Soapbox – under a bright Californian sun a bleach-blond lass stands by a true desert sled. The L&M t-shirt is apt for the location too. The old 50’s Glendale shop was owned by speedway and dirty oval racers. I include vintage matchbook art and a shop flyer.
Long Legs – we got ourselves a double-decker fork chopper here. Bouncing springer front end that crosses the State line half an hour before you get there. The cruciform tank; the German eagle badge on the owners leather vest; and the missing front teeth from a happy smile tell an intriguing story.
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!
Two by Two – some choice images from the splendid offerings at Morries Place captured at the weekend. It illustrates the changing tanks and badges over a couple of decades. Each different and then quite individual. The art of the motorcycle for sure.
Adventure awaits – trying for size… “Suits you Sir!” Still my fave (Bill?)
Red Boots – let’s finish off this week with more pillion shenanigans. Hair ablaze and blurred spinning wheels.
Studies Show: Ten Reasons why couples who ride together stay together…
1 POSITIVITY
It’s difficult for riders to be negative when they are riding. Couples who have a positive attitude have a healthier marriage.
2 TOGETHERNESS
When you ride together, you are sharing focused, quality time. Couples who share their experiences have a happier marriage.
3 FRIENDSHIPS
If you ride with a group of friends or in a club, you are sharing your social circle which can be healthy for a relationship.
4 ECONOMICS
Hobbies can be expensive. But if you share the same interest you can share costs.
5 GOALS
The benefit of having common priorities can be a reinforcing bonding experience. The couple who strive together have less chance of conflict.
6 GIFTS
You will never again be at a loss for a gift to buy your partner. Just get some bike accessories or riding gear for your significant other or plan a riding vacation.
7 MEMORIES
Growing old together is about sharing memories. Motorcycling offers the journey, exploration and the destination as reward.
8 COMMUNICATION
Enjoying the open road together offers uninterrupted time together in a conducive environment to communicate. Chatting while riding and pointing out things you see as you go promotes good interpersonal discourse.
9 TALKING TOPICS
Have you ever seen the couple sitting in a restaurant, not saying anything, looking at their phones? Sharing a riding experience gives you so much more to talk about.
10 CONFIDENCE
Being a rider and pillion develops reliance on each other to maintain a settled balance to ensure a smooth journey. A couple who support each other in life never feel alone.
Excerpts from “10 reasons couples should ride together” by Mark Hinchliffe 21st August 2016 www.motorbikewriter.com
Adventure Awaits – to those who dare to explore the road less traveled.
“We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time.”
from Little Gidding (Four Quartets) by TS Eliot 1888-1965
Throwback Thursday – let’s set the way-back machine to the fifties when postwar Britain was reveling is quieter uncomplicated times. Here’s a couple of chums enjoying a countryside ride dressed up for some event. Groom & best man?
Hump Day – immaculate Triumph Scrambler parked on the gravel shoulder of a curvy road: ready to take on hilly highways. It serves as a midweek respite as we head downslope to the weekend.
You only get an Ooh! Derby in the sixties; Foden PVD6 double decker, Austin Morris 1100, and a Triumph 3TA Twenty One give period traffic to this Midland town. Billboards with Carreras Buckingham cigarettes, possibly a Horlicks poster, and some dextrose item ‘For Energy’. And of course the Cuppa splashed along the bus.
Belanglos reden – today we see out pal Steve and Bud in German Wehrmacht grey uniforms on some alpen meadow discussing tactics for the infamous chase scene in TGE. The Bikes are Triumph TR6’s dressed up to look like the R75 BMW’s that the Heer forces utilized.
Shootin’ the Breeze – here is Steve McQueen and what looks like Bud Ekins talking off road maneuvering whilst sitting astride a pair of Triumph desert sleds. Steve is wearing his Hilts top that he wore in The Great Escape so this is around 1963. Great photo.
4×4 – on-road & off-road here are some action shots of Tigers being put through their paces. Hear them roar!
Better than Sliced Bread – ninety years ago today saw the introduction of pre-cut bread. Sliced. Now it’s a term of superlatives. This bike, the current model Tiger 800 XR on/off road offering from Triumph meets the demands of the discerning rider on many fronts. The road in the image shows signage for the Ophir Pass which is a high unpaved trail connecting Silverton and Telluride in Colorado… next time I’m there I’d love to follow this mountainous path on such a bike.
geordiebiker.com 