April 20, 2012
The Swapmeet was like a virtual museum of many marques; here a timeline of “the nicest people’s” Honda. The stepthrough 70cc mobility to the masses and London cabbies.
Another classic is the mid sixties CL77 Scrambler. 305cc brethren of the Super Hawk. Nice monochromatic colour scheme achieves a Kodak Tri-X film quality. A Henri Cartier Bresson visage of the motorcycle – Purely Classic.
With the oil crisis of the seventies well under way, the reliable mid-sized Japanese bikes came into their own, the next generation CB350 became the moto of commuters, tourers and others having their eyes opened to the open road. This tangerine model with black flash on the tank was a mini-superbike, but no lesser, sibling to the world dominating CB750. Magic stuff. Now this model is a great base for cafe racers at hipster hangouts far and wide.
Finally, the gargantuan CBX, six cylinder powerhouse of smooth behemoth-like traction. The pipework is a work of plumbing art. Six into One.
Posted in 60's, 70's, Honda |
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April 19, 2012
As mentioned previously in this blog, the Norton logo has all the classic lines of a perfect moto-graphic. A balanced counter to its Triumph competition: in red on a giant ‘N’ over a BMW-esque rondel this badge is worthy of any racers tank.
Then when boldly cast into the polished and cherished engine timing cover it brand echoes like some engine tattoo permanently stamped on the proud pounding chest of the twin-chambered heart of matters.
Posted in Motorcycle Art, Norton |
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April 18, 2012
Action Man Diver Driver Fighter Blighter Jason Statham is here astride a late 60’s Trump. This bike is actually for sale on Ebay in Australia $13,000 and it’s yours to either roam the Outback or ship to any worldwide destination. It was made for his latest film ‘Killer Elite’ also starring Robert DeNiro and Clive Owen, a story based on a novel by True-Life Action Man Adventurer and Explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes. Nevertheless this is a nice moto for some great action sequences no doubt.
Posted in Movie, Triumph Motorcycle |
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April 17, 2012
Parked on the grass parking lot at the swapmeet was this pearly beauty: a latter day Triumph Speed Triple. Muscle-bound; fine tuned; bug-eyed thrill of a ride. Jugular-looking tube frame, black hearted motor… cor-blimey guv! Sorted ride mate.
Posted in Triumph Motorcycle |
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April 16, 2012
More of my Sunday morning dawdle amongst the wrecked, ruined and disowned all awaiting someone to fulfill their project needs. Let’s start off with this pair of Tigers a decade apart but both beauty’s. ALthough it’s the single carb version of the Bonnie, it’s still a worthy roadbike. This racing green ’77 750cc and it’s older cherry ’69 650cc both examples of what clean-machines these can look. The tastiest eye candy?
Next up is a ’60 Cub; its diminutive stature belies a fun-on-two-wheels nature This one is all present and correct: a bargain at $1,700. Historical note: In 1960 the UK law was changed restricting learner motorcyclists to a maximum of 250cc and the Tiger Cub became one of the most popular ways of getting onto two wheels.
Last up is a super 500 Trophy; a similarly clean example which was started up with one kick to a musical twin sound. Magic! I believe the owner was using it as a draw for his boxes and tarp laden piles of rusty and oily parts…
Posted in Triumph Motorcycle |
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April 15, 2012
A Swap Meet at Woodstock IL today allowed a plethora of vintage bikes, parts, and ‘cyclists to be regarded. I’ll spend the next few days going over the finds I saw: obviously some British Iron was represented, as was a LOT of Harley Davidson, but a few 70’s Japanese gems was seen too. Starting today with some of the Triumph findings…
This trailer has a whole early seventies Bonneville, a rolling chassis pats bike and was fresh out of the barn; a project for the taking only $2500. Go on! Haggle!
Lying askew on the grass at the estimable Ed Zenders (Morries Place) spot was this forlorn 650cc engine. A little rough around the edges, but all seemed to be there; internals would be a secret only to be revealed upon cracking this nut. Then the fun would begin!
Posted in Triumph Motorcycle, Vintage |
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April 14, 2012
Tiger T-Shirt: sharp claws, teeth and stripes. The Tiger has the power to Roar. The logo for Triumph T100 built from the early forties through the seventies.
A good graphic for a bikers tattoo…
(Title is a Chinese Proverb)
Posted in Motorcycle Art, Tattoo, Triumph Motorcycle |
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April 13, 2012
Either a Prom or Debutante; either way this ’55 racing Triumph is a worthy suitor! Comes with floral bouquet and a shelf-load of trophies. If you look closer at this speed modified T100R, a “Special” Tiger; the handlebars are placed at the lower triple tree, the rear-sets at waaay back and no front brake. This velocity beast was owned by John Melniczuk, owner of J&M Enterprises. That 2 into 1 into 2 pipe setup looks smashing too.
Posted in 50's, Photography, Racing, Triumph Motorcycle |
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April 12, 2012
A tad claggy underfoot can lead to getting hampered in the muddy bottoms. Here some marra’s help out a Thunderbird rider when the clarts clog up the goings on. Howay lads put yer back intae it!
Posted in 50's, Photography |
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April 11, 2012
The newest edition of The Bonnie certainly looks picture perfect under a bright Mediterranean sun. The rough age-worn stucco wall and centuries-old doorway contrast sharply with the crisp yet classic likes of this moto. I’d certainly be happy walking out through this door after a morning coffee for a cavort along the Cote d’Azur.
Posted in Photography, Triumph Bonneville |
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April 10, 2012
Pack the tent, food hamper and don’t forget the missus. Enjoy life on the open road with: fresh air, countryside and nature as your companions. As well as a dripping canvas fly sheet. “pass the pork pie pet and crack open the bottle of stout will you?”
Posted in 30's, Photography, Sidecar, Triumph Motorcycle |
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April 9, 2012
Oor pal Ewan gan oot oan his Trumpit six-fifty. Keepin’ waam wi’ his donkey jacket and spit ‘n’ polished bike he’s ready fer a wee scoot aboot toon.
Must be somewhere overseas, it ain’t raining!
Posted in Bobber, Film and TV, Triumph Motorcycle |
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April 8, 2012
Not so much a muddy hillside; more an urban, potholed, cobbled, taxi-caddeb cityscape. The knobbly shod Triumph Scrambler is a true city mount ready for anything a metropoilis can throw at it: high stance, wide bars, and eye-catching classic look; this is a solid performer to get you down through Tribeca or up along the Upper East Side. This one was seen and photographed in the Big Apple.
Posted in Triumph Motorcycle |
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April 7, 2012
Makes me laff! The cape and paw lightning bolts add perfect touches. Beats “Mother”
Posted in Tattoo |
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April 6, 2012
Ferdinand Alexander ‘Butzi’ Porsche (1935-2012), son of Ferry Porsche, and grandson of Ferdinand Porsche and who established the Porsche Design House passed away today in Austria. His most important creation was the perfect lines of the 911. Arguably one of the greatest cars of all time.
This was also a car that the speed-hungry Steve McQueen owned. The classic 1972 911S model. Which incidentally was sold last year for $1.25m. The sublime grey colour scheme enhances the timeless form. All aspects of it are perfection of curved lines (The Marilyn Monroe of autos?)
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The old way of forming the visually tactile lines of a car: clay modelling: the designer himself at work.
Posted in Cars, Design, Steve McQueen |
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