Roadside Maintenance | Three biker gals take care of a Bonnie needing a little attention to keep it roadworthy. Those knee high boots are serious attire befitting these badass women.
April 28, 2019
Orange Crush
Marmalade | Ongoing tweaking and fettling of the old Bonnie saw fruition today. New headlight and front indicators working; standard pegs and ‘normal’ bars will get me back on the road vintage style in no time. Kicked over and purred along nicely.
April 7, 2019
I am the Light
Illuminating | Off-season project for the Bonnie. Replacing the headlight to clean-up electrics and lighting. The cafe look has gone with the low bars and rear-sets replaced by more standard fare.
March 31, 2019
Zzzzzzzz
Nessun Dorma | The aria from Puccini’s opera Turandot was famously used for the BBC coverage of the World Cup in ’90. Sung in true maestro style by Pavarotti it was also used by Pirelli tire manufacturer in their late 80’s advertising campaign. Direct translation from the Italian is “None shall sleep” so using it for a tire seems appropriate. So, back to the matter at hand: these are the two tires I got for the Tiger from old new stock at Motoworks yesterday. Knobbly treads for a bit better traction on gravel. I need to go look for some back roads now! Heidenau K60 Scout up front and Continental TKC 80’s in back. This combination is meant to be a good balance for compromise between asphalt and loose dirt.
February 17, 2019
Yours Economically
65 years ago – a page in one of the periodicals of the day. The Thunderbird and Speed Twin extoll their fuel saving worthiness; especially in a Post-War Britain coming out of rationing.
February 11, 2019
Wrenchin’
Oily hands and a 10mm socket – just read about the passing of the creator of the global mechanics phenomenon, known as the Haynes Workshop Manual, John Haynes (1938-2019) aged 80. The step-by-step photographic and illustrative descriptions of dismantling and reassembly was conceived whilst he was a public schoolboy recording the renovation of an Austin Seven into an Austin Seven ‘Special’. The first published book in ’66 was for an Austin Healey Sprite. Hundreds of manuals for cars and motorcycles later the library stretched from the Solo’s Millennium Falcon, Kirk’s Enterprise to NASA’s Space Shuttle, and Apollo.
February 6, 2019
Bookworm
D-I-Y Sometimes you need some ken to be familiar with your interest. A ubiquitous Haynes Service & Repair Manual is an essential reference tome for any self respecting biker.
February 2, 2019
Groundhog Day
One Two Three – here we are in midwinter and the riding season is months away. A plan needs to be put in place to get each of my Triumph ready for their particular outing requirements. The Cub to take to some off road trails in Wisconsin; the Bonneville for some local riding and vintage shows; and the Tiger for long stretches of American highways and backwaters.
January 6, 2019
Do or Do Not… there is no Try
Resolute – It is typical of the New Year for us to put on the mask of Janus and look back at what we achieved (or not) the previous year and thus look forward to the coming twelve months and make a determination of what we want to achieve. Usually in an effort to better ourselves; and, in a way, make this time we have count. Me? I’m not a big one for ‘resolutions’ but it’s fun to think of things that you would like to try and do. A list you ask? Well, here goes:
- Write/Illustrate a children’s book.
- Ride the Triumph Tiger more.
- Sketch more.
- Ride the Lake Michigan loop.
- Fettle the Bonneville for occasional vintage runs.
- Get the Cub out onto some off-road shenanigans.
April 22, 2018
South Western
Motoworks – open house down at Johnny Scheff’s excellent dealership. Triumph, Ducati, Royal Enfield and Vespa all represented. Service also caters for BMW. Sunny weather, burgers and good chat. The vintage license plate with 68 GIT was an old Bonnie.
March 15, 2018
Et tu Brute?
Beware the Ides of March- located at 7922 State St Midvale Utah lies the overburdened establishment known as Caesar’s Motorcycle Empire. Local character Caesar Boswell was connected with Draper Widowmaker Hillclimb and was a source of parts and information on many makes of bike. It’s like an Aladdin’s Cave for two-wheeled aficionados.
February 12, 2018
Kat Huis
Mannenhuishouding – another Dutch illustration, this time from the quirky humor of Kaart Marius van Dokkum. Titled Man Housekeeping it depicts the perfect abode for a motorcycle bachelor: small kitchen, comfy chair, cats, a window, more cats, an old PC, and cats.
February 6, 2018
Slight rust, found in hedge
Ran when parked – however if it was parked in a damp chicken coop then it’s probably too far gone to fulfill the dream, and empty the coffers, of a restorer. Better just wipe ’em down with an oily rag and prop ’em against the wall as a warning to those who set their sights too high…
December 16, 2017
A plan so cunning you could put a tail on it and call it a weasel.
Recuperation Plans – when you’re idle unable to get much done other than rest, read and recover; it’s a perfect time to devise schemes for future projects… this mostly complete ’74 Trident is sitting on Ed Zender’s showroom floor waiting for some unsuspecting soul who needs to tinker…
December 6, 2017
Morpheus
Insomnia Mechanics – a wide-eyed and wakeful Robert Crumb -like character has a fitful nocturne wondering about the engine reassembly. A three dimensional jigsaw that must come to life upon completion. A cup of Horlicks on the bedside table is needed, with a workshop manual on hand, and a cat on the bed to keep you company.
geordiebiker.com 