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?
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.
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.
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…
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.
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.
Cheyenne- he was a big dude with mellow baritone voice and perfectly cast as Cheyenne Bodie for 8 seasons back in the late fifties. Clint Walker, who passed away a couple of days ago at the sturdy age of 90. enjoyed riding, either equine or moto. Here he makes his BSA B40 single look like a pony on the trail. That’s Andra Martin who portrayed an Arapaho captive in another Clint Walker movie Yellowstone Kelly, about an Indian tracker.
Boon – gravel voiced and surly: that was the typical characters portrayed by Michael Elphick. As retired fireman in this particular role he rode around on a ’68 BSA Lightning in a Lone Ranger like fashion carrying out courier work as well as private eye shenanigans.
Casper WY – BSA dealership run by Tim Oler was at 1343 S. McKinley St. here his wife Olive rides a smart new A10 Shooting Star around The Oil City on the edge of cowboy country in 1956.
Police Steed – bobby on a Beeza. When British motorcycles reigned supreme the local forces used the best of ’em to get along the road with speed. Nice monochrome ink painting advert with a happy sergeant copper swinging his police boots over an A10 escorting some VIP no doubt.
Air Force Blue – here’s what the pilots would have used to tear across the airfield to get to their aircraft and take off to fight against the Luftwaffe. A BSA M20 in splendid condition sitting under the wing of a Hawker Hurricane.
Mashie or Niblick? What better way to head to The Links than on a trusty BSA with your dog as co-pilot? Better make sure the wheels don’t get snagged by an errant Baffing Spoon!
Twenty – Maestro rider Mike ‘The Bike’ Hailwood took the bulbous faired lines of a Rocket 3 through its paces on the banked track of Daytona in ’70 & ’71. His machine broke down but other riders took the triples to sweeping victories.
We have all the time in the World – Double Oh Seven actor George Lazenby only played James Bond once; however feeling that the Cold War misogynistic spy was a dated character he didn’t sign on for further adventures. He took the role to heart however enjoying a sixties lifestyle knowing he was the coolest fellow in a tux toting a Walther PPK. The superbike of the day was the Trident/Rocket 3 from the Triumph/BSA stable. He got hold of one to commute to Pinewood Studios when filming began.
Descriptive Leader – when illustrating the superlative virtues of a new and better item it was all the rage to label obvious physical particulars as top-notch characteristics you couldn’t do without. Of course… draping a lassie along the length of it goes a long way too…
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