February 27, 2006

eye candy

Since I've only got another day until I have to hand in the keys to this blog, I'd better get with it. Lovers of mechanical devices rejoice! Consider this the "Carnival of Russ' favorite British motorcycles".

Kenny Dreer Norton. Kenny Dreer is an exceptionally gifted mechanic from the Pacific Northwest. He's a part owner of the Norton brand now, but up until a couple of years ago, he specialized in restoring old Norton Commandos. It got to the point where he had to manufacture so many of the parts himself, he said "screw this, let's just make them ourselves". He's trying to remake the brand with a new design for a Commando. I hope it works, but the classics are just plain SUHWEEEET.

Vincent Rapide and pictures of Rollie Free's famous run at the Bonneville Salt Flats on his Vincent (note the pictures of Bert Hopwood's Indian near the top of this page). Rollie couldn't get over 150 on his bike, even with his radical riding position, so he stripped off all his leathers and rode with a swimsuit only. There's also a song dedicated to the 1952 Vincent Black Lightning, from Richard Thompson.

BSA thumbnail pictures (the BSA gold star is a special favorite of mine)

For my money, the most attractive "thumper" (big single-cylinder bike) ever produced is the Matchless G80.

Let's see, motorcycles, the Olympics, and siege engines. That leaves beer and firearms as topics left on the table (I promised Kathy prOn wouldn't be used as a topic).

Posted by: Russ from Winterset at 01:05 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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1 "There's also a song dedicated to the 1952 Vincent Black Lightning, from Richard Thompson." Not just any song. The best motorcycle song ever. And, in guitar terms, my Great White Whale.

Posted by: mitch at March 01, 2006 01:39 PM (E1H09)

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