BATMAN – looking back it’s a very tongue-in-cheek version of the caped crusader and his crime fighting escapades. But growing up with the show when Bruce Wayne was played cooly by a serious Adam West and your Corgi Batmobile would recreate his daring-do along with Boy Wonder Robin, there was nothing better. Sadly we hear of the recent passing of Adam West who owned this role – grey one piece, yellow utility belt, and satin glove and all.
June 10, 2017
POW!
June 9, 2017
Drum Roll
A Skin Game – delicate less than paper thin tissue sheets glued over the spars, ribs and stringers; then a spray down with water and the covering becomes drum tight. Need to find a cellulose dope alternative to give the paper added strength.
June 9, 2017
Merlin Rubber Band
Supermarine – the balsa Spitfire is taking great shape. Indeed the classic elliptical wing designed by Canadian aerodynamicist Beverley Shenstone is obvious. RJ Mitchell’s overall layout is pure in form and elegant in execution. Tissue paper covering next!
June 7, 2017
Tour of Duty
War Machine – BSA M20 in military patina. In marvelous aged appearance; the greyed olive drab is ready to thump over European lanes.
June 6, 2017
Of Wine & Cheese
“Cracking toast Gromit!” As part of the frenzied inventor with his dedicated sidekick hound, and as one of the youthful hearted pensioners in a long running sitcom, Peter Sallis became a household name as a cheese and cracker gastronome and Holmfirth scallywag respectively. Sadly he passed away today at the grand age of 96. His voice and demeanor were calm and reassuring and he seemed to fit both characters perfectly.
“Did I lock the door?”
June 5, 2017
Tickler
Amal – the engine is getting a new lease of life. I have acquired a pair of brand spanking new carburetors to invigorate fuel delivery making sure the motor has plenty of oomph through the rev range. These classic concentric carbs are nice clean castings, good materials, serviceable parts, anodized slides, and are practically a bolt-on and ride item. I’ve had to carry out a couple of slight adjustments for my bike but hopefully I can put the air cleaners back on tomorrow and connect the fuel tank.
June 4, 2017
Shere Khan
Bengal Tiger on the Prowl – Bollywood actor Salman Khan sits with a marvelously restored Triumph Tiger. He had the bike restored for his father Salim Khan who owned such a model in the late fifties. It would be fun to ride an older motorcycle through rural India.
June 3, 2017
Brother in Arms
Sultan of Swing – Dire Straits lead man and impresario guitarist Mark Knopfler knows how to bang out a catchy tune or two. But another aspect to his musician life is collecting classic motorcycles; here proudly leaning on a legendary HRD Vincent. That would be a perfect ride to take along the seafront between Cullercoats and Whitley Bay.
June 2, 2017
Whiskers Galore
Cats Meow – feline rider on a Bonnie SE. Cute kitty ears on her lid will catch the breeze.
June 1, 2017
St Mary’s Road
Vanishing Point – Look ahead: the future converges at a distance yet to be reached. Keep an eye on where you’re at, with the odd glance on where you’ve been. But mostly keep a butcher’s on the approaching road; it’ll be upon you before you know it.
May 31, 2017
Airfix or Bust!
B.S.A. Scaled – just finished this little Tamiya BSA M20 model kit. First one I’ve built for thirty odd years. 1:35 scale with darned small waterslide transfers. I have the rider and bike in courier colors but this would have been the model my grandfather rode across North Africa during WW2. Next throwback hobby: balsa Spitfire!
May 30, 2017
Here’s one I made earlier
Get Down Shep! – Part of my youth was a biweekly watching of the children’s BBC show Blue Peter. Where the presenters got up to all sorts of studio or outdoors hi-jinx. One of the most popular was John Noakes who was on the show for a record 12 years. He Was never without his sidekick , border collie, Shep. Sadly John passed away yesterday at the age of 83. Here’s screenshots of his 1980’s show Go with Noakes where he tried his hand at trials riding across the grassy moors of the Isle of Man.
May 29, 2017
Food Mart
Ed & Erv’s – just shuttered up in the last couple of years this local Chicago convenience store has a timeless mid-20th Century vibe going on. So when I saw this Harley Davidson standing lazily outside I had to get a photo. A hint of vintage filter to sharpen the shadows and an evocative scene is created.
May 28, 2017
Hoop Dreams
Wheels Shadow – another snap from yesterday’s ride. Atmospheric blur of speed along a leaf dappled road.
May 27, 2017
Green Sunlit Roads
Woodland Light – terrific weather today for a more than decent ride. Kept going up Old Green Bay Road into Wisconsin where some lovely back roads are found. The recent cool and wet weather has greened everything up to a verdant lushness. Cut grass smells hint an the coming heat of summer.
geordiebiker.com 