August 16, 2015
Though it was a hot 90 degree day we managed to get out to the west suburbs where a well attended show took place at the Triumph Ducati dealer in Villa Park. The parking lot was divided into show bikes and parked bikes. I had mine in the common or garden parked bikes. There was a great selection of clean examples of old rides in both areas. This little original condition Benelli starts things off. Small in stature but grand in character.
A ’73 Harley Davidson combination owner was very proud of her outfit. She had toted a tree in the chair earlier this year. Wherever she drive it people would wave and cheer!
Another outfit: this time a BMW r75 wartime rig. Fully dressed for European action with MG34 machine gun, jerry cans and trailer. A true enthusiast.
The parking lot contained new Triumphs, this new Royal Enfield Continental GT, Beemers, Kawasakis, Hondas, an odd Harley or two. Motorcycle gawkers heaven! This week I’ll show the congregation of Nortons, Beezas, and other fine examples of older machines.
Posted in 50's, 60's, 70's, BMW, Chicago, Harley Davidson, Sidecar, Vintage |
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July 12, 2015
Old motorcycles are great: they have character, every ride is an adventure, you learn a lot about mechanics, a deep connection to history, other riders always talk to you about your ride, kids wave from the backseat of cars, they sound like a deep resonant music, smell as a aged machine with miles under its tires, air through its feathers, you learn what your level of patience can be…
But…. A new Speed Triple would be just marvelous!
Marvelous! Push button, no nonsense twist ‘n’ ride….
Pennies accepted to fill the piggy bank!
Posted in Maintenance, Restoration, Triumph Motorcycle, Vintage |
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July 1, 2015
there was plenty of eye candy at Motoblot. Each belonged to a dedicated owner who loves showing off their steed. Each washed to a mirror shine reflecting admirers faces in their perfectly designed curves. Each represents a history unto itself.
What was old now is new:
Indian. The new cruiser looks set for a haul along Route 66 from Chicago to Los Angeles. The old police bike would be a great ‘big road’ rider.
Kawasaki? Team Green knows about power – like this canny Eddie Lawson bicep is set for action.
The Purple People Eater: two stoke powerband terror of the seventies would scare the mane off a lion. The Mach IV
The bumblebee world traveller is the much desired BMW GS1000. Big legs for long distances.
A weary looking edge worn Beemer yearns for Barvarian strasse to plod along…
More fun than a barrel of baby sloth (look it up you’ll agree that’s a lot of fun!)
Posted in 30's, 40's, 70's, 80's, BMW, Chicago, Design, Indian, Kawasaki, Vintage |
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May 13, 2015
After yesterday’s beautiful example of a century-old survivor here is an old image of the Trusty Triumph when it was the cutting edge two-wheeled speedster. This is a 1915 view of an owner and his ride in New Zealand. Even commemorated on a stamp…
Tin sign of some flat capped chap haring along on his H across a rural landscape. Hints & Tips? Watch your trousers don’t get caught in that ruddy leather belt drive chain!
Posted in 10's, Graphics, Motorcycle Art, Photography, Triumph Motorcycle, Vintage |
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May 10, 2015
We all have a mother and, for the greater part, owe our upbringing to become the sensible (!) people we are. They made sure we didn’t waver from our path ahead: holding our hands when it was rocky, listening when it looked daunting, and an encouraging nudge when it seemed foggy. Most importantly they are the first love of our lives, unconditionally!
“Ma! I’m getting a tattoo!”
Posted in Photography, Tattoo, Triumph Motorcycle, Vintage |
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April 16, 2015
Goon, poet, artillery signaller, Irish. That’s Spike Milligan who would be 98 today. His off kilter buffoonery was fresh air in a world of stale comedy.
Say Bazonka every day
That’s what my grandma used to say
It keeps at bay the Asian Flu’
And both your elbows free from glue.
So say Bazonka every day
(That’s what my grandma used to say)
Don’t say it if your socks are dry!
Or when the sun is in your eye!
Never say it in the dark
(The word you see emits a spark)
Only say it in the day
(That’s what my grandma used to say)
Young Tiny Tim took her advice
He said it once, he said it twice
he said it till the day he died
And even after that he tried
To say Bazonka! every day
Just like my grandma used to say.
Now folks around declare it’s true
That every night at half past two
If you’ll stand upon your head
And shout Bazonka! from your bed
You’ll hear the word as clear as day
Just like my grandma used to say!
He sits on a Wooler motorcycle. Some publicity shot from the Veteran & Vintage magazine in 1968.
Posted in Film and TV, History, Military, Vintage |
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March 1, 2015
The two major American motorcycle makers have bikes going back well into the last Century.
Here is an original condition 1915 Indian from Springfield MA. Just needs a few essentials for a go at the Coast-to-Coast Cannonball Run.
In another corner sitting idly and in more complete condition is a late 30’s/early 40’s Harley Davidson Knucklehead. My favourite Milwaukee Moto.
Again both are located in Pickers Store …. Photos by Dean Rennie.
Posted in Harley Davidson, Indian, Vintage |
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February 17, 2015
Daylight from all sides. Yup I’d take this space to fettle away at my moto mechanics. Bike stand, bench, tool racks. Just need a kettle…
Posted in Maintenance, Motorcycle Art, Vintage |
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February 5, 2015
…was when the Second motorcycle was built. Here’s a besmocked racer ready for a long scoot from one end (Land’s) to t’other (John o’Groats). The ride is a 3 1/2 Hp Triumph.
Posted in History, Racing, Triumph Motorcycle, Vintage |
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January 31, 2015
I stopped in to the foyer of Worlds Gym along Montrose Avenue earlier today. No, not to join the crowds of treadmill crunching, weight hefting fanatics! But to have a gander at a superb collection of a dozen mint vintage motorcycles. An exceptional X75 Hurricane…
…next to its standard Trident brethren.
A crimson Norton Atlas.
Nearby its papa M30 International. Black & Silver monochromatic corker.
Matchless. Clean. Stout hearted. G80.
The cats whisker. A Panther M100 Redwing. Distinctive by its sloper engine.
The collection belongs to Al Philips. An alcove behind the entry foyer had the hat trick. Three Vincents… Here’s the superlative Black Lightning.
Posted in Chicago, Norton, Vincent, Vintage |
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December 12, 2014
Here’s some inspiring stuff! A small European firm is producing an electric motorcycle with a vision departed from the traditional appearance. Not a scooter either: it’ll hit 75mph with a range of 140 miles or so. Front wheel is hub center steering, front and rear shocks sit under the center and a streamlined body/cowl cover the hefty battery.
Foot pegs allow for either a foot forward cruiser stance or leaned over rearset a la café. The deely-bopper-ish mirrors have instrument readouts incorporated. Neat. It’s called the Johammer.
www.johammer.com/en/
Design inspiration comes from the twenties with a hint of the corrugated paneling seen in the utilitarian Citroen deux chevaux van
And that maw-proud form? Another 20’s creation: the Majestic. Here in Bugatti Blue.
Nevertheless, the new moto is a breath of fresh air.
Posted in Cars, Engineering, Vintage |
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December 5, 2014
At Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale CA there is a museum atop its central hill. Surrounded by mortuary and gardens of remembrance it seems a peculiar location for a motorcycle show. But a great small display of about a dozen vintage motorcycles and artwork was a perfect destination on one of our days around Los Angeles. The flame orange Flying Merkel was one such noted bike.
This gentlemanly Grey ‘teen Harley Davidson in immaculate condition was illuminated like a fine sculpture. Elsewhere another beautiful HD sat bejeweled under some fine moto-art.
The sun shone through a magnificent display of stained glass upon a broadly fair’d Gilera. Red and blue for speed.
Tank art also highlighted the historical names of Indian.
As well as the custom line work in glistening paint of the sixties bike scene: tangerine dream indeed.
One of my favorites was an unassuming Guzzi with very special markings. von Dutch pinstriping with aged patina and an etched dragon curling around the ‘bacon-slicer’ flywheel.
Better’n any gallery!
Posted in Design, Motorcycle Art, Travel, Vintage |
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November 6, 2014
Up on Wooler Common in the rolling foothills of The Cheviots. The heather clad upland which was a backdrop to my childhood. Here are members of the Glendale Motorcycle Club out for a romp across the grassy moors. Sometime in the early fifties these lads all seem to have new rides; be they Triumphs, Beezas, Norton’s, Enfield or Matchless. Goggles, caps and great coats seem de rigueur.
Posted in History, Photography, Vintage |
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October 2, 2014
European vintage esoterica, and a Honda Dream. As well a a healthy dose of Triumphs (oddly no Norton’s) these interesting models were risen (not hidden) at the weekends event. The Paul Smart Ducati, though a modern classic, is sugar to the eyes; a sunshine toned Gilera like a wind-up toy; the Teutonic cream framed Beemer; and the nicest peoples favorite in tomato red round off these world beating motos.
Posted in BMW, Chicago, Ducati, Honda, Photography, Vintage |
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June 29, 2014
A classic car and motorcycle show on a couple of closed off streets in Winnetka was attended today. All European stuff. And NICE stuff too! Today I’ll concentrate if the Crown Jewels of the show: a splendid display of no less than 11 Vincents. Quite overwhelming and each individual. The first is a ’52 Black Lightning – just like Richard Thompsons song of the same name. Just in need of a Red Molly to take it for a ride.
The engine as Art…
This one was obviously a rider: high mileage patina and oily rag polish achieve a glowing life to it. Give me an open road and no particular destination…
Egli Vincent: special racer. Take a strong powerplant and bolt it to a lightweight tubular frame dedicated to speed…
“Geriatric Hooliganism” perfect description.
Ed Sender, owner of Morrie’s Place rorted in on his moto. His BSA T-shirt show where his true allegiances lie…
This single cylinder HRD Meteor still looks the part next to its doubled-up brethren. The first true Vincent engine where Phil Irvine worked out many of the motor mechanicals to be seen in Vincents nearly twenty years.
This hyper clean example was a rebuilt barn find. You could stare at your the polished surfaces all day.
The color is perfect: black, metal grey and a hint of gold. The monochrome of a bygone age.
I asked Ed if I could sit on his Vincent, he very kindly allowed me to. A little upright for me. But comfy and everything placed well. Next goal: to take one for a fast spin!
Posted in Engineering, Motorcycle Art, Vincent, Vintage |
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