Ridin’ on the Moon; more lunar two-wheeled shenanigans from the cover art of a period AMA magazine.
July 17, 2014
Moonshot
Forty five years ago this week a behemoth Saturn V rocket sped three men to a destination with history a quarter of a million mikes away. One of the most fantastic achievements of humans acting collectively with a sure goal.
Wouldn’t things have been more fun if they had a moon-moto to scoot about the dusty surface see here being tested in the infamous low gravity inducing ‘vomit comet’.
.
July 16, 2014
Bath Time
When the moto gets all ‘hacky-dorty’ the you need a can if this! Scrub off the old road grime and polish ‘er up. The bike always look refreshed with a bit if elbow grease and a stack of rags. Best done on a sunny day with a beer to whet your whistle.
July 12, 2014
Bonny Bonnie
The Bonnie lookin good in the bright summer light. Rarin’ for a lowp along the road.
July 11, 2014
Rusty but a good vintage
The popular 1-ton Chevy 3800 truck from ’51 or ’52 is a lovely bit of Americana that built a country after the ravages of the depression followed by a harrowing world war. This one looks like it’s done ample service and needs a little retiring recovery followed by an easy life toting up and down country roads from fair to diner and home again.
Buffalo MN
July 10, 2014
Electricity
“Invention is the most important product of man’s creative brain. The ultimate purpose is the complete mastery of mind over the material world, the harnessing of human nature to human needs.” Nikola Tesla 10 July1856- 7 January 1943. Electrical Engineer, scientist, inventor, genius
July 10, 2014
I-94
Here’s my current dashboard: the VW GTI (Gertie) along with plastic ‘gator Louie. The highway is the lush interstate through Wisconsin. Music on this particular trip was Elliott Smith;
July 8, 2014
Triumph Controls
The Aston may be a little out of reach for me so here’s something closer to the mark. TR6 with warm wood dash, stout steering wheel, and over a hundred ponies being reigned in under the bonnet ahead (145 UK injected spec/ 104 US carburetted spec)
July 7, 2014
Behind the Wheel
I can’t find the ejector seat button… However the plush red leather seats are a comfortable pew to handle that beautiful wheel… DB5 cockpit
July 6, 2014
Thunder Bird
Beautiful period image of a cheery lass with her blue Triumph 6T Thunderbird at some lunch stop on a country road ride in the ‘States. Leather clad and looking highway worthy. Snappy!
July 5, 2014
Lengthening Shadow
A quick spin up north before a 4th of July party gave quiet roads to swoop along, golden light bathing lush trees offering intermittently shaded roads and a superlative ride. The fireworks weren’t bad either…
July 3, 2014
Duck!
On this day, July 3rd, in 1938 the Number 4468 Mallard set the speed record for a steam locomotive. Going like the clappers with a full head of steam reaching 125.88 mph (202.58 km/h). The record was achieved on 3 July 1938 on the slight downward grade of Stoke Bank south of Grantham on the East Coast Main Line; the highest speed being recorded at milepost 90¼, between Little Bytham and Essendine.
The blue streamlined bodywork harks the zenith of the steam age. Like Malcolm Campbell’s Bluebird cars and boats the sapphire tone yells speed. The black eyebrow swoosh arched lines over the 4-6-2 wheel arrangement is pure form. These wheel skirts were designed by railway engineer Oliver Bulleid with an obvious aerofoil profile – making an engineering need an aesthetic boon.
For the trainspotters out there: this ‘Streak’ is London & North Eastern Railway LNER Class A4 Pacific Steam Locomotive built in Doncaster Yorkshire in 1938. One of 35 engines built, designed by Sir Herbert Nigel Greeley its job was to get passengers from London, through York and Newcastle and on up to Edinburgh.
July 2, 2014
Born of Paper, Pencil and Clay
Before computers drove the shape of the aerodynamic form it was up to the car designer to devise of the curved lines of bodywork to wrap the chassis, engine and seating compartment.
Sculpture on wheels each with a face and body as recognizable as any old family member.
Friends that always continue the conversation where you left off…
Art becomes Art. Looking at, and analyzing, the outline of these beauties, seeing how the curve flows.
There are details that become the marques signature: BMW’s central grill for example. The 2002’s shows this off well.
An E Type’s rear end complements the long engine-full front so well. Perfection!
Even a German next to an Briton looks sumptuous.
Then there’s the cockpit… That another story*
*I didn’t get any images at this car show of walnut dash and leather seat or wood steering wheel and Smiths clocks… Next time!
geordiebiker.com 