All good, but where's the kickstand? Via:

Via: Oakleaf Militaria

Via: Lionel A. Smith

Life During Wartime.

An unnamed rider Women's Royal Air Force, Netheravon Camp, 1918. Via: Pictures of the Past

Gallery: Life during wartime with the Welbike.

NCRS follower Phillip kindly sent us this great link on the Welbike Parascooter. Created for use in the second world war, the Welbike was meant to be dropped from aircraft in their own containers (see above) for soldiers to use to cross battlefields just a tad faster.

True Grit.

Private Robert J. Vance, Via: Marshall Astor

Gifts from above: The flying Flea.

Largely a copy of the German DKW RT98 motorcycle, the Model RE, as it was officially known, was enlisted for military service. In particular, its light weight meant it could be dropped by parachute in a tubular crate (above pict) Royal Enfield also produced. The nickname Flying Flea was a natural.

In theory, the "light weight" of the motorcycle also meant it could be lifted over obstacles like stone walls and fallen trees, making it a truly cross country machine. A soldier in action could lift the Flying Flea, if only barely. It weighed 125 pounds.

Via: Royal Enfield Motorcycles

Life during wartime.

Two riders, one from an unknown Belgian unit and another of the Canadian Army. The Belgian Sergeant on the left rides an FN (Fabrique Nationale) Mk XIII Motorcycle with special front fork suspension. The WLC on the right is a standard 43WLC 'Export' version with the rear luggage carrier removed. Via: The Liberator

The land of the rising sun.

Via: artepfau

Alce at war.

Bersaglieri Motorcycle Troops on their Moto Guzzi Super Alce.

Via: Rob Arndt

No Rank.

The photo above showing superb detail was taken on November 6th, 1944 by J.A. Demarco, Det E of the 165th Photo Signal Company attached to the US 1st Army in France.

Demarco typed the following caption on the back of the picture:

"Adjusting bearings of cycle is Tec 5 Charles W. Leazer, of So. Shaftsbury, VT, left, while rider, Pfc. Jack R. Rudeen, of Minneapolis, Minn, watches right. Tec 5 James W. McGriffin, of Kansas City, MO., stands in rear."

Via: The Liberator

Off to the lines.

A Finnish motorcycle messenger with his DKW350. Via: Gaissmair

Communications between the Front and the Rear.

"Couriers in the first world war could be either human or animal. Runners, cyclists and motorcycle riders were all used to transmit two way dialog. Dogs could also be trained to carry messages in both directions. Unfortunately, these methods provided no guarantee of message delivery until the courier returned with a response or acknowledgment. "

Via: 12th Minenwerfer Kompagnie

3rd C.A.V.

Via: The Battle of Ancre Heights Unit

Let slip the toys of war.

Via: Knights of Avalon

Toy Soldiers: The Great War.

Ballantynes of Walkerburn's model of a Royal Engineer (Signals Section) motorcycle despatch rider from the Western Front during World War 1. He is riding a Triumph Model H , the mainstay motorbike of the British Army during the war. £281.75 Stands 8" tall.

Conway's belt.

"Corporal Chad Conway astride his WLA in the streets of a ruined Berlin in 1945. Conway was a member of the 82nd Airborne Division's Military Police Platoon. The saddle of his bike is covered in fur and the handlebar grips are equipped with leather fringes.

The uniform consists of an 'IKE' jacket, wool riding breeches and high leather legging top 'Cavalry' boots. Conway tops off his uniform with a leather kidney belt adorned with a painted 'All American' Divisional sign

Large leather waist or 'kidney' belts (above) were a popular accessory for motorcyclists of the 1940's... It gave the rider support and protection of the lower back while riding the 'hard tail' motorcycles on bad roads for prolonged periods of time. They were not available from the Quartermaster Corps, but many riders acquired them directly from Harley-Davidson dealerships or other sources."

Via: The Liberator

Glue dreams: Building the BMW R75.

Via: Russ Sharp

"Some 16,500 BMW R75's were built between the years of 1941-1945 under the direction of chief-engineer Rudolf Schleicher. It was manufactured exclusively for the German army and is recognized as one of the more famous motorcycles in the evolution of motorcycles. The BMW R75 served with all branches of the German armed forces, on all fronts, on all terrains.

A lever mounted on the rear wheel drive housing when engaged locks in the "chair" wheel into a drive loaded, like a posi-traction. Although this helped in cross country navigation the BMW did not steer very well. The engine was 45 C.I. with a four speed transmission , eight forward and two reverse, a top speed of 75 mph and a low range of 60. Both hand foot shift levers were installed. Both rear wheel and the "chair" wheel were on a foot pedal hydraulic braking system . A filter was installed on the top of the gas tank for the Afrika corps bikes. The tool cavity was utilized for the filter and a steel German helmet styled cover mounted. The BMW R75s were completely waterproof .

The model is the BMW R75 motorcycle with sidecar in 1/9th scale from ESCI manufactured in the 70s. The Italian company features some 200 parts plus on 8 sprue frets. The parts are molded in a light textured tan colour, some silver parts, metal springs for the seat and front forks and solid rubber tires.


The bike was painted to represent one attached to the Afrika Corps. All purpose acrylic craft paint was hand painted on to the vehicle in a dark yellow colour, followed by a good drybrushing of a dust colour . Several coats of a black and brown mixed wash was applied, followed by another drybrush. The engine, some linkage and the MG 42 were all painted white, lights red and the gauge decal placed into the gauge. A coating of clear nail polish was brushed onto the lights and added into the gauge to simulate glass."

Ride fast and shoot straight.

Or is it visa versa? Via: Ride fast and shoot straight

The great leap forward.

Via: NJ Archives