….the need for speed. Our Tommy Cruise getting his prop Thruxton up to reasonable speed on a closed set in London’s Mall for an upcoming flick, “All you need is kill”. A graphic novel brought to life.
The story is Hiroshi Sakurazaka’s written and Yoshitoshi ABe’ illustrated SciFi story very much like a Philip K. Dick version of Groundhog Day.
“He’s Dangerous”. Iceman
Heavy Metal IS the music of a motorcycle on the motorway: heavy drums, power chords and wailing lyrics. Biff Byford’s Saxon was a venue filling group of the early eighties. On their album Wheels of Steel their first track starts up with the rumble of revving motorcycles….
Motorcycle Man
[Byford/Quinn/Oliver/Dawson/Gill]
If you see me flashing by
Do not stop me, do not try
‘Cause I’m a motorcycle man
I get my kicks just when I can
Motorcycle man
Motorcycle man
I can beat your street machine
We’re taking risks, that’s what we mean
‘Cause I’m a motorcycle man
We get our kicks just when we can
When we can
Motorcycle man
Motorcycle…
If you see me riding by
Do not stop me, do not try
‘Cause I’m a motorcycle man
I get my kicks just when I can
When I can
Motorcycle man
Motorcycle man
Motorcycle, motorcycle
Motorcycle man
I can beat your street machine
I’m taking risks, that’s what I mean
‘Cause I’m a motorcycle man
We get our kicks just when we can
When we can
Motorcycle man
Motorcycle man
Motorcycle, motorcycle
Motorcycle man
Head bangin’ glory! \m/
I took an hour today to swap out the points ignition setup for a nifty Pazon electronic ignition, a very straight forward operation only needing care in getting the rotor aligned to TDC. Once there the engine is started and timed on the primary side to the correct 38° advance Varoom, the engine roars into a powerful voice. I nip around the block going up and down the gears with intent. The Bonnie got her giddy-up back!
Back in the late sixties when the British motorcycle industry knew things were in hubris began an evolution of the globally successful Bonneville headed twin engined T series. The parent company BSA was waning and a merger with Norton Villiers was soon to be forced upon them. The wagons were circling…
..one if the remaining technical ‘wheezes’ they had was the creation of an oil filled frame or ‘Oil-in-Frame’ as they came to be known.
In ’71 Triumph introduced its new Bonneville & Trophy and BSA its Lightning and Thunderbolt. The photo shows their similarities such as the slab sided covers, and differences: notably the engine and gas tank. The Bonnie tries to keep a sense of its heritage whereas the Thunderbolt has new slim lines and the unit engine seems more in place. My ’72 should look like the farther model, but its developed into a 70’s hybrid.
Too little too late? The triples were a great bike, the twins were long in the tooth, worker political going on were afoot and the CB750 was running roughshod across the world. The death knell was run, BSA had a year and Triumph about ten of hobbling along.
However both good looking bikes…
Of course the MvR meet wasn’t just about motorcycles… It also included a small car show where the four wheeled rockers drove in their 50’s vee-hick-kals. Hot rods, Rat Rods, land yachts, classic trucks, Nader’s Ford Corvair. Enjoy!
A collage of the numerous Triumphs seen at Mods vs Rockers. Enjoyed ’em all!
Threesome japanesewise today:let’s start with the Black Bomber, a four fifty twin from the sixties that gave the British Iron a run for their money… Before the CB750 came along then it was ” Game Over”. Good styling marked by the monochromatic ebony, silver, gray scheme.
Add a fairing and classic Honda racing colors, silver, red and yellow, then we have a speed contender. Road going speed jinx here we come!
This really is choice…
…….. Finally a diminutive piece of fun: the Monkey Bike. Shrek on the wee chair give giggles. The minimoto itself has several aftermarket upgrades to improve performance and raise fun levels.
The Latin moto’s were well represented at the Rally with numerous latter day Ducati’s as well as a few select Mediterranean marvels. Of course this older single Duc 250 Scrambler gives enjoyable views of its bevel driven engineering. A cousin to my Cub project?
Then some bearded feller came rumbling in on this Guzzi combination, resplendent in red, it looks like a comfy drive for captain and passenger alike. Plenty of storage room to tote a picnic along the Po river visiting villas and gardens.
And finally, though not leastly, a 350 Moto Morini. A little cracker of a v-twin that gives the owner plenty of notice with the head turning this racer will enjoy.
A threefold contrasting in style. MvR had plenty of marque examples to enjoy viewing and this triad of Norton’s was one such range of look. A clean black ‘n’ gold commando which must enjoy the road. A classic!
Another silver ghost with that swooping name glows in monochromatic pearlescence.
Then finally a superlative custom with the twin barrel’d engine shoehorned into a carefully wrought frame. Rim mounted disc brakes and numerous other carefully though through details add quality to this bespoke moto.
Three for three…
Yesterdays Mods versus Rockers bike meet was a great turnout with early rain passing and a good sun getting out. Several smart machines were seen which will be included on the blog over the next few days however this specimen stood out. It was a surgically clean, unblemished, concour quality 1968 Triumph Bonneville. It is probably cleaner than a factory fresh machine from 45 years ago.
My bike would look like an oily hack next to it. But my moto is a runner meant to get ‘hacky dorty’ on the road ahead. This is a display specimen.
It’s twenty years today since the early death of James Hunt at the age of 45. He was the very definition of the playboy race car driver in the 70’s with plenty of action on, hence the nickname ‘The Shunt’, as well as off the track, just look at his race coveralls patch just below his embroidered blood type.
His model wife Suzy Miller is sporting the a T-shirt with the Hesketh Team logo: a teddy bear in full face helmet. The young Lord Hesketh being the teams backer. As an aside Suzy left Hunt for actor Richard Burton including a million pound settlement…
Not to worry though there was plenty more life to live on the edge of speed; here seen enjoying the harbor life of Monaco with friend Barry Sheene. The pair made their mark on the world Grand Prix stage in 1976, James in Formula One and Bazza on his motorcycle. The fans following their exploits on and off the circuits around the globe. A real pair of cheeky chappies!
However when the going got tough they were up there with the best of ’em! Each taking world champion titles that year. Here’s a great behind the scenes shot of the mechanics shed for Maclaren (who took him to his title) in flared jeans, sandals and a relaxed brotherly attitude.
His rival at the time was Nikki Lauder, a great of his day and worthy opponent. Mere weeks after a fiery crash at the Nürburgring where he suffered burns to his face and head he was back in the seat to maintain his points lead over Hunt. The season was down to the last race at Fuji Japan with Hunt winning by one point over Lauder after Niki withdrew over the wet course conditions.
This climactic season is the subject of an upcoming film from Ron Howard “Rush”. Should be good!
James went on to become a foil for world class motor racing commentator Murray Walker and their colorful banter for the Formula One racing made watching them exciting, with Murrays excited exuberance and James’ pithy remarks .
He’s legend in the high stakes world of speed and lived that life with gusto.
…yup I need a Pools win! After my lunchtime swim today I spied this smashing Scrambler parked outside…
The owner had shod it with hefty knobblies, wide bars and the odd lightening whittle-down of a few covers. It looks like a heap o’ fun suitable for any road you happen to be on.
All in black too, stealth, moody and tough looking. At least it would match my leathers! Only have two words for that: “Want One!”
…in it to win it! This sweeter than sugar Bonneville is being offered in a sweepstake. All you have to do is make a donation.
http://ironandair.com/triumphgiveaway
The bike is sorted by Dime City Cycles and looks like a winner out of the box. Cherry Red speedster. Donations go to Wellspring International Outreach Foundation by motojournalist Neale Bayly. The cause is a sheltered home for abandoned kids in Peru.
Back in the day when Tiger Cubs was a fresh new model from Triumph the trials riders saw its supple format a the ideal tool one bloke from Bradford utilized its lithe characteristics to great effect.
He was a Scottish six day trial rider, and national competitor on the technical off-road circuit in the fifties and sixties. He stayed on British iron, including AJS at a time when riders were turning to the European and Japanese two strokes. In latter years he enjoyed beekeeping on the Isle of Man. I’m sure he enjoyed the TT spectacle each year from some hedgerow line corner.
Artie Ratcliffe has died in 2009 at an Isle of Man nursing home aged 83.
Good style on the Cub though, and a lovely looking machine too.
The annual Mods versus Rocker motorcycle & scooter rally is on this coming weekend. This year it is on Lawrence Avenue at the Aragon Ballroom carpark. The bike will be ready this time to scoot down there and be in the line-up of the numerous motos. Doc Martens, denim and levvers! Rock On!
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