The Simpsons first aired on this day 25 years ago. Homer is still none the wiser. Woo!
“If something’s hard to do, then it’s not worth doing”
December 17, 2014
D’oh!
December 16, 2014
Not on the Bucket List!
I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. I can’t see if this is for safety or just an easy way to tote a pail.
It’s just like Oor Wullie wi’ his bucket…
Only in the Sunday Post every weekend, and the biennial annual.
Ho ho ho!
December 15, 2014
Wild Cat II
This is Zora. We took her in nearly a year ago from the streets. She was very loud out in minus 20’s. Well. 12 months on she’s well and truly ensconced into our home, and kind of in charge too. Greyhound Geordie keeps to his corner of the house and Charley-cat minds his own business too.
She’d suit a loud moto too!
December 14, 2014
Mid-December
50’s though a little overcast, but trying to catch a late season jaunt. Bikes running good too.
December 13, 2014
Fast Girl
Fast. Blacked-out engine. Hardtail. Big ox-blood Docs.
Wild Cat is a good name…
December 12, 2014
The Austrian Moto
Here’s some inspiring stuff! A small European firm is producing an electric motorcycle with a vision departed from the traditional appearance. Not a scooter either: it’ll hit 75mph with a range of 140 miles or so. Front wheel is hub center steering, front and rear shocks sit under the center and a streamlined body/cowl cover the hefty battery.
Foot pegs allow for either a foot forward cruiser stance or leaned over rearset a la café. The deely-bopper-ish mirrors have instrument readouts incorporated. Neat. It’s called the Johammer.
www.johammer.com/en/
Design inspiration comes from the twenties with a hint of the corrugated paneling seen in the utilitarian Citroen deux chevaux van
And that maw-proud form? Another 20’s creation: the Majestic. Here in Bugatti Blue.
Nevertheless, the new moto is a breath of fresh air.
December 11, 2014
Motorcycle Parking Only
I like to see a city promoting two-wheeled traffic; especially when it comes to parking your vehicle safely ( and in numbers) . San Francisco had dedicated spots for the active day-to-day riders that get about town in the most effective way. Even the famous steep streets don’t pose a problem, just align as necessary, roll your back tire to the curb and drop the side stand.
Watch out for the polished cable car and tram tracks though!
December 10, 2014
It’s hump day…
“Reminds me of that fella back home who fell off a ten-story building. As he was falling, people on each floor kept hearing him say, “So far, so good.” Tsk, so far, so good.” Vin (The Magnificent Seven)
December 9, 2014
Well give the men a few minutes more Sergeant.
Kirk Douglas is 98 today. One of the greats of movies. He had heart in his roles; whether a slave gladiator Spartacus, a proud Viking or, as seen here, a war weary Colonel Dax with a terrible commanding order to execute in Kubrick’s Paths of Glory.
A brief opening scene has his appearance in a sidecar riding to the rear to be given orders to go over the top in an apparently no-win attack. It is one (of many) of Kubrick’s masterpiece’s.
December 8, 2014
Imagine…
December 8th is Jim Morrison’s birthday, but more poignantly was the date John Lennon was shot in New York City 34 years ago.
He was of course a great bicycle rider. From Liverpool to NYC…
“As a kid, I had a dream – I wanted to own my own bicycle. When I got the bicycle, I must have been the happiest boy in Liverpool, maybe in the world. I lived for that bike. Most kids left their bikes in the backyard at night. Not me. I insisted on taking mine indoors and the first night I even kept it in my bed.”
December 7, 2014
Smokin’
One of the motorcycles at the Vroom show was a Steve McQueen owned Indian from 1939.
Beautiful classic American iron in a sky blue with black trim. Story goes Steve had it painted to match his favorite cigarettes:
Viceroy. He promoted them.in his early TV career when playing Josh Randall on Wanted: Dead or Alive.
December 6, 2014
Los Angeles Hipster
Walking around Little Tokyo in LA I spied this well sorted Kawasaki W650. An oft overlooked twin it is a perfect alternative to the modern Bonneville with plenty of references to an old British Twin. As I was ogling its details the aptly bearded owner strolls up with his gal. Donning sparky retro helmets they hop aboard and zoom off; to probably Santa Monica Boulevard.
December 5, 2014
Vroom
At Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale CA there is a museum atop its central hill. Surrounded by mortuary and gardens of remembrance it seems a peculiar location for a motorcycle show. But a great small display of about a dozen vintage motorcycles and artwork was a perfect destination on one of our days around Los Angeles. The flame orange Flying Merkel was one such noted bike.
This gentlemanly Grey ‘teen Harley Davidson in immaculate condition was illuminated like a fine sculpture. Elsewhere another beautiful HD sat bejeweled under some fine moto-art.
The sun shone through a magnificent display of stained glass upon a broadly fair’d Gilera. Red and blue for speed.
Tank art also highlighted the historical names of Indian.
As well as the custom line work in glistening paint of the sixties bike scene: tangerine dream indeed.
One of my favorites was an unassuming Guzzi with very special markings. von Dutch pinstriping with aged patina and an etched dragon curling around the ‘bacon-slicer’ flywheel.
Better’n any gallery!
December 4, 2014
W
The operation I rented the motorcycle from was the respected Dubbelju. http://www.dubbelju.com
Great selection of Triumphs, Ducati’s, BMW’s amongst others. Reasonable rates and very helpful staff.
December 3, 2014
Point Reyes CA
The picturesque road that heads north through Marin County leads you to a quiet and rugged headland. 20 miles of a narrow twisting road, across cattle grazing farmland gives Oceanside views along vast beaches and distant coastline.
We had perfect weather as the Bonnie swooped us along to the edge of the earth. Hawks spied grassland for prey from telegraph poles, deer hopped across maritime heath, and the below of unseen seals echoed up the seaworn cliffs.
It was just like Scotland… But without the rain… Or the midges…
geordiebiker.com 