Archive for June, 2019

June 30, 2019

Northshore Definitive

Coffee & Classics® | A pleasant morning with ideal weather saw a good attendance at the Fuelfed European car gathering. As well as the usual gathering of 911’s,Dino’s, XK-E’s, and other continental esoterica a collection of vintage motorcycles were clustered on the corner of Elm & Lincoln in Winnetka. It was nice strolling and gazing at the unatainable whilst sipping on my cup o’ joe.

June 29, 2019

By a Nose

On/Off Road | Here are the two main models of the Tiger 800. XR and XC. As well as the wheel differences the other major distinction is the beak: short on the road like a parrot and long on the off road version like a kingfisher.

June 28, 2019

Wheel Size

R or C | There are two forms of the Tiger 800 model: the road oriented R and the off-road aimed C. Main difference is front wheel size. The R is shod in 19″ cast wheels and the C in 21″ spoked hoops.

June 27, 2019

Up Hill & Down Dale

George | The new scooter arrived today. Fresh off the dealers floor and glimmering with subtle verdancy under a warm bright summer sun. Like the previous Tiger it fits me like a glove. Named after my grandfather who rode khaki colored British bike across North Africa during the War and our pup Geordie whose birthday it would be today.

June 26, 2019

US 550

Rocky Mountain High | One year ago today we were enjoying our summer vacation in Colorado. I managed to rent a BMW GS 800 for a day in the high alpine meadows between Ouray and Durango. The Million Dollar Highway. Fantastic riding and a ride that sowed the seed for the Tiger.

June 25, 2019

Royal Enfield

R.E. Interceptor | The new Six fifty twin from Chennai India is a smart looking machine. Modern Classic in its purest form with a century long provenance. A suitable alternative to Triumph’s Bonneville.

June 24, 2019

X

Ten | racing Vincent in flight. The pilot of this speedy litre twin is holding on tight during the shallow ballistic trajectory.

June 23, 2019

Jorge

The Replacement | I dropped into Johnny Scheff’s Motoworks yesterday and utilizing their deals on ’18 model bikes made good on this Tiger 800 XCx. Triumph are including pannier boxes for bikes in June too so the old black crow has a successor. I’m considering the name George for it after my grandfather George Lawrie who rode olive drab motorcycles in North Africa during WWII.

June 22, 2019

Two Wheels Good

Motoblot | The annual pilgrimage to Chicago’s main open air motorcycle gathering was had today. Weather cooperated after stormy forecasts. Plenty to look at amongst the offering. The KZ900 in sparkly brown and oranges was a notable example; as was a display of the Danish in-line 4 workpony’s Nimbus.

June 21, 2019

Top ‘er up!

Gas Up! | weekend arrives none too soon! Motoblot bike show here in Chicago.

June 20, 2019

Solstice Eve

Sepia | evocative photograph of decked out leather boy on his cafe’d Triumph. Low summer sun stretches hedgerow shadows across the road. Scarf across the mouth to keep the flies out.

June 19, 2019

Bloomin’ Marvelous!

Floral Display | Secondary use for a racing fiberglass fuel cell. Som ingenious gardener has repurposed a perforated petrol tank with some flowering plants.

June 18, 2019

Bolt from the Sky

Lightning | The evening sun gave a stark outline to this brat-Bob Yamaha spied in a Home Depot parking lot. Somebody is obviously having fun out there! I bet it grunts like a mongrel straining at the leash.

June 17, 2019

It’s a clean machine

The View from the Bridge | Another snapshot from a fortnight ago. Waiting for the gang to fill up at the Mount Carroll gas station. I always thought the windscreen had cat ears atop it…

June 16, 2019

Health Safety & Welfare

Safety First | I must now wear my noggin lid for the day-to-day chores around the house and for relaxation activities.