June 21, 2011
Some neat ‘Flyers’ were prepared to promote the show; Mods vs Rockers as the inspiration. A BSA Goldie for the backdrop in neon pink and orange is inspired. Nice clean poster.
A close-up of the MvsR graphic, puddin’ bowl and cap. RAF roundel mod emblem & spade ’59’ badge.
A super ‘screen-print’ image for the weekly meeting at a local hang out for bikers.
Posted in cafe racer, Chicago, Motorcycle Art, Motorcycle Poster |
Leave a Comment »
June 19, 2011
I concentrated on the Triumphs: starting with a good range of the newer Hinckley models, each with their own personalized modification to varying degrees.
Local dealer Motoworks were thre showing a few bikes; the green Speed Triple was my fave…
The modern Tiger, tall legged ready for roadgoing adventure.
A pair of Thruxtons with small fairings for a lively race look.
Bonnevilles galore…
Tangerine and delight.
Seeing triple!
The McQueen inspired Scrambler; a suitably fun based ride.
Bikes glow in appreciation.
The sublime powerplant of the 2300cc Triumph.
The rounded lines of the late nineties Trophy, competent speed and distance tug.
All tastes covered, from the clean touring bike to a colorful cafe…
…and finally, a bobbed Triumph. Hardtail and sprung saddle; though clip-ons and forward placed footrests may make an awkward seating position. But obviously a well-loved ride.
Posted in Chicago, Triumph Motorcycle |
Leave a Comment »
June 19, 2011
Today on Lincoln Avenue in Chicago, there was a street-wide bike show for all comers. Based at Delilahs Bar, usual hangout for the Chi-Town ‘Mods vs Rockers crew, it drew crowds riding in on, and admiring, numerous makes of bike. From dozens of Triumphs, Cafe Racers, scooters to the more esoteric Italian, practical German, and a few Harleys for good measure. A great range of motos! Had a super time looking along the rows parked on both sides of the street at this wide range of very personal rides. I’ll take a few days of this blog to cover what I saw! Enjoy!
Louie the plastic dashboard alligator nodded in appreciation!
“I don’t care if it snows much later
‘cos I got my plastic ‘gator,
Noddin’ on the dashboard next to me!
I’m cruisin’ along at ninety miles’
but I’m safe with my moulded crocodile,
assuring me that I won’t miss my tea!”
acknowledgement to Plastic Jesus written by Ed Rush and George Cromarty in 1957
Posted in Chicago |
Leave a Comment »
June 18, 2011
Looks like a good time to be had by all: competitors and spectators alike! Love the orange & blue scheme.
Posted in Motorcycle Poster, Racing |
Leave a Comment »
June 17, 2011
If all you’ve got is a small fenced yard then you’d better chain ‘er down. Hope this ride is loved otherwise and sees plenty of miles under her wheels!
Posted in Triumph Motorcycle |
Leave a Comment »
June 15, 2011
Back in the early 70’s physicist Carl Sagan helped promote and realisation of adding a message plaque to NASA’s Pioneer spacecraft. He devised a graphic representing an understanding of molecular physics as well as our position in space, down to which planet in the Solar System we are on. Also on it are images of a man and woman.
I’ve added the outline of a Triumph to let the extraterrestrials know that we ride motorcycles too!
Posted in 70's, Motorcycle Art, Triumph Motorcycle |
Leave a Comment »
June 15, 2011
Ann Margaret flinging her ‘bye, bye, birdy’ persona to the desert winds and taking off down the road Captain America style. Point it to the horizon and keep going!
Too Kool 4 Skool, fer shure…
Hardtail triumph with well sprung seat.
Redhead Sara and her ride, low seat and flipped bars; a moto for the road.
Posted in 70's, Triumph Motorcycle |
Leave a Comment »
June 14, 2011
Over the years the Royal Mail have used motorcycles for rapid delivery; much before FedEx and the like. We’ll look at some of their bikes later, however in 2005 they created a commemorative series dedicated to British bikes including: a Rotary Norton, Royal Enfield, Vincent, BSA and Brough Superior.
Taking pride of place at 47 pence is a Triumph Speed Triple.
Posted in Motorcycle Art, Triumph Motorcycle |
Leave a Comment »
June 12, 2011
The late 60’s and early 70’s was the time when the chopper culture entered it’s golden, glitzy, chrome-laden, and psychadelic colored era. Here’a couple of examples of the style. Not necessarily raked forks all the time, but a semi-bobbed style. This one has a super open-road portrait stretching into the distance. Insect-like headlights, but a comfortable riding geometry.
U-shaped bucket seat, peanut tank and raked hardtail frmae; that’s chopper style. The british twins were used as much as the harley v-twins are seen today in these custom specials.
Crumb-esque drawings add to tne light hearted nature of the lifestyle…
…keep on ridin’!
Posted in 60's, 70's, Motorcycle Poster, Triumph Motorcycle |
Leave a Comment »
June 12, 2011
Ooh, to have a place to wheel in a British Iron needing some tinkering, overhaul or just plain looked at! A space with a workbench, tools, wireless playing, a shelf with a cat curled up with sleepy eyes watcing over your work…
Posted in Triumph Motorcycle |
Leave a Comment »
June 11, 2011
A triptych of one of the old pistons from the Bonnie. They are quite elegant in their purposeful form.
Posted in Triumph Motorcycle |
Leave a Comment »
June 9, 2011
Beautiful loose sketch from some brochure in the 60’s, A sense of light adventure to be had astride a Meriden twin. Won’t go too far or fast with her skirt though!
Posted in 60's, Motorcycle Art, Triumph Motorcycle |
Leave a Comment »
June 8, 2011
… yup it’s wor blokey bloke Barry Sheene, two wheeled racer boyhood hero. Great shot on this ealry 70’s Yamaha with a ginormous dront 4LS drum. Duck helmet icon evident also. V for Victory!
Posted in Barry Sheene, Racing |
Leave a Comment »
June 8, 2011
Mascot goes anywhere; loves to flap ears in breeze; supports weekend racer!
Speedy lads enjoy the desert flats…
You gotta start somewhere; whether two wheels or four!
Posted in 50's, Triumph Motorcycle |
Leave a Comment »
June 7, 2011
When I were just a wee lad… one of the early motorcycle inspirations was a Ladybird book called Tootles the Taxi; within its thin tome was a page with this picture on it with a small verse.
I’m Minkie the motorbike
Off for a run,
Gathering up speed
Can be glorious fun !
For I am a racer
And run with a zest,
To win all the races –
North, South, East and West
A zippy, smilin’, Norton Manx droning around a racetrack, rider crouched for speed, front wheel slightly loft!
An early edition had the boy, girl and dog on the track ~ removed from later versions due to safety concerns of kids wandering around Brands Hatch during races…. where are those stewards!
Posted in Motorcycle Art, Racing |
2 Comments »
geordiebiker.com 