July 23, 2011
The latest offering from the bespoke french garage Blitz is a reworked 2001 Kawasaki W650, the more lookalike Bonneville lookalike before the latest Triumph T100 came out. They have given it a somewhat bobbed-jobbed-cobbled-robbed-knobbed unique appearance with crimson frame, heavy balloon firestones and an old Jawa tank itself complete with aged patina. Probably a very enjoyable ride with a roadster laid-back stance and wide bars but with a very subjective aesthetic taste!
http://www.blitz-motorcycles.com/
Also paraded today on BikeExif: http://www.bikeexif.com/kawasaki-w650#disqus_thread with plenty of diverse comments.
Posted in Kawasaki |
Leave a Comment »
July 21, 2011
A photo of an Enduro event at the Pas de Calais in France my nephew Dan captured during a school trip there. A winged knight atop a buzzsaw wheeled moto. Great expressive imagery. The event is a ‘free for all’ race around the beach dunes on the Channel coastline.
Posted in Motorcycle Poster |
Leave a Comment »
July 20, 2011
A serious consideration with any future build would be the colour of the frame: here someone has taken their late 60’s Bonneville and given it the fiery orange treatment with white tank. A nice combination! TT pipes in matt black, shallow lamp, fenderless front with disc brake, more up-to-date carbs and big airfilters, ‘stubby’ seat and modern tyres. This is certainly a riders ‘flat-track’ machine.
Well I wouldn’t say no if you offered it to me!
Posted in Triumph Bonneville |
Leave a Comment »
July 20, 2011
My sister, Ruth, found this ultra clean example of a Norton Commando 750. Super sharp details and nice polished finish. The top box reflects a user who rides for a purpose, though obviously only on good days!
Posted in 70's, Norton |
Leave a Comment »
July 19, 2011
Bright prints, graphic imagery and excitement guaranteed! A couple of the race posters seen at the Wheels Through Time museum. The lower poster does seem to have British singles racing…
Posted in Motorcycle Poster, Racing, Vintage |
Leave a Comment »
July 17, 2011
Last couple of fun items from the museum: the Coca Cola Chopper, customized in true sixties style as well as a gas tank with cool looking ice cubes built into the metal…
A ride sitting out in the sun, where it should be, looking road weary; it certainly should be after the thousands on miles from its ride across the US in the Cannonball Run last year. Bikes had to be older than 1920 to run. Dedicated bikers indeed! This was Dave Walkslers 1915 Harley Davidson, he came in 11th after 3292 memorable miles.
Posted in Harley Davidson, Racing, Vintage |
1 Comment »
July 16, 2011
It wasn’t just Harley’s at the Wheels Through Time; other marques were represented also. Some known like Indian and others lesser known such as the Traub. An interesting selection.
A brace of Excelsior Autocycles from 19-teens, the Model X; these were the first ‘ton’ bikes, fast indeed for the time. Bought by Schwinn which folded in Hendesron later; these would become Excelsior “X” Henderson.
Thor Motorcycle from the ‘teens. A board racing machine set up for rapid laps of the racing boards. From Aurora Illinois. With the huge number of bicycle manufacturers around Chicago it was a natural step to motorcycles at the turn of the century.
JAP Single: JA Prestwich motor from the UK used for grasstrack and speedway racing.
ELK: more about this unique cycle from Dale Walksler, owner of the museum.
Finishing on a couple of Indians. Only true major compeition to HD, based in Springfield MA from 1901-1953. Representing this important maker is a Powerplus (above) and Deluxe Sport 4 (below)
Posted in Vintage |
Leave a Comment »
July 16, 2011
A large selection of HD’s from the last hundred years or so filled the museum, the waft of engine fumes tinged the air. They still fired many of these up! One racing specimen was kicked into life while I was there, a hearty roar and pungent gasoline smell. Heart thumpin’ stuff!
An early forties WLA, 45 cu. inches WWII machine (80,000+ built)
1928 JD, here in fetching blue trim.
Model F (1915 on) Early 61 cu. inches (1000cc) V-Twin configuration; this one with original patina: marvellous!
Flathead engine (side valve) used in HD’s between the 30’s and 50’s. Here a U model with recirculating lubrication; the Squirt logo adorning the oil pump! Ribbed side cover aids cooling.
1933 VLE 74 cu. inches. Beautiful bird tank graphic for this year only.
XR750: Dirt-Track racer extraordinaire!
Posted in Harley Davidson, Vintage |
Leave a Comment »
July 15, 2011
Whilst driving through North Carolina we stopped at Maggie Valley where a little gem of a place resides: the Wheels Through Time Museum. A building filled with American Motorcycles from the teens of last century up through to the seventies. Harleys mostly, but well worth a visit to see the set up they have. Biking paraphenalia also colours the exhibit. Lovely machines. I’ll start a few days run with this Evel Knievel XR stunt bike…
Don’t forget your lunchbox boy!
Posted in Harley Davidson |
Leave a Comment »
July 14, 2011
At a folk creative workshop in North Carolina I worked in the print class. Using old credit card swipe machines and carefully carved lino sheet a small reproducable print could be made. I worked on an image of my Triumph. Came out pretty good for second go at printmaking…
Posted in Motorcycle Art, Triumph Bonneville |
1 Comment »
July 1, 2011
The Thompson Twins and Snowy take fright as our intrepid hero de jour takes flight on his motorcycle.
There’s a good chance he’s astride a Terrot, the makers of the Gallic ‘cycle brand that was based in Dijon. Here’s a 1930 model the 350cc HST
Note: Hergé was the pen name of Georges Prosper Remi, writer and artist (1907-83) his name being his initials backwards RG in french of course!
Posted in Motorcycle Art, Superhero |
Leave a Comment »
June 30, 2011
Here’s a stunning rendition of Judge Dredd on his Lawmaster, action shot riding whilst shooting his Lawgiver. The pencil sketch shows great form and the rendered image gives it life! Smashin’ stuff! (artist: Lee Carter)
Posted in Motorcycle Art, Superhero |
1 Comment »
June 29, 2011
This could be prior to his infamous moped accident in late ’66. Where he cut his lip and chipped a tooth. Anyway he’s atop a Thunderbird, glossy black with spiffy nacelle headlight.
I don’t know why she’s ridin’ so high.
She oughtta think twice.
She oughtta do right by me.
A 1962 Thunderbird
Posted in Triumph Motorcycle |
Leave a Comment »
June 28, 2011
A McQueen fix, here’s wor Steve looking on at the ISDT rides quarantined from the riders pre-race. His is the one in front no doubt “278”. Pensive before the six days ahead!
Posted in Racing, Steve McQueen, Triumph Motorcycle |
Leave a Comment »
June 26, 2011
A new model in the Triumph line-up: the 1600cc parallel twin cruiser in a blackened finish called the Thunderbird Storm. Twin headlights, wide seat and chunky rubber underfoot. It looks like a GOOD ride, comfy width seat and bars, with, I’m sure, power to boot! Well, if ever I did go down the cruiser route, this is the one for me!
Posted in Triumph Motorcycle |
Leave a Comment »
geordiebiker.com 