October 4, 2012
“Bond, James Bond”. The new spy novel starring our favourite spy was released earlier this year. Ian Fleming Publications commissioned Jeffrey Deaver to pen the latest secret agent adventure. The launch saw the author arrive at St. Pancras Station in a Bentley escorted by a leather clad Bond Girl atop a 1966 BSA Spitfire Mk IV, stunt woman, actress and model Chesca Miles was the rider; taking on a modern day persona of Fiona Volpe; Beeza riding babe of the Connery classic Thunderball. Further colour was added when a copy of the novel was delivered by a Commando abseiling from the Victorian iron latticework of the station arches.
Here’s a period advert of the BSA: an air of Jimmy B about it as was the way of selling moto’s of the time!
Posted in Book, BSA, Gals |
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August 30, 2012
The Martini-Henry rifle was an Empire defender that saw action in, amongst others, the Zulu wars of 1879. Made famous with the Michael Caine/Stanley Baker film of the same name based on events at Rorke’s Drift where the British, being outnumbered 4,000 to 140tipped the odds in their favour with some deft rank firing and a lungfull of ‘Men of Harlech’.
Now where does this bring us? Well stack three of those long barreled breech loading weapon with bayonets and you have the B.S.A. logo. As in Birmingham Small Arms, who, before being the manufacturers of the Best Motorcycle in the World made the M-H gun.
Men of Harlech, march to glory,
Victory is hov’ring o’er ye,
Bright-eyed freedom stands before ye,
Hear ye not her call?
At your sloth she seems to wonder;
Rend the sluggish bonds asunder,
Let the war-cry’s deaf’ning thunder
Every foe appall.
Echoes loudly waking,
Hill and valley shaking;
‘Till the sound spreads wide around,
The Saxon’s courage breaking;
Your foes on every side assailing,
Forward press with heart unfailing,
‘Till invaders learn with quailing,
Cambria ne’er can yield!
Posted in BSA, Film and TV |
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July 20, 2012
Open-face lids, goggles, silk scarves, leathers and big boots. All mean grimaced and ready to roll. Bikes are Norton, BSA and Triumph are the ride to rumble on of course. I’m sure when this quintet crack open their throttle mechanical music ensues.
Those clip-ons are a low-low-low custom geometry for speed runs up and down the Great North Road. “where we going for the Sunday morning ride lads? Brighton?”
Posted in 60's, BSA, cafe racer, Norton, Triumph Motorcycle |
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June 8, 2012
…and put that ruddy gearbox back together. Tsk, tsk; the sheep out on t’fell are having a break whilst this Border Collie gets busy with moto-mechanics. This is a BSA B31 gearbox. “7/16″ Whiworth spanner please Shep!”
Posted in 50's, BSA, Maintenance |
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June 4, 2012
HRH is indeed a Motolady of the past: more than sixty years ago during the Blitz she was giving hands-on support to the ladies in the ATS Auxiliary Training Service. As part of her training, along with engine servicing, tire changing, she also learned to weave adroitly on a wartime spec BSA C10 250cc. Look at the lass go!
Posted in 40's, BSA, Military |
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May 26, 2012
When trawling around a swap-meet, looking for those hard to find parts for that never ending project in the shed; what better way to tote your booty around with than a Radio Flyer truck… Then when you pick up a BSA pre-unit A10 you’ll need to trailer that extra engine ’round too! Inventiveness Rules!
Posted in BSA, Toy Motorcycle |
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May 13, 2012
A particular view of the Beeza seen at the bike show yesterday exposes its classics feminine shape. A narrow waist accentuates a rounded derrière, complete with ace of spades embossed ‘tramp stamp’ and the busty tank.
36-24-36 to some…
Posted in BSA, Gals |
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March 12, 2012
I spyed this on a posting over the weekend on the local Craigslist motorcycle listing. A 1944 wartime Beeza in near ‘original’ patina condition – a wipe down with wd40, oil change, new sparkplugs and tires; I’d bet she’d kick over and thump along the road with nary a beat missed from decades holed up under a dusty canvas tarp in the back of some Midwestern shed. That strong half litre single lunged engine pulling like an old mule. $3,750 and she’s yours! Now where did I put that penny jar?
Posted in 40's, BSA, Military |
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February 16, 2012
Today we’ll go full size: here’s the actual Beeza AA combination also known as the ‘Road Service Outfit’ in gorgeous yellow. They’ll definitely see you coming along the road with this one!
These days the patrolmen tote around on easy riding motos such as the Honda Deauville, sweet 650cc V-twin, and the Burgman scooter, another 650cc ride. Jumper cables tucked in one of the panniers, no tonneau cover’d sidecar now.
Posted in BSA |
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February 4, 2012
Another superb photo of my grandad during his service for the Military Police in WWII. With the “La Figaro” bar or cafe in the background there is a good chance this is Alexandria in Egypt where he was stationed.
Posted in 40's, BSA, Military, Uncategorized |
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February 3, 2012
Wall Art: painted logos on a peeling wall in some garage. Red, Blue and White
Posted in BSA, Motorcycle Art, Triumph Motorcycle |
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January 15, 2012
British Iron of the toughest sort: the BSA Goldstar, a big 500cc single with bellowing sound. The only way it should be set-up: rear-sets, clip-ons, siamese pipe and that big polished panel tank. The Union Flag offers backdrop to make any British bikers heart thump. Whether cafe bound, or to Brighton over the Downs this is your steed of choice!
Posted in 60's, BSA, cafe racer, Photography |
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November 3, 2011
Whilst searching for the M21 outfit information I happened upon this item needing much TLC. It’s the earlier M33 ‘sloper’; the early thirties model with distinctive engine angle. About 6 hp thumping from the single pint sized jug just enough low end to haul around a chair. Suitable for the country lanes of England at the time for sure!
Here’s a happy owner on their BSA enjoying the delights of a countryside jaunt.
n.b. “slapping slopers” is a climbing move practised in the rounded but rough gritstone edges of the Peak District. Here’s a climber craggin’ on a Stanage Edge classic: Congo Corner HVS 5b stretching out on a long reach sloper. “Slap it youth!”
Posted in 30's, BSA, Sidecar |
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November 2, 2011
The combination wartime ride was the enlarged BSA single, the 600cc M21. Again my grandfather George Lawrie is seen atop this machine during traffic control and other MP duties in Egypt, through Tunisia and Libya. No doubt shadowing Monty’s Eighth Army as they chased Rommel ‘The Desert Fox’ back through El Alamein into Tunisia. Amongst his medals and cap badge is a cloth badge of the Jerboa, used as the Desert Rats insignia of the 7th Armoured.
Here’s a recently restored hack with sidecar trunk in lieu of the chair; also emblazoned with the AA (Automobile Association) emblem. George was an AA man both before and after the war, the roadside assistance skills being useful for MP work; and, indeed many AA men ended up in that branch of service.
Posted in 40's, BSA, Military, Sidecar |
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October 31, 2011
A truly evocative image of a mid-Twentieth Century cavalry. Here an army rears up on their new BSA M-20 motos heading into the fray! Wonderful artwork in the clean 30’s graphic vein.
Posted in 40's, BSA, Military, Motorcycle Poster |
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