January 24, 2019
The Hill – climbing up from the historic and commercial center of Newcastle is Westgate Road. It literally was the west gate of the medieval town that following the line of the older Hadrians Wall towards the sunset. Its role as a meeting spot for travelers is therefore ingrained. For several decades it has been the popular venue for motorcycle gatherings centered around the numerous bike shops, chippy’s and cafes. I remember as a wee un coming down from North Northumberland twice a year to go to see an ophthalmologist at the General Hospital at the top of the road. My mother and I would take a bus from the City Center to the appointment and I’d look out of the window at the bikes; exciting stuff for a young lad! It’s popularity is waning but there are some stalwarts holding the flame aloft for any roaming bikers needing an excuse to gawp at new models; or enjoy a lunch at a greasy spoon washed doon wi’ a mug o’tea.
Posted in 60's, 70's, 80's, History, Photography |
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January 10, 2019
Miniature Portrait- Before the advent of photography people would have a small painting of their loved one prepared and mounted in a suitable pendant. Here is someone’s rendition of a Triumph Trident T160.
Posted in 70's, Motorcycle Art, Triumph Trident |
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January 9, 2019
Pops – The post-war period in Japan saw a push in engine tuning to wring out any available additional horsepower to not just be faster but the fastest. This would eventually lead to the superbikes of the seventies and eighties and the current flock of hyper sports.
Leading this evolution of power and speed was Hideo ‘Pops’ Yoshimuro (1922-1995). After maintaining aircraft for the Japanese Empire during WW2 he redirected his masterful talents to the British bikes being brought to the land of the rising sun by American servicemen. This photo shows our man astride a fettled BSA preunit drag bike readying for a speed run.
Later he shifted his works and racing team to California where big reliable Japanese superbikes like the Kawasaki KZ and Suzuki GS’s went on to dominate the burgeoning AMA road racing circuit.
Posted in 70's, 80's, BSA, Engineering, Kawasaki, Racing |
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December 28, 2018
Merchandise- the New Years Honours list was published today… little did I know but actor Henry Winkler was made an honorary OBE back in 2012. As we know he was The Fonz, cool greaser in the hot 70’s tv shoe Happy Days. As with any popular character there was plenty of supporting items for sale.
Posted in 70's, Clothing, Film and TV, Food, Toy Motorcycle, Triumph Motorcycle |
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December 11, 2018
Attitude – a pair of British ‘ells angels give the photographer a surly glower in another image from the Café Royal Books publication.
Posted in 70's, Chopper, Photography, Triumph Motorcycle |
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December 10, 2018
Photo Zine – limited edition photography books are available from Cafe Royal Books. Amongst their offering are some excellent photojournalistic publications. This one is filled with evocative images from the seventies of bikers attending the iconic races on the Isle of Man. You can smell the drips of Castrol on the deck of the Douglas ferry.
Posted in 70's, BSA, cafe racer, Chopper, Photography, Triumph Motorcycle |
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December 5, 2018
Three lumps please pet. Here’s a splendid cafe hybrid set up in the grandest of traditional style. A three cylinder Trident shoehorned into a Norton featherbed frame. Ray gun silencers, rear-sets, clip-one, alloy rimmed 19″ wheels and a muckle tank. The stern looking owner looks the part too! Leather vest badged like some knights chainmail armour. The white silk scarf completes the cafe racer ensemble to grand effect. I bet this machine can move!
Posted in 60's, 70's, cafe racer, Clothing, Triumph Trident |
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December 1, 2018
Passage of Time – I’ve decided to clean up this blog a bit. By subscribing to the WordPress platform I eliminate the daft ads that appear at the bottom of the page and get a dedicated address. Put it in yer favorites for an occasional dabble down the rabbit hole of the 2,800 or so posts… that eight years worth…
https://geordiebiker.com
Look out for further improvements in the New Year!
Posted in 10's, 30's, 70's, Triumph Motorcycle, Triumph Tiger, Triumph Trident, Vintage |
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November 27, 2018
More Moto Museum moments – another selection of offerings from the weekend visit. The German Böhmerland and Soviet IZh ИЖ are a couple of the outstanding examples.
Posted in 50's, 60's, 70's, Vintage |
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November 26, 2018
Moto Museum Marques – a few of the European makes on show at the St Louis motorcycle museum. A varied collection of owner Steve Smith they represent a wide assortment of 7 decades of motorcycles. All in immaculate condition and room to wander around and get close up to them. More photos to show through the week!
Posted in 10's, 20's, 30's, 40's, 50's, 60's, 70's, Vintage |
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November 12, 2018
Excelsior! “You know, my motto is ‘Excelsior.’ That’s an old word that means ‘upward and onward to greater glory.’ It’s on the seal of the state of New York. Keep moving forward, and if it’s time to go, it’s time. Nothing lasts forever.” – Stan Lee 1922-2018
Posted in 50's, 60's, 70's, Design, Superhero |
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November 1, 2018
Naive Art – this piece is called Rosie’s Chopper by artist Stuart Swartz. Image statement:
“Here’s another whimsical painting of “Rosie”, this time proudly posing with her Triumph chopper.
This image was painted in a neo ’70s style reminiscent of velvet art and model box illustration from that era.”
Posted in 70's, Chopper, Gals, Motorcycle Art, Triumph Motorcycle |
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October 28, 2018
I want to ride my bicycle- So goes the Queen song from their ’78 LP Jazz. Well, about that time riding your bike was the best thing to do! I had a couple of Raleigh’s, a chopper, a racer and friends who had BMX’s and other kinds of two-wheeled fun. Top Left is the king of kid cool: The Chopper, long seat, ape bars, three speed gear changing with central stick. Wobbly to ride by who cares! Top Center: The Grifter, heavy off road looking monster, precursor to the Bicycle Moto X of a later date. It’s rear hub made a distinctive clickety sound. Top Right: The Bomber, another weighty dreadnaught of a bike. It’s lines were driven from the US stumpjumpers being ridden in the Rockies and copied by youth sticking cow horn handlebars on their roadsters. Lower Left: The Arena, a road bike for speed, with true derailleur gearing, narrow seat and drop bars. Lower Center: BMX Burner, a true BMX offering for dirt tracks where knee and elbow padded racers could swoop berms, hit whoop-de-woos, and soar across tabletops. Lower Right The Maverick: an early iteration of the Mountain Bike craze that we’re still in to this day. It’s knobbly tires were good for muddy roads, cantilever brakes to stop on a dime, 15 gears for any adventure laden trail.
Two Wheels Good!
Posted in 70's, 80's, Bicycle |
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October 27, 2018
Fall Color – a nice autumnal half century jaunt up north on the owld gal. Both Bonnie’s were riding pretty good albeit the cooler start. Trees are magnificent right now: ruby, gold, amber, scarlet, and all other fiery displays. I must say the Tiger has spoiled me for ease and comfort. Older bikes need more input to keep a smooth progress along the road. But they’re fun in their own right.
Also, the bike will be going up onto the workstand for a winter sort through. For one the rear sets are coming off… getting too cramped for comfort!
Posted in 70's, cafe racer, Chicago, Photography, Triumph Bonneville |
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October 7, 2018
General Motors – Pontiac designer Bill Mitchell created a devilish muscle car for the ’74 Car Show circuit. The Firebird Banshee was the concept and the creative team behind the aerodynamic body accompanied it with an inspired custom 500cc Honda.
Posted in 70's, Cars, Honda |
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