A young Bruce Springsteen captures the hearts of a disillusioned working class America with his music in the seventies. Lyrics that resonated and a beat that was alive. He rode motorcycles to escape the familiar and explore a country seemingly on the brink.
Near my garage where the bikes are kept is this old garage and loft. The old doors, siding and shingle are great time worn vintage features that are only seen along this Evanstonian alley.
Tiptoes and knee high socks. Narrow bars turning a pair of lengthened forks backed up with a cushy swept back saddle. Pea colored coffin tank matches the trim jacket. Well, how else are you going to get to your private jet from the executive terminal?b
Sirius the hound peers out of the tank perched knapsack. The warm tones of desert rock outcropping litter the arid scrub alongside the blacktop route. The Sporty bobber is fettled for such a journey; and the companion just adds to the enjoyment of travel and adventure.
Back Roads
– A winding route up through Lake County saw our wheels rolling along this narrow gravelly lane through shoulder-high corn crops, blanketing soy bean fields , horse pastures, and arching oak trees. Away from the City’s hustle and bustle; at least for a morning.
– someone took it upon themselves to wedge a Triumph twin cylindered engine into a small Honda Monkey pit bike. sure looks like a lot of fun!
– mesh back and adjustable band with padded forehead adorned with logo. Essential summertime sunshine garb.
Nicely sorted cafe’d Triumph with a breakfast theme. Just needs bacon, sausages, black pudding and a buttered slice washed down with a hot Cuppa.
– Tonka Motorcycles in British Columbia used this period image for their catalogue of custom parts.
– as part of yesterday’s City tour we dropped kickstands just outside of the Wrigley Building. 35 W Wacker, The Jewelers Building, looms beacon-like over Michigan Avenue Bridge.
Early Morning Spin
– with an expected temperature to hit the high nineties today we set off to get in a dawn ride into the City and along the Lakefront. Here are the bikes at a very photogenic spot at the Adler Planetarium looking back to the Chicago skyline.
– here’s a vintage photo of a pair of ladies rough riding over the moors on a brace of Model H Triumphs.
– Actor Robert Shaw taking a spin around the fishing village of Meneshma on Martha’s Vineyard which stood in for the salty fictional island location. He’s probably got a couple of bottles of scotch in the handlebar basket for an evening booze session with the locals.
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