Rock Stars, Anti Hero's and Classic Motorcycles

The king of cool, the king of style and of course "The King of Rock N Roll". Elvis needs no introduction and theres plenty of pictures of him sitting in the saddle of various Harley's. Look at that hat. The white star, the white brim. The same style of hat worn by Johnny in the Wild One. Purely iconic.

This picture of Bob Dylan riding his Triumph has been used plenty of times before...

...but this behind the scenes photo is a little more obscure. I love that Dylan rode a Triumph. It just makes him that much cooler, if that's even possible

KEEF! Keith Richards, whats up? I can't really tell what kind of bike you're sitting on. Almost looks like a Tiger Cub, but it could be anything, you're Keith Richards.

Mick Jagger crusin' on a honda CB350 (I'm pretty sure). Once again, I'm not the biggest Honda fan, but Mick makes anything look cool (even old age... tee-hee)

The Hells Angels once ran security at all California concerts. Rumor had it there was a plot by the Angels to off Mick for vowing never to use the Angels security again. This followed the death of an 18 year old fan at a Stones concert the Angels were working. This is of course all alleged and I'm just spitting back what I read on Wikipedia. Google it and see for yourself and always, ALWAYS support your local Hells Angels chapter.

Sid Vicious also riding a Cb350 although I'm sure it was given to him for the photo/video shoot for the day only, otherwise it would've been immediately hocked for horse. Someone had the decency to hook Sid up with a BSA for the "Something Else" video (which is great by the way.)

Fellow Pistol, Steve Jones, draped over his machine on the back of his 1987 debut solo album. Check out Steve with long hair!

These are two of Steve's latest customized Triumph Bonnies.

Punk Rock documentarian and Sex Pistol friend Don Letts prefers American bikes. Don't know who Don Letts is? Google him and feel ashamed.

Speaking of the "West Way to the World" producer, we can't overlook his documentary subjects in front of an unidentified bike (Looks like a Yamaha or Suzuki, but the Clash rule and I highly doubt that the bike belonged to them anyway).

I just saw the Runaways movie and one of the scenes was shot in California (via Harrisburg PA) bike builder Justin Kell's shop, Glory Sales. Joan (played by Kristen Stewart) throws down a sack of coins and bills and tells the clerk "I wanna look like that" pointing to a 59-club era Rocker/fellow store patron. The real Joan Jett is hot. If only I could be a lesbian and date Joan Jett.... Oh yeah, here's a picture of the Runaways with some sickles.

Not the coolest shot of John Lennon. But John was a revolutionary, changed rock music and changed the world. He also liked trikes apparently.

Ok ok, not a rock star by any stretch, but he could start a juke box with his fist, had an office in the mens bathroom at the local soda shop and rode a Triumph motorcycle!

Now this is a model I'd love to get my hands on. Fonzie AND his Triumph. Let me know if you have one you wanna trade.

Vintage Honda Cycle Jumble - Quakertown PA

British motorcycles have always been my main interest in the world of two wheeled vehicles, but I have a soft spot for 60's and 70's Japanese engineering. They made great reliable engines, the bikes have clean lines, and they are cheap and readily available to make cool custom Cafe's and Bobbers. My friend Justin took a trip to this spot and shared a couple of pictures. Looks like I'm going to have to investigate further....

Justin: (photos sent via iPhone:)

Me: Holy shit! Are the prices reasonable?

Justin: Dirt Cheap

Me: Are you still there? (thinking about some parts I could probably use on my CB 350 and 450)

Justin: Just left. I'm probably coming back in a few weeks if you're interested.

Me: hell yeah!

Triumph Come Home Rally 2010

Triumph Come Home Rally, the ultimate swap meet, weekend camp out Triumph/Brit Bike event on the east coast, or in the country perhaps. People come from all over for this. Fortunately it's only 2 hours from my house! I woke up Friday June 18th like I would any other work day, only this day my truck was cleaned out and I was headed Spring Grove PA with a pocket full of money! I arrived around 8:30 am and things were just getting set up. Saturday is the big day, but I was only available Friday. But getting there early has it's perks. Find the good deals before the masses get there.

The TCHR is hosted by the White Rose Motorcycle Club, a long running AMA sanctioned club that has been running Hill Climbs forever. The pictures don't even come close to showing the sheer steepness of the track but it is frightening.

You can see the nets hung over the hill to keep dropped bikes from flying out onto the spectators.

Here is a poster from a recent hill climb that was tacked to a telephone pole. The red ink has faded, but it used to say HILL CLIMB really big above the date. I bought a poster from the WRMC vendor which I will post later.

The WRMC fairground is beautiful. A perfect place to camp out.

Here's something you don't see everyday, a motorcycle, hauling trailer with another motorcycle on it.

A Nice one too!

Check out the details.

I think I saw this same Vincent at Oley.

A beautiful bike that I'll probably never be able to afford.

This Triumph actually set a land speed record in the 60's.

All sorts of Triumphs were on display and/or for sale. Pre-units to OIF to custom. Some people like 'em stock, others like 'em unique. Theres no wrong way to trim out your bike.

After perusing the vendors to make sure there werent any crazy mis-informed sellers with the deal of a lifetime (there weren't, everyone pretty much knew what they had and what it was worth) I headed to the mess hall for some breakfast.

The Home fries were freshly cut potatoes dropped in the fryer. mmmmm.

Along the far wall of the mess hall stood the table of trophies. I knew one had been dedicated in my fathers memory (by Al Hartman whom I had the pleasure of meeting), but I had no idea how prominently displayed it was - complete with a photo and eulogy.

The trophy.

The photo, My father though that wearing a suit and tie would class up the awards ceremony. The bermuda shorts and flip[ flops summed up my fathers fond sense of irony.

The bio.

It was almost eerie how the photo was placed almost exactly in the location my father stood in the picture. Look closely.

Triumph single in dirt track tread.

This Triumph had the front fender from the "bath tub" model, with a hard tail and straight pipes.

The American Flag paint job was done by an amateur but due to it's age/patina I thougt it looked really cool.

Look at the sticker under the plate. I've never seen that Triumph artwork before. probably not official Triumph art, but I'd love to see a better copy of it someday.

59 T-100. Ask me how I know.

The single saddle always looked cool on the pre OIF models.

More Triumphs.

Hurricane.

Cool backswept pipes.

And more Triumphs....

Interesting homemade Triumph sign.

Great cycle jumble. The bike on the far left was a slimline Featherbed Norton Frame with forks, rear swing arm and wheels. I really wanted to take it home with me to house my 58 650 Triumph motor, but I just didn't have the dough.

...And even more Triumphs.

Lots of cruising in style.

33 BSA. Nice!

Bikes are for riding, not just showing.

Beautiful Thunderbird(?)

my box of booty. Hauled in a box of pre-unit bits including the transmission I needed for my 58.

Just needs paint.

All this and the field was at 25% capacity. Wish I could've made it up for the whole weekend. Next year I hope.

Shallow grave

Came across the remains of what looks like a 50cc Honda minibike while working behind a barn today. Looks like it's been there for 20 years. Even I didn't try to see if I could grab it. Rest in peace little man.

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Mail call!

I have seen motorcycle riders make mailboxes out of gas tanks but this is a traffic stopper. Located in my hometown of west chester pa. Wonder if she'll start!

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