A superb image of McQueen as a ’64 ISDT rider taking his TR6R Trophy steed through its paces along a wooded gravel trail in East Germany. The concentration is intense.
March 15, 2012
Tickle the Carbs, give her a Whiff of Gas…
…and hoof it down! On a hot day you need to dress appropriately; here Steve is checking out his racing desert sled, prior to or after one of the California Sunday events. A speed worn patina enlivens this moto perfectly.
March 2, 2012
Three in a Tub…
A simply marvellous image of youthful fun. Here are three friends crammed saddleward atop a lovely ‘bathtub’ Thunderbird. Hope they kept up two-wheeled enthusiasm in later life!
March 1, 2012
Dedicated Triumph Owner
Browsing Flickr for some moto images I came upon these evocative photographs of a youthful as well as energetic Triumph owner and rider. Also were was a picture of the same guy and his ride later in years. Dennis Fisher: Ride Safe Mate!
“Hilts, eat yer heart out!”
February 29, 2012
Davy Jones (1945-2012)
The wee Monkee passed away today, aged 66, though eternally youthful. Their music and zany escapades are for sure a big part of growing up and maintaining a bright view of life. Here he’s on his 60’s Honda CB450 ‘Black Bomber’.
February 14, 2012
Gonzo
Hunter S. Thompson (1937-2005) A onetime honorary Hell’s Angel and journalist of the most counter-cultured kind here sits thoughtfully over the rugged Big Sur coastline. One day I’d love to take my Triumph along that Pacific precipice with the salt breeze waking up my consciousness.
As Francois Villon says: “In my own country I am in a far off land”
February 9, 2012
Ed Kretz Jr.
Son of Ed ‘Iron Man’ Kretz Sr. here is Ed Jr. riding Steve McQueen’s Triumph from the ’63 ISDT in the same race two years later; this time on the Isle of Man. Steve was filming The Cincinnati Kid and couldn’t attend, so he allowed Ed to race in his place. It turned into a muddy rout with the US team being thwarted by the typically wet British weather half way through.
January 29, 2012
The Prophet
Ann Margaret rides again; the original movie two-wheeled action girl. Here starring in an Italian comedy film: a guru’s groupie plans to seduce him so she can number him among her many conquests. Not sure where the goat fits. This moto looks decidedly like an appropriately selected Guzzi.
More A-M moto images; here seen riding a Triumph and Norton. The red hair flowing like Red Molly of Richard Thompsons iconic song about a Vincent Black Lightning 1952.
January 27, 2012
Bake Me a Cake
A young Jane Asher layed over the bars of a cafe’d bike (Triumph or BSA). She was Paul McCartney’s muse during the mid-sixites, before Linda Eastman came along (Macca being sidetracked by Frannie Schwartz before Linda). A nice image evocative of the times.
January 21, 2012
The World’s Fastest Indian
One of my favourite films of recent years in the story of Burt Monroe. A New Zealander who after years spent racing around the antipodean reaches of the Empire wanted to take his 1920 Indian Scout (heavily modified) to The Salt and see what she could do. He achieve a record for the 1000cc class which still stands today. One memorable scene is the beach race with a bunch of Rockers on their Triumph and BSA’s. He rockets past them in one scene, however turning problems allow them to overtake for the home run. Later we see them gather round him with a collection for the boat trip to the ‘States.
January 18, 2012
The Whizz Kid Monks
Don’t make a Habit of it! Trying to invigorate the religious communities, some young brethren took to the roads on Triumphs to preach their gospel. Leathers over the robes, here’s Bother Maurice ready for a heavenly chat down the caff… “More Tea Vicar!”
January 17, 2012
He Is The Greatest!
Today is the 70th birthday of Mohammed Ali: The Greatest. A search for him riding a motorcycle finds this lone shot with him atop a somewhat diminutive moto. He still keeps his cool though.
In fact it was two wheels that started his journey to icon-hood. At age 12 he wanted to “whup” a bicycle thief; the police told him he should learn to box first. The rest is legend!
Another great moment in boxing history is his early bout with Our ‘Enery, Sir Henry Cooper 1934-2011, in 1963. Although the fight was suspended due to a cut on Henry’s eye, in the fourth round Ali, then known as Cassius Clay, was knocked to the canvas with a clout from ‘Enery’s ‘Ammer.
January 15, 2012
Minnie the Minx: Goldie Gal
British Iron of the toughest sort: the BSA Goldstar, a big 500cc single with bellowing sound. The only way it should be set-up: rear-sets, clip-ons, siamese pipe and that big polished panel tank. The Union Flag offers backdrop to make any British bikers heart thump. Whether cafe bound, or to Brighton over the Downs this is your steed of choice!
January 11, 2012
To Wax Lyrical
De rigueur of the Triumph rider in the past; when roads were quiet lanes and the speed limit was a little over 42 mph, the jacket of choice for a Brit Iron moto was a heavy cotton waxed jacket such as the Barbour. A cloth cap and goggles usually finished the look.
… roll-on the sixties and a certain International Six Days Trial. Our Man McQueen and the rest of the US team doffed a Barbour to compete in the rain and mud of on and off road motorcycling competition. Belstaff make a modern version of it too, as well as a contemporary wax jacket by Aerostich, the Falstaff. That Thunderbird 6T looks pretty spiffy too!
December 31, 2011
An Honorable Mention
A great piece of artwork by the illustrator Louise Limb of Honor Blackman; she of The Avengers and James Bond.
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