Antique on Four Wheels | A select offering from yesterday’s car show under the June sky. Beautiful and well cared for there was something for everyone be it German Italian or British. A red XKE was sublime; the early model orange Porsche 911 pure deutsche ingenieurwissenschaften; mint green VW Beetle German efficiency; MK 2 Jags in detail; and a sturdy canvas roofed SWB Landy. So much more was enjoyed.
On/Off Road | Here are the two main models of the Tiger 800. XR and XC. As well as the wheel differences the other major distinction is the beak: short on the road like a parrot and long on the off road version like a kingfisher.
R or C | There are two forms of the Tiger 800 model: the road oriented R and the off-road aimed C. Main difference is front wheel size. The R is shod in 19″ cast wheels and the C in 21″ spoked hoops.
George | The new scooter arrived today. Fresh off the dealers floor and glimmering with subtle verdancy under a warm bright summer sun. Like the previous Tiger it fits me like a glove. Named after my grandfather who rode khaki colored British bike across North Africa during the War and our pup Geordie whose birthday it would be today.
Rocky Mountain High | One year ago today we were enjoying our summer vacation in Colorado. I managed to rent a BMW GS 800 for a day in the high alpine meadows between Ouray and Durango. The Million Dollar Highway. Fantastic riding and a ride that sowed the seed for the Tiger.
R.E. Interceptor | The new Six fifty twin from Chennai India is a smart looking machine. Modern Classic in its purest form with a century long provenance. A suitable alternative to Triumph’s Bonneville.
Ten | racing Vincent in flight. The pilot of this speedy litre twin is holding on tight during the shallow ballistic trajectory.
The Replacement | I dropped into Johnny Scheff’s Motoworks yesterday and utilizing their deals on ’18 model bikes made good on this Tiger 800 XCx. Triumph are including pannier boxes for bikes in June too so the old black crow has a successor. I’m considering the name George for it after my grandfather George Lawrie who rode olive drab motorcycles in North Africa during WWII.
Motoblot | The annual pilgrimage to Chicago’s main open air motorcycle gathering was had today. Weather cooperated after stormy forecasts. Plenty to look at amongst the offering. The KZ900 in sparkly brown and oranges was a notable example; as was a display of the Danish in-line 4 workpony’s Nimbus.
Gas Up! | weekend arrives none too soon! Motoblot bike show here in Chicago.
Sepia | evocative photograph of decked out leather boy on his cafe’d Triumph. Low summer sun stretches hedgerow shadows across the road. Scarf across the mouth to keep the flies out.
Floral Display | Secondary use for a racing fiberglass fuel cell. Som ingenious gardener has repurposed a perforated petrol tank with some flowering plants.
Lightning | The evening sun gave a stark outline to this brat-Bob Yamaha spied in a Home Depot parking lot. Somebody is obviously having fun out there! I bet it grunts like a mongrel straining at the leash.
The View from the Bridge | Another snapshot from a fortnight ago. Waiting for the gang to fill up at the Mount Carroll gas station. I always thought the windscreen had cat ears atop it…
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