Play was so much simpler in days past: you wound your toys up and watched ’em fly around the floor. No batteries, no motor; just nicely pressed metal parts and a character sitting astride.
March 5, 2016
A Clockwork Fruit
September 13, 2015
1+1+1
Make three: we were joined in the Sunday ride by David and his stunning BMW R75\5. It was a gleaming Teutonic machine that stood out as the three of us louped along Highway 12 through Indiana into Michigan. The Triumph were like a couple of English terrier scamps to this smooth Powerful German Shepherd of a bike. The weather couldn’t have been better and the roads not too busy for this time of year.
September 1, 2015
The Man who mistook his Wife for his Motorcycle…
Dr Oliver Sacks the world renowned neurologist passed away last weekend at the age of 82. I life exploring the inner workings of the mind and consciousness, identity and memory.
He was portrayed by Robin Williams in the film Awakenings, based on one of his many books about patient cases.
He was also a biker: here, a young faced rider grinning widely after a hare about on a classic Norton Dominator DeLuxe 600.
He was also a big swimmer, an early muscular physique show off his powerful arms and legs. Again a solid motorcycle his steed. At this time in the early sixties he also sampling in the hallucinogenic drugs of the time “pharmacological experimentation”; further expanding his mind.
August 16, 2015
MCC Villa Park Vintage Motorcycle Show
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.
July 1, 2015
More Goodies
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!)
March 14, 2015
Idle
Full of cold. So lying on the sofa in the den, Charley keeping me company and reading Ted Simon’s second Round The World book “Dreaming of Jupiter”. 28 years after his legendary Jupiter Travels narrative globe trekking on a Triumph Tiger he takes to the roads again aged 70 on a BMW.
January 29, 2015
Di she ain’t
The big triple makes her look kinda wee.
Camilla Parker Bowels (spellchecker correction for Bowles). Duchess of Cornwall to the denizens of Blighty. Chaz likes his motors, in particular Aston Martins, but here’s his gal on a mighty Triumph. Albeit sidesaddle.
Diana? We know the story of the paparazzi on fast Beemers, a Paris tunnel and a nation in mourning.
Here she gives the lads biking inspiration for a future of motos which they both share.
December 26, 2014
Boxing Day
NOT a good look! Someone had mounted a BMW boxer fairing to a Bonneville. True affrontery!
…discuss:
October 2, 2014
The Exotic Gentleman’s Ride
European vintage esoterica, and a Honda Dream. As well a a healthy dose of Triumphs (oddly no Norton’s) these interesting models were risen (not hidden) at the weekends event. The Paul Smart Ducati, though a modern classic, is sugar to the eyes; a sunshine toned Gilera like a wind-up toy; the Teutonic cream framed Beemer; and the nicest peoples favorite in tomato red round off these world beating motos.
April 4, 2014
Friday Night line-up
A bevvy of moto-riding ladies all sitting proudly on their bikes in front of this House of Chrome somewhere on Long Island NY. Left to right: Beemer, Trumpet, Harley, Beeza(?), Ariel & Matchless. What’s not to like?
April 1, 2014
Shocking Newsflash
Hinckley, UK
April 1, 2014
A statement earlier today from Triumph Motorcycles rung dismay in the strengthening British industry for two-wheeled vehicles. With their state of the art factory in the heartland of Leicestershire and worldwide facilities in the Far East, and soon Asian and South American markets, their future indeed looked bright. However owner John Bloor, 70, made a press release stating that he was “selling up!” And “Moving to The Caribbean”, to “Play more golf”, and “do more fishing” as well as “drink more cocktails on sunny beaches”.
A new owner has already been found which will entail a re-badging of all current and future products. A certain Teutonic company who have a strong stance in both the car and motorcycle industry have stepped forward as the new management of this organization.
A spokesman from BMW, Herr Gruberwurst, 54, said: “we are thrilled at this opportunity for an expansion of our current line-up; however some changes will of course have to be made; the renowned Bonneville with half a century of history behind it will be renamed “Der Gutstadt” and the all-terrain Tiger “Die Panzerrad” Also with some duplication with our current models some of the englisch mottorrad may be canceled…”
As Mr Bloor will be taking the name “Triumph” with him to into obscure retirement, renaming a Bahaman atholl he has procured Isle Triumph, all existing owners will be sent blue and white checked rondel badges with the famous Bayerische Motoren Werke logo to apply to their tanks as well as a pair of decals for bodywork. Of course those with the original Meriden Triumph motorcycles can keep original logo badge due to their ‘historical significance’ towards British history.
In other motorcycling news Honda are eyeing up a certain Milwaukee motorbike maker for a takeover…
February 11, 2014
Boys
A fairground ride to excite any young lad dreaming of speed and adventure on two wheels. They appear to be miniature Beemers so this could be a German attraction. Intent riders and smiles galore nonetheless.
November 23, 2013
Double Oh Seven
Licensed to Kill: Pierce Brosnan was a great James Bond; a suave agent with a calculated gentleman’s approach to his job. Not the tough guy Daniel Craig who has taken the mantle to great effect, but a clean-cut Fleming protagonist. He was see in his second outing Tomorrow Never Dies riding a BMW R1200C with Michelle Yeoh hurling through the Ho Chu Minh City.
I prefer the Aston Martin that happens to be Bonds favorite vehicle. Here he stands with a Vanquish.
Of course with the very British marque of Triumph going from strength to strength JB should be seen on a Bonneville gadget equipped by Q’s quartermaster department.
Here’s Irishman Pierce taking a stance aboard an emerald green Thruxton. This week he was filming a new movie in Cambridge and his professorial don character totes around the college town on a Triumph: looks like its catching on…
Looking stylish Mr Bond!
February 11, 2013
Sunshine Coast Gals
Port Elizabeth, South Africa. More family two-wheeled shenanigans, this time my Great Aunt Lil. A happy biker chick on her BMW R60, at what looks like the early seventies. My grandfather George Lawrie’s sister-in-law.
Now then! Here is a great photo of Aunt Lil’s sister, Aunt Jean, taken a few years ago, she flew over to visit for her sister’s 90th. She had to have a go on her nephew, Gordon’s latter day Beemer, the sublime GS1200.
Slowly but surely the Moto-family-tree is being formed!
August 9, 2012
Travel the World
BMW’s are known for their mile munching machines; none more so than the big GS Gelände Straße, the ubiquitous moto for the discerning passport filler. It carries rider and load; can roll over roughroads where potholes are the norm; and is a tough as old boots. With genes derived from the early bikes forged in the early Paris Dakar races it is a true companion for the miles. Sheepskin rugéd perch hints at this examples journeys. Again a Rockerbox meet moto.
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