Indian 1912 – a fine centenarian. With pedal start, oil lamp, white tires, and exposed engine gubbins. A true antique traveler. Tweeds and goggles with stiff leather gauntlets.
August 22, 2018
Das Motorrad
Don’t mention the War – winding up a suitcase gramophone this period dressed BMW R75 owner carefully took out old crimson labeled 78’s from their protective manilla sleeves and played the likes of Marlene Dietrich across the parking lot. The combination had a small trailer that would have been used to tow matériel into hard-to-reach front line positions.
The car holds a non-functioning MG42 machine gun whose air cooled muzzle looks fearsome. The driver had a very Teutonic air about himself which completed the outfit.
August 21, 2018
Kawasaki Kool
Big Zed – a couple of smashers at the weekend bike show. A 1975 KZ900, which was the Charles Atlas of its day, imbuing pure adrenaline inducing brute power. This one in immaculate condition with a glossy metallic ‘rootbeer’ and orange paint scheme. Also parked up was a new Z900 which takes its styling cues from the old venerable drag strip king. Retro! Retrah!
August 20, 2018
Thunderbird
Barn Find – one of the eye-catching ‘cycles at the MCC show yesterday was this 1951 Triumph 6T; with a sky blue finish and very low miles on the Smiths Chronometric. The owner bought it from the estate of the daughter of the original owner: a farmer in Pennsylvania. Used as a herding bike for a hundred miles, ridden into a piece of farm machinery then rolled into a barn for decades. A minor restoration at some time changed the original metallic finish polychromatic blue to one more like a faded Bugatti blue. Mostly original, apart from the seat and muffler, there is a charm to its aged patina.
August 19, 2018
Old and New
First Outing – a short fifty mile trip to see the vintage motorcycle show at MCC in Villa Park. The Tiger performed admirably and was a joy to be on. So easy to move along the road on, allowing me to concentrate on the weekend traffic. Deans Triumph Bonnie was running well too. I’ll continue this week with the offerings on show at the event. Our BSA & Norton tee’s emphasize our solidarity with the other Brit Iron.
August 18, 2018
Circus corax
Le Corbeau – the Tiger came home today. After years (yes it can be counted as such) of deliberation and wishful considerations what I believe to be the perfect motorcycle for me was finally welcomed into the stable. With its beaky nose my wife gave it this posts eponymous nickname. The Raven. I think, and know, the blog is going to get a whole lot more interesting…
August 17, 2018
Sun Chaise
Hakuna Matata – ending the long work week with a nicely sorted Tiger Cub under bright skies with a sun kissed rock backdrop. Color scheme is the same as mine: dark emerald green tank and grey-silver fenders. The tigress might need something a little more sturdy than a tank top, daisy dukes and white tennies for any serious trail riding. But the aviators are cool.
August 16, 2018
Michigan Music Ma’am’s
Like a Prayer- the Queen of Pop reached the age of 60 today. Madonna has spent the last several decades rewriting the lyrical content and reinventing a visual style in the music industry. Here she pouts in true Vogue style with a BSA .
Today also sadly saw the passing of the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin, whose voice sang across the ages from the social unrest of the Sixties, The Blues Brothers in Reagan’s 80’s, to Obama’s inauguration in 2009. R-E-S-P-E-C-T
August 15, 2018
Pitch Perfect
Base Camp – summer reminds me of continental bivouac camps whilst cycling or climbing my way across Europe. The motorcycle tent is an ideal version for the roadway traveler. The bike acts at the pole support and the fly sheet spans off the bars.
Adventure awaits!
August 14, 2018
Audrey tooth
You’ll be a Dentist – one of the great musical pieces in Little Shop of Horrors is comedian Steve Martin, whose birthday it is today (73), as the psychopath oral pain specialist Orin Scrivello. “Now Spit!”
August 13, 2018
Under a Sunny Sky
Western Avenue – I snapped this photo on Saturday whilst driving along the long thoroughfare that runs north to south for 23 miles through Chicago. A happy couple on their bright mirror-finish chrome Harley’s, rumblin’ along with the slow weekend traffic.
August 12, 2018
Lunar cycle
From the Earth to the Moon – short jaunt up north to dust the cobwebs from the owld bikes. Coffee stop at the Full Moon diner on Route 41 where an impromptu gathering of motorcycles occur at weekend mornings. Nice T595 Daytona parked next to the Geordie-Bonnie, which, for a 20 year old bike still looks fresh in looks. This triple superbike was the true relaunch of the modern Triumph marque as the 20th Century came to a close.
Coffee was hot & fresh, eggs sunny side up and sausages tasty.
August 11, 2018
Tiger
Test Ride – went down to Johnny Scheff’s Motoworks and took this sweet machine out for a spin… let’s just say a deposit has been made…
August 10, 2018
Sandy Scene
Soapbox – under a bright Californian sun a bleach-blond lass stands by a true desert sled. The L&M t-shirt is apt for the location too. The old 50’s Glendale shop was owned by speedway and dirty oval racers. I include vintage matchbook art and a shop flyer.
August 9, 2018
Chopper Charley
Long Legs – we got ourselves a double-decker fork chopper here. Bouncing springer front end that crosses the State line half an hour before you get there. The cruciform tank; the German eagle badge on the owners leather vest; and the missing front teeth from a happy smile tell an intriguing story.
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