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.
Catalog Time | As the seasons change and cold weather starts closing its chill grip then the mail piles up with catalogues. Today the JC Peterman one arrived, the cover has a nicely illustrated winter scene.
39 Years Ago | Recently my family acquired a stack of old Classic Bike magazines from the Eighties. A few made it back to the States from our recent trip to Scotland. Here’s a typical classified back page where information on parts, repair, sales were a key part of vintage motorcycle restoration and maintenance. Remember this is a generation before the all seeing and doing InterWeb. The monthly magazines were essential reading for the enthusiast.
Mini in Red | my cousins project is coming along a treat. Classic Mini in rally colours here showing off the Sir Alec Issigonis inspired engineering to achieve compactness before it was chic.
Grunge Band HQ | just signed a lease for a garage space for the bikes. Instead of the subterranean offering which sometimes gets a tad dank I will now have an above ground secure space off an alley. It’s securely tucked away from prying eyes.
geordiebiker.com 