A truly splendid ’74 Norton Commando with a sumptuous finish and crisp detail.
January 31, 2012
Commanding Commando -part two
January 30, 2012
Birds-Eye-View
Sometimes it just takes a different viewpoint to see something with fresh eyes; here an overhead perspective lets the elegant hourglass lines of a Bonnie be shown off to great effect. When new bikes are shown off it’s always the side views, but the rider spends most of the time astride the machine looking down from the saddle across the tank to the bars. That’s one of the prime aspects of a moto to enjoy.
January 29, 2012
The Prophet
Ann Margaret rides again; the original movie two-wheeled action girl. Here starring in an Italian comedy film: a guru’s groupie plans to seduce him so she can number him among her many conquests. Not sure where the goat fits. This moto looks decidedly like an appropriately selected Guzzi.
More A-M moto images; here seen riding a Triumph and Norton. The red hair flowing like Red Molly of Richard Thompsons iconic song about a Vincent Black Lightning 1952.
January 28, 2012
Jimmy Dean Cool
After yesterdays sixties bike chic; here’s the previous decades look: James Dean, the Original Rebel, on his Triumph. Collar up, cigarette askew, amgst-laden frown.
January 27, 2012
Bake Me a Cake
A young Jane Asher layed over the bars of a cafe’d bike (Triumph or BSA). She was Paul McCartney’s muse during the mid-sixites, before Linda Eastman came along (Macca being sidetracked by Frannie Schwartz before Linda). A nice image evocative of the times.
January 26, 2012
LEGO – The Great Escape
Growing up this would have fit the bill in so many ways: LEGO was my favourite toy, The Great Escape my favourite film and motorcycles my favourite in all. I’m not so sure of the KTM derived orange dirt bike though; a nice blue drab german Beemer would be a better look.
January 25, 2012
The Flying Haggis
Steve ‘Hizzy’ Hislop 1962-2003
To celebrate this Scottish evening of haggis, tatties and neeps, washed down of course by whisky, we’ll take time to celebrate the racing career of a truly fine Scottish rider. It is of course the 25th of January Robbie Burns Night (my birthday too!).
Hailing from Hawick (pr. Hoyk) in the Borders of Scotland, he went on to win several and notable races on the Isle of Man as well as in the British Superbike Series. His most famous victory came in 1992 in the Senior TT Mountain course where, upon a rotary Norton, he pipped the great Carl Fogarty at the post, Carl going hell for leather even set a lap record that sat for years. This race is considered one of the greatest of the TT’s history.
…A prince can mak a belted knight,
A marquis, duke, an’ a’ that;
But an honest man’s abon his might,
Gude faith, he maunna fa’ that!
For a’ that, an’ a’ that,
Their dignities an’ a’ that;
The pith o’ sense, an’ pride o’ worth,
Are higher rank than a’ that…
January 24, 2012
We are Sailing
The sun not only didn’t set on the Empire; it also shone on the chrome details of British Iron. The motos of Triumph, BSA, Norton, to name a few, were shipped around the world. One of the great exports! Indeed in the early fifties the BSA Group was the largest manufacturer of motorcycles in the world. Here is an appropriately named Coventry City being loaded with crated bikes stamped ‘Handle With Care’.
January 23, 2012
I can see the sea
Corner carver: the newest Bonneville model the SE, with cast wheels (not the earlier spoked model) straight pipes and a navy/white colour scheme sure does look the part winding down some coastal lane with the sun-kissed salty air beckoning.
January 22, 2012
Army Dreamers
A wonderful interpretation of a wartime motorcycle transport based on a modern Triumph Bonneville T100. Olive drab colour, leather strap trim and lamp blacked detailing. Even a nifty gear change lever in included. Though I’m not sure how it’s operated when pulling in the clutch. Knobbly tyres, comfy ‘tractor’ seat and Jerry-can fuel cells on the rear speak of an adventure machine ready for the Sahara, Scandinavia or Saskatchewan roadways.
January 21, 2012
The World’s Fastest Indian
One of my favourite films of recent years in the story of Burt Monroe. A New Zealander who after years spent racing around the antipodean reaches of the Empire wanted to take his 1920 Indian Scout (heavily modified) to The Salt and see what she could do. He achieve a record for the 1000cc class which still stands today. One memorable scene is the beach race with a bunch of Rockers on their Triumph and BSA’s. He rockets past them in one scene, however turning problems allow them to overtake for the home run. Later we see them gather round him with a collection for the boat trip to the ‘States.
January 20, 2012
My Right Foot
Actor Daniel Day-Lewis dons his leathers with tucked in scarf ready to romp off on his Triumph Scrambler.
January 19, 2012
Silver Dream Racer
David Essex, rocker from the 70’s takes on the biker persona with this 1980 model 750cc Triumph. Black leather coat and tan cowboy boots date his appearance perfectly. His other moto links are a role in the original Evita musical as Che Guevara. He also starred in a low budget British movie about a motorcycle racer “Silver Dream Racer”.
January 18, 2012
The Whizz Kid Monks
Don’t make a Habit of it! Trying to invigorate the religious communities, some young brethren took to the roads on Triumphs to preach their gospel. Leathers over the robes, here’s Bother Maurice ready for a heavenly chat down the caff… “More Tea Vicar!”
January 17, 2012
He Is The Greatest!
Today is the 70th birthday of Mohammed Ali: The Greatest. A search for him riding a motorcycle finds this lone shot with him atop a somewhat diminutive moto. He still keeps his cool though.
In fact it was two wheels that started his journey to icon-hood. At age 12 he wanted to “whup” a bicycle thief; the police told him he should learn to box first. The rest is legend!
Another great moment in boxing history is his early bout with Our ‘Enery, Sir Henry Cooper 1934-2011, in 1963. Although the fight was suspended due to a cut on Henry’s eye, in the fourth round Ali, then known as Cassius Clay, was knocked to the canvas with a clout from ‘Enery’s ‘Ammer.
geordiebiker.com 