Sunday, November 29, 2015

Warbirds

Legends 2014 - Wow!

Spalding Sports Card

Flathead Rob found this 1926 Spalding sports card in a local antique store today. Mr Seymour had a very prolific year in 1926, astride his factory Indian racer.

Friday, November 27, 2015

Snow


Snowmobiles

Evidently I'm not the only motorcyclist struggling to wait patiently through winter.

A frequent reader complained recently that I was not posting enough Panhead content. So here it is:

Harley Snowmobile Panhead Motor - Badass Machine
Posted by Hd4sale on Friday, February 14, 2014

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Vesco T100R

Here's a T100R that Don Vesco (of Yamaha fame) and his dad bought in 1956. What a history. Vintage bikes just don't get any cooler than this.
For anyone not familiar with Don Vesco the bike bellow is the one he rode (piloted) to a world record in 1975.

Saturday, November 14, 2015

Colorized

Flathead Rob spotted this photo on Shorpy quite some time ago but this is the first time I've seen it colorized.

Thursday, November 12, 2015

Sandia Crest

Those Sunday morning Crest runs were likely a very different experience back in the early days.

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Bonhams 2016

Some of the bikes featured in the Bonham's 2016 motorcycle auction catalog are starting to show up on the Bonham's site.

There's another Gwen Banquer 1929 Indian-Crocker 45CI Overhead-Valve Conversion recreation this year. I'm not quite as smitten with this one as I was the last one but it's still a really really cool bike. The blue of the previous one was simply the ideal color for the bike.

This one-of-one China Red 1951 Vincent White Shadow is pretty intriguing too, particularly since the present owner is local to the Seattle area. I've heard this bike has had legend status in the area for decades. I'm gonna have to ask my resident Vincent authority what if anything he knows about this bike.
 The Indian showing is pretty remarkable so far too.

1912 Indian Twin Boardtrack Racer
1926 Indian Daytona Factory Hillclimber
I'm pretty fond of this 1929 Harley-Davidson JDH Racer as well.

And finally it goes without saying that every mega-buck motorcycle auction needs a trinity of cool (Steve McQueen owned, Bud Ekins modified and Von Dutch painted) Triumph.

Monday, November 9, 2015

Perspective

I saved this photo as a color reference and later realized what a beautiful shot it is. I can't recall exactly where I found it but it looks like it might have been taken as a part of the Dickies Kustom Kulture Forever 2013 film project. I'm guessing PixelEye is the source. 

Sunday, November 8, 2015

Saturday, November 7, 2015

Blakes Lotaburger

I haven't visited New Mexico in a few years and as such found myself craving a Lotaburger several times in the last few weeks. As is often the case with stuff like it also got me thinking about Blakes Lotaburger's history in Albuquerque.

The LOTA Burger was born on July 9th, 1952 on a simple grill in a small hamburger stand in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  It was an immediate hit & the locals couldn't get enough.  Blake Chanslor, the Founder & WWII Navy Veteran from Borger, Texas, knew he had something special so he opened another Blake's Lotaburger nearby (& then another & then another & then a few more).

Simonson/Sutherland

I've done a good bit of digging on Simonson Cycle over the last several years. I've found ads, been contacted by customers and employees as a result. I was contacted the the daughter of a former Simonson employee last week. I resulted in perhaps the single coolest Albuquerque motorcycle artifact I've ever found.

Here are the photos and correspondance that weere shared with me:

Here's the blurred photo of my father, Frank Sutherland, aka "Crazy Frank" (4th from the right) given to me by his friend, Nick Madrid (5th from the right). Nick told me that he didn't have a bike, but Frank would give him rides. Frank would also race anyone who came to town. Apparently, during one famous race, he slide the bike on its side and had road rash from top to bottom. My grandmother had to come pick him up and nurse him back to health. 

Frank worked for Al Simonson, and felt like Al was his second father. I believe he started when he attended Albuquerque High (that would have been around 1944-45? - the bikes in the support that estimate too). He told me the story of driving the first Harley into New Mexico. He picked up the bike in Los Angeles, and apparently, there were no shocks. When Frank got back to NM, he got off and declared he never wanted to see that bike again.

He moved out to California in the mid-50's, but stayed in touch with Al (I'm attaching his letter to Al when I was born). He brought the family back to Santa Fe in the late '70's. We were able to meet Al Simonson when he lived a couple blocks away from the bike shop (off San Mateo?). (This was likely the 315 San Pedro N.E. location that was across from the State Fairgrounds).

 My parents have both passed away (Frank 1927-1999 buried at the Veteran's cemetery in Santa Fe). I believe Nick is still alive (his wife's name is Loretta and she was friends with my mother, Pilgrim). He would be an amazing resource if you can interview him.

So cool!  I may have to see if I can look Nick up.
Albuquerque Dealer

Friday, November 6, 2015

Today's Favorite

I think I could have a new favorite motorcycle every day. This Matt Walksler built 1926 HD FHAC is mine today.

Thursday, November 5, 2015

Grand Prix

You don't see these very often (though I be more than willing to make the shop space for one).

Sunday, November 1, 2015

Bucket List - Penny Farthing

Firmly planted on my bucket list - I've wanted to try riding a Penny Farthing since I was about 5 years old. I have to knock this out while I am still young enough to fall off of one without busting a hip.

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