Three in a Row – Superbike of the Seventies: the swarthy triple was a suitable power ride back in its day… possibly not up there with the new kids on the block Honda CB750 or the Kawasaki KZ900 but the engine has ample racing heritage makes it a worthy steed.
December 28, 2016
Trident
December 27, 2016
I am One with The Force, The Force is with me.
Speeder Bike Chase – Princess Leia in control of an imperial speeder bike as it zooms through the forest moon of Endor. One of the greatest scenes in Return of the Jedi. Well, today saw the passing of Carrie Fisher at age 60. As well as her hair-do’s and clothing, such as the classic Jabbas sail barge bikini, she made the role her own.
December 26, 2016
Wham!
Faith – sadly 2016 took another noted musician from us; this time George Michael who passed away earlier today at 53. His eighties hits were well played tunes of a generation: Wake me up, before you go-go; Last Christmas; Careless Whisper. This leather jacket was worn in his Faith video from 1987.
December 26, 2016
Fifty Years Ago…
Boxing Day – what a wonderful image this is. Low Canadian sun lighting up a frozen roadway with a hardy soul taking his svelte Triumph Tiger Cub out for an icy spin. Heavy mitts keep the digits warm, but an open face helmet will cause some frost nip to the nose…
December 25, 2016
One Way to Notting ‘ill please
Bayswater Road Santy – smashing image of mini-bike zooming Santa Claus haring through London with sidecar bear. Fake cotton wool beard is holding up well to the foggy atmosphere. The red bus and fringed coat would have made this a perfect seasonal image in colour.
December 24, 2016
Ho Ho Ho
Good ol’ Saint Nick – combination reindeer hack. What better way to get around on Christmas Even than a spotless Triumph Thunderbird ‘Bathtub’. The cars registration OV denote a Birmingham location, the bikes NX reg. pinpoint Dudley.
December 23, 2016
A Bridge Too Far
Sixty Eight – a pair of freshly minted Bonneville’s with their owners under the delicately suspended span of the Mount Hope Bridge between Bristol & Portsmouth on Rhode Island across Narragansett Bay. Engineering marvel is a backdrop to a motorcycle marvel. The bridge opened in 1929 a decade or so before Ed Turners development of the parallel twin engined machines that would culminate in the classic 60’s Bonnie’s.
December 22, 2016
Hisss
Serpents Kick – brass pedal and hoof: some brutally ornate bobbers have bespoke components such as this well wrought kick-start lever. Something quite sinuously pleasing about it.
December 21, 2016
For Paw
Red in Snow – what a beaut! Ably illustrated Jaguar XK 120 in a period snowy village scene by the noted automotive artist Richard Wheatland . His work typically endows Christmas cards for the U.K. Motor Industry Benevolent Charity BEN. The hardtop sports coupe is the roadgoing record breaker which saw success on road and rallying competition. Nice Triumph Tiger in the background. I fancy a roast dinner washed down with a pint of bitter then an hour or two dozing in front of the Public House lounge fireplace…
December 20, 2016
Twelve Triumphs of Christmas
On the twelfth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
12 Daytonas revving
11 Trophys touring
10 Bobbers booming
9 Tridents swerving
8 Scramblers trailing
7 Thruxtons haring
6 Tigers adventuring
5 Speed Twins
4 America’s cruisin’
3 Rocket Threes
2 Tiger Cubs
and a Bonneville on the Road ahead
December 19, 2016
Acting Up
The better part of valour is, discretion. -Falstaff (Henry IV part 1) Today we celebrate the birthday of of of the greats of Shakespearean theatre as well as movies. Ralph Richardson 1902-1983 who, as well as adding unparalleled perfection to the parts he played was also a motorcycle enthusiast. He would be seen haring around London on the powerful bikes of the day. Here seen aboard BMW’s and a Norton.
December 18, 2016
Big Brother
Thought Police – a 1956 film adaptation of George Orwells dystopian novel published just eight years prior had the ThinkPol riding the then futuristic looking Vincent Black Knight.
December 17, 2016
Orwellian musings
True Words – “all vehicles are equal but some vehicles are more equal than others” Napoleon
December 16, 2016
Halcyon Days
Seaside Sunshine – in the midst of this wintry grapple we need some warm scene to remind us of summer delight. This BSA C15 250cc in splendid fire engine red looks quite the part standing proudly on a quayside. A yacht moored in an azure bay looks enticing but our swimsuit garbed gal seems happy enough on the Birmingham singles saddle.
“Halcyon” is a name for a bird in Greek legend generally associated with the kingfisher. There was an ancient belief that the bird nested on the sea, which it calmed in order to lay its eggs on a floating nest. Two weeks of calm weather were therefore expected around the winter solstice. This myth leads to the use of halcyon as a term for peace or calmness.
December 15, 2016
Feet First
True Words – especially when pushing the bike too! But it’s handy to wear boots suitable for a little strolling at a break in the ride…
geordiebiker.com 