We had an exciting aerial excursion above the worldly skyscrapers if Chicago over the weekend. Marvelous clear blue-sky weather greeted our small whirlybird as we soared over the city’s highlights: ball-fields, harbors, parks, beaches, downtown, museums amongst it all. The Willis Tower and John Hancock stood mightily above all.
My perch in the front next to the pilot gave an clear panoramic view envious of all bar the birds.
Last evenings car show was a grand wee trip: a jaunt along Dempster to Prospect Heights and a line-up in the Metra parking lot of choice American automobiles.
Top: Chevrolet Impala, Bel Air, Corvette.
Middle: V8 Hot Rod, Ford Edsel, Cadillac model 75
Bottom: Pontiac GTO, Grande Parisienne, Chevy Corvette (C1)
When the weather forecast says we might see upper eighties and high humidity I don’t head inland. Instead by keeping within a mile or two of Lake Michigan its cooling effect can refresh perfect leafy roads. Forest Way: the few mile winding lane along the lagoons is such a short respite from the world of nearby busy Saturday traffic.
A refreshing Coke (Mexican style in a glass bottle made from cane sugar) whetted my whistle at a quick stop at Bob’s Pantry opposite the Ravinia Metra Station. All in all a nice wee jaunt…
A collage of the numerous Triumphs seen at Mods vs Rockers. Enjoyed ’em all!
Threesome japanesewise today:let’s start with the Black Bomber, a four fifty twin from the sixties that gave the British Iron a run for their money… Before the CB750 came along then it was ” Game Over”. Good styling marked by the monochromatic ebony, silver, gray scheme.
Add a fairing and classic Honda racing colors, silver, red and yellow, then we have a speed contender. Road going speed jinx here we come!
This really is choice…
…….. Finally a diminutive piece of fun: the Monkey Bike. Shrek on the wee chair give giggles. The minimoto itself has several aftermarket upgrades to improve performance and raise fun levels.
The Latin moto’s were well represented at the Rally with numerous latter day Ducati’s as well as a few select Mediterranean marvels. Of course this older single Duc 250 Scrambler gives enjoyable views of its bevel driven engineering. A cousin to my Cub project?
Then some bearded feller came rumbling in on this Guzzi combination, resplendent in red, it looks like a comfy drive for captain and passenger alike. Plenty of storage room to tote a picnic along the Po river visiting villas and gardens.
And finally, though not leastly, a 350 Moto Morini. A little cracker of a v-twin that gives the owner plenty of notice with the head turning this racer will enjoy.
The annual Mods versus Rocker motorcycle & scooter rally is on this coming weekend. This year it is on Lawrence Avenue at the Aragon Ballroom carpark. The bike will be ready this time to scoot down there and be in the line-up of the numerous motos. Doc Martens, denim and levvers! Rock On!
Out for a Sunday ride: a wee bit chilly but with the odd peep of sun to brighten the road up. Spring leaves flushing out overhead and early blooms adorning the shrubberies.
Dean kicks his Bonnie into life. Mine had a rough throttle pick-up which I need to see to. Hacky dorty carbs, points to readjust, or even a little electrical hiccup …
Plenty of smashing cars at the Auto Show but the 911 Carrera 4S sure looked purdy… Its sparky twilight blue gave those classic Porsche lines a a pleasing appearance. Hints of the exactly half Century original design shine through. From its nose to its tail.
I bet it goes and stops like the best of ’em! I know it’s out of the realm of my ownership but I can look…
One notable two-wheeler was seen last evening at the Auto Show: a custom Harley Davidson propped up next to an all black ’69 GTO. The engine was a shiny piece of art and the cycle work a careful balance of cleanliness and line. For example the rear drum brake was hydraulically activated with the line running within the frame tubes, a suicide gear lever under the left thigh and omitted front brake as well as the throttle lines inside the handlebars created the perfect minimal handlebars. p.s. this moto is actually an award winning custom chopper by Gas Monkey Garage which is televised for The Discovery Channel’s Fast ‘n’Loud show.
The black car? A slick ripplin’ black highway speedster.
Here’s a stock photo of FRED, in the desert… The rose color looks canny under a bright sun with a scrub landscape behind it and blacktop stretching into the distance.
Four Wheels Good: well sometimes! Under the glistening lights of the vast halls of the McCormick Convention Center the Chicago Auto Show displays the latest in automobile offerings. Of course the common or garden varieties are there but I like to look at the tasty fast, expensive and unattainable autos…
Jaguar F Type sport model sir? Yes please!
The brand spanking new Corvette Stingray? Abso-bloody-lutely!
John Cooper Works Mini? Aye aye captain!
Well what about an old late 1940’s Ford Truck? Could be just the ticket! And price!
The weather was in the unseasonable sixties today so the two Bonnie’s, both Deans and mine, were wheeled out and we wound our way northward along the well worn direction of Sheridan Road. The sun kept breaking through a haze of clouds through the leafless trees with promises of Spring rides months hence…
September weather hits it’s stride this weekend. Perfect skies… Gotta make the most of it before winter thwarts road going efforts and maintenance beckons…
Dean and I took Sheridan up to Zion just before the Wisconsin border then hung a left westward along Rt 173 across the bucolic Lake Co. (well the odd patch and roadside glimpse!) we reached Hunt Club Road, typical horse country with stables, barns and paddocks lining the lanes. A few winding stretches with a the heady late summer wildflower meadows scent following our Triumphs twins crackling engines. A few meanders along River Road and St. Mary’s and back into Highwood. A tremendous wee jaunt on a smashing day. Both ‘cycles running good. I attempted on-board photography with my Nikon mounted on a spar in front of the handlebars; my beam was too springy so some images came out somewhat juddery looking…
However a few worked:
The skies were blue, the air a perfect warmth and nearby roads had just the right amount of left and right handers. Twist the throttle and go!
I popped into Ace Motorcycle & Scooter earlier today to get a couple of service items to fettle some old points I’ve gained from EBay. They have the parts but the owner/Brit bike specialist wasn’t there so I’ll have them mail the items to me. This place is backed-up with motos awaiting work to the gunwales. The popularity of old bikes in Chicago means they need another Good mechanic. Not easy to find! However this place gets good feedback.
geordiebiker.com 