My earliest football memory is watching the great Brazilian player Pelé fly gracefully across a pitch and seem to magically transform the ball into a floating orb. He was a champion for the sport and a global ambassador for sportsmanship. I found a couple of magazine advertisements in Portuguese for a Honda 125, which I’m sure was sold by the stadium load in that country. Soichiro Honda is seen with Pelé in the center image. Brazil became a major manufacturing location for the smaller Hondas.
It would have been James Hunt’s 75th birthday yesterday (29th). However he sadly died back in ‘93 aged 45. Along with the likes of Barry Sheene and, as here on this Honda 750, Mike Hailwood, he epitomized the British racer of the 70’s. Photo taken at Brands Hatch.
– a pretty black standard bike spied on a street near work today. This big Honda was introduced ten years ago as a basic big motorcycle. Gentleman qualities in a tuxedo finish.
Sid James (1913-1976) – hairdresser from Johannesburg, though he also claimed a boxer, diamond cutter and dance tutor, became one of the most recognized comedy actors in the UK with the double-entendred Carry-On film. Starring in 19 of them his dirty laugh became synonymous with seaside postcard humour. To celebrate his birthday I found this image of on a Honda Monkey CT-70 on Brighton Pier.
– With the strategic game of chess being all the rage right now here’s another motorcycle riding monarch to post. Singer, actress, rapper, producer, talk show host: Queen Latifah has been owner of many types of bike including sports bike, custom and adventure.
Honda’s racing vee twin was team Red’s attempt to show Ducati how to beat ‘em at their own game in the Superbike World Championship. Of course a cat on board adds further coolness to the proceedings.
– this clean example of Honda’s long serving early powerhouse was parked outside my office yesterday. 1980 CB750K DOHC – it’s an immaculate restoration looking cleaner than a fresh off the floor model.
The Future Was Here | The imaginative illustrations of Syd Mead spoke of a streamlined and slick world of cool architecture and knife-sharp cars. This Honda 3000 has hints of Kaneda’s bike from ’89 Manga animation Akira. Mead developed the feel of dystopian Blade Runner and the computer integration of Tron. Syd passed away yesterday at the age of 86.
Brothers in Arms | 80’s supergroup Dire Straits was fronted by guitarist maestro Mark Knopfler. As well as a love of the creation of music he has also had a lifelong keen interest in motorcycles. This black Honda VFR is a smart looking steed.
Bayou Biker | CCR frontman John Fogarty hoofing around on a Honda Scrambler – Creedence Clearwater Revival were a mainstay of late sixties music with their early progressive swamp rock sound.
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