June 15, 2013
It’s twenty years today since the early death of James Hunt at the age of 45. He was the very definition of the playboy race car driver in the 70’s with plenty of action on, hence the nickname ‘The Shunt’, as well as off the track, just look at his race coveralls patch just below his embroidered blood type.
His model wife Suzy Miller is sporting the a T-shirt with the Hesketh Team logo: a teddy bear in full face helmet. The young Lord Hesketh being the teams backer. As an aside Suzy left Hunt for actor Richard Burton including a million pound settlement…
Not to worry though there was plenty more life to live on the edge of speed; here seen enjoying the harbor life of Monaco with friend Barry Sheene. The pair made their mark on the world Grand Prix stage in 1976, James in Formula One and Bazza on his motorcycle. The fans following their exploits on and off the circuits around the globe. A real pair of cheeky chappies!
However when the going got tough they were up there with the best of ’em! Each taking world champion titles that year. Here’s a great behind the scenes shot of the mechanics shed for Maclaren (who took him to his title) in flared jeans, sandals and a relaxed brotherly attitude.
His rival at the time was Nikki Lauder, a great of his day and worthy opponent. Mere weeks after a fiery crash at the Nürburgring where he suffered burns to his face and head he was back in the seat to maintain his points lead over Hunt. The season was down to the last race at Fuji Japan with Hunt winning by one point over Lauder after Niki withdrew over the wet course conditions.
This climactic season is the subject of an upcoming film from Ron Howard “Rush”. Should be good!
James went on to become a foil for world class motor racing commentator Murray Walker and their colorful banter for the Formula One racing made watching them exciting, with Murrays excited exuberance and James’ pithy remarks .
He’s legend in the high stakes world of speed and lived that life with gusto.
Posted in 70's, Barry Sheene, Cars, Racing |
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June 14, 2013
…yup I need a Pools win! After my lunchtime swim today I spied this smashing Scrambler parked outside…
The owner had shod it with hefty knobblies, wide bars and the odd lightening whittle-down of a few covers. It looks like a heap o’ fun suitable for any road you happen to be on.
All in black too, stealth, moody and tough looking. At least it would match my leathers! Only have two words for that: “Want One!”
Posted in Triumph Motorcycle |
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June 13, 2013
…in it to win it! This sweeter than sugar Bonneville is being offered in a sweepstake. All you have to do is make a donation.
http://ironandair.com/triumphgiveaway
The bike is sorted by Dime City Cycles and looks like a winner out of the box. Cherry Red speedster. Donations go to Wellspring International Outreach Foundation by motojournalist Neale Bayly. The cause is a sheltered home for abandoned kids in Peru.
Posted in Triumph Motorcycle |
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June 12, 2013
Back in the day when Tiger Cubs was a fresh new model from Triumph the trials riders saw its supple format a the ideal tool one bloke from Bradford utilized its lithe characteristics to great effect.
He was a Scottish six day trial rider, and national competitor on the technical off-road circuit in the fifties and sixties. He stayed on British iron, including AJS at a time when riders were turning to the European and Japanese two strokes. In latter years he enjoyed beekeeping on the Isle of Man. I’m sure he enjoyed the TT spectacle each year from some hedgerow line corner.
Artie Ratcliffe has died in 2009 at an Isle of Man nursing home aged 83.
Good style on the Cub though, and a lovely looking machine too.
Posted in Racing, Trials, Triumph Cub, Vintage |
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June 11, 2013
The annual Mods versus Rocker motorcycle & scooter rally is on this coming weekend. This year it is on Lawrence Avenue at the Aragon Ballroom carpark. The bike will be ready this time to scoot down there and be in the line-up of the numerous motos. Doc Martens, denim and levvers! Rock On!
Posted in Chicago |
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June 10, 2013
Rugged knobbly tires lined up ready for a hare across the SoCal desert. Indeed it’s our old pal Steve McQueen gunning his Triumph sled for a hoof over the dust, sand and scrub if an arid Joshua tree’d scene.
Carry water, tools, tar irons, flares, water, goggles, inner tubes, water and some more water…
Posted in 60's, Racing, Steve McQueen, Triumph Motorcycle |
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June 9, 2013
A photoshoot of the missus, moto and me! Taking the classic portrait of Charles & Ray Eames sitting atop a Velocette as inspiration.
No pipe though…
…fun stuff!
Posted in Graphics, Motorcycle Poster, Photography, Triumph Motorcycle |
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June 8, 2013
The sun shone, a blue sky glowed, and the air was perfect. Mid seventies and a light cool breeze off the lake. A jaunt up north to Zion let the wheels spin underneath and the flowering trees waft along the roadside in heady bloom.
After the carb clean running was good however a hiccup began towards the far north of the trip. We swapped out for new plugs at an Autozone which livened things up, evidence of richness on the left cylinder; however towards home loss of power was evident when twisting the throttle at mid rev range. So! A little more tuning is in order! However a good ride out!
Posted in Book, Maintenance, Triumph Bonneville |
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June 7, 2013
I must be a mug for doing another motorcycle restoration…
…yet!
Posted in Motorcycle Art, Restoration, Triumph Cub |
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June 6, 2013
The Cub was sold as a low cost transport for the post-war population who needed to get to their factory or office job, have a jaunt out with the gal across town or into the countryside, or want to tootle around on something more than a Lambaretta scooter but find the big Bonnevilles little too bike to handle.
This classic advert in grayscale with blue background has a nice active composition with a lithographical appearance. Lineweight is classic heavy edged shaped for depth which works to superb effect for this fabulously!
Posted in 60's, Motorcycle Poster, Triumph Cub |
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June 5, 2013
The hefty 60 tooth sprocket finally came free! I had been cajoling it with WD40, heat and careful spannerin’. However the last four bolts (of eight) defeated this softly softly catch ‘e method so I drilled ’em out and yanked the cog free then gripped the stud ends and brutishly twisted them oot…
There was also a spacer behind the sprocket which no doubt is used to keep the chain line away from the wide rim and tire. But it’s a good solid wheel ready to clart on wi’.
Posted in Photography, Restoration |
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June 4, 2013
What better wee moto to have as your scooter in the paddock at a classic racing meet? A Triumph Tiger Cub that’s what! And who’s ride is it but none other than Bazza. Here he is, wide grinned aboard a finely restored T20 at a Goodwood Festival of Speed event in the early 2000’s.
His steed of speed at these race days was a ‘well sorted’ Norton Manx but when tootling about the crowds the small engined but big hearted ride was selected… A smashing photo!
Posted in Barry Sheene, Triumph Cub |
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June 3, 2013
A box arrived today, opening it revealed a head. Not some bloody severed variety but a cylinder head for my Tiger Cub. A clean, specimen with valves, covers, rockers and all. Just need to get the barrel fettled, can gear, a tappet and pair of lifter rods and the engine is ready for full breakdown, assessment and rebuild.
“Bring me da head of Alfredo Garcia!”
Posted in Restoration, Triumph Cub |
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June 2, 2013
A real gem of a moto was presented on Chris Hunters sublime bikeexif website today. A modernization of the outstanding 30 year old Kawasaki GPz900. The deft mechanics at Sanctuary in Japan have created a perfect superbike from this still tractable engine with appropriate upgrades from suspension, brakes and careful frame strengthening.
I bet the throttle will make this beast go from zero to batshit in the blink of a eye. The Kawasaki color scheme works wonders too: “Out of my way youth! King green is coming’ through!”
Some folk don’t like the fairing lines from this period, but in the context of motorcycling history it was a refreshing design that still holds its line.
And the narrow water cooled powerplant can still chuff along with your ninjas, fireblades, R1’s and gixxers of today. I miss my ’85 900….
Posted in Kawasaki |
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June 1, 2013
You can take apart an old Raleigh 3 speed with this spanner multi-tool. From the pedals, bottom bracket lock ring, brake cable adjusters to the handlebar stem nut. It came in handy for my Cub fork dust cap. It needed the backbone c-spanner to fit a notch. A clout wi’ the hammer and jobs a good un.
It’s simple, elegant and serves its purpose with no fuss or breakable plastic bits.
Posted in Bicycle, Maintenance, Restoration |
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