Undercover Hero – “Soft Beds, Hard Battles” a little known Peter Sellers movie from 1974. He takes on several roles, including a very convincing Hitler, but the main character is Major Robinson who, due to his BSA M20 WD breaking down, ends up as an an Intelligence officer in a Paris brothel. Thank Zarquon for his last film “Being There”.
Three Teeth – finding burly success in road racing during the early seventies these Triumph (& BSA) triples proved to be Stout hearted winners from the likes of Dick Mann, Gene Romero, Don Emde and Paul Smart among others. The Rob North framed machines were a turning point of pre-sixties GP racers and the post seventies two-stroke screamers of the Japanese bikes.
Back Seat – buoyant BSA rider takes a pew on the pillion seat of her ride whilst perusing a love note. There is a comfortable air to this image from a hundred years ago.
T-Shirt – a year-end clear out saw several old tee’s being relegated to cleaning rag status. All had seen better days, and it’ll make room for new Moto-themed tops…
Rocket Goldstar – one of the British motorcycle industry’s sweetest machines is the last iteration of their pre-unit twins. Basically a tuned A10 650 engine with a complete accompaniment of Goldstar goodies: such as the alloy rimmed wheels; rear-sets, and clip-ons from Eddie Dow; a swooping siamese exhaust; close ratio RRT2 gearbox to eke our a hearty 50bhp. All-in-all a Motorcycle capable in both looks and speedy roadworthyness. Wish I still had mine…
X75 Variant- typically the orange and yellow blaze tanked three cylinder Hurricane sits under a Triumph badge. Developed by bodywork guru Craig Vetter they have become much sought after Motorcycles. Here’s something a little more different and in some ways even better looking. A BSA Rocket Three ‘gin shoehorned into a Norton Featherbed frame… NorBSA X75s is the sublime creation. One-Two pipes, alloy rimmed wheels and decent front stoppers say this bike means business.
Kit – simple plastic model of a BSA C15. Grey molding still fresh on the sprue ready for removal and assembly. This looks like a typical 1:32 scale kit. I’d keep it as-is and frame it.
11-11 we’re up to ninety nine years since the armistice of 1918. The end of The Great War… as well as the horror of the trenches, heavy bombardment of the guns, the first aerial bombardment, some units used early motorcycles, such as this BSA, for despatch duty.
Triumph by Vetter – these a lovely looking machines.. a combination of the BSA triple engines and the sleek bodywork of Craig Vetter, visionary motorcycle designer. These saw limited production for the US market to create a trendy look whilst the early Japanese superbike invasion was underway. The color scheme, three into three exhaust, and a solid looking motor give it a confident roadworthy air.
All Fall in – we’re still experiencing unseasonably mild weather for late October day. A good ride out was planned, undertaken and enjoyed.
We stopped off at Morries Place in Ringwood McHenry County before a 40 mike sojourn into Wisconsin. I always enjoy peering at the old stuff Ed Zender has in his ‘showroom’ . A sample of vintage ‘cycles from the 30’s to the 70’s. The signs on the walls a suitable backdrop too. His workshop is lined up with many projects, maintenance jobs and carefully catalogued and shelved parts.
Into the White – studio quality bleached exposure. No distractions, just the flat trackers and the pensive riders waiting for the green light.
Photography by Benedict Redgrove. Project Award.
Association of Photographers Awards 2017
NBT DGR FAB – plenty of vintage motorcycles out on the road last Sunday. These ones in particular piqued my interest. A pre-unit featherbed framed Triton (owned by organizer Larry Fletcher), a BSA C11 single , and a clean example of the great Triumph Trident. Like a one, two, three..
Oval Dirt – history in color! The greats Dick Mann (2) BSA, Gene Romero (20) Triumph, and Mart Lawwill (18) H-D, look beat after what will have been a ‘edge-of-your-seats race.
The Projection – lost under a tarpaulin for several decades here’s a suitable time and money sink. Complete of sorts and a bit of a mongrel with a Beeza pre-unit chassis and similar vintage Triumph engine. It needs elbow grease, vision and moderately deep pockets.
Badge – makers mark or manufactures marque.
Recognition and Trademark are what give these motorcycle companies a dedicated following. Signage of the machine.
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