Special Three – polished to a high speed. Isle of Man custom racer with blown engine from 1981 built by scot Alistair Laurie. Hailing from Dalbeattie, Dumfries in The Borders he took great pains to ensure integrity with lightness and style.
January 25, 2018
Phil the Hitman
The Driver – today is primo stunt driver Bill Hickman’s Birthday. Born in 1921 he is most known as the assassins getaway driver in Bullitt. Driving a ’68 Dodge Charger 440 Magnum R/T through the streets of San Francisco whilst being chased by Steve McQueen in his Highland Green ’68 Ford Mustang 390 GT . Here is Bill keeping an eye in the rearview mirror for Frank Bullitt. Considered one of the greatest car chases in moviedom it could never be achieved in this day and age as modern action scenes are created with unreal CGI tomfoolery. The second greatest chase is in William Friedkin’s 1971 The French Connection which was also helmed by Hickman.
Hickman was friend and driving master to James Dean. Being was first on the scene to Deans fateful crash in his 550 Spyder, and sadly the one who was at his side when he died.
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!
January 11, 2018
Weekend Bound
Throwback Thursday- what better way to enjoy the ‘back-end’ of the week than leap o’er the bumps that can populate the weekdays and head in breakneck fashion towards the weekend. A ’56 Triumph TR5 would be the ideal vehicle…
January 10, 2018
Trois Dents
Three Teeth – finding burly success in road racing during the early seventies these Triumph (& BSA) triples proved to be Stout hearted winners from the likes of Dick Mann, Gene Romero, Don Emde and Paul Smart among others. The Rob North framed machines were a turning point of pre-sixties GP racers and the post seventies two-stroke screamers of the Japanese bikes.
December 26, 2017
fusée trois
ROCKET 3 – what a beaut this cafe racer build is! Eye-catching with a speed driven poise, and a homage to the BSA Daytona conquering triples of the early seventies ridden by Dick Mann and Don Emde (Gene Romero ran the triple engined Triumph). Builder is the extremely talented Frenchman Pepo Rosell of XTR Pepo using a 2000 Triumph Legend 900 as the starting point. Original 750/3 engine designer Doug Hele and frame guru Rob North would be proud.
December 19, 2017
Jock’s Bike
Banbury Road Racing Nutcase, Ken Drysdale on his Harris Framed 1976 Triumph T160 Trident. This is a serious piece of machinery whose sole purpose is to go quick. Some details gleaned off the interweb about it:
It was the first one Norman Hyde raced in the early 80’s. Geoff Johnson won on its maiden outing to Cadwell Park where it was running at about 1000cc at the time. Ken took possession in 1996. Neil Beadling built a new 930cc engine in 2015: Carrillo con rods; Neil own Nova big-bore barrels & pistons with 9.5-1 compression; Half race cam; head ported & flowed with bigger valves fitted; breathing with three 31mm Keihin smooth bore carburetors. Power transmitted to the rear wheel through a racing clutch with 40% stiffer diaphragm springs; and a Quaife 5 speed close ratio gearbox. Proceeding brought to a stop with AP racing brakes. Everything mounted to the Harris frame, Supporting Marzocchi forks and Maxton rear suspension. Racing Avons tires shod on race specific Astralite wheels…. It was advertised for sale in May… £16,000.00
(please email clivescarfe@hotmail.com for more information)
December 13, 2017
3
Trinity in One – still like the look of these three cylinder Meriden ‘super bikes’, especially with the big tank such as on this fine example. Designed by Triumph engineers Bert Hopwood & Doug Hele it went on in BSA Rocket Three guise to sweep the field at Daytona. Gold ‘n’ Black.
December 11, 2017
On Any Sunday
On Any Sunday (1971) by Bruce Brown, who passed away yesterday at the age of 80, is considered the very best documentary that covers motorcycle racing action in Dirt Track, Road Race, Moto Cross, Hill Climbs, Bonneville Salt Flats World speed records and more. The movie stars Steve McQueen (who also backed its production), Malcolm Smith, Mert Lawill and Gene Romero. At nearly 50 years old, it still remains as a “MUST SEE” required viewing if you have anything to do with motorcycling.
November 1, 2017
treinta y tres o doce
El Día de los Muertos – sideways into the corner and a toothy grin from the skulled skeleton riders. Like Hallowe’en was derived from pagan rituals The Day of the Dead has origins from the Aztecs. Beautiful artwork by David Lozeau
October 14, 2017
Blanche
Into the White – studio quality bleached exposure. No distractions, just the flat trackers and the pensive riders waiting for the green light.
Photography by Benedict Redgrove. Project Award.
Association of Photographers Awards 2017
October 1, 2017
Fuel & Stone Dust
More Flat Track Action- though I forgot my big telephoto lens I managed to capture the atmosphere of the races. My Nikon needs a careful dust-off as the dusty track clouded over the spectator area near the corner. These images show the range of bikes being run: classic British & American Twins; hefty Yamaha and Rotax Singles; the highly strung Two Stroke 250-450’s; and Brakeless Vintage. All exciting stuff!
September 30, 2017
Twist the throttle, corner, repeat
Half Mile – grand day out to the Walworth County Fairground located in Elkhorn Wisconsin to see the limestone track racing. Fast motorcycles of sixties iron to modern 2-stroke screamers were run to great effect. Here is Jake Zender, son of Morries Place owner Ed who raced this Triumph twin. Steel shoe scuffing around the gravelly track as knobbly tires throw up stone and dust into the crowd. Perfect weather too!
September 23, 2017
Flat Track Men
Oval Dirt – history in color! The greats Dick Mann (2) BSA, Gene Romero (20) Triumph, and Mart Lawwill (18) H-D, look beat after what will have been a ‘edge-of-your-seats race.
geordiebiker.com 