An early brochure cover from Triumph Motors (the Best Motorcycle in the World) shows the swooping R into the H, still part of the logo today nearly a century on. The illuminated script appearance give a sacred reverence to the name. And Lo! It did come to pass in the land of angels that there was a vehicle of conveyance balanced upon two wheels that did speed along…
…did Kubla Khan A stately pleasure-dome decree
Where Ralph, the sacred rider ran
Through caverns measureless to man
Down to a sunless sea.
after Samuel Taylor Coleridge
An unbadged (why?) Triumph Thunderbird used to great effect as an African explorers mode of transport. Hitch up yer skort pet, kick ‘er over and cavort along the rugged track into the Rwenzori Mountains. (not with those heeled sandals she’s not!)
“Dr Livingstone I presume?”
A book cover graphic with a whizzing wheeled, wheelie-jumping twin ridden by begoggled rider; possibly a Triumph or Norton. Great 70’s look and neat title: ‘Wonder’ being the operative word. I wonder what goodies would be found in these pages….
…it seems to cover everything about motorcycling! It’s also written by a certain Robin Lawrie; my fathers name. I’ll have to search out a copy for my motolibrary.
Hugh Jackman a.k.a. Wolverine is a keen motorcyclist it seems. Being seen here with a nice looking 70’s Bonnie.
Of course in the X-Men: Origins movie has Jacko haring around on a big American Iron. Get those claws out!
Would make a great upper arm tat; but alas my better ‘alf would kill me!
The fifties and sixties saw a refreshing style in the graphic arts as well as product design. Eames’, Saarinen, Nelson et al. Here is a threesome of Meriden product promotion in slick and swift handed period illustration.
The first is a pair of Trophy towed by a Ford Cortina (I recall the tail-light of the Mk 1 my Pa had in the mid 70’s)
Fourth in the series so far: previously a cup of tea at the racetrack, ufo catching and supersonic jet wheel changing! Here we’re escaping angry native across a precarious tree trunk bridge. All part of a movie it seems.
The quite beautiful French model Audrey Marnay shows off a new accessory from the Longchamps range of fashion luggage sitting atop a gorgeous Norton Moto.
A Logo used for a couple of years (1932-33) on the early models was this globe variant. Here shown on what could be a 2/1 250cc or 6/1 650cc designed by Val Page.
Here is a stunning example of a NT500 from 1933, the worldly badge just visible. Remember this was the time of the SS100 Brough Superior ‘Superbikes’!
I enjoy looking at the various ways riding is captured with the image; one simple one is the ride-along shot. Here it’s taken with a little more angled cropping to achieve a dynamic view, effective with great early 70’s Triumph and bubble visored rider who is obviously intent on the open road ahead. Just need to find myself a photographer as well as driver to go alongside me to get some similar shots…
Nice clean graphic of the logo name and a quarter of the Union Flag,
No riding this weekend, but a couple of fun motorcycle themed items seen at the Wicker Park Renegade Craft Fair and Wolff’s Flea Market respectively. A ceramic tile to dress up your workshop backsplash; and a kids bike, pedla power, looking like a v-twin.
The moto-graphic on the tile is an interesting take on two wheeled transport; I can’t tell if it’s a Harley or Ariel.
I can see a young (very!) Geordie Biker riding one of these along Brommey Road in Wooler back in the mid-70’s! It looks like fun, just needs a card in the spokes for a motorcycle noise…
geordiebiker.com 