Sunday, February 28, 2010

As Others See Us


This is a 1936 Norton brochure (contributed by Wim); too large to reproduce properly on a Blog page but the introduction (copied below) says it all:

"Here are a few letters of appreciation that we have recently received. We did not ask for them - they were sent spontaneously - obviously as the result of the enthusiasm aroused by the splendid performance of the "Unapproachable" NORTON. As you read these letters it must be perfectly clear that only a machine quite out of the ordinary could provoke such genuine approval."


This photo from the brochure shows Jimmy Guthrie on what appears to be a trials version of the M30 International. Fitting an obsolete acetylene lighting kit must have been less work than fitting a magdyno!

Guess who.


Who are these two good looking skinny future Wing Nuts?

Lady's Bicycle? Colour vs Form

Still obsessively browsing the new NAHBS 2010 pictures, I am seeing some bicycles in pastel colour schemes that suggest they are meant for women.

[image by Geekhouse Bikes via flickr]

Here is one from Geekhouse that I must say is spectacular. Personally, I consider this colour scheme "feminine", in the sense that the colours are traditionally seen on women's clothing and accessories. However, it is a diamond frame.

[image by sleepyneko via flickr]

On the other hand, here is a mixte by Velo Orange. The frame is typically viewed as a "women's frame" (at least in the US), yet the colour scheme is traditionally "masculine": a solid, conservative blue.

In a controlled study, I wonder which bicycle would be more appealing to women. (Research grant?)

Bobber Launch


To me this is getting the front tire off the ground. If you can see light under the tire, it's a wheelie!

Happy family

Saturday, February 27, 2010

1928 ES2 Norton



For sale at eBay Motors UK; a 1928 ES2 Norton described by the seller as follows: "500cc OHV numbered ES 38199, no frame number, gearbox number CR7858. Everything is in good shape and really only needs repainting."


A very optimistic view on a restoration! It's a nice project and most of it seems to be there (except for the TT Webbs and the Binks carb) but it's not a bargain at a fixed price of £11000. Still one should consider that 1930s side valve Nortons are priced between 8000-10000 euro nowadays and in that perspective it's not excessive.

Click here to go to Ebay Motors UK. 

Chuck Otis


Cool cut down with a great set of pipes!

NAHBS Goes Floral

I had been looking forward to the 2010 North American Handmade Bicycle Show (NAHBS) and now the images are finally beginning to show up on flickr and various cycling websites. Lots of beautiful bicycles, with Randonneur and Porteur aesthetics looming large. Another theme I've noticed is the prevalence of floral designs, especially in accessories. Have a look:

[image by sleepyneko via flickr]

This handmade rack with a leaf motif is from Banjo Cycles and part of a matching front and rear rack set. These must have taken a long time to make!

[image by sleepyneko via flickr]

Front rack with wooden inlays, on a Yipsan Cycles mixte.

[image by sleepyneko via flickr]

Some custom "tree" headbadges by Poka Cycle Accessories. Love the look of enamel paint on these.

[image by sleepyneko via flickr]

Also Lilly of the Valley headbadges.

[image by sleepyneko via flickr]

And check out this beautiful chainguard, also by Poka. I would love one of these!

[image by sleepyneko via flickr]

Brooks saddle, carved by Kara Ginther for Banjo Bicycles.

[image by sleepyneko via flickr]

Fleur de Lis
lug/sleeve on an A.N.T Scorcher.

[image by thebicycleescape via flickr]

Bamboo frame with floral motif. This is a Bamboosero bicycle made by Bikeys in New Zealand, the floral artwork done by a Maori artist.

[image by Velo Colour]

And these magnificent floral details are by Velocolour (check out additional details here).

Looking at the popularity of floral designs at NAHBS this year, I wonder whether it reflects a growing female customer base for bicycle builders. Or perhaps these are just as popular with men. What do you think?

An envelope


Another contribution from Martin in the USA:

"This is the back of an envelope I purchased several years ago. It was mailed from Tallinn, Estonia (a country in north-eastern Europe) on October 31, 1935. It was sent to the RCA Victor Company, Inc in Camden, New Jersey, USA.

Has anyone ever heard of Mr. Freybach? Maybe a racer or "local hero"? According to Google Translate, "masinate kauplus" means "machinery shop". Maybe he was a dealer or motorcycle tuner of note? Whoever he was, he went to the expense of having his envelopes personalized."
 

The motorcycle appears to be a modified 1931 ES2; the magneto is behind the engine but it still has the Royal Enfield rear hub and the exhaust pipe on the left hand site.

Friday, February 26, 2010

Ridin' Double


The last time I rode on the back of a bike was with Chopper Dave somewhere around 1989. It was the LAST time I rode on the back of a bike.

Daytona Bike Week - Get a Start on the Rally Season

The 69th anniversary of Daytona Bike Week is being held February 26 - March 7, 2010 in Daytona Beach, Florida. The start of Daytona Bike Week is often announced on the morning TV news shows. You know, where somebody sticks their face in front of the camera and announces: "We're at the opening of Daytona Bike Week. Good Morning America," and then you see a whole line of bikes roar off in front of the camera. Unfortunately, most of the remainder of Bike Week will not be seen by non-motorcyclists.

Check out my article, Daytona, for details.

Here in the frigid Northeast, I hear plenty of people talking about going to Daytona. Some are riding down with friends. Riding sometimes means riding in a car and towing a trailer with the bike on it. After all, the 1500 miles down with uncertain weather conditions has left many a rider stranded in a snow storm or Nor'easter. After that happens to you once, you tend to be a little more cautious the next time you go.

Maybe you want to skip Daytona and concentrate on planning to go to some smaller rallies this year. Be sure to read my article, Motorcycle Rallies, where I discuss rallies and give you information about the top rallies that I like. Of course, your views may be different -- this is Motorcycle Views after all.

I just got my registration information for the Americade Motorcycle Rally. That one is my favorite and I've gone almost every year since 1994.

It can get expensive going to lots of rallies, especially if you're taking two bikes. Double gas, double tolls. You just have to pick and choose what appeals to you most in these uncertain economic times. Motorcycle rallies are a lot of fun. If you've never attended a rally, you owe it to yourself to go. You just might find a rally or two that you'll want to go to every year, just like I go to Americade, regardless of the weather.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Size matters


Many things grow taller in their lifespan; which also holds for the size of the petrol tanks fitted to flat tank Nortons. Comparing three tanks that were made in the early- and the late 1920s I found that all of them had an overall length of 58-60cm. However, their width varied dramatically and at their widest point they measured 23cm, 29cm and 36cm!


The picture shows the early 1920s tank next to the tank of the 1927 OHV machine that I have just bought. The large tank has a very large filler opening and a vent to allow air to escape upon rapid filling. The tank was enlarged by the addition of an extra compartment at the bottom. All of this suggest a tank that was made for use in some sort of competition.

Well Dressed Knuckle


Lots of good period bolt ons. Chrome forks. Pretty swanky. I guess that explains the sheepish grin.

2010 Yamaha XT1200Z Super Ténéré launched






For those motorcycle adventure sports fans out there and I count myself as one of them, Yamaha has revived a great model name from the past with the launch of the 2010 Yamaha XT1200Z Super Ténéré. You can read the full details of this exciting new model on the main www.inter-bike.co.uk website here.

Ride safe

Jon Booth
Email: webmaster@inter-bike.co.uk
Blog: http://bestmotorstyle2011.blogspot.com//
Swicki: http://motorcycling-swicki.eurekster.com/

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2010 Kawasaki Versys


The 2010 restyled Kawasaki Versys is now in UK Kawasaki dealers, with changes to the headlamp, fuel tank, bodywork and frame covers.

In 2007 www.inter-bike.co.uk rode one of these great mid-range bikes, you can read our Kawasaki Versys road test here.

Ride safe

Jon Booth
Email: webmaster@inter-bike.co.uk
Blog: http://bestmotorstyle2011.blogspot.com//
Swicki: http://motorcycling-swicki.eurekster.com/

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Looks like a 1933 H-D.


I love kids in bowler hats. It's so Little Rascals.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Seeing What We Want to See

To a large extent, we all shape our own experiences of reality: We see the things we want to see and block out the things that do not fit our world view.

Walking home yesterday afternoon, I was amused to notice how much I tend to do this even when it comes to bicycles.

Both Vienna and Boston are full of generic modern unremarkable bikes, yet the ones I pay attention to are the classic and vintage bikes.

And since I notice these more, in my subsequent memories they are the ones that play a starring role in the city's "velo life".

In a similar fashion, I tend to pay lots of attention to architecture I like and ignore all the "ugly" stuff right next to it. As a result, a city or a neighborhood might consist entirely of beautiful architecture in my memories.

There are countless examples of this of course, and unless we point and shoot in a random direction we cannot take a picture without revealing our subjective biases. Our pictures reflect how we want to see and remember things rather than how they actually are. For example, several readers have pointed out to me that my "street scenes" tend to be miraculously free of cars, and indeed I seem to frame photos so as to avoid them. There is just something about modern cars that is not photogenic: they detract from the feel of the city landscape.

Bicycles, on the other hand, seem to enrich it - especially when the bicycles are nice and the cyclists are well dressed. Yes, that is a Hassidic Jew cycling through Vienna - who clearly has no problem cycling in a suit.

And here is a couple, cycling into the sunset idyllically. While of course I did not stage these scenes, you could say that I chose to notice them out of the many alternative scenes I could have noticed instead.

So, what is my point? Only that life can be filled with golden sunsets and lovely bicycles if we want it to - even on those days when it's not.

Brits

1927 Flat Tank Norton


This is my latest acquisition and the reason for selling my M30 Inter. A 1927 OHV Norton with some very interesting features. I'm still talking to the experts to find out what it is exactly, the complete story is to follow.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Look up in the sky!

Experts in Skincare

I saw this life-size display in a Marionnaud storefront a couple of days ago. It is a German-language Clarins advert and the text reads: "your experts in skincare".

You can't quite see this here, but the model's underpants are semi-transparent. And the poster is sized and positioned in such a way, so that the viewer's gaze is directed at the space above the bicycle saddle. Right.

In terms of the psychology of advertising, I think this poster is very Austrian: freikörperkultur, health as the path to sexiness, sun worship, golden hair, long legs, lean muscles, and a symbol of an active lifestyle - in this case a sporty bicycle. Whoever came up with the ad was clearly trying to evoke stereotypical cultural ideals. I don't suppose too many people notice that the saddle is set too low...

Motorcycle Swap Meet

Motorcycle Swap Meet


I made it out to the Fort Worth Texas Scooter Times Motorcycle Swap Meet last Sunday. I went early with two of my sons; Joshua and Jacob with my grandson Ryan. There were a few vendors still getting set up but the majority of them were ready for business. There were all types of vendors and wares for sale from all over Texas.

We saw stuff for guys, gals and kids. Of course, almost all of the miscellaneous motorcycle parts were for Harley’s. I think you could have purchased all the parts there to put together a complete bike.


The swap meet seemed to be well attended with a lot of people going through and carrying armloads stuff they had purchased.

Jake bought a pickup piggybank for Ryan which he pushed around making engine sounds on our second time around the swap meet.

Ryan on the strangest ride out there

Of course I did not get out unscathed and purchased a raccoon tail for Joshua. We were there about an hour and a half and headed home. Texas Scooter Times has Swap Meets scheduled for Houston and San Antonio in the near furure. They have a Video walk through on their website. Be sure and check one out when they come to a town near you.

Ride on,
Torch

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