Next time I have an oil leak I’ll patch it with this embroidered item. Better pack the thimble next time I ride out!
August 22, 2015
Patched!
August 21, 2015
Details, details…
There’s nothing beats looking at the unique details a motorcycle attains over its lifetime. From the original parts, decals and paint to an ownership or two of patina and mile worn age. This BSA Royal Star is still crowned after fifty years of distance run.
A Triumph front wheel with alloy rim and lightened disc brake. Just what I’m going to do on mine. So it’s good to see what it’ll look like: fantastic.
RAF roundel on a Street Triple. Yellow outer ring denotes a type C1 used from ’42 – ’47 . The lighter yellow giving it better visibility on upper dark camouflage surfaces. Not the Mod icon but the Spitfires and Hurricanes of WW2.
Hmmm…
August 20, 2015
Norton
Norton is the black sheep of the British motorcycling family. Sitting somewhat in the shadows of Triumph & BSA it quietly swept the board at the racetrack over half a century. Legend on the track and trusted in the road owners were a dedicated bunch.
The local Norton Owners Club were out in force at the weekend: I saw ten bikes lined up from the single International in both original oily patina to pristine polish, through a bevy of Commandos to the new kid on the block from Castle Donnington, the 961.
A Colorado Norton Works example of an updated Commando sparkled in the blazing sun. Engine internals given a thorough fettling to disc brakes up front and modern rubber ‘underfoot’.
Grey with black banding and red pinstripe: truly understated but totally recognizable is the Norton look.
A raindrop line is the most natural aerodynamic shape to cut through wind.
Citrus Zest in this near liter twin. It look the business.
Bug eyed JPS racer. The original legal hooligan bike? A quick smoke with a packet of John Players before a burn up along the North Circular?
August 19, 2015
Made like a Gun
Another rifle maker took their machining expertise to two wheels. Royal Enfield. Their 500cc Bullet was a stout motorcycle during the fifties with its thumping single piston pounding away like a robe and mortar boarded teachers fist on a school desk.
Chrome tank with ebony top panel and gold pin striping: quite special. The Redditch badge with cannon and crown give respected symbol. A super machine that pounded a hearty note when its owner kicked it into life and rumbled a Ay along St Charles Road through Villa Park.
Parked nearby was the new Enfield GT Continental in rocket red.
From what I hear it’s a smile inducing ride; though powered like an older machine, which won’t get you into license losing trouble. Hey! There’s my orange Bonnie in the background right!
August 18, 2015
Bee Ess Ay
BSA – Birmingham Small Arms. I enjoy seeing the other great British make on show. These sixties unit Beezas were a varied selection of their available machines that folk looking for a Triumph alternative which every bit as good as the Meriden Iron, were drawn to. These bikes utilize a superb balance of fine engineering and style.
If Triumph was the Beatles then BSA is the Rolling Stones…
Firebird 650 – high pipes, big tank, knobbly tires – desert sled?
August 17, 2015
Vintage ain’t just for European bikes
Kawasaki’s King KZ900: this example was polished to the highest mirror-like sheen by its owner as I was taking this photo. Power master of the seventies.
This Yamaha RD350 was a different approach to speed. Two stroke with Yamahas Power Valve System, basically racing developed fuel injection for the narrow power banded strokers allowing road racers to scream the streets like GP champs on the track.
Suzuki, on the other hand delved into alternative engine technology in their RE5. A Wankel rotary powerplant, though offering smooth power delivery requires careful cooling and hence complicated plumbing. Nortons rotaries were much more sucessful with Suzukis machine only being produced for a couple of years.
Talking of smooth; here’s Honda’s Mr Smooth. Offered in the six cylinder behemoth CBX. The superbike that connected the seventies development of the air cooled muscles like the CB750 through the Kawasakis and other 750 and 900’s to the eighties water cooled Ninjas and GSX-R’s. A hefty brute but solid power house nonetheless. A nice example.
August 16, 2015
MCC Villa Park Vintage Motorcycle Show
Though it was a hot 90 degree day we managed to get out to the west suburbs where a well attended show took place at the Triumph Ducati dealer in Villa Park. The parking lot was divided into show bikes and parked bikes. I had mine in the common or garden parked bikes. There was a great selection of clean examples of old rides in both areas. This little original condition Benelli starts things off. Small in stature but grand in character.
A ’73 Harley Davidson combination owner was very proud of her outfit. She had toted a tree in the chair earlier this year. Wherever she drive it people would wave and cheer!
Another outfit: this time a BMW r75 wartime rig. Fully dressed for European action with MG34 machine gun, jerry cans and trailer. A true enthusiast.
The parking lot contained new Triumphs, this new Royal Enfield Continental GT, Beemers, Kawasakis, Hondas, an odd Harley or two. Motorcycle gawkers heaven! This week I’ll show the congregation of Nortons, Beezas, and other fine examples of older machines.
August 15, 2015
Chronograph Triumph
Some inventive model hobbyist has taken a box of old watch parts and reassembled them into a motorcycle. Well at least at idle the engine should tickover very well!
August 14, 2015
…the Far Side
One of my favorite cartoonists; Gary Larson who turned 65 today could catch a moment of mirth in the seemingly obscure details of the world.
August 13, 2015
Free Wheelin’
Sixties Fab Fun: The Kandy Kolored Tangerine Flake Streamline Baby Trike. Rebellious model kit for aspiring custom bike builders. An honorable mention to author Tom Wolfe and his new journalism writing style which evoked a vivid reality in a world of hallucinations.
August 12, 2015
Triumphant Pachyderm
World elephant day: saluting with a trunk hose down a Metzler tire’d motorcycle swooshes along under the trumpet fanfare.
August 10, 2015
Life’s Fun
Gotta just love those late fifties and early sixties ad men. They want the consumer of what they’re promoting to get out there and put a smile on their faces. Here a cute couple stroll hand in hand to a sweet little Baby Bonnie. The Tiger Cub.
August 9, 2015
Two of the Best
Enjoy the visual art that these two classic racing motors exude. The perfect balance of form & function with refinement to an engineering requirement achieved a purity in appearance. They both hold a special place in the history of motorcycles. The Norton International stamped its name on the gladiatorial stay circuit at the Isle of Man. The BSA Goldstar was the superbike of its day. If you wanted to be notices AND be at the front of the pack then this was your machine. DBD34
August 8, 2015
More Speed Vicar?
This Rickman framed Triumph stood out in proud orange at Ed’s shop. Next to it an immaculate pre-unit Bonneville. Both truly desirable bikes. But that repli-racer: it’s a stunner!
Ground-up concours restoration of an amaranth red Speed Twin. Sublime and worth gazing at for hours. Put it on a plinth and enjoy the artistry that was Meriden engineering at its best.
A hourglass figure as prepared on an X75 Hurricane. Craig Vetter inspired lines and color maje this much sought after machine a beauty to behold!
A Big Zed! Power in a Can… Just love this, one of the first giant slayer muscle bikes to come from the Far East. I’m going to have to build a bigger garage!
geordiebiker.com 