origins are muddled with stories of smuggling BMWs from Germany through Switzerland for reverse engineering. But the slightly tamer tale—Stalin bought the blueprint directly from Hitler or the BMW factory thanks to a friendly wartime pact—might …

Tokyobike London

A Japanese brand of classically-styled lightweight bikes makes its British debut

As part of London’s Clerkenwell Design Week, running from tomorrow, 25 May 2010, through 27 May 2010, director of the festival Peter Murray will lead a number of cycle tours around the area. To make sure participants look the part, cult cycle brand Tokyo Bike will supply the bikes. “These guided tours are all about enjoying the ride, exploring the city and the freedom that …

The Index Ltd

An obscure Brooklyn depot houses an eclectic collection of unusual objects

Tucked away on an anonymous street in Brooklyn’s Bushwick neighborhood, the storefront and gallery The Index Ltd is almost as rare a find as the objects it harbors. The space—home to the work of Jonathan Roquemaure—represents the culmination of his healthy obsession with sourcing and documenting materials and objects that have singularly fascinating purposes, characters and origins. While each object’s uncommon looks are compelling enough …