Riding Since 1972

Here are a couple of photos of my Dad and I in Southern California, on my first motorcycle. I could be wrong, but I don't think my hand-knitted beanie was DOT approved. That's mom in the background, oblivious to Dad's motorbike shenanigans. See the lights on the house? That's really the only evidence that it's Christmas because, well it's California.

Also, I'm quite sure that if I tried this with my 2 year old, my wife would be calling the police!

Thanks for these experiences and all the love Dad.

Hooligan Holiday Sale Extended till Dec 23

Motorcycle Helmet of the Apocalypse

I shot these photos of my office mate and fellow artist Josh Jay, who sculpted and detailed this amazing replica helmet from the post-apocalyptic video game Fallout 3. I think this would be ideal for cold-weather riding, don't you? It even comes with headlights. So, why can't we get helmets designed like these for riding motorcycles??

...and don't say because they're not safe due to limited visibility, odd angles or something else ridiculously practical.

Update: Here are the photos of Josh's process from Pepakura model to finished helmet:
Set 1   |  Set 2 

Also, if you're looking for more geek-inspired head protection (from Tatooine sandstorms for example), check out this Tosche Station Trucker hat from TK409.com for $20 shipped.
"Power Converters not included."

Yokohama Hotrod Custom Show 2010

If only I lived about 9000 miles closer! The 2010 Yokohama Hotrod Custom Show.
Here are a couple British highlights...

SoCal British Bike Show

Glenn Morgan's photos from the SoCal British Bike Show from last month, November 2010. Below are some favorites. Lots more at the link.

Speaking of Vintage Motorcycle Girls...

Enjoy this slideshow from Vintage Motorcycle Girls. Although there are a lot of Harleys, you'll find lots of excellent British models as well. TONS more vintage advertisements, celebrities and others at the link.

Motorcycle Girl

Great tune. Sweet beauty.

This music video was shot in the California desert on old stock 16mm movie film using vintage 1930s hand-cranked cameras. A beautiful young woman rides her Moto Guzzi out as far as it will take her. Feature actress: Cynthia Bachman Song and video: Joel Brandwein at SkunkTerrier.com

Behold the Son of Thunder

Wired Magazine reports that George Brough’s personal machine, the prototype Brough Superior SS100 Alpine Grand Sport is up for auction and will reportedly command at least $600,000 - a new world record for a motorcycle at auction. Only about 1,000 Brough Superior motorcycles are believed to exist today.

You can hear the growl of a Brough (pronounced Bruff) Superior at the recent Real Cleassic Show, October 2010, below.

Brighton Rock Gets New Release Date: Feb 4, 2011

According to IAmRogue, the Brighton Rock remake is now slated for February 4, 2011 (in the UK), but no word yet on a US release date. It was late in 2009 when I first posted about this upcoming film after discovering some on-location shots on Flickr. The remake is set near Brighton during the early sixties around the time of the mods vs rockers riots. There are a lot of mod-scooter photos on Flickr, but from the looks of things, we have been promised a few scenes featuring British iron.
See the dark trailer at IAmRogue.com

This Hero is Modest

ADVrider forum poster "buzzez" found this newspaper article in a wall while remodeling his home. "Policeman Reports Saving Couple in Runaway Only When Ordered." The article describes the harrowing, 1910 rescue by motorcycle officer F.E. Lockman of a couple traveling by horse and buggy when the horse was spooked and bolted. Officer Lockman rode his motorcycle alongside the horse, jumped off the moving motorcycle and onto the horse, stopping it after being dragged 50 feet. The best part is that he went back to the station to report only that he had wrecked his motorcycle (leaving out the act of heroism until his sergeant ordered him to report the full story.)

via ADVRider forum

 It doesn't say what type of motorcycle he rode, but in 1910 it would have looked similar to this:

via dvrbs

Through the Mists of Time

Andy Miller has lived in Weymouth, Dorset on England’s south coast since 1956 when he was 8 years old. He's owned a couple of motorcycles and more than a few scooters, mopeds and motorized bicycles. He collects old photographs of the area usually found in shoeboxes at estate sales and was nice enough to share some of his treasures featuring motorcycles with HMT. 

As Andy puts it, "It always saddens me when I see a box of old snap-shots at a car boot sale or on a market stall. They are all of someone’s relations and ancestors, but through the mists of time their names get forgotten and no one knows who they are."

Look for more from Andy in the future. Today's feature: British-made Royal Enfields.

1928 Royal Enfield

The same model, today via Yesterday's

1938 Royal Enfield with Sidecar

The same model, today via VintageBike