January 22, 2016
Philanthropist Aileen Webb (1892-1979) was instrumental in promoting crafts, handmade goods and the arts. Brought up in the Hudson Valley and married into the Vanderbilt family her influence helped create the American Craft Council and later on the World Craft Council. The latter being formed in 1964 to: “promote fellowship, foster economic development through income generating craft related activities, organize exchange programs, workshops, conferences, seminars, and exhibitions—and in general, to offer encouragement, help, and advice to the craftspersons of the world.”
I like Texas the red hat echoes the Norton emblazoned tank.
Posted in 60's, Gals, Norton |
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January 16, 2016
Luca Ruggeri Comics
An Italian Moto artist creates biker art in a comic style with statement… A selection of British bikes are represented here:
Manx rocker with big cylinder Norton.
Cafe Commando in featherbed.
Vacationing on a sport bike.
The devil rides out.
Caraibi: Italian for Caribbean.
Posted in cafe racer, Motorcycle Art, Norton, Triumph Motorcycle |
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January 15, 2016
An awfully big adventure. Alan Rickman toted around in vintage style on a Norton as thespian P.L. O’Hara. Like his part within a park Captain Hook he meets a watery demise.
A distinctive and sonorous voice, he always played a good ‘baddie’.
Alan Rickman 1946-2015
Posted in Film and TV, Movie, Norton |
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December 23, 2015
On the ninth day of Christmas my true love gave to me:
Nine Rockets rockin’
Eight Dommies roarin’
Seven Comets thumpin’
Six Lightings flashin’
Five Golden Stars!
Four AJ’s harin’
Three Cafe’s brewin’
Two Bonnie’s beltin’
And a Vincent doin’ the ton along the A3!
Posted in 60's, BSA, cafe racer, Music, Norton, Photography, Triumph Bonneville, Vincent |
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October 15, 2015
Early sixties New Jersey scene with a pair of greasers and their aped, bobbed, whitewall tired bikes. The BSA on the left looks like an A10 Rocket Goldstar. Both it and the Norton Atlas appear brand new too. Halcyon days just before the British Invasion lead by John, Paul, George & Ringo.
Posted in 60's, BSA, Norton, Photography |
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September 23, 2015
The superlative cop show from the eightie, though predominantly based here in Chicago- it portrayed an ‘anytown’ city and its gritty policing procedures. Tonight a rerun of episode #139 “Norman Conquest” saw the hotheaded Renko seeing his stolen Norton 750 roaring past. Getting a fair insurance claim for a vintage motorcycle theft he has to sadly dispose of it… Running it riderless into an alley wall.
Posted in 80's, Film and TV, Norton |
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September 1, 2015
Dr Oliver Sacks the world renowned neurologist passed away last weekend at the age of 82. I life exploring the inner workings of the mind and consciousness, identity and memory.
He was portrayed by Robin Williams in the film Awakenings, based on one of his many books about patient cases.
He was also a biker: here, a young faced rider grinning widely after a hare about on a classic Norton Dominator DeLuxe 600.
He was also a big swimmer, an early muscular physique show off his powerful arms and legs. Again a solid motorcycle his steed. At this time in the early sixties he also sampling in the hallucinogenic drugs of the time “pharmacological experimentation”; further expanding his mind.
Posted in 60's, BMW, Norton, Photography |
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August 31, 2015
As the imminent departure from the basement workshop of the Cub approaches I’ll need to start looking for something else to keep me ‘out of trouble’.
A Norton Commando was one of the first motorbikes I can remember. To me it embodies the free spirit of two-wheel’d travel. Black with gold pinstriping…
Do I dare make an offer? I’d better check with the missus…
Posted in 70's, Norton, Project, Restoration |
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August 20, 2015
Norton is the black sheep of the British motorcycling family. Sitting somewhat in the shadows of Triumph & BSA it quietly swept the board at the racetrack over half a century. Legend on the track and trusted in the road owners were a dedicated bunch.
The local Norton Owners Club were out in force at the weekend: I saw ten bikes lined up from the single International in both original oily patina to pristine polish, through a bevy of Commandos to the new kid on the block from Castle Donnington, the 961.
A Colorado Norton Works example of an updated Commando sparkled in the blazing sun. Engine internals given a thorough fettling to disc brakes up front and modern rubber ‘underfoot’.
Grey with black banding and red pinstripe: truly understated but totally recognizable is the Norton look.
A raindrop line is the most natural aerodynamic shape to cut through wind.
Citrus Zest in this near liter twin. It look the business.
Bug eyed JPS racer. The original legal hooligan bike? A quick smoke with a packet of John Players before a burn up along the North Circular?
Posted in Norton |
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August 9, 2015
Enjoy the visual art that these two classic racing motors exude. The perfect balance of form & function with refinement to an engineering requirement achieved a purity in appearance. They both hold a special place in the history of motorcycles. The Norton International stamped its name on the gladiatorial stay circuit at the Isle of Man. The BSA Goldstar was the superbike of its day. If you wanted to be notices AND be at the front of the pack then this was your machine. DBD34
Posted in 50's, BSA, Engineering, Norton, Racing |
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August 6, 2015
and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?
Posted in Norton, Writing |
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June 5, 2015
Scottish heavy metal band Nazareth had a fantastic hit in ’75 with the posts titular name:
Heart breaker, soul shaker
I’ve been told about you
Steamroller, midnight stroller
What they’ve been saying must be true
Red hot mama
Velvet charmer
Time’s come to pay your dues
Now you’re messin’ with a
A son of a bitch
Now you’re messin’ with a son of a bitch
Now you’re messin’ with a
A son of a bitch
Now you’re messin’ with a son of a bitch
Talkin’ jivey, poison ivy
You ain’t gonna cling to me
Man taker, born faker
I ain’t so blind I can’t see.
Nortons rotary F1 was their last hurrah into early nineties racing actually taking a win at the Isle of Man TT with Steve Hislop at the controls. Many consider Hizzys race to be the superlative classic of the event pipping Carl Fogarty’s Ysmaha: a true David versus Goliath. In black it certainly looks the part. Those wankel power units spinning like a jet turbine at speed.
Here’s Ron Haslam winding this one up to good effect…
Posted in 80's, Motorcycle Poster, Music, Norton, Racing |
5 Comments »
May 29, 2015
A latter-day Bonneville advert utilizes a time-worn approach for marketing to men: a young scantily clad lass draped over the latest and greatest. Well it ain’t new and is practically identical with the timeless Norton spreads of yesteryear.
Actually, growing up the black Norton commando was my favorite bike. A perfect looking machine; indeed Uncomplicated Sophistication… 
We just need the great Leonard Rossitter in his slimy lounge character to sidle in.
Posted in 70's, Film and TV, Gals, Motorcycle Poster, Norton, Triumph Bonneville |
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May 24, 2015
Bob Goodpasters 650 Norton: looking closely at this track tool it shows evidence of a careful setup with efficient speed as the ultimate goal. From the John Tickle TLS front drum brake offering period stopping power. A featherbed frame holding the 650ss Dominator engine in cradled power. Bob built the rear wheel using a basic off road reel hub with quick release sprocket holder, making gear ratio changes for various tracks easier, the drum was a triumph sprocket drum machines down and bolted on the other side. Clean and purposefull.
Tipped on its side it’ll hustle around corners scraping the rear-set pegs back on their hinges. Though you can’t see it the primary is an open belt drive for smooth power transfer to the gearbox and wheel.
Immaculate perfection. In the words of Bob: “it goes like the f&cking clappers!” Or words to that effect… Factory race specialist Doug Hele would have been proud!
Posted in Norton, Racing |
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May 23, 2015
Fabulous day in the saddle taking the Bonnie’s around to Michigan. An early start saw a quiet Riute 12 with naught but the shadows playing across the road ahead. 
This quicksilver toned Porsche Spyder stopped us in our tracks. A race-spec engine growled as the owner sped off from the seasonal grocery store it was parked near.
Also included in the ride was a short drop.-in to the amiable Bob Goodpaster at Expert Motorcycle Works in Hobart Indiana. A glorious racing 650cc Norton sat in the front showroom floor. A serious track iron that sees unobstructed chequered flags across the country at vintage racing meets.
Posted in Cars, Classic Car, Norton, Photography, Racing, Triumph Bonneville |
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