In 1936 Joe Petrali set a new land speed record of 136.183 mph on a modified Harley-Davidson WL 61 cubic inch knucklehead.
Today it was announced that our canny bloke Guy Martin is going to attempt a new motorcycle land speed record using a double engined Triumph Rocket streamlined ‘Lincolnshire Ceegar!” Over 1,000 bhp and over 4.6 liters. The team are hoping to reach 400mph.
“That’s proper fast that!”
Brighton MA bound? Then watch out for a clash with the scooter lads and rocker kids….
Just love these three-color screen print poster for the late fifties Harley Davidson range of motor’sickles’. Loose lively line work with simplistic onlookers waving arms and cheering on. The top frame model line up and title footer balance the overall page well. Sans serif bold font anchors the scripted ‘sound bite’ itself a precursor to Hondas “Meet the Nicest People” or Kawasakis “Let the Good Times Roll” slogan. Ad men were having fun then….
My favorite Harley is the mid thirties 61c.i. Overhead valve E or EL models offering sporty 1000cc of engine in a beautiful machine. Engineering detail which epitomized the technology of its day.
The very distinctive valve covers give the bike its unofficial name looking like a clenched knuckle.
A period article extols the virtues of the good oil supply used to cool these power thirsty engines.
We had a day out to Milwaukee… Finally went to the Harley Davison Museum.
I static test rode a Fat Boy: comfy saddle and fairly slick operation. The wind-blown effect was an (appropriately orange) fan.
Early grey fellows commenced a yearly procession of models. Basically bicycles with engines in ’em!
A wall of engines: flathead, knuckle, pan, evo… Even the BMW-like flat twin for desert warfare. The rorting sounds could be conjured at the press on an interaction screen.
One view was a complete motorcycle…
Another its component parts…
Beautiful examples of all golden age bikes.
And an illuminated wall of tanks of the ages.
A worthwhile destination when visiting Wisconsins Brew City.
The Star Spangled Banner: a strong symbol to many and flown proudly on this day.
I’m wearing my #278 ISDT tee which was Steve McQueens race number in the 1964 International Six Day Trials Where he bore the flag for the U.S. Team. In the parade through East Germany’s Erfurt he held Old Glory in what he considered one of his proudest moments. Bud & Dave Ekins, John Steen and Cliff Coleman marched with him.
The coiled serpent twisting its scaly body around the tank of this Big Zed fuels its embodiment of strength from the liter powerhouse.
Fire breather! Roaring Worm!
Rise of the White Knight: under the banner’d canopy of Hinckley Triumph here is a thoroughbred oyster pearl. Like some chivalrous band of brothers these racers stand proudly under standards of Rats, Rocker, & Ton-up.
there was plenty of eye candy at Motoblot. Each belonged to a dedicated owner who loves showing off their steed. Each washed to a mirror shine reflecting admirers faces in their perfectly designed curves. Each represents a history unto itself.
What was old now is new:
Indian. The new cruiser looks set for a haul along Route 66 from Chicago to Los Angeles. The old police bike would be a great ‘big road’ rider.
Kawasaki? Team Green knows about power – like this canny Eddie Lawson bicep is set for action.
The Purple People Eater: two stoke powerband terror of the seventies would scare the mane off a lion. The Mach IV
The bumblebee world traveller is the much desired BMW GS1000. Big legs for long distances.
A weary looking edge worn Beemer yearns for Barvarian strasse to plod along…
More fun than a barrel of baby sloth (look it up you’ll agree that’s a lot of fun!)
one of the best looking bikes last weekend was this superlatively detailed late 70’s Triumph. 
Centrally mounted tachometer bolted onto the usually handlebar clamp holes. The clip-ons mounter directly to the fork tubes. The sage colored tree is a nice touch.
Swing out kicker to clear the rearset pegs. Crinkle textured powder coating covers are a smart touch. Oil piping run in neat ship-shape fashion. 
So clean it makes my grubby oil burned motor look like a disheveled scoot…
Wee oil gauge… Again, blackened valve covers…nice grey tank… Everything so deliberate. Tiger head with two carbs.
All in all a pretty decent machine! 10/10 in my books.
Italian Triple. “Il Bruto” the mighty Jota in glistening orange. It had a radioactive glow in the midday sun.
Cleveland Cycle Works little quarter liter custom scrambler. U.S. Built small Moto with sweet styling suitable for city flitting. It’s like a new version of my Cub…. We’ll write about CCW another time.
Board tracker blitz: twenties Titan for zooming the banked oval. The pure engineering on these things is as brave as the riders who piloted them.
Muscle Magic! Not a bike but by ‘eck it’s a steroid built machine for rippling the Tarmac and busting licenses. It has a 440 7.8l V8 Magnum engine that took the Hemi-Orange monster to Dodges swan song in the 60’s through 70’s muscle car spacerace.
There were many Triumph motorcycles there yesterday with the new Bonneville and Thruxton well represented. Each with slight personal variations to provide an individual touch from the proud owners. From an odd decal or handlebar grips to pegs and exhaust. it’s still a very attractive bike in stock or fettled condition…
Perfect weather for the annual premiere motorbike gathering today: Motoblot. Hundreds of motos in all shapes and sizes: mostly Triumph with plenty of Ducatis, Beemers, old Hondas and a smattering of American Iron. A backing soundtrack of live rock music and burger ‘n’ beer at the Cobra Lounge pub. Pics will be posted over the next few days…
The Avenger boss played by Patrick Macnee always had fine clothes, finer wine and the finest women around him. My favorite was Honor Blackmans portrayal of Cathy Gale. Here she has Steed apillion on a Royal Enfield back in the day. He was the quintessential Englishman with she as the perfect Action a Woman.
Patrick Macnee 1922-2015
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