Nous sommes tous Parisiens | Terrible news from France today as fire engulfed Norte Dame. It is a City I love to stroll around “flâner à Paris” looking at the architecture; and would one day hope to ride a Moto around doing likewise; stopping at the occasional street cafe and carry out another French pastime: people watching.
The Lady will be rebuilt and Paris will Triumph.
Je t’aime | French musician Serge Gainsbourg (L) gives a cheeky smile to his muse Jane Birkin who sits astride a high piped Tiger on some Rue de Paris. She’s sporting white thigh high go-go boots which puts the photo late sixties. – Moi non plus…
Crabtree Farm | a sunny afternoon saw me take the Tiger for a quick fifty miler to Lake Bluff. Highlight of the ride was a red fox trotting across Sheridan Road in front of me. It was a slower section so no worries about hitting it. He was just minding his own business.
Paint by Numbers | all of those tank badges were painted by hand. Each one painstakingly given a pearly white background and black enamel lettering infill.
Factoid: Dan Robbins who invented Paint-by-Numbers in the fifties died last week aged 93.
Job Truck | a site meeting in the City today saw me motoring down a brisk Lake Shire Drive with a gusting breeze off the choppy waters of Michigan. A nip through urban traffic and easy parking. The plans didn’t blow off the back – that’s another story – and a discussion of good project particulars accomplished.
Thighmaster | someone loves their Bonneville. So much so that they’re willing to get it tattooed onto their upper leg.
Pre Unit | Black & White graphic depicting a late 50’s twin cylinder Triumph engine. Nice clean artwork.
Warm up | The mercury touched 70 today giving a warm sunny prospect to the spring like proceedings. Wish I’d spent the day on a windy road through the countryside. Just like this…
Jim Clark – Farmer, Motor Racing Driver | on this day in 1968 tragedy struck the racing world when scot Jim Clark was killed in a Formula 2 race at Hockenheim Germany. Aged 32 his short but bright career saw him achieve great things in a very dangerous world. Seen as one of the greats his peers were shocked at the loss.
“He was so smooth, he was so clean, he drove with such finesse. He never bullied a racing car, he sort of caressed it into doing the things he wanted it to do” Sir Jackie Stewart
Illuminating | Off-season project for the Bonnie. Replacing the headlight to clean-up electrics and lighting. The cafe look has gone with the low bars and rear-sets replaced by more standard fare.
Comfy Chair | a respectable couple take their pet pup for a ride in the countryside. I’m sure there’s a picnic tucked away in there somewhere.
Mercurial Mademoiselle | silver tank’d Bonnie and its brunette rider get us to weeks-end. Celebrating Frīġedæġ, meaning the “day of Frige”.
All Points | when heading North South East or West what better mode than a kitted out Tiger for the road less travelled.
Girls Gotta Dream | Chicago selected a new Mayor yesterday; Lori Lightfoot – she’s black and gay: a trifecta in historic significance. The choice was achieved in a landslide victory by a population looking for change in the Windy City’s typical politics.. She got my vote and I hope we experience civic unity.
Abarth | I was scootering between site visits today and when I was filling the Tigers tank up I spied this little pearl of a racer. Red Scorpion on its hood and a little extra oomph in its diminutive engine. Standing next to it I couldn’t imagine being able to get in it without my head poking through the sun roof and elbows sticking out of the windows.
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