Thursday, March 26, 2009
The motorcycle in cinema-No Limit.
(link)
Chimney sweep George Shuttleworth builds his own motor-bike "The Shuttleworth Snap Special"and enters the T.T. races having 'borrowed' some of his grandad's money to do so...No Limit is a 1936 comedy film which was released by Associated Talking Pictures. It starred George Formby and Florence Desmond. Made in location in the Isle of Man, for £30.000, the climax of the film comes when the young amateur is racing towards the winning line - only to run out of petrol! He pushes his bike the last 500 yards, with an unsporting rival speeding past just seconds after he staggers across the finishing line. This scene was shot fifteen times on a hot June day; on the final occasion the star genuinely collapsed at the line, and a doctor was called. This is the 'take' that can now be seen in the film.The Shuttleworth Snap Special-(An AJS 350, 1926)
Pict via: Sidecar.it.
A Re-Creation of the Shuttleworth can be seen here.
Via: George Formby.UK
Everybody sing along, Formby sings the TT song (link)
"If there's one thing that I like' it's riding around on my motorbike
I'm a speed king when I once begin.
I once won first prize, two and six, I know all the dirt bike dirty tricks.
I'm a marvel when I'm out to win.
In a fifty mile race, I am the best I ride five miles and skid the rest.
CHORUS
So come along and see me riding in the TT races.
Easier than hopscotch beating all the top notch aces
I've been riding all my life I started quite small
I've ridden fairy cycles aye and scooters and all
Hear the people cheer me when they see me steering backwards
Down the hill I go at breakneck speed
See me coming down the street, with the women posed on the pillion seat
Oh come along and see me riding at the TT race
Come along and see me riding in the TT races.
Easier than hopscotch beating all the top notch aces
Once my bike was hard to ride but I didn't mind
Until I found it'd hitched a charabanc on behind
Everybody scaring I'm such a daring rider
My insides rattles when I go the pace
My ribs begin to shake about, there's all my spare parts sticking out
Oh come along and see me riding in the TT race
With me gears in reverse, the other way around I'll finish first
So come along and see me riding in the TT race
HA -Ha-HA -Ha-ha aha ha ha ha"
A must-have: The Shuttleworth Special sculpture from Glen English ModelsCraft: The beaded Buell.
The Lone Beader has created this amazing hand crafted beadwork Buell. Composed of thousands of glass seed beads, sterling silver, metal hardware, and vinyl the bike took 20 hrs per week for 6 weeks to complete. A brilliant touch is the use of zippers for tires.
Not just some silly kitsh, this is a thoughtfully worked out and beatifully crafted piece of art. The complete blow by blow of the project can be seen here.
All tracks lead to war: The Mercier prototype.
The 1937 Mercier, 1 of 3 prototypes built for the French military. A JAP (J.A. Prestwich) 350cc engine is used for power running through a 3 speed transmission. Via: The kneeslider
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
The Art of Dermot Walshe.
Dermot Walshe is a storyboard artist, and conceptual designer for hundreds of televison, film and print projects. One of his favorite subject is motorcycles and has plans to put out a graphic novel featuring his designs and characters (such as his Mr Toad having a wild ride above)-We look forward to that.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Full steam ahead.
In February 2005 To celebrate its 50th anniversary, the West of England Steam Engine Society set up a challenge to build a steam motorcycle capable of being ridden at up to 50mph around a "wall of death", the cylindrical fairground attraction that has thrilled crowds for 70 years.
Gerry Stoneman, a retired engineer from Devon, stepped up to the challenge using a Field steam plant in a 1920 Sunbeam frame. It was ridden around the infamous wall of death by impresario Ken Fox at the South West Motorcycle Show at the Westpoint Centre in Exeter in Aug 2005. Over the course of the weekend the steam powered motorcycle was used for a further six runs to a capacity crowd.
Monday, March 23, 2009
The third wheel.
When Postie bike racer Danny (above) had an off at the Turondale 2003 Race Meeting he was only down long enough to engineer this third wheel for his favorite street Postie. His homemade sidecar is completely detachable and even features a clever hand shift.
High Concept: Tai Chiem's Motivo Scooter.
"The Movito is an eco-friendly electric scooter that recently took top honors in NASA’s Create the future Design Contest. Designed by Tai Chiem, the vehicle is propelled by a carbon-cutting in-wheel electric motor located within a modular base that can be detached to form a two-seat vehicle."
Via: inhabitat
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