It would have been James Hunt’s 75th birthday yesterday (29th). However he sadly died back in ‘93 aged 45. Along with the likes of Barry Sheene and, as here on this Honda 750, Mike Hailwood, he epitomized the British racer of the 70’s. Photo taken at Brands Hatch.
Anyone who worked on their 60’s and 70’s Triumph motorcycles surely used the clear wisdom of Lunmad. His Yorkshire accent narrating the home videos expertly edited sharing his knowledge of keeping these aged machines on the road in simpler fashion. Sadly he passed away last Thursday and is a loss to the vintage motorcycle community.
This continues my series of street side bikes. A bobbed Honda 750 a la noir.
A visit to the premier classic British motorcycle shop in northern Illiniois was also included in the agenda. Always a treat to look over the various items parked shoulder to shoulder in the main display area. The workshop was so busy that bikes awaiting service and restoration work were stood outside.
– long sighted movie from 1975 starring the recently deceased James Caan (1940-2022). Ultraviolet corporate sport is the global entertainment and the individual personality is quashed. Inspired stories in my childhood comic 2000ad.
– Made in Nottingham these were on every boys list in the Seventies. They were ridden as if they had an engine like this smart example.
– the lineup on BritBox includes gritty seventies show starring John Thaw and Dennis Waterman as Regan and Carter; a pair of serious crime detectives. First episode screenshot of a pair of police motorcycles accompanying a prisoner transfer van. “You’re Nicked!”
– another passing this week was Sidney Poitier. He flew the door wide open for minority actors. This lesser known film that he directed and starred in sees him as an american, Dr Matt Younger, who travels to Britain to take part in scrambler races. Whilst there he falls for a young woman who is an African Ambassadors daughter. Romance ensues. Sidney was 94. The bike is a BSA B50 MX which, incidentally, was the very last competition model from the Small Heath factory. Models were still rolling off the line during BSA’s demise.
– early seventies oil in frame Bonneville under the harsh illumination of a spotlight.
– these were the giant killers that took on the world Motorcycle Grand Prix races of the early seventies.
– George Lucas’ first major cinematic offering is this dystopian world where the protagonist needs to find escape from the controlling authorities. The ‘droid cops ride white faired Triumph Bonnevilles through the tunnels of this future world.
Piled behind some old Ford pistons and cam shafts. This Commando is in serious need of attention. Working on a plan to acquire it from my brother in law…
A pair of icons from the 60’s and 70’s. Who was the cooler?
– if you grew up in Britain in the Seventies you would surely remember the children’s sci-fi tv show The Tomorrow People. I watched episode 1 last night and happened upon these pair of cockney thugs who were chasing the teenage telepaths on BSA bikes. Nostalgia.
– 1970 black and white photograph, by Bill Rauhauser, of a young couple on a BSA taken at some rural gathering. ‘64 Pontiac Bonneville is to the right.
geordiebiker.com 