August 22, 2017
Pumping Iron – each of these were forces to be reckoned with in their day. From the ’71 BSA Rocket Three which briefly had its moment in the spotlight before Honda’s CB750 turned up on the scene. Honda’s 450 Black Bomber heralded reliability in mechanics and electrics. The scaremongering H2 Mach IV 750 from Kawasaki to quote a contemporary Moto journalist “scarily fast, good-looking, no holds barred motorcycle”.
Finally the grandsire of all modern superbikes Kawasaki’s Kz900. The example here was sublime in finish, a looked like its engine was straining at the seams for a good thrash along the highway. It was also for sale…
Posted in 60's, 70's, BSA, Engineering, Honda, Kawasaki, Photography, Restoration |
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August 3, 2017
Morrie’s Place – the busy workshop at Ed Zenders place is a hive of activity. With all four workstands taken up with motorcycles under repair, a workbench full of engines, parts, tools; and more bikes awaiting attention, there’s a healthy dose of work in this great vintage ‘shop. Overhead the old signs herald days past when more local garages kept owners rides roadworthy.
Posted in 50's, 60's, BSA, Chicago, Engineering, Maintenance, Photography, Restoration, Triumph Motorcycle |
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June 7, 2017
War Machine – BSA M20 in military patina. In marvelous aged appearance; the greyed olive drab is ready to thump over European lanes.
Posted in 40's, BSA, Military |
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May 31, 2017
B.S.A. Scaled – just finished this little Tamiya BSA M20 model kit. First one I’ve built for thirty odd years. 1:35 scale with darned small waterslide transfers. I have the rider and bike in courier colors but this would have been the model my grandfather rode across North Africa during WW2. Next throwback hobby: balsa Spitfire!
Posted in 40's, BSA, Military, Toy Motorcycle |
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April 20, 2017
Whit a Gas! – Dusty trail across a rocky Mediterranean isle. An Indian Sikh despatch rider putting on his gas mask during a 50-mile motorcycle trial in Cyprus, 3 March 1942. A well worn BSA M20. The
Posted in 40's, BSA, Military, Photography |
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February 14, 2017
L❤️VE IS – gazing adoringly at the sublime lines of classic British motorcycle engines. They are the pulsing heart of these machines; the very cardiac cycle of an industries history. These examples were beautiful examples of their marque on display at the motorcycle show.
Posted in 50's, 60's, BSA, Chicago, Norton, Photography, Triumph Motorcycle, Vincent |
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December 26, 2016
Faith – sadly 2016 took another noted musician from us; this time George Michael who passed away earlier today at 53. His eighties hits were well played tunes of a generation: Wake me up, before you go-go; Last Christmas; Careless Whisper. This leather jacket was worn in his Faith video from 1987.
Posted in 80's, BSA, Clothing, Motorcycle Art, Music |
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December 16, 2016
Seaside Sunshine – in the midst of this wintry grapple we need some warm scene to remind us of summer delight. This BSA C15 250cc in splendid fire engine red looks quite the part standing proudly on a quayside. A yacht moored in an azure bay looks enticing but our swimsuit garbed gal seems happy enough on the Birmingham singles saddle.
“Halcyon” is a name for a bird in Greek legend generally associated with the kingfisher. There was an ancient belief that the bird nested on the sea, which it calmed in order to lay its eggs on a floating nest. Two weeks of calm weather were therefore expected around the winter solstice. This myth leads to the use of halcyon as a term for peace or calmness.
Posted in 60's, BSA, Gals, Graphics, Motorcycle Poster |
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December 11, 2016
Poster – strong graphical imagery for the Small Heath armory and motorcycle makers. From gun to enjun they were one of the big British exports during the days of the Empire. The pre unit twin cylinder motor is the centerpiece of this ‘colliery banner’.
Posted in 50's, BSA, Design, Graphics, Motorcycle Poster |
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December 10, 2016
BSA Bobber print – crisp ink impression of a lowrider Beeza by artist Blake Wiley. Thumbprint signature is a neat touch.
Posted in Bobber, BSA, Design, Motorcycle Art, Motorcycle Poster |
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November 7, 2016
Ickle Motosickle – Small Heath cuteness. One seven five cee cee’s. Everything was in miniature on it, the speedo was like a wristwatch. It would make a good city runabout for one of smaller stature. My six five would be too comic. The two-stroke needs pre-mix using the tank cap instructions. There are rumors of close to half a million of these built and distributed to all corners of the globe. This is a nifty survivor.
Posted in 50's, BSA, Maintenance |
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November 6, 2016
Tanks a Lot – one of the reasons for scooting about the boonies beyond Chicagoland yesterday was to stop in to see Ed Zender at Morries Place in Ringwood. I enjoy just looking around the place; always interesting British esoterica on hand to ogle. Some of the classic details are just marvellous to peruse: the sunny orange and chrome Victor tank; worn out pinstriping over a sky blue AJS tank; mid century orange scheme on the chrome framed Rickman; and the jewel-like ruby starburst badge on a Lightning. Better than an art gallery for me….
Posted in 60's, BSA, Design, Graphics, Motorcycle Art, Photography, Triumph Motorcycle |
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October 10, 2016
Philatelist – beautiful classic British bikes adorn these stamps used to mail letters, postcards, and parcels across the country & world. Issued on July 19, 2005. QE2 looks one way while the motos head the other.
Posted in BSA, Design, Graphics, Motorcycle Art, Norton, Triumph Motorcycle, Vincent |
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October 2, 2016
Coming or Going – a gorgeous 650 BSA Lightning prepared by Spain’s La Raiz garage.
Posted in 60's, BSA, Restoration |
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September 28, 2016
Black ‘n’ White & Red all over – more goodies spied at the weekend. A one lunged shark motif Suzuki grimacing down the road. The half century patina on an original complete Triumph Cub. The beautiful lines of a BSA A10 with stacked rifle emblem on the three cornered timing cover. And the L-twin Ducati which in this case included a bevel drive sight glass, polished tank completed the cafe style.
All good stuff.
Posted in 60's, BSA, cafe racer, Design, Ducati, Photography, Triumph Cub |
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Pumping Iron – each of these were forces to be reckoned with in their day. From the ’71 BSA Rocket Three which briefly had its moment in the spotlight before Honda’s CB750 turned up on the scene. Honda’s 450 Black Bomber heralded reliability in mechanics and electrics. The scaremongering H2 Mach IV 750 from Kawasaki to quote a contemporary Moto journalist “scarily fast, good-looking, no holds barred motorcycle”. 
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