Zen & Now – one of most seminal books to some out of the seventies Zen & the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance (1974) by Robert M. Pirsig became the “On The Road”of its Day. Written as an odyssey of the mind and the search for inner balance it uses a real journey with his son on a Honda CB77 Superhawk 305 from Minnesota to San Francisco. Pirsig, who died yesterday aged 88, sought the metaphysics of Quality, and questioned “what is good?” The motorcycle is the ideal forum for this exploration; be it a vintage cycle or newer moto.
April 25, 2017
Two-Wheeled Philosophy
April 23, 2017
Bumble Bee
Baseball Tee – here’s bike builder Bryan Thompson’s t-shirt for Steve Caballero’s Scout special. I’m ordering one to add to my ever growing tee collection.
April 17, 2017
BikeArt
PopBangColour – Bold artwork in strong colour carried out with a confident hand. This oil pastel looking piece is as lively as an itchy wool sweater. Just enough detail to feel real yet in a looseness to seem that the engine is ticking over.
The artists site is Here.
April 6, 2017
The Polka Dot Scarf
Blue Thursday – absolutely stunning ink drawing by the indomitable Alex Oxley who did some great cartoon motorcyclethemed illustrations in the fifties. His work included ‘It’s Easy on a Triumph’ ads and caricatures of racers of the day. This one captures brush ink work at its best. From the thin line of a delicate nose to a heavy line of the lid and glisten of lipstick. Superb!
April 1, 2017
I’m a lot like you were
Blokey MacBlokeface – after yesterday’s post for the lassies here’s a one for the lads. A leather boy and his greaser quiff kicking an old Bonnie into life. Seems like a happy Ton-Up lad!
March 31, 2017
Woman Strong
Ladybird Biker – handling a powerful machine effortlessly takes confidence, care, caution, and cat-like reflexes. Well, just so happens women have all of these; so I’d be as happy riding alongside a group of gals as blokes, if not more so- there are some real bozo riders out there…
March 30, 2017
Thursday Ride
Mœbius- famed French comic book artist Jean Giraud had an impeccable hand for vivid graphic illustration. Mostly futuristic in vision his imagination stoked the creative minds behind Alien, The Empire Strikes Back, and Blade Runner. Here his moto related style shows off his line, use of color, and balance of the everyday with fantasy. I like how he shows the literbike slightly off the ground to define speed . .ROARRRr!
March 14, 2017
Pi
π – defined as the ratio of a circles circumference to its diameter, this mathematical constant is ubiquitous to the universe. It also has meaning for the motorcycle from Wheels to discs, gears and cogs, dials & caps, and lights.
March 9, 2017
Triton
Tank Art – some cafe youth look on whilst the steadiest hand puts the finishing touches to a mammoth tank for their Triumph Norton hybrid.
March 7, 2017
Ten past Ten
Quelle heure est il? The many faces of Triumph timepieces. One through teelve and zero to sixty; timers and calendars; velocity and minute bezels; leather strap or stainless bracelet. With smartphones watches are becoming defunct, but I’ve gone back to wearing one for ease of timekeeping. The Chronograph lives on!
March 5, 2017
Rx
Lozenge- the prescription for escaping the hubbub of today’s breakneck pace and unrelenting demands is to get out on a motorcycle, find some less trafficked roads and open ‘er up. Three pills, each 650cc, take as often as possible.
March 2, 2017
The Places You’ll Go!
One Wheel, Two Wheel, yellow wheel, cool wheel:
The cat in that hat arrives on vehicular red,
Quite happily riding this balancing sled.
Confounded kit, she bit my mitt; Gloves bee-like they sweep away grit.
So scarper, on highway, fly-away fast;
Ride like the east wind, chased by the west.
Holding on tight, twisting throttle’s a blast!
Go like the clappers, motorcycles are the best.
After Dr Seuss (May 2 1904)
February 27, 2017
Cannon Ammo
Tee Shirt Fashion – wear what you believe! One thing about this ubiquitous short sleeved item of clothing is that they can promote ideas, express thoughts, present art, denote vision, advertise companies; the written word; or a graphic style. It’s like a walking billboard, moving, a breathing gallery. Here are some speed loving characters garbed appropriately in the t-shirt garment: Barry Sheene sporting a Gary Nixon top (Venezuelan rider Johnny Cecotto is seated next to him); Steve McQueen and his Triumph brand across his chest, coffee at the ready; Jackie Stewart and his F1 Elf; and Burt Munro – the worlds fastest Indian.
February 22, 2017
Andy’s friend
Pop Art – like some 60’s Roy Lichtenstein this piece has an exciting dynamism to its layout. As well as the rider coming through a hole in the page, necktie aflutter, the sweeping ink brushwork, and a splayed onomatopoeic engine sound: VROOOOM
February 20, 2017
Impress
Sketchy View – the image filters available as apps can accomplish some marvelous visuals. This linocut one gets a stark graphic of the Bonnie in crisp sunlight.
geordiebiker.com 