June 30, 2014
Some other cracking motos attended the show: starting with this immaculate ’68 Bonneville. Surgically clean to a mirror finish with astounding original detail. Even down to the cork seal under the fork gaiter. 100% concourse.
Even a new T100 Bonneville stood proud. Nice straight muffler to match the original – the standard kinked on replaced here. An adequate stablemate for a sixties T120.
Somebody had brought a road converted Triumph race bike. Somewhat cobbled but obviously gave its owner the thrill of speed. Somewhat of a Mad Max style ..
Norton Commando in rosy cheek’d color. Great seventies superbike!
A BSA B31 single sat sunning itself in the late June sun. Same colors as the Rocket Gold star I had. This thumper is a neat scooter.
Posted in BSA, Chicago, Norton, Triumph Motorcycle |
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May 31, 2014
A fabulous long ride around the south part of Lake Michigan through the Indiana State Dunes Park to New Buffalo Michigan. Cool bright morning turning into a warm day suitable to be called May 31st. We stopped in at Bob Goodpastors ‘shop in Hobart.
Benches lined with engines: race and road both. The floor with half built chassis such as featherbed, and Goldstar. Shelves packed to the gunwales with boxes of parts, cylinder heads, gearboxes, hubs. A veritable Aladdin’s Cave!
Wheels overhead hang with miles recorded in the tension of their singing spokes. Tools bedeck the wall ready for plenty of action the old machines require. A back shed if filled further with plentiful supplies of cycle components awaiting projects needing donor parts.
And of course in the center of it all is the friendly and gracious Bob, more than willing to show us the nooks and crannies if his world. Pup was super friendly too!
Posted in BSA, Chicago, Maintenance, Norton, Photography, Restoration, Triumph Motorcycle |
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May 16, 2014
Old tools have an age-worn oil-rubbed torque-nicked patina to them that makes them the best tool to have in the hand for the job. An energy of mechanics past glows from their softened edges; but hard true faces ready to bite a bolthead or twist a nut free lies in wait.
This collection of BSA wrenches look ready for action! Rust requiring an oily hand with intent and a vintage motorcycle project replete with Whitworth fastenings gets underway
Posted in BSA, Maintenance, Photography |
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May 6, 2014
Don’t engines look good? Here’s a bevy of fine examples of British Iron that were spied up at Morrie’s last Saturday. BSA Goldie, Norton Commando, AJS 31 Hurricane, BSA Rocket 3.
Any would look good in a garage or more importantly under a twisted throttle on the open road.
Posted in BSA, Norton, Photography |
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May 3, 2014
An outing today saw Morrie’s Place in Ringwood IL as the destination. Run by British Bike master Ed Zender it is an Aladdin’s Cave of old motorcycles, endless parts shelves, a well tooled workshop and knowledgeable help.
BSA’s, Triumphs, Norton’s, AJS’s, Vincents… Bonneville’s, Tigers, Thunderbolts, Gold stars, Black Lightning, Rocket 3’s. Clean examples, oily well ridden ones, custom racers, correct restorations.
There is always someone passing through for a part, a chat, dropping off or picking up. The ‘phone rings often. Ed’s encyclopedic ken is great when working on a project. It’s great that there are resources like this for keeping these classic machines on the road.
Lovely big Ford F350 hauling vehicle with appropriately sign painted bed panels.
Posted in BSA, Chicago, Maintenance, Norton, Restoration, Triumph Motorcycle |
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April 25, 2014
T’is the weekend and it’s time to hare down the A23 to the seaside. The pebbly beach fronted promenade is the place to be seen and Madeira Drive the strip to drag up and down. How low are those ‘bars?
Posted in BSA, cafe racer, Gals, Photography |
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April 4, 2014
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?
Posted in BMW, BSA, Gals, Photography, Triumph Motorcycle |
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March 10, 2014
On this day in 1876 Alexander Graham Bell called his assistant on the ‘phone: “Mr. Watson—Come here—I want to see you”. And so heralded the age of telephone communication … Ongoing promotion includes this fun BSA combination of a large dial and receiver fashioned to tote around the towns and villages of Britain by the GPO, the General Post Office, who were involved in all communication be they letter, telegram, telegraph or telephone.
“The World at your finger tips”
Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images 20th June 1932
Posted in BSA, History, Sidecar |
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March 7, 2014
Friday night is bike night! Home from work, leathers on, hair greased, motorbike warmed up and off down the caff for a burn up. The Road Rocket is running good the’night and she’s a crowd pleaser. Ton-up lads ‘n’ lasses ton up!
Posted in BSA, cafe racer, Gals |
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February 5, 2014
A fantastic image was unearthed today courtesy of Tom Day showing a gathering of a local motorcycle club in the market town of Wooler in North Northumberland (where I grew up).
Taken in about ’51 or ’52 it captures the youth of the day admiring their motos and talking biking. Mostly a bunch of BSA ZB31’s; the sporty 350 single of the day. A couple of postwar Norton 16H’s may be there too. I’m told one of the lads may be my brother-in-law’s father. To be confirmed by the man himself…
Here’s a clean example of this BSA in modern technicolor.
Posted in BSA, History, Photography |
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January 31, 2014
There us so much about this image I like. The sepia tint of age, a smiling lance corporal dispatch rider in Mediterranean wear, and the rime-like dust of the road. Possibly Egypt, Libya or even Italy. Sitting proudly on his BSA M20, workhorse of lightweight and quick travel for the Allies.
Posted in BSA, History, Military |
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January 26, 2014
Yesterday we went to the Holocaust Museum in Skokie to see an exhibition about Wartime austerity in Britain. The population had to tighten their belts, utilize less, close-in, and create a stalwart ‘fortress’ as the Axis shadow grew.
The use of posters was key to promote the needs and my favorite illustrator of the time Cyril Kenneth Bird aka Fougasse created pure form and message.
At the exhibition there was some wonderful COLOUR film from the war years some showing events during The Blitz, others about rationing, and one about the plans set afoot within the defending island state as German forces were breathing down their necks. There was a few scenes of the Home Guard ( Dads Army) going through their paces across a muddy common on motorbikes to become dispatch riders.
Could be a BSA M20. Spotlessly new and ready for service.
Wonderful film.
Posted in BSA, Film and TV, Graphics, Military |
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December 25, 2013
After yesterdays advertising debacle here’s a more appropriate Santa scene. Classic 50’s illustration with our old Coca Cola St. Nick astride a lovely Beeza scudding across the snowclad rooftops of some sleepy English village. Halcyon days indeed!
Merry Christmas!
Posted in BSA, Motorcycle Art |
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December 10, 2013
The Top Cat Cub as built by Charles who otherwise specializes in BSA “Otters” a special oil in framed B40 lightened and set up for pre 65 observed trials. www.bsaotter.com
A great resource for other off road shenanigans.
Like this blue frame article though. It uses an Electrex ignition which is probably the way I’ll go with my Cubby.
Posted in BSA, Trials, Triumph Cub |
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December 7, 2013
Wall of Death! Pillion here sits across the handle bars with no hands as the captain of the near vertical centrifugal escapade takes his steed up to the perimeter advertising banner. Round and round she goes! This is a Two-Wheeled skill that requires years of practice including setting up and breaking down the wooden walls. Confidence inspiring pairing here!
Posted in BSA, Gals, Photography |
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