An early morning sprint to the far South Side with a good friend. Destination was a loop of Lake Calumet, an older material port amidst a lost industrial area. Mostly marshes now attracting many birds and habitat for fish, amphibians and insects. Perfect weather too! David was riding his Aprilia Dorsoduro, the perfect urban tool.
A great day up to Lake Geneva through McHenry County on roads bordered by spring blooming trees and emerging leaves. We stopped in at Morries Place where we spied another workshop filled with project bikes. An interesting cove called Jim was working on a 1929 Henderson X. A splendid Triton parked outside near to where Ed Zender was working on a BSA.
Old found object. Some tarnished aluminum and speckled finish. A ‘66 Trophy lost in Concord Michigan looking for a willing restoration.
– I should find something to get my idle hands onto. A Vincent or Norton looking for a warm workshop. Recovery through Restoration. Apologies for the lack of posts, a few personal issues arose these past few weeks. Hope to get a few things shifting on the Blog soon.
A visit to the premier classic British motorcycle shop in northern Illiniois was also included in the agenda. Always a treat to look over the various items parked shoulder to shoulder in the main display area. The workshop was so busy that bikes awaiting service and restoration work were stood outside.
– BSA B25 off road with maintenance tabby. I can see some Pursigesque tale as a feline companion to a rebuild adventure.
– a pair of Tiger Cubs waiting to be rescued. Hopefully not too much effort into a complete restoration; just enough for roadworthyness.
– another photo of Ewan and his favorite marque. This is a caféd Moto Guzzi Nuovo Falcone. The famous bacon slicer flywheel obvious on the drive side. The green color scheme of the workshop furniture even matches the fuel tank.
Ski-Doo
– found on the InterWeb here is a forlorn machine hiding in the dusty background of a barn. It looks like something used to effect in a James Bond film during a ski chase scene. The bullet nose is inspired!
Oily Whiskers
– our feline friends make the perfect companion when busily concentrating on a project. Their attention is subtle and they can be quick to lend a paw when the flash of a wire or glisten of a small bolt piques their interest.
– my Uncle Dave found this ‘toon strip and sent it over to be included in today’s blog post. The red & black striped jersey; unruly black hair; and the viscous dog Gnasher of protagonist Dennis have been the mainstay of the Beano comic for 70 years. This panel has The Menace’s Ma fettling the barrels of a ‘70 Bonnie with a kitchen whisk.
– this clean example of Honda’s long serving early powerhouse was parked outside my office yesterday. 1980 CB750K DOHC – it’s an immaculate restoration looking cleaner than a fresh off the floor model.
Early memories are being shown by my father how to accomplish dexterous tasks such as repairing a flat, wiring a plug, hammering a nail or drilling a hole. It gave me the confident enthusiasm to take on tasks needing a mechanical ken or practical gumption.
– benchtop engineering. If you think you have trouble working from home with a cat draped over your keyboard, imagine one on your work surfaces chasing bolts and washers about.
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