The Selvedge Yard points us towards the 21 Helmets exhibition currently showing at The One Motorcycle Show in Portland, Oregon. Custom, illustrated helmets designed by “noted weirdo artists” including Ray Gordon, Brent Wick, Gretta Anne and Cheyenne Sawyer. Pure white Bell Helmets play canvas to all kinds of off-beat creations. Makes you want to attack your nearest white surface with a Sharpie.

Click for images

Andy Ray of One Man’s Style shares with us his eight holiday choices. The Boston Brahmin does his best at choosing some of the most unique picks of the bunch. From Trussardi duffles, to impossible to find bourbons, Mr. Ray digs deeps into a list that could double as a “holy grail” list of gifting.

Read and see more of Andy’s eight pick for the holidays after the click.

Scott Toepfer collects video and visuals from his rides across the western United States. “I have been slowly editing the footage into a visual scrapbook of sorts for those who partook, and those who followed us via the web. No preaching the triumphs and failures of the motorcycle industry, no divisive commentary between manufacturers and styles…just a collection of imagery that will hopefully inspire more people to take to the road and discover what there is outside of our respective communities.”

Confession: I love Deus videos.

This clip shows the Deus Boundless Enthusiasm Bike Build Off, an event which took place late last month and included a parade of awesome motorcycles. What else do you want in a video? (Perhaps a few topless gals… perhaps next time, Deus?).

Our favorite Australian motorcycle guys, Deus, have released their Autumn 2010 line. It’s cool, casual, Saturday afternoon in the garage gear… and, that’s a vibe we can totally buy into. The collection includes a mix of crews (like the above logo sweat) and hooded pieces. A solid balance of simply branded and printed material is also struck.

Head to the jump for a full look at the Deus knits and sweats.

“A short film about custom motorcycle engineer shinya kimura @ chabott engineering, directed by Henrik Hansen henrikhansen.net,“

Band of Bikers represents a rather atypical photography book. For one, the photographs come from a found archive. Editor Scott Zieher discovered the material among the affects of a deceased tenant in the basement of a New York City apartment building. The images depict a group of gay bikers, their parties in the city, and their trips to the country side. In these, and through an accompanying essay, Zieher documents a specific period of subculture touching on mainstream America’s innocence in regards to homoerotic undertones in most heterosexual institutions and the ramifications of vernacular photography in popular culture.

The themes may be off putting to some, but it remains an extraordinary capsule of American life. I always think it important to recognize the potential of personal archives as historic document. So, if for nothing else this book really intrigues me.

For those interested, Band of Bikers is available through the International Center of Photography and Amazon.

Our friends at Valet have just returned from Los Angeles and brought us back some views on Derringer Cycles. “Van Anz, an LA-based industrial designer, still builds each bike by hand. “Right now, there’s about a twelve week waiting list,” he says. “But people are willing to wait because you choose the colors, details and we’ll even engrave your monogram into the gas cap.” You don’t need a special license to drive them either.”

More on Derringer Cycles at Valet.

Milwaukee’s Harley-Davidson Museum might not be high on “must get to list” for everyone, but luckily some fine ephemera is on view via online exhibitions. A selection of company advertisements caught attention this morning, and are a nice contrast to the contemporary art projects revolving around the bikes these days. Check it at Harley-Davidson.

A few favorites follow.

The legendary Ducati Moto brand extends their branding with the opening of the first Ducati Caffe in Rome. Located at 35 Via delle Botteghe Oscure, the Ducati Caffee is a full service dining and meeting experience. What is most interesting is the stylings of the new space. Motorbikes and accessories line the walls and help project the Ducati lifestyle.

“Ducati Caffè is the new concept restaurant and lounge bar signed by Ducati. Inspired by renowned Italian talent, it expresses all the passion of the brand’s values in a concentrate of class, fashion and authenticity. Caffè, food and wine, merchandising, and clothes meet in a one of a kind and unforgettable place.”

More views from the new Ducati Caffe in Rome after the jump.