10/29/18: the pictures of motorcycles edition

Wherein there are a shit-ton of pictures of motorcycles.

From the E. Hayes hardware store:

1963 Velocette Thruxton: look at those bars!

Burt Muro's ride.

A 1965 Chevy Corvair: look at the size of that thing!

What is this brand and why do they have a chicken involved? 

Lots of Matchless bikes around: not totally sure about this design with the gap between the tank and the seat where a hose is threaded through...but otherwise, a very handsome specimen. 

Damn those Ariel Square Fours are some big bikes. 

Burt's "other" bike. 

This bike is owned and raced by a fellow named Meatball.

Now, for pics from the Classic Motorcycle Mecca!

The view walking in on the first floor: my word it smelled so good in there. 

Evan: "El Knucklehead"! Let's add that to our list. :) 

Wolfie, this one is for you--just when you thought you couldn't get smaller than the Mini. 

So. Many. Motorcycles.

This one was draped in chains for no visible reason, and a hand-written note was lodged under them to explain the chains but it was illegible. 

There were bikes with sides cars new and old, and then a slightly defensive disclaimer here:

James, I thought of you when I realized it would be the Italians, of course, who show us what gorgeous looks like: 

There were a lot of bike with this crazy exhaust--was that a thing? Why? 

Damn this bike had it going ON.

Hahaha this horn! I can almost hear the "ay-YOOO-gah."

Hello, gorgeous.

The Camelbacks--look at those gas tanks!

A panorama of the second floor: 

This collection of Vincents had their own room and if I had to pick one single manufacturer to live with forever and ever amen, please don't rat me out to the guys at Westchester but woooooooooooooow it might be the Vincent. Something about these bikes.  

"This is a fact not a slogan."

John Britten is another local hero (his bike is above with the blue exhaust); I might have advocated for doing something slightly different with this mannequin wearing his racing suit. 

The scooter collection.

King George was signed to the Rudge brand and this was their slogan: "Rudge It." Hahaha. 

Matchless and their wacky exhausts.

A "NUT" racer from 1920--look at that belt!

Jeez the Italians can design a beautiful motorcycle. 

The Velocette still isn't an ugly bike.

On the one hand, a lady riding a motorcycle(tte) in an advertisement! On the other...she could be wearing a bit more gear. :( 

Absolutely hands down the worst, most confusing motorcycle advertisement I've ever seen.

The "fun facts" on this bike killed me. What did Edward Turner do to be called out like this??

It was all I could do not to rearrange these in chronological order. 

Shockingly, of all the bikes in this museum, the only one with oil under it was a Norton, not a Triumph. 

This bike is from 1902, and just goes to show that for how long we've been trying to figure out how to make two wheels go fast and faster. Hats off to whoever first thought, "Yeah, we should strap a motor on this thing"--my life has been the better for that decision. 

Signing off with my favorite words from Dave Z.: "Two wheels on the ground, have lots of fun, and take lots of pictures." Done, done, and done, sir. Cheerio, mates!