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 12, 2018
Seven Oh Three – sometimes a big thumper is all you need. Glorious BSA flat tracker with beastly single cylinder’d engine.
Posted in 60's, BSA, Photography, Racing |
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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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October 20, 2018
Courier- fag stop for BSA Bantam owner along some street in The Big Smoke. A motorcycle is the best way to get around London. It lets you nip through the traffic making sure you get to your destination with a smile and on time.
Posted in BSA, Clothing, Photography |
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October 6, 2018
Gilmore Car Museum – Hickory Corner, Michigan. One barn at the excellent automobile museum here in south west Michigan held a good selection of two-wheeled delights. From barn- fresh Harley Flathead to a polished to the nines Vincent Black Shadow. It was a good collection covering a century of motorcycling. One of The Fonz’s Triumph TR5 was there too; as well as an immaculate ’59 T120 Bonneville and a gutsy looking Indian hill climber.
Posted in 40's, 50's, 60's, 70's, BMW, BSA, Ducati, Film and TV, Harley Davidson, Photography, Restoration, Triumph Bonneville, Triumph Tiger, Vincent, Vintage |
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August 16, 2018
Like a Prayer- the Queen of Pop reached the age of 60 today. Madonna has spent the last several decades rewriting the lyrical content and reinventing a visual style in the music industry. Here she pouts in true Vogue style with a BSA .
Today also sadly saw the passing of the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin, whose voice sang across the ages from the social unrest of the Sixties, The Blues Brothers in Reagan’s 80’s, to Obama’s inauguration in 2009. R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Posted in 60's, 80's, BSA, Gals, Music |
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August 3, 2018
Boldest – Friday brings a twofer where the bikes play second fiddle to the gals who pose coyly at prospective buyers of these single cylinder cycles. Starfire was the quarter liter starter machine, the Victor was more off road styling fit for gravel trails. Soft focus anyone?
Posted in 60's, BSA, Clothing, Gals, Motorcycle Poster |
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August 1, 2018
The Cavalry – the BSA sportsbike of the sixties sits pretty next to the horse borne regimental troops that protect Her Majesty in London & at Windsor. The 650cc Thunderbolt is akin to the ceremonial dress of the Blues and Royals (Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons). The chrome tank matching the red plumed helmet and cuirass armor; the star blazed tank badge like the Order of the Garter Star.
Sadly the ladies gaze on haughtily in their leather jackets. I’d rather they sat astride the motorcycle as proud riders, like their equine companion.
Posted in 60's, BSA, Clothing, Gals, Military, Motorcycle Poster |
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July 31, 2018
Jet Setter – from Oceanside to the skyward scene. BSA’s Shooting Star makes for a snappy runway runabout between the airport lounge and the private jet. Aviator look to the rider and sixties bombshell for the wing perched gal in the leopard skin coat. The louche world of the swingin’ sixties…
Posted in 60's, BSA, Clothing, Gals, Motorcycle Poster |
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July 30, 2018
Spearfishing – this week we’ll delve into the world of misogynistic sixties advertising, when men were told to be manly, and the ladies attractively adorn the scene. All very James Bond-like… this BSA Victor certainly looks the part in this coastal location. The polished tank with a distinctive sun yellow accent catches the glint of ocean waves perfectly. Beach scramble anyone?
Posted in 60's, BSA, Gals, Motorcycle Poster |
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July 25, 2018
Young at Heart – this happy couple who enjoy their journey together utilize a BSA for transport. The 250cc C15 was a fairly underpowered cycle that met stiff competition from Honda’s Dream and Superhawk. However Mr & Mrs Adventure seem quite chuffed with their mode of mobility.
Posted in 60's, BSA, Photography |
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July 24, 2018
When Two is Three – more paired motorcycling capers with a couple zooming along aboard an early BSA Rocket Three. The anorak jacket emblazoned with the marque logo gives the image period quality.
Posted in 60's, BSA, Photography, Triumph Trident |
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June 19, 2018
Four Square- more offerings from the Ringwood motorcycle emporium. Delicious BSA Goldstar in immaculate condition, one lung and splendid mirrored chrome tank emblazoned with the gold star representing Wal Handley’s ton lap at Brooklands in ’37. Green lane ready Triumph Trophy Trail, half liter of long legged fun. Norton & Beeza goodies: one a TT special willing for speed, the other a doughty sloper ready for a lazy countryside jaunt. Finally a hefty Laverda 3C Triple, 1000cc of Italian grunt; just need a quiet afternoon along Lago Maggiore…
Posted in 50's, 60's, BSA, Engineering, Norton, Photography, Trials, Triumph Motorcycle, Vintage |
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June 17, 2018
Hurricane – in an attempt to win over a flagging US customer Triumph and BSA employed industrial designer Craig Vetter to create bodywork for the new and fast triple that would appeal to the American market. Though a BSA Rocket Three at heart, by the time the X75 was released it was emblazoned with a Triumph badge. The deep orange with yellow swoosh are inspired with an hourglass shape that provides a sexy line to this muscle of a motorbike. Triple stacked silencers on the timing size are keenly futuristic. This example was built by Ed Zender for a customer. He says it runs well with a powerful and tight power unit. In the sun it’s a sublime example of a special British motorcycle.
Posted in 70's, BSA, Design, Engineering, Triumph Trident |
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June 16, 2018
Eye Candy – a trip up to Morries Place in Ringwood let’s me enjoy a grand collection of old motorcycles. Ed Zender is always a good craic and there’s sure to be something I haven’t seen before. I’ll be posting more bikes through this week.
Posted in 50's, 60's, BSA, Indian, Restoration, Triumph Motorcycle, Vincent, Vintage |
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