July 1, 2015
there was plenty of eye candy at Motoblot. Each belonged to a dedicated owner who loves showing off their steed. Each washed to a mirror shine reflecting admirers faces in their perfectly designed curves. Each represents a history unto itself.
What was old now is new:
Indian. The new cruiser looks set for a haul along Route 66 from Chicago to Los Angeles. The old police bike would be a great ‘big road’ rider.
Kawasaki? Team Green knows about power – like this canny Eddie Lawson bicep is set for action.
The Purple People Eater: two stoke powerband terror of the seventies would scare the mane off a lion. The Mach IV
The bumblebee world traveller is the much desired BMW GS1000. Big legs for long distances.
A weary looking edge worn Beemer yearns for Barvarian strasse to plod along…
More fun than a barrel of baby sloth (look it up you’ll agree that’s a lot of fun!)
Posted in 30's, 40's, 70's, 80's, BMW, Chicago, Design, Indian, Kawasaki, Vintage |
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June 30, 2015
one of the best looking bikes last weekend was this superlatively detailed late 70’s Triumph. 
Centrally mounted tachometer bolted onto the usually handlebar clamp holes. The clip-ons mounter directly to the fork tubes. The sage colored tree is a nice touch.
Swing out kicker to clear the rearset pegs. Crinkle textured powder coating covers are a smart touch. Oil piping run in neat ship-shape fashion. 
So clean it makes my grubby oil burned motor look like a disheveled scoot…
Wee oil gauge… Again, blackened valve covers…nice grey tank… Everything so deliberate. Tiger head with two carbs.
All in all a pretty decent machine! 10/10 in my books.
Posted in cafe racer, Chicago, Triumph Motorcycle |
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June 29, 2015
Italian Triple. “Il Bruto” the mighty Jota in glistening orange. It had a radioactive glow in the midday sun.
Cleveland Cycle Works little quarter liter custom scrambler. U.S. Built small Moto with sweet styling suitable for city flitting. It’s like a new version of my Cub…. We’ll write about CCW another time.
Board tracker blitz: twenties Titan for zooming the banked oval. The pure engineering on these things is as brave as the riders who piloted them.
Muscle Magic! Not a bike but by ‘eck it’s a steroid built machine for rippling the Tarmac and busting licenses. It has a 440 7.8l V8 Magnum engine that took the Hemi-Orange monster to Dodges swan song in the 60’s through 70’s muscle car spacerace.
Posted in 60's, 70's, cafe racer, Cars, Chicago, Design, Film and TV, Photography |
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June 28, 2015
There were many Triumph motorcycles there yesterday with the new Bonneville and Thruxton well represented. Each with slight personal variations to provide an individual touch from the proud owners. From an odd decal or handlebar grips to pegs and exhaust. it’s still a very attractive bike in stock or fettled condition…
Posted in Chicago, Triumph Bonneville |
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June 27, 2015
Perfect weather for the annual premiere motorbike gathering today: Motoblot. Hundreds of motos in all shapes and sizes: mostly Triumph with plenty of Ducatis, Beemers, old Hondas and a smattering of American Iron. A backing soundtrack of live rock music and burger ‘n’ beer at the Cobra Lounge pub. Pics will be posted over the next few days…
Posted in cafe racer, Chicago, Triumph Bonneville |
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June 21, 2015
Warm weather with fluffy clouds across a hazy blue sky. It would have been rude not to roll out The Bonnie and take her for a gentle cruise up north. An odd waft of cool air drifted from the Lake gave comfort to the slightly muggy atmosphere. My leather jacket had all vents open and the front zipper down somewhat. Nevertheless the feathers were ruffled and the ride enjoyed.
Posted in Chicago, Photography, Triumph Bonneville |
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May 22, 2015
Got the bike ready for a sunny jaunt tomorrow into Michigan. Memorial Day weekend ahead and the morn is meant to be a sunny day. On the road by 7 so the highway will be lightly trafficked. I’ve put in new clutch springs and set screws to tighten up the plates.
Posted in Chicago, Maintenance, Photography, Triumph Bonneville |
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May 3, 2015
May has well and truly dug it’s teeth into spring! The weather is simply perfect for riding. 70’s with hints of cool air off the lake under clear blue skies. Back roads up through Lake County with trees tinged in fresh green leaf shoots. You can smell growth as the back roads lanes skirt the oak woodland. Emily’s Pancake House in Zion for egg skillets filled grumbling bellies. A grand few miles under the rubber.
Posted in Chicago, Triumph Bonneville |
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April 18, 2015
Pearly Triple: saw this nipping through Chicago traffic earlier today. Triumphs Monster basher the Speed Triple. Narrow purpose with wheels, engine, brakes, suspension, and a seat. A clean machine in Daz White.
Posted in cafe racer, Chicago, Triumph Motorcycle |
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April 12, 2015
Quick outing northward to one of the finer Mexican restaurants in Highwood. They do a mean burrito meal. Good side of fried beans and rice with the usual red or green chile sauce to add zip. Washed down with a fresh glass of horchata.
Oh, and the bikes ran good too…
Posted in Chicago, Triumph Bonneville |
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April 10, 2015
Here is a candy colored selection box of the Triumph offerings at MCC that I saw last weekend.
Speed Triple. Tiger
Speedmaster. Thunderbird. Daytona
Bonneville/Thruxton. Street Triple
Tasty options!
Posted in Chicago, Photography, Triumph Motorcycle |
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April 5, 2015
The weather was perfect for an April ride to sweep the cobwebs out. A jaunt up north along quiet roads (folk are Eastering or Passovering). Late winter trees with hints of budding leaves, the odd swath of cobalt flowering squill, an azure Lake with cooling draughts of air up the ravines. Not bad, nit bad at all. Bonnie is running good too.
Posted in Chicago, Triumph Bonneville |
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April 3, 2015
An evenings chat and local beer with a friend and some of his acquaintances. One of whom had a Norton in his garage, non running, waiting for a rainy day to get back on the road. Sitting since the late eighties we peeked under its protective blankets to see a complete Combat Commando. 1974 750cc in bright yellow.
It certainly wouldn’t take too much effort to get it running again. New tires, battery, plugs, fresh oil, perhaps some gaskets and a carb clean-out.
I think this is what is called mothballed!
Posted in Chicago, Norton, Restoration |
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March 12, 2015
Today on the local Craigslist is a clean three year old Bonnie for just under seven grand. Just over the State line in Fontana Wisconsin.
Posted in Chicago, Triumph Bonneville |
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February 18, 2015
It’s cold cold cold here in Chi-Town. Minus five Fahrenheit tonight. So a venture to the car show down at the vast McCormick Conference Center was in order. Plenty to gawp at. Lots to sit in. Others to shy away from. The all rounder that appealed to me was the 2015 Ford F150 truck. Its aluminum chassis drops a third of a ton of dead weight and the eco-boost 2.6 v6 is meant to be a decent powerplant. Plenty of leg and headroom inside with a spacious back seat crew cab.
The Airstream will be towed ably to destinations galore!
Posted in Cars, Chicago, Travel |
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Kawasaki? Team Green knows about power – like this canny Eddie Lawson bicep is set for action.
More fun than a barrel of baby sloth (look it up you’ll agree that’s a lot of fun!)
geordiebiker.com 