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.
Tinman – clockwork motor wound up with a small key. These brightly colored toys are fun to look at; both the illustrated mechanics as well as the riders clothing. Some original examples can reach prices like a real motorcycle… my favorite is the couple riding smartly on the top right.
ATGATT – safety information poster from 1983 published by the Ministry of Transport to promote wearing the gear for to ensure protection from the elements as well as any mishap on the road. You can tell this is aimed at the British due to wet weather oriented garb. “Don’t be a bonehead!”
D’ya like that? – Fred Dibnah, steeplejack: after a BBC documentary in the late 70’s he became the face and voice of a fading British hands-on industrial past. A lofty career starting in the repair of, and later felling, the chimneys of the Lancashire cotton mills. His interests broadened to the technology of Victorian steam power, both for machining and traction. It would come to no surprise then that one of his first modes of transport was a 1927 350cc AJS motorcycle that he purchased for 21 guineas. One of his first major jobs was to gild the weather vanes on Bolton parish church. He later claimed that he only got it because he turned up to give an estimate on this motorcycle, to which the vicar took a shine. Behind him is his beloved steamroller ‘Betsy’ named after his mother. He received an MBE from The Queen in 2003 just before he died.
Assembly Required- an object is the sum of its parts. This Knolled Project is laid out on a blue tarpaulin ready for a component check. Looks to be fairly complete with some items requiring finishing or cleaned up. One of my favorite kinds of jigsaw!
Back Seat – buoyant BSA rider takes a pew on the pillion seat of her ride whilst perusing a love note. There is a comfortable air to this image from a hundred years ago.
Sage Rage – a wonderfully detailed Thruxton in mint green with a nicely balanced Dunstall fairing. Built by Mike Sadler of Division Motorworks in Canada as directed by owner Patrick McGregor. The side panel is adorned with the clan crest and the motto: Royal is my Race.
LEGO – brick by brick here’s an accurate model Triumph Rocket Three. Mostly recognizable pieces put together with typical assembly methods. It would make a cool kit.
MMXVIII – let’s hurtle into this year with the vigor of a stunt cat jumping through a hoop of fire.
Happy New Year – as another year passes and the beckoning days of the year ahead loom large let’s consider the excitement of heaving a Triumph chopper into a wheelie and gunning it along the road…
T-Shirt – a year-end clear out saw several old tee’s being relegated to cleaning rag status. All had seen better days, and it’ll make room for new Moto-themed tops…
Drapery – Welly shod model looks a little uncomfortable posed like some Romantic artists muse reclined along the ‘chaise’ of a Triumph T160 Triple. Perhaps it’s from Tony Armstrong-Jones’s portfolio… (see yesterday’s post!)
Lord Snowdon – one-time aristocratic fashion photographer looking every bit the bohemian yet louche husband of party-girl Princess Margaret. This photo taken by Bryan Forbes for Vogue in 1976 just before his separation from HRH. He’s cruising around the courtyard of Kensington Palace on a shiny Triumph.
Marvel! Tomorrow (28th) we celebrate the 95th birthday of comic legend Stan Lee. Co-creator of such greats as The Incredible Hulk, The Amazing Spiderman; The Mighty Thor; and Captain America.. as well as The X-Men, Silver Surfer, Sub-Mariner, Dr Strange, Daredevil to name a few. His characters came to vivid life with the stunning penmanship of Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko, and John Romita. Only getting the odd Marvel comic when going to Newcastle for my eye check-up that came to appreciate the American work. I grew up with the writings of John Wagner & Pat Mills of 2000ad, whose creations were illustrated by the likes of Brian Bolland, Carlos Ezquerra, Mike McMahon, Dave Gibbons, Massimo Belardinelli… it is by reading, studying and copying these I learned to use a pencil and pen allowing me to have a comfortable fluid draughting hand – but they ALL draw a dynamism from Stan’s exciting creations. Happy Birthday Mr Lieber!
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