Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride – this years gathering brought many bikers together for a global-wide event now in its 5th or 6th year. Raising money and awareness for prostate cancer as men’s suicide rates it lets owners show off their togs as well as their rides. The route took the large group out through downtown to Lake Shore Drive and back to the Cobra Lounge on Ashland.
Wheels Roll – quick spin on early autumnal roads this afternoon. Just let the way lead me wherever on main highways, back lanes; suburbia and forest preserve.
Details – motorcycle events are truly marvelous places to gaze at the intricacies of mechanical engineering found on two wheels. Polished parts; crafted components; detailed design; and triumphant technology.
Crazing – I just loved the ceramic-like surface patina to this Triumph tank. The ivory swoosh emphasizes the peardrop shape; and the badge, filler cap and bolt cover add ornamentation.
Eight Years Ago – I took the rebuilt Bonnie out for a spin along Lake Shore Drive. A happy broad grinned memory. Parked-up at the Adler Planetarium I snapped a photo with the Chicago skyline beyond. It sported Gulf colors, original wheels and brakes and upright bars and footpegs. Well, I had evolved from there. A larger British tank in Mango Tango orange; rear-sets and ace bars; alloy wheels with modern rubber tires; and a disc brake front end. Where will it go from here? Time will tell!
OAP – better than a walking frame. One agéd owner had his Egli-Vincent fettled for taking their machine to the ton-plus speeds… which it’s more than capable of.
Chocks away chaps! Tally-Ho!
A Pair of Beauties – these were a couple of my favorite sightings yesterday: A ’59 Velocette MSS; and a 72-ish Ducati GT 750 Roundcase Bevel. Art for Arts sake in these engines.
Vintage Stuff – perfect weather and a super turnout for the second annual Evanston Motorcycle Classic. Over one hundred bikes on display, including my shabby owld gal, under a Blue September sky. Another couple of hundred newer machines parked-up too so plenty to like ok at. Everyone was in fine spirits for the outing and polished offerings looked superb.
Joan & Robin – with the folks visiting from blighty I had to show off the new Tiger. I took my mother ’round the block for a quick spin. She gave two thumbs up on the pillion perch.
Summer Smile – heading into Fall now the Autumnal Equinox is on our calendar (22nd) Hazy days of a sweltering season are past with a cooling time ahead when temperatures are more manageable. Roll on more riding in the months ahead!
Jerry Can – the cunning folk at Icon 1000 have given this Tiger 800 a definite utilitarian brutish appeal. With a finish like machine pressed galvanized steel sheet, ready to roll through some dystopian military industrialized kingdom.
A Bridge too far – black and white stark graphic of zooming Bonneville with the arched trusses of a span overhead. Nice composition, with essence of speed and support both.
Claws – the sharp retractable nails of a feline paw. The weapon of choice to grab and hold prey. Deadly stealth.
Art of the Motorcycle- prominent American artist Georgia O’Keeffe smiles as her Harley Davidson rider, contemporary painter Maurice Grosser, takes off along some dusty New Mexican trail looking for high desert inspiration.
geordiebiker.com 