August 16, 2015
Though it was a hot 90 degree day we managed to get out to the west suburbs where a well attended show took place at the Triumph Ducati dealer in Villa Park. The parking lot was divided into show bikes and parked bikes. I had mine in the common or garden parked bikes. There was a great selection of clean examples of old rides in both areas. This little original condition Benelli starts things off. Small in stature but grand in character.
A ’73 Harley Davidson combination owner was very proud of her outfit. She had toted a tree in the chair earlier this year. Wherever she drive it people would wave and cheer!
Another outfit: this time a BMW r75 wartime rig. Fully dressed for European action with MG34 machine gun, jerry cans and trailer. A true enthusiast.
The parking lot contained new Triumphs, this new Royal Enfield Continental GT, Beemers, Kawasakis, Hondas, an odd Harley or two. Motorcycle gawkers heaven! This week I’ll show the congregation of Nortons, Beezas, and other fine examples of older machines.
Posted in 50's, 60's, 70's, BMW, Chicago, Harley Davidson, Sidecar, Vintage |
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August 8, 2015
This Rickman framed Triumph stood out in proud orange at Ed’s shop. Next to it an immaculate pre-unit Bonneville. Both truly desirable bikes. But that repli-racer: it’s a stunner!
Ground-up concours restoration of an amaranth red Speed Twin. Sublime and worth gazing at for hours. Put it on a plinth and enjoy the artistry that was Meriden engineering at its best.
A hourglass figure as prepared on an X75 Hurricane. Craig Vetter inspired lines and color maje this much sought after machine a beauty to behold!
A Big Zed! Power in a Can… Just love this, one of the first giant slayer muscle bikes to come from the Far East. I’m going to have to build a bigger garage!
Posted in 50's, 60's, 70's, cafe racer, Engineering, Graphics, History, Kawasaki, Triumph Motorcycle |
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July 10, 2015
Like a three dimensional jigsaw puzzle a collection of parts sits waiting for a spanner handed Triumph nut to cobble them together into its sum.
Posted in 70's, Engineering, Restoration, Triumph Bonneville |
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July 3, 2015
The coiled serpent twisting its scaly body around the tank of this Big Zed fuels its embodiment of strength from the liter powerhouse.
Fire breather! Roaring Worm!
Posted in 70's, Chicago, Kawasaki, Tattoo |
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July 1, 2015
there was plenty of eye candy at Motoblot. Each belonged to a dedicated owner who loves showing off their steed. Each washed to a mirror shine reflecting admirers faces in their perfectly designed curves. Each represents a history unto itself.
What was old now is new:
Indian. The new cruiser looks set for a haul along Route 66 from Chicago to Los Angeles. The old police bike would be a great ‘big road’ rider.
Kawasaki? Team Green knows about power – like this canny Eddie Lawson bicep is set for action.
The Purple People Eater: two stoke powerband terror of the seventies would scare the mane off a lion. The Mach IV
The bumblebee world traveller is the much desired BMW GS1000. Big legs for long distances.
A weary looking edge worn Beemer yearns for Barvarian strasse to plod along…
More fun than a barrel of baby sloth (look it up you’ll agree that’s a lot of fun!)
Posted in 30's, 40's, 70's, 80's, BMW, Chicago, Design, Indian, Kawasaki, Vintage |
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June 29, 2015
Italian Triple. “Il Bruto” the mighty Jota in glistening orange. It had a radioactive glow in the midday sun.
Cleveland Cycle Works little quarter liter custom scrambler. U.S. Built small Moto with sweet styling suitable for city flitting. It’s like a new version of my Cub…. We’ll write about CCW another time.
Board tracker blitz: twenties Titan for zooming the banked oval. The pure engineering on these things is as brave as the riders who piloted them.
Muscle Magic! Not a bike but by ‘eck it’s a steroid built machine for rippling the Tarmac and busting licenses. It has a 440 7.8l V8 Magnum engine that took the Hemi-Orange monster to Dodges swan song in the 60’s through 70’s muscle car spacerace.
Posted in 60's, 70's, cafe racer, Cars, Chicago, Design, Film and TV, Photography |
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June 16, 2015
Today is the birthday of multi world champion Giacomo Agostini 73. 122 GP wins, of which 15 were championships in the 350 and 500cc class. He also gained 13 TT wins on The Island. A career spanning from ’64 to ’77 he is considered to be one of the greatest. He was the MV Agusta factory rider making good use of the superlative Italuan machine on tracks around the world.
Posted in 60's, 70's, Racing |
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May 30, 2015
The Italians sure can make a pretty motorcycle. I was wandering around the block at work yesterday taking Geordie for a stroll and spied this red gem. Ducati’s GT 1000 Sport Classic. Based on the early 70’s Ducs it has a timeless quality very much like the Triumph Bonneville. If I wasn’t so into Meriden or Hinckley items this would be a suitable desire…
Posted in 70's, Ducati |
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May 29, 2015
A latter-day Bonneville advert utilizes a time-worn approach for marketing to men: a young scantily clad lass draped over the latest and greatest. Well it ain’t new and is practically identical with the timeless Norton spreads of yesteryear.
Actually, growing up the black Norton commando was my favorite bike. A perfect looking machine; indeed Uncomplicated Sophistication… 
We just need the great Leonard Rossitter in his slimy lounge character to sidle in.
Posted in 70's, Film and TV, Gals, Motorcycle Poster, Norton, Triumph Bonneville |
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August 7, 2013
An idyllic English scene… Wet road, grey skies, muddy field, a hilly country road and a Triumph 750 propped on its side stand waiting for a wax jacket attired motorcyclist to take up the reins. I can smell this typical bucolic blighty scene. The signpost adds a level of rural jolity to the proceedings too!
The W registration puts the bike between ’81 & ’82.
Posted in 70's, Triumph Bonneville |
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July 31, 2013
Triumph Bonneville 72, 73, 74, 75…..a hybrid 70’s workhorse! 650 frame and engine, latter day tank and seat and 750 front end. Well, it works for me!
…I just need time to ride!
Posted in 70's, Photography, Triumph Bonneville |
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July 12, 2013
A beat up naked forlorn frame from a mid seventies Triumph Trident 750 triple. On offer listen in the local Craigslist…
Given a good hone, feeding up with a generous diet of mechanical bits and bobs it can become a glossy coated steed…
Posted in 70's, Restoration, Triumph Motorcycle |
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June 28, 2013
Back when I were lad we didn’t have computers and mobile devices for information. If you wanted to find something out you went to the library . not with Google Wikipedia and whatnot it’s all at our fingertips, or even voice with an iphone or my nexus. Well, back then someone had a smart idea of creating collectible data cards on all manner of things, the natural world (4,000 cards in all!), recipes and of course motorcycles. You’d start off with a couple of dozen glossy colour printed index cards and a plastic card holder and clear cover, then before long, well month by month, with subscription from Atlas, you’d have a wealth of data enviable with your marras.
The front of the fiche was a picture with year and country of origin. The back listed specifications and typical performance. Ah halcyon days pre interweb!
Now the panini stickers were another thing from the schoolyard! “Swap you my Peter Shilton for your Kevin Keegan”.
Nice hair Kev!
Posted in 70's, Graphics |
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June 23, 2013
Back in the late sixties when the British motorcycle industry knew things were in hubris began an evolution of the globally successful Bonneville headed twin engined T series. The parent company BSA was waning and a merger with Norton Villiers was soon to be forced upon them. The wagons were circling…
..one if the remaining technical ‘wheezes’ they had was the creation of an oil filled frame or ‘Oil-in-Frame’ as they came to be known.
In ’71 Triumph introduced its new Bonneville & Trophy and BSA its Lightning and Thunderbolt. The photo shows their similarities such as the slab sided covers, and differences: notably the engine and gas tank. The Bonnie tries to keep a sense of its heritage whereas the Thunderbolt has new slim lines and the unit engine seems more in place. My ’72 should look like the farther model, but its developed into a 70’s hybrid.
Too little too late? The triples were a great bike, the twins were long in the tooth, worker political going on were afoot and the CB750 was running roughshod across the world. The death knell was run, BSA had a year and Triumph about ten of hobbling along.
However both good looking bikes…
Posted in 70's, BSA, Triumph Motorcycle |
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June 15, 2013
It’s twenty years today since the early death of James Hunt at the age of 45. He was the very definition of the playboy race car driver in the 70’s with plenty of action on, hence the nickname ‘The Shunt’, as well as off the track, just look at his race coveralls patch just below his embroidered blood type.
His model wife Suzy Miller is sporting the a T-shirt with the Hesketh Team logo: a teddy bear in full face helmet. The young Lord Hesketh being the teams backer. As an aside Suzy left Hunt for actor Richard Burton including a million pound settlement…
Not to worry though there was plenty more life to live on the edge of speed; here seen enjoying the harbor life of Monaco with friend Barry Sheene. The pair made their mark on the world Grand Prix stage in 1976, James in Formula One and Bazza on his motorcycle. The fans following their exploits on and off the circuits around the globe. A real pair of cheeky chappies!
However when the going got tough they were up there with the best of ’em! Each taking world champion titles that year. Here’s a great behind the scenes shot of the mechanics shed for Maclaren (who took him to his title) in flared jeans, sandals and a relaxed brotherly attitude.
His rival at the time was Nikki Lauder, a great of his day and worthy opponent. Mere weeks after a fiery crash at the Nürburgring where he suffered burns to his face and head he was back in the seat to maintain his points lead over Hunt. The season was down to the last race at Fuji Japan with Hunt winning by one point over Lauder after Niki withdrew over the wet course conditions.
This climactic season is the subject of an upcoming film from Ron Howard “Rush”. Should be good!
James went on to become a foil for world class motor racing commentator Murray Walker and their colorful banter for the Formula One racing made watching them exciting, with Murrays excited exuberance and James’ pithy remarks .
He’s legend in the high stakes world of speed and lived that life with gusto.
Posted in 70's, Barry Sheene, Cars, Racing |
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