This is where motorcycling really comes into itself. The road with curves, bends, esses, right handers, sharp left turns, chicanes, swoopers, and all corners where destination isn’t important.
August 15, 2014
Try Ted’s…
A poster with all necessary upgrades for your desert sled from some moto magician Edward in SoCal. What a machine! Its period precision for arid adventures.
A mag strip ad promoting machines for the ‘serious’ rider. Here’s a couple of old lads looking like they were sand bled for a few thousand miles: one in original wear, another spruced up somewhat.
High pipes, q filter, knobbly tires, thick seat. Ted setup, or something inspired by that! By the T-shirt if you can!
August 13, 2014
Three Pee’s
Yup: that about sums it up! In its day a machine to be reckoned with… This smiling fella looks like he’s pushing his. I’ve been there! But it does look nice!
Peerless
Purposeful
Perfection
July 28, 2014
Romanes eunt domus…
On the Embankment steps just below Big Ben is the bronze statue of Boudica and her daughters in a chariot behind a rearing horse. That’s the front hoof we see in this BSA advert for the indomitable Spitfire. Queen Boudica (or Boadicea) was the mashalling force of an uprising against Roman occupation in 60ad. Despite her defeat she is passed down the ages as a hero queen. Revived in the Nineteenth Century it was Queen Victoria who took on a modern embodiment of the Iceni Celtic tribe leader – Victoria is a literal translation of Boudicea “Victorious”. Indeed the Roman name for the island colony, Britannia, took a new life during the Empires reign when the British Navy controlled the Seas. Inscribed on Thomas Thornycrofts statue’ plinth are words:
“Regions Caesar never knew
Thy posterity shall sway.”
By William Cowper 1784
The British motorcycle industry held much sway during its reign and thus BSA was at the head of the line in its day. And what now? Well the latest Triumphs surely give Ducati’s a run for their money… “Romani ite domus!” As Brian would daub a hundred times in giant red letters…
May 10, 2014
Record Breakers
Fifty Five years ago: from the Tigress moped, Tiger Cub, Thunderbird, the Bonneville; all sold on the promise, and proven speed, of superiority on the road. The Record was Johnny Allen’s Devils Arrow which, under the methanol fuelling reached a two-pass speed of 193.3 mph with a 650 Triumph engine.
May 2, 2014
Don’t Blink (•)
Don’t Draper couldn’t have said it any better: like some promotional imagery straight from the booze guzzling, cigarette smoking, sex addict ad agency cats of New Yorks Madison Avenue in the sixties. Clean graphics, straight to the point and makes sure the guy gets the gal with his Bonneville.
April 19, 2014
Window Shopping
A couple gaze adoringly at a possible new two-up ride. The shiny moto peers back at them coolly knowing they’ll undoubtedly make the purchase. This magazine cover has the typical B&W with color printing of the time for uncomplicated presentation. Nearly newspaper like.
April 18, 2014
Bert Piddock is the man!
I need me this instruction manual for the reassembly…. A step-by-step photographic explanation of the strip-down and bolt-together of this diminutive power plant.
April 2, 2014
Hare & Hound
For any Mad March Hares lolloping around here’s a race poster for a Big Bear event where our top marque topped the leader board. I’d love the idea of 150 miles on the varied terrain aboard a sled would be a heap o’ fun but exhausting.
March 16, 2014
The idyll of a coastal tour.
The salt air, bobbing cobles, oily quaysides and the promise of a fresh fish and chip dinner… On top of that all undertaken aboard a Triumph motorcycle. Halcyon Days!
March 11, 2014
Jenny Wren
The Women’s Royal Navy Service was an auxiliary group to support the naval arm during WWII. They took over land based tasks so that all able bodied men could be aboard ship. “Become a Wren – Free up a man for the Fleet!”
One duty was as dispatch riders ensuring secure document communication could be maintained between the Admiralty, its harbored fleet and the Commanding Chiefs if Staff in London.
Here’s one such dicky bird on her Triumph at work with courier satchel. They carried out a crucial role especially during the Battle of Britain when keen motorcycling skills through the bombed streets of the capital were key to the success of the countries defense.
Buckingham Palace acts as a backdrop as this lass kicks over the very capable 3H single cylinder 350. Which were a bargain in 1938…
Here’s one of those enlisting posters…
Very smart they looked in their uniforms too: double breasted suit with tricorne hat.
“Hoist up the Union Jack lads!”
February 11, 2014
Boys
A fairground ride to excite any young lad dreaming of speed and adventure on two wheels. They appear to be miniature Beemers so this could be a German attraction. Intent riders and smiles galore nonetheless.
February 9, 2014
Unapproachable
Singles: gotta love ’em! Especially the Norton. Race bike extraordinaire with looks to match.
This striking poster says it all: tested in the anger of speed competition, ready for action.
Here’s a pristine example of a 1948 model. The silver/grey with black look perfect for the Norton. Its like a period black and white photograph brought to life.
January 2, 2014
January the Second
A braw Scot’s based advert proclaiming the virtues of another mode of transport in the garage… Thus could be revisited for today! Perhaps it could say: ” make your first car a motorcycle!”
Again, good clean graphics of a cartoon nature. Two-color printing used to great effect from the kilts tartan, swooshing scarf, and the red “2”.
September 24, 2013
Alphabet Moto Soup
Honda
BSA
Cagiva
Ducati’s
Peugeot or Daimler
F.B. Mondial
Moto Guzzi
Hodaka ?
Indian
Jaws
Kawasaki
Laverda
Matchless
Norton
Ossa
Parilla
Husqvarna
Royal Enfield
Suzuki
Triumph
Ural
Velocette
BMW
X
Yamaha
Zundapp
Poster available here:
iron lung vintage typography poster
geordiebiker.com 