A quick degreasing and oily rag polish sees the Bonnie’s engine looking a little more respectable. No it’s not a shiny mirror-like surface but the grimy oil surface was wiped off to a roadworthy patina.
June 6, 2014
Small Moto
Remembering the Day of Days seventy years ago brings countless accounts from numerous members of the expeditionary force venturing onto mainland Europe with Berlin as their destination.
The first ‘ashore’ were the paratroop regiments of the British Army and the Airborne of the Americans. Some jumped, others glided in. To keep momentum and troop movement up a small packable motorcycle was developed. Packed into the tube shaped parachute canister it was dropped along with the troops, field assembled, well unfolded, and push started to give speedier mobility across the French countryside than yomping with a fully laden pack on. These miniature 100cc Excelsior Welbikes were brought along for the the D-Day landings along the Normandy coast on June 6th1944. The 2stroke Villiers engine had a top speed of 30mph and range of 90 miles.
Even though they took mere seconds to assemble, the paras typically landed behind lines and had to get under cover quickly, or the differential fall rates of trooper and tube meant they were separated by some distance upon landing. They were generally used as an airfield runnabout and post war curiosity.
Welbike
June 5, 2014
A Respite
On the eve of the 70th anniversary if the D-Day landings in Normandy here is an image from a war before that one. Some weary lads sit in the sun with their Douglas 2 3/4 WW1 motorcycles. Rubble and derelict buildings as backdrop, and I’m sure unforgettable memories on their minds. Were at the centennial of the Great War… A conflict to end all wars.. Alas not.
June 4, 2014
Branded
Branding is a name, branding is identity, branding is recognition. In the motorcycle world none more so than Triumph. With over a century of visibility the marques logo has developed and adapted with its place through history to create a timeless brand.
The latest logo was developed by the ad agency Wolff Olins.
It has evened out lettering, equal height and rounded off serif to create a hint of slope and movement. Looks good on the tank…
For the nerdy graphic designers…
Here’s the technical font structure and letter space kerning. More to it than meets the eye for sure.
June 3, 2014
Hoofer
The kick start was the owners way of getting the motorcycles engine spinning up for ignition up until the early to mud seventies. It takes a little finesse, careful setup (lest you get an ankle biting kick-back) and a smooth, but hefty swing of the leg. Getting your weight over it eases the proceedings as is an audience of zero. Add one or two bystanders and it all goes to pot. Misfire, blowback pop, slipping pawls or over zealous throttle to get the engine revving like its being mistreated.
When it all goes smoothly and the stars are aligned it can be a beautiful thing: swoosh, crack, put-put…. Into an low rumbling idle…
The road awaits!
June 2, 2014
Sun on Bikes
Bright late spring skies beam down on the motos as they rest from the hare through the Indiana Dunes State Park.
June 1, 2014
Road trip aftermath for Brit Iron
After yesterdays outing the Bonnie required some much needed maintenance: fork legs drained and refilled. Which necessitated the handlebars to be removed, and the speedo and tach, as well as a readjustment of the steering head bearings to tighten up the proceedings. Also Bob Goodpastor noticed one of
my carb cables was routed a little tightly at the cap; so off came the tank and spun that… Just need to adjust the chain, oil levels in the frame/tank, primary case and gearbox and she’s good for the road again.
Here’s some more photos from Expert Motorcycle Works… Workbench, tools and ‘cycle display all!
Rows of British two wheeled history awaits a willing rider.
Likewise rows of cylinder heads await lapping, guides, valves and rocker arms… As well as a reciprocating cylinder clad piston.
May 31, 2014
Expert
A fabulous long ride around the south part of Lake Michigan through the Indiana State Dunes Park to New Buffalo Michigan. Cool bright morning turning into a warm day suitable to be called May 31st. We stopped in at Bob Goodpastors ‘shop in Hobart.
Benches lined with engines: race and road both. The floor with half built chassis such as featherbed, and Goldstar. Shelves packed to the gunwales with boxes of parts, cylinder heads, gearboxes, hubs. A veritable Aladdin’s Cave!
Wheels overhead hang with miles recorded in the tension of their singing spokes. Tools bedeck the wall ready for plenty of action the old machines require. A back shed if filled further with plentiful supplies of cycle components awaiting projects needing donor parts.
And of course in the center of it all is the friendly and gracious Bob, more than willing to show us the nooks and crannies if his world. Pup was super friendly too!
May 30, 2014
Pen & Ink
Exquisite technical illustration from the masters hand. This is Lawrie Watts at his finest: taking a complex machine, engine or entire vehicle and in perfectly weighted line work achieves both x-ray vision and form of assemblage.
It reminds me of the old hand drawn plans and details I had to prepare before computers were in the office. Ink, mylar and stinking dyline machines…
May 29, 2014
Alley Cat
My Bonneville sitting idly on its sidestand along a northside alley. Leaning lazily waiting for a sturdy hoof to the kicker, her orange tank glows warmly in the late spring evening light.
Let’s ride!
May 28, 2014
Rockin’!
Before wheels there’s the ubiquitous playroom rocking horse. Here’s one given a sweet ‘update’ only needing the bucking shenanigans of some mini leather jacketed kid with a grin as wide as the curved rails. 🙂
May 27, 2014
Nose Art Tank
Another example of the aggressive shark tooth’d grimace seen on the warbirds of WW2. This would look smart on the Tiger Cub tank. Not too much more room for the bomb ridin’ gal though. Olive Drab and red backed pointy teeth gives a nasty bite! Gnash!
May 26, 2014
Three Pee’s please
Blue sky graphic with streaming air speeding past this ink print of the suitably dressed period biker and his Triumph. Classic comic penwork with speed lines imply the moving moto.
May 25, 2014
Memorial Weekend Jaunt
Fill ‘er up and let’s hit the road! Weather a crystal clear day with glowing blue skies, a hint of a cooling lake breeze and minimal holiday weekend early Sunday morning traffic.
We would through leafy roads north and ended up in Volo. The car museum was open and also had a classic car show to boot. Opening with this fire-engine red Duisenberg. Coachwork on the boat shaped body was sublime.
Carroll Shelby knew how to pump some adrenaline into these 60’s Ponies: the gold striped black example looked the part. Your for fifty grand.
M
Ford Econoline open van: functional, turquoise, spare…
Loved this greyhound good ornament adorning the windward end of a fine 39’s Ford. Geordie at speed…
Stopped at a diner in Rockland Road Rote 176 for pancakes and syrup. Good weather and a cracking ride!
May 24, 2014
Modern Classics
A pair of dudes were supping coffee at a Starbucks at Plaza Del Lago: these were their rides. Shiny new Guzzi and Triumph. Do you speak Italian or English? That’s the question.
geordiebiker.com 