Friday's Pin-up

Geoff Duke at Brands Hatch with Feruccio Gilera Holding

Thanks to Dave Martin for the Captions!

Friends

One of the most important aspects of motorcycling is the friendship between enthusiasts. I can say that since I started my blog I have met personally and electronically some of the coolest people around. Many have provided knowledge, encouragement, as well as inspiration. I was very honored to have been included on the blogroll of Southsiders. A cool bunch of guys frome the homeland that inspired me to write about my experiences. So this post is both a thank you and a shout out. I also just noticed that they have a shop. Check it out here!!!!!

Another Acquisition

I'll admit that I collect just about anything related to Norton Model 7's  and more specifically the plunger framed models. I collect pictures, articles, even references some of which have already appeared in the blog. But one to of the pleasures of classic motorcycling that I' ve recently found myself relishing is the history. It's fun to put one's bike in context and I have to thank without a doubt Paul d'Orleans of The Vintagent as well as Pete and Kim Young of Occhio Lungo. Pete put out a bibliography for the vintage and classic motorcyclist that has literally turned my motorcycling life around. The books he suggested really have helped my development as a mechanic. An interesting side-effect has been my exposure to period motorcycle literature which has turned out to be very enjoyable in addition to being practical.

I recently acquired an autographed, first edition of Racing though the Century by Geoff S. Davison. A great book about the early years of motorcycle racing and part of a series of several editions on the subject. I love the Manx Norton artwork on the dustcover. Classic stuff. The autograph is a bonus too. Unfortunately there is not much information on Mr. Davison.

A thorough internet search didn't yield much except for one small personal connection. It turns out that Geoff Davison won the 250cc class at the 1923 French Motorcycle Grand Prix held in Tours, France. Tours is the town that I grew up in as a child and that my Grandmother aged 101 still resides. She or my Grandfather, a keen motorcyclist in his own right, could quite possibly have seen him roaring throught the streets of one of the most beautiful cities in France. If anyone has information or pictures of Geoff S. Davison please send them so that a biography can be built on Wikipedia.

Fiday's Pin-up

Diavolo Rombante

2010 Keels and Wheels Concours d' Elegance

Kate and I went to the Keels and Wheels Concours yesterday and it was marvelous. It takes place at the Lakewood Yacht Club in Seabrook near Houston, Texas. The Concours is unique in that it features vintage boats and cars with a few motorcycles and a WWI biplane. This show ranks among the finest on the order of Pebble Beach, Amelia Island, and the Broadmoor. Here are some highlights and at the end a slide show of all my pics.

Nice BMW outfit

A Morgan Aero from the 30's

Gorgeous Runabout

Japanese Cafe Racer

Sexy lines

Lincoln Indianapolis by Boani

American LaFrance (fire engine builder) Racer

A nice variety of vehicles to suit all tastes. I focused on the vintage machines but there are sections for specific marques, muscle cars, racers, even a few military rigs. Check out my slideshow below:

A day late....but here's Friday's Pin-up

Didn't get out of work until 9:00 last night so did not get a chance to post the pin-up. Anyway here it is. I am going to the Keels and Wheels Vintage Boat and Car Concours in Seabrook, Texas. Expect a post and some pics.

Another New Addition

Just a short post while the shop area is getting sorted after the move. I got this home-made cylinder head spanner in the mail. I particularly love the bronze brazing reminiscent of some practical folk art. Simple and utilitarian demonstrating the resourcefulness of classic motorcyclists. While I purchased this one, these spanners are simple to make if only I had a welder. The socket portion is avalable from Melco Products in Sheffield, England. Just Google "Melco Box Spanner" and you will find plenty of sources.

These are particularly handy for the cylinder head bolts buried in the fins so to speak. Conventional socket wrenches are rarely slim enough to fit and still accomodate the head of the cylinder bolt.

Definitely a labor and more importantly fin saving device.

Friday's Pin-up and An Apology

The Army moved me again. This time it's Houston. Now that I am finally settled I can start posting.Anyway, here are Friday's Pin-ups.

Have a good week-end

Friday's Pin-up

Friday's Pin-up