Flying Car – a beautiful red Moto Guzzi Falcone combination outfit from last weekend. It gleamed in the sunlight like a cherry. #Motoblot #MotoGuzzi
Uccello Mandello del Lario
Sticky Rubber
Rough Rider
Shere Khan
Food Mart
Ed & Erv’s – just shuttered up in the last couple of years this local Chicago convenience store has a timeless mid-20th Century vibe going on. So when I saw this Harley Davidson standing lazily outside I had to get a photo. A hint of vintage filter to sharpen the shadows and an evocative scene is created.
Denim Duds
Greaser Gal
Nib Nab
Indian Brit
Go Skate! – Vert maestro Steve Caballero shows off his immaculate pre-unit ’52 Triumph custom with builder Bryan Thompson giving it a thumb’s up. The nostalgia oozes all over the bike: from the script tank badge and gold pinstriping, to the girder forks and saddle-maker leather seat or the leather handgrips with reversed control levers. It’s called ‘The Scout”. Good name.
Vincent Black Lightning 1952
Said Red Molly to James that’s a fine motorbike
A girl could feel special on any such like
Said James to Red Molly, my hat’s off to you
It’s a Vincent Black Lightning, 1952
And I’ve seen you at the corners and cafes it seems
Red hair and black leather, my favourite colour scheme
And he pulled her on behind
And down to Boxhill they did ride
Said James to Red Molly, here’s a ring for your right hand
But I’ll tell you in earnest I’m a dangerous man
I’ve fought with the law since I was seventeen
I robbed many a man to get my Vincent machine
Now I’m 21 years, I might make 22
And I don’t mind dying, but for the love of you
And if fate should break my stride
Then I’ll give you my Vincent to ride
Come down, come down, Red Molly, called Sergeant McRae
For they’ve taken young James Adie for armed robbery
Shotgun blast hit his chest, left nothing inside
Oh, come down, Red Molly to his dying bedside
When she came to the hospital, there wasn’t much left
He was running out of road, he was running out of breath
But he smiled to see her cry
And said I’ll give you my Vincent to ride
Says James, in my opinion, there’s nothing in this world
Beats a 52 Vincent and a red headed girl
Now Nortons and Indians and Greeveses won’t do
They don’t have a soul like a Vincent 52
He reached for her hand and he slipped her the keys
He said I’ve got no further use for these
I see angels on Ariels in leather and chrome
Swooping down from heaven to carry me home
And he gave her one last kiss and died
And he gave her his Vincent to ride
Cinq Moto
The Polka Dot Scarf
Blue Thursday – absolutely stunning ink drawing by the indomitable Alex Oxley who did some great cartoon motorcyclethemed illustrations in the fifties. His work included ‘It’s Easy on a Triumph’ ads and caricatures of racers of the day. This one captures brush ink work at its best. From the thin line of a delicate nose to a heavy line of the lid and glisten of lipstick. Superb!
John Surtees
A Knight in anyone’s books – today saw the passing of one of Motorsport s greats. John Surtees CBE at the age of 83. Here in a lighter moment with the great Jim Clark. He won four GP championships on two Wheels and one Formula 1 championship on four for MV Augusta and Scuderia Ferrari respectively. Sir John posthumously? Absolutely!











