Change of pace

Towards the end of last week I realized I had kind of run out of things to talk about in the motorcycling world. It isn't easy to come up with new information each day considering Facebook already does that for you. 

There are also several other great motorcycle blogs written by women who have a better focus on what they want to write about and you should definitely check them out.

So after some thinking I have decidedto focus more on classic bikes, which is how I grew my passion for motorcycles in the first place. 

With the cafe racer movement coming back in full force and the chopper movement somewhat behind us I think showing all of you these brilliant machines in their original style will help put all the modern technology and engineering in perspective, make us all appreciate where these machines have come from and where they will go. 

I don't think anyone can move forward without taking a good look at their past.

So I hope you will all stick with me as I in lack of better terms bring up the past of motorcycling.

The Addams Family

So I may have hijacked this from my club president's Facebook page....who knew uncle Fester was good with a wrench and not just explosives?

Dreams

Have you ever actually sat down and thought about your life's dreams? We all have those moments where we feel so inspired that we create this beautiful perfect dream in our minds eye. But how many of us actually achieve or set out to achieve these dreams?

I have so many dreams I have a hard time picking only one. I once wanted to be an Olympic figure skating champion, then I wanted to be a Veterinarian and then I started having real dreams about riding motorcycles. I would shift through the gears with ease going through corners on a bright sunny dream day, all before I had even been on a bike.

What no one tells you is how much hard work and stress it is along that road to your dream. Look at MotoGP riders for instance. They have to over come injuries, destroyed equipment and criticism to get where they are.

So why do it?

Because there is nothing else that will do. Nothing else that will quench that thirst, I imagine its something similar to what drug addicts feel. Eat, sleep, breathe, think, love, do what drives your spirit even if it isn't motorcycles.

But if it is... join the club!!!!

Classic Motorcycle Mechanics

I recently obtained a coveted copy of Modern Motorcycle Mechanics published by J.B. Nicholson in 1974. It is just the reprint but it is still the single most valuable piece of literature if you love any bike before 1974.
This book features maintenance/repair information for 17 different makes. Including but not limited to Harley-Davidson, Triumph, Suzuki, Yamaha, BSA, and Honda.
I have only begun to sort through all the text (it is very small print) but what I have read so far is a little sad. The first chapter is about motorcycling trends which chronicles the increase of sport riding in he late 1960's to early 1970's. It also comments on the BSA, Triumph, Norton company problems and implies with optimism that they would come through with just a little help from the British Government. Unfortunately we all know that the original company went bankrupt and shut down. Luckily for all of us Triumph has made a comeback over the years.
So for all you classic bike enthusiasts out there, pick up a copy online, it'll be worth it.

Female Riders

Everything in life is cyclical.

That being said a wonderful movement has decided finally to come back around. The days of the female rider.

What I love about being part of this time period is that I can go ride my bike and the only thing I hear is "that's dangerous". I'm not discriminated against because I'm a female, I am seen as an equal. Maybe the work place isn't quite there yet or even some parts of the country. But when I talk about or show a bike the attention and respect I get are from what I know and not from my gender. I love to see other ladies enjoying the same freedom with their bikes too. I follow many female riders through social media and we all share this wonderful connection of motorcycles.

Just take a moment this summer and count the female riders you see because you will see more as time goes on. The progress of motorcycles is as much the influence of women as of men.

BSA of New England

So the BSA Owners Club of New England announced yesterday that they are changing the location of their annual meet in June.

It will now be held at the Bolton Fairgrounds in Lancaster,Ma. This year it will be June 1st.

What's even better is there are now judging categories for Modern British bikes!! So bring your new Triumphs and Royal Enfields!!

Don Hutchinson Cycles

I went to visit Hutch over at Don Hutchinson Cycles today. If you don't know what they do there I suggest you stop by any Saturday after 12pm because that's when they open.

For me going there is like going home. He was the first person I contacted when I got my BSA and the shop I have learned the most from.

You walk into the past as you open the doors to a small foyer with about 4 Classic Triumph/BSA bikes for sale. The second room most people see is the front counter which is thru a door on the left, in there is about 5-6 more bikes for sale and almost 50 years of history. If you want a British bike done right you come here. Many more rooms about 8 in total hold more parts, accessories, bikes and possibilities than you could ever imagine. There's some semblance of an organizational system but most of that is in Hutch's head and everything else is in bins or piles. Just keep in mind when you go there to give yourself a few hours to be there because Hutch LOVES to talk, anything and everything. 

So the next time you're in Wakefield,MA go visit Hutch, Rick, Tony, Murph, and Tom and live British motorcycle history. 

Ladies First

Before WW2 Motorcycling was, as it is today a major coed activity. Riding was not just a past-time but an economical mode of transportation and in most cases a necessary one due to the cost of cars before The Great Depression. I learned today that many of those pre-WW2 motorcycle companies made ladies specific models.

Radco is the company featured in the latest issue of The Classic MotorCycle with a 247cc ladies model, designed with a drop down frame for "lady-like" riding. What is even more interesting is most of these ladies models were manufactured pre-WW1! It's amazing how things come around again...maybe I'll come up with a new ladies design?

Image courtesy of The Classic MotorCycle