October 8, 2017

The Meadows

Las Vegas – the roads were smooth and not too busy, bikes ran well, and the lunch stop in Antioch had a good selection of good diner cookin’! Dash of autumnal color on the trees under an aquamarine clear blue sky. 

October 7, 2017

1973 Muscle

Closing In – some decent complete Trident examples are being unearthed for a potential project. Merely (?!) needing some tuning, some elbow grease to polish-up the chrome, and gas in the tank. … the sixties superbike.

October 6, 2017

Bubble Visor

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Woodcut Watfarer – nicely executed illustration of a lady biker running her cafe racer through its paces. Good shadow and highlight worked into the graphic .

October 5, 2017

Silver Grey

Tricked Tracker – we’ll sorted ‘68 T100C  with some tasteful adjustments to get a dirt racer look. Knobbly tires, high pipes, and timeless monochrome finish. 

October 4, 2017

Victor Creed 

Sabertooth at Fifty – Taken for an Esquire Magazine men’s fashion photo shoot here’s Liev Schreiber kicking over a vintage British bike. Photo by Cédric Buchet.

October 3, 2017

39-016 WIS plate

Swap Shop – there were a few folding tables and tarpaulin with various items for any restorer looking for that all essential original part. Amal carburetors by the shoeboxful, Smith’s instruments displayed three by three, and a drawer of Lucas fun ‘n’ games for the mystical art of classic bike electrics.

October 2, 2017

88

Triumphant – a well sorted tracker with everything fettled for the oval dirt. 

October 1, 2017

Fuel & Stone Dust


More Flat Track Action- though I forgot my big telephoto lens I managed to capture the atmosphere of the races. My Nikon needs a careful dust-off as the dusty track clouded over the spectator area near the corner. These images show the range of bikes being run: classic British & American Twins; hefty Yamaha and Rotax Singles; the highly strung Two Stroke 250-450’s; and Brakeless Vintage. All exciting stuff!

September 30, 2017

Twist the throttle, corner, repeat

Half Mile – grand day out to the Walworth County Fairground located in Elkhorn Wisconsin to see the limestone track racing. Fast motorcycles of sixties iron to modern 2-stroke screamers were run to great effect. Here is Jake Zender, son of Morries Place owner Ed who raced this Triumph twin. Steel shoe scuffing around the gravelly track as knobbly tires throw up stone and dust into the crowd. Perfect weather too!

September 29, 2017

.. they shall inherit the Earth

Blessed are the Rockers – on this day in 1916 the cartoonist known simply as Giles was born. His inked single panels were both full of detail yet graphically spare. Typically commenting on topical news items or daily English life the collection annuals became a record of the years events. This splendid piece shows the Ton-Up Club 59 having their Cafe racers blessed by the Reverend Bill Shergold. Also known as ‘Farv’ – cockney accented father, he owned the original of this particular strip.

September 28, 2017

Bunny

Entertainment for Men – Playboy was first published 63 years ago here in Chicago by bon vivant Hugh Hefter, who died yesterday aged 91. It promoted a sophisticated male lifestyle with writing, art, fashion, and a Playmate of the month who adorned the cover as well as centerfold. 

September 27, 2017

Rocket

Mach 3 – Redhot firestarter. Three cylinder 500cc two-stroke in immaculate restored condition. This hooligan toy was loud, fast, and dangerous. Kawasaki H1 was the quarter mile king for a short while in the early 70’s

September 26, 2017

Countin’ 

NBT DGR FAB – plenty of vintage motorcycles out on the road last Sunday. These ones in particular piqued my interest. A pre-unit featherbed framed Triton (owned by organizer Larry Fletcher), a BSA C11 single , and a clean example of the great Triumph Trident. Like a one, two, three..

September 25, 2017

Framed

DGL LSD DGR – found this great ‘in-action’ shot of yours truly as some photos from yesterday’s ride emerge. Photo: Grant Schwingle

September 24, 2017

DGR

Distinguished Gentlemen’s Ride – a huge turnout for the mass ride in Chicago today. Everyone dressed up to the nines and a super route was taken directly through downtown and along Lake Shore Drive. 90 degree weather was eased by a pleasant breeze off the azure waters of Michigan. There was about 700 riders all told.