‘Ard as Nails – superb ink drawing of Tank Girl on a heavy booted Norton from the capable illustrator hand of Jamie Hewlett.
December 14, 2018
Miss Fuzzy Breeches
One Million Years – Chicagoan Raquel Welch stirred the hearts of many a red blooded male in the 60’s as Loana the Fair One dressed in a chamois bikini amidst a world of dinosaurs. She keeps the look on the right side of this triptych with s Vespa scooter. But the centerpiece is a smiling lass astride a Norton. Honest happiness of a smoldering brunette who swept away the submissive blond bombshell of previous sex symbols and led the way for stronger women in the limelight.
August 24, 2018
Magnifying Moto’s
Close-Up – finishing off the week with some choice details of several motorbikes from last weekend. From Arial, Honda, Kawasaki, BMW, to Norton and Triumph. Some original, some personalized; from badges to pinstripes; tank, fairing, frame and fender.
August 8, 2018
Forked Tongue
Chopper Wednesday – stretched and wrung out: these Brit iron have been chopped into next week. Including a rosy red hardtail Trident with double decker headlight and stepped king and queen seat, as well as a ape hangered Bonnie with taller than an elephants eye sissy bar seat with quilt buttoned saddlework. The Norton in the lower right frame could be restored to original fairly easily but you’d be brave to keep the flamed tank.
Easy Rider? Sure ask Captain America for directions!
July 13, 2018
I’m gonna miss you so
Bye Bye Birdie – Norton Atlas provides are very apt machine for Ann Margaret and Jesse Pearson in the titular sixties musical comedy. Portraying Kim MacAfee, the movies teenage protagonist and Conrad Birdie,the heartthrob crooner, respectively the characters get up to all sorts of period Hollywood high jinx. Another Norton “650 Manxman” was also used.
June 19, 2018
One, Two, Three, Four
Four Square- more offerings from the Ringwood motorcycle emporium. Delicious BSA Goldstar in immaculate condition, one lung and splendid mirrored chrome tank emblazoned with the gold star representing Wal Handley’s ton lap at Brooklands in ’37. Green lane ready Triumph Trophy Trail, half liter of long legged fun. Norton & Beeza goodies: one a TT special willing for speed, the other a doughty sloper ready for a lazy countryside jaunt. Finally a hefty Laverda 3C Triple, 1000cc of Italian grunt; just need a quiet afternoon along Lago Maggiore…
April 21, 2018
Play Well
LEGO – a brick set from the mid seventies just when I was taking notice of motorbikes. Not bad when there was limited styles of pieces.
April 20, 2018
Friday friends
Commanding pose – beautiful black & white photography by the talented Giles Clements of a serious lass, half akimbo, and shouldered jacket stance by a splendid Norton. Great balance of dark/light, shadow/highlight, form/space.
April 19, 2018
Nostalgia
Boyhood Desire – this is the oldest memory of things two-wheeled: the Black and Gold Norton Commando. As pointed in use as a Fairbairn Sykes fighting knife used by the Scottish Highland trained Special Forces.
April 14, 2018
Shoot
Smart attire – Motorsports photographer Don Morley looks seriously dapper with his Trials Norton. His career capturing action of two and four wheels is legendary. Being an author his several books surveying classic British motorcycles are also considered legend. A lifelong trials rider he obviously enjoyed life behind the handlebars as well as a professional one behind the viewfinder.
March 21, 2018
The Westland Wet
Tarzan – 1975 July 17th, here we see Shadow Minister for Industry Michael Heseltine peering at what looks like the meager leftovers of a once vibrant motorcycle industry. A two-stroke 125 Norton Villiers Triumph sitting all slick looking with nowhere to go… The setting is the Royal Automobile Club RAC headquarters in Pall Mall. NVT chairman Dennis Poole isn’t amused as he looks on. Heseltine cut a controversial swathe through British politics from the seventies to the millennium under Heath, Thatcher and Major. He could swing a mace too! He’s 85 today.
March 5, 2018
Hang Loose
Bike Club: “The first rule of Bike Club is: you do not talk about Bike Club.” Ed Norton takes possession of a terrific Thruxton and signs-off with the surfers Shaka gesture.
March 1, 2018
Synthesizer Scoot
ELP – Prog Rock piano and keyboard master Keith Emerson astride his aped Norton Commando clad in full leathers. Forming the group The Nice he developed a mix of classic, rock, jazz, blues, and boogie-woogie amongst others first on a Hammond organ and later on a Moog. I would hope he took musical inspiration whilst hating around on his black motorcycle.
January 18, 2018
Bike British
NVT – as the motorcycle industry’s last gasping breaths rattled across 70’s Britain the offerings from the combined Norton Villiers Triumph were what held the meager company together. Commando’s, Trident, & John Player Racer. Classic stuff. Powerstuff!
December 30, 2017
Wearables
T-Shirt – a year-end clear out saw several old tee’s being relegated to cleaning rag status. All had seen better days, and it’ll make room for new Moto-themed tops…
