December 23, 2015
On the ninth day of Christmas my true love gave to me:
Nine Rockets rockin’
Eight Dommies roarin’
Seven Comets thumpin’
Six Lightings flashin’
Five Golden Stars!
Four AJ’s harin’
Three Cafe’s brewin’
Two Bonnie’s beltin’
And a Vincent doin’ the ton along the A3!
Posted in 60's, BSA, cafe racer, Music, Norton, Photography, Triumph Bonneville, Vincent |
2 Comments »
December 22, 2015
A neat looking plastic model kit: which includes two bikes. One in red, the other chrome. These are the superlative early sixties Rocket Gold Star from BSA.
Each comes on its own molded set. You can see frame, wheels, engine, tank, pipes, bars…
Box back assembly instructions are fairly basic and no decals.

5’6d from your local hobbyist shop.
Posted in 60's, BSA, Model |
1 Comment »
December 21, 2015
What better way to celebrate the shortest day with a Shadow? Black Shadow that is…
This week has seen an unprecedented three Vincent’s for sale on EBay. Lots of money being thrown about too. One currently at $100k, another close to that; both runners and looking good.
There is also a barn find project that hasn’t run for forty odd years. Reserve not met at $38k… You’d be dropping another ten grand on it as well to get ‘er up and running.

I’d better stick to Triumphs…. This X75 in the UK… Now for £25k… Bargain!
Posted in Project, Triumph Motorcycle, Vincent |
2 Comments »
December 20, 2015

Some form of two wheeled transport is always wished for at Christmas. If I was a young ‘un back in the early sixties I want one of these. Red Triumph Thunderbird inspired pedal motorbike. I bet many a motorcyclist started out like this! Pillion capabilities too.
This one was sold recently on EBay for $175.
Posted in 60's, Bicycle, Toy Motorcycle, Triumph Motorcycle |
Leave a Comment »
December 18, 2015
I can remember the excitement I had as a six year old watching the original Star Wars. The ships, the light saber fights, the bad guys and the plucky heroes. Last night I went to see a midnight show (first night mind you) of the new George Lucas/JJ Abrams film. All I can say is outstanding. Everything anticipated and more. A little of the old, with a healthy dose of the new and a future of possibilities. The heroine is a scavenger called Rey played wonderfully by Daisy Ridley.
We meet her haring across the arid landscape of Jakku aboard her blunt nosed speeder bike.
The Force is strong with this one!
Posted in Gals, Movie |
Leave a Comment »
December 17, 2015
One of my old trusty fixed gear bikes.. Now long gone after an abrupt meeting with a car door. It was a steel framed Schwinn and 27″ wheels the rear being a flip flop fixed gear on one side and freewheel the other. Great for nipping around the City and up and down the Lakefront.
Posted in Bicycle, Chicago |
Leave a Comment »
December 16, 2015
Today is Philip K. Dicks birthday. Born 1928 -died 1982. Actually born here in Chicago.
A prolific writer of novels and short stories he invented an alternate reality of parallel worlds. Always thought provoking, always surprising. I can imagine his cats curled up next to his typewriter as he turns his enigmatic mind into prose.
Posted in Film and TV, Writing |
Leave a Comment »
December 15, 2015
Mototsiki as they would say in St Peterburg. Scot Johnny Stuart (1940-2003) was a preeminent expert on all things pre C 20th Russian: its objects, design and associated historical particulars. However rather than tooling around on a grumpy Ural combination he tore up the London streets near Sotheby’s on Triumphs.
He also penned the tome “Rockers: Kings of the Road”. Allegedly the most shop lifted book in 90’s London… About the leather clad, cafe racing boys of the sixties.
До свидания.
(Da svidaniya)
Posted in 60's, Book, cafe racer, Triumph Motorcycle |
Leave a Comment »
December 14, 2015
Sled, desert sled that is. Steve McQueens desert sled. Hot SoCal day and a race across the dusty scrubland is anticipated. Here in Illinois it’ll soon be cold, icy and unrideable; bah, humbug!
Hey!
Posted in 60's, Racing, Steve McQueen, Triumph Motorcycle |
Leave a Comment »
December 13, 2015
Back in the eighties British music had a hint of dour feeling with such acts as The Smiths, Echo and the Bunnymen, New Order.
Colin Vearncombe also known as Black had a hit with A Wonderful Life. The Liverpudlian sang this minor key ode to Thatchers dream using a very effective black & white video filmed on the seafront of Wallasey. One frame shows a small BSA C11 rolling along the promenade.
Posted in 80's, BSA, Music |
Leave a Comment »
December 12, 2015
Inspire and allow others to aspire. Even when you can’t reach the bars you can know that one day you will…
Posted in Clothing, Photography, Triumph Motorcycle |
Leave a Comment »
December 11, 2015
Fairing Fun: faded mag advert with long coated rider cutting a stylish dash with a streamlined nosepiece. Bubble visor and smart Italian boots. That coat will flutter madly though…
Frivolous-Feasting-Fabulous-Flapping
Posted in 60's, Motorcycle Art |
Leave a Comment »
December 9, 2015
A 2000 model Sprint adorned with an unfurled flag in apparent flutter across the side of this mile muncher. The George Cross, Saltire, & Paddy’s Cross make up the union flag.
Bike needs horizon and rider.
Posted in Graphics, Travel, Triumph Motorcycle |
Leave a Comment »
December 8, 2015
Dr Who. The classic Timelord from Gallifrey usually utilizes his TARDIS to careen about space and time.
However when on the ground at a particular era the it seems a Triumph Scrambler becomes his wheels of choice.
Posted in 60's, Film and TV, Superhero, Triumph Motorcycle |
Leave a Comment »