Sturm und Drang

For anyone interested in MZs then this is the definitive work on MZ Motorcycles from prolific automotive writer Mick Walker. Well, to be honest, it’s probably the only comprehensive book on the subject in English.  The Germans, as you might expect, have produced a number of their own books, but as my German is a bit rudimentary I can't recommend any in particular.

Read this, together with Stealing Speed by Mat Oxley, and you’ll know as much as you’ll ever need to know about motorcycles and motorcycling in the former East Germany.

Old Boxer

Nice old airhead BMW twin, an R75/7, spotted on my trip to Norway last summer.

 

Note the straps around the panniers. Those of us who have owned a BMW fitted with old-style Krauser panniers like this will know, you need the straps to stop the panniers opening and spilling their contents along the road whilst travelling.

The turf-roofed structures are over picnic tables thoughtfully provided at a service area. 

So True

Hardcore Luggage

ready for anything the journey can throw at you

Pipework

Vincent 1000cc

Race Print

'Banner Racers' by Conrad Leach

Wind of Change

I remember when Kawasaki launched the Zephyr range. They were the first attempt at a ‘retro’ styled bike and I really liked the look of them. A friend actually bought one of the first 750s, but sold it on when it became apparent that the finish wasn’t great. In fact, one dealer I spoke to referred to them as the ‘quick-dissolving motorcycle’ so quickly did they rust. He said that he was tired of replacing bits under warranty.

However, since those early days they seem to have acquired quite a following. This is a pretty trick Z1100 Zephyr which I originally found on the BikeEXIF site. There's a whole lot of love, and even more money, lavished on this particular example.

A quick interweb search turned up a whole lot more pictures on Bikepost, a Russian site with lots of interesting stuff on it (well, I say that, but as I don’t read Russian I can’t really be sure).

Communication Breakdown

Conrad Leach

Conrad Leach 'Norton' print

'Norton' with Union Flag

Artist at work

Alas, Poor Yorick...

I came across this Conrad Leach print. It made me smile as just before the holidays I received the new Royal Shakespeare Company programme for the forthcoming 2012 season.

Now to decide what I'm going to go to Stratford-on-Avon to see this year.