Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween from the Wing Nuts!

Back Yard Dirt Trackin'

I have a lot of open space around me, but never seem to have a nice flat area to give this a go.

Sport Scout

I'm the first to admit I don't know too much about Indians. Some of you think I don't know much about Harleys or Triumphs either! So I'm making an effort to learn a little more about Indians. Best I can tell this is a late 30's Indian Sport Scout, the replacement to the 101 Scout. Indian guys help me out.

A few more from the Catalina Grand Prix 1956

A couple more cool pics from Catalina. Two points of interest. The spectator in the foreground is sportin' a Sinners sweater. Very cool. Maybe we should make one these at the NLAMC. Second is the cool Johnson Motors style delivery truck. Maybe we should make one of these to haul around the Wing Nuts.

Willow Springs Raceway circa 1956 or 57

The bottom photo shows Marty Dickerson on his Grey Flash. Nice line up with the spectators as well. A 56 Mercury, a Ford Woody Wagon and a Porsche, not to mention the bikes. That line up would make for a happy garage.

Side of the road, side car repair

I hope the feller in the lab coat isn't Cal Osha, otherwise the feller under the sidecar might be in for a fine.

Catalina Grand Prix 1956..getting ready

Here's a few good shots of the bikes getting ready to race. Great photo depicting the racers clubs and sponsors. Thanks again to the Doherty family.

Another shot at Jack Baldwin's Shop

Another good shot of the line up with a little more of the Mustang for Larry. Also I'm really enjoying Pickle Bill's across the street. Any place with a giant pickle to lure you in must have good steaks.

Another Vincent picture

1955 in front of Jack Baldwin's shop. Bay District Motorcycles on Pico in Santa Monica. anyone have any more info on the shop? Seems like a good place to hang out. I see bobbed fenders for days!

Here's a pair of rare.

How about a pair of Vincents? And a Black Prince among them.

On the road with Frank Doherty

Some of a few great pics sent to us from the Frank Doherty collection of photos. Stephen has been kind enough to share some of his father's photos, including these from a trip with Frank and Don Mathews from Los Angeles to South Dakota in 1954. Don was on a Vincent and Frank an AJS. After chasing Don half way across the country Frank broke down and bought himself a Vincent. Stay tuned for the pictures.

VL rider

This appears to be a happy rider on his 1935 VL. If I'm wronf I'm sure some one will set me straight.

Nobody move or the Knuckle gets it!

This cat is pretty fancy looking for a Harley rider in rural America. I'm guessing he's some sorta moonshiner or bank robber who just blew his loot on a new suit and a new Knuckle. Just guessing of course. You don't see too many 18 inch whitewalls from this era.

Doc Sprocket's Knuckle after Jenny Craig

It appears as though the Doc has put his beautiful blue Knuck on a diet. Obviously he has been so inspired by the Wing Nuts that he chose to turn his bike into a cut down bobber. Looking good Doc! He assures me that there is more changes to come. By the way Doc, we miss you and your pithy commentary. Where have you been?

Another from Topanga 1952

The Topanga Taxi!

Pretty girl on an Indian Chief

I love these old colorized pics. I've got a feeling that is not her bike.

Tearing it up, GI style

Based upon the rider's helmet I'd say this was pretty early if not before the war. He was most likely a terror upon discharge and hitting the stateside streets.

13 Rebels Banner from NLAMC

This is a banner we (NLAMC) made for the 13 Rebels. This is the kind of cool thing that used to hang in club houses across the land. Bet they'd make you one too.

Fancy Bikes

These bikes sure are loaded with chochads and doodads. Their owners got all the period accessories for these Harleys.

Melvin anderson and his Knuckle

Don't mess with Melvin, his overalls or his Knuckle. If you do, he'll eat you!

A few more from Topanga 1953

For any in the know have we been able to verify if this is indeed Crater Camp?

Proud Chap with his BSA

I don't know much about Beezers so somebody please help to identify the model and year.

Book Review: The American Motorcycle Girls 1900 to 1950

I've never really done a book review before, but I recently got this book from my wife and I'm digging it. Cristine Sommer Simmons has put together a photographic history of early women motorcyclists in a nice large hardbound book. As you all know I like early pictures and this book is full of them. There are some very cool pictures I've never seen before and some that I have, but well worth buying if you like these type of books. I'm pushing this book on my own so don't think I'm working for the man or the woman in this case.

FHJ

More shenanagins from the Putt Mossman show

I'm not a big clown fan, but I like his bike.

Another from The Doherty Collection. Two vertical Indians battle it out.

Another from Topanga 1953

Very cool starting line photo from the Frank Doherty collection. Very cool view of vintage helmets and "race" gear.

Possibly Crater Camp?

I am happy to share with you a few pics from a family album. It comes from the family of Stephen Doherty who was kind enough to share some pics his father Frank Doherty took in 1953 in Topanga, CA. It looks a lot like Crater Camp, but we can't be certain. There are more to come. Here's just a taste. Thanks again Stephen.

Yo Yo the Rabbit Eater

I just got off the phone with our friend Bob Mac and he shared another great story with me, so I decided to shared it with you. As some of you may know from earlier posts, Bob was a Yellow Jacket in Wilmington, CA in the late 40s. He was deep in the mix of the post war So Cal scene. He is a great guy and full of great stories. One of the places the guys like to ride was the LA river bed near Long Beach. It was an unimproved sandy river bed unlike the concrete river that runs through the rest of the city. They'd go down there, race around, drink some beer and depending on the beer consumption, spend the night. One of the guys that used to hang around was a gentleman named Arnold "Yo Yo" Balinger. Yo Yo was apparently all that. He was described by Bob as, well, crazy. At night the guys would ride around the river bed and chase rabbits. Seems as though once the rabbits were "trapped" in your headlight they couldn't escape. So the guys would sweep on in, lean to the left and grab the rabbit by the ears. They'd ride a few yards and let Bugs go. A test of skill if you will. Well someone ran over one of those rabbits and it killed him, so he was taken back to the campfire to impress the ladies. As manly men we all know how much dead woodland creatures impress the chicks! I guess the girls were a little grossed out by the dead rabbit, but this was not good enough for Yo Yo, so he torn the rabbit in two pieces, then bit into it and removed most of it's guts. Bob was standing right next to Yo Yo when he did this and was not prepared for the carnage, so he turned his head to the right and proceeded to barf. For some reason neither of them hooked up with any ladies that night. Thanks Bob. I love your stories.
FHJ

Mini bike wall of death

We've all seen famous photos of big men on big bikes crashing through flaming walls, but here is something for the little people. Hows about a little bike through a little wall? This is from the Putt Mossman motorcycle show. I've got more pics so stay tuned.

Triumph GP gaining traction

Poetry in motion as they say. This GP is digging in an preparing for launch.

More Mountain Climbing on Real Bikes

Just another in a series of cool shots of guys using their bikes for what the good lord intended. Ride the begeezes out of them!

Crater Camp

This photo is what is believed to be Crater Camp, a popular motorcycle riding spot back in the 40s and 50s. This mythical place was located somewhere near Mulholland Hwy and Topanga Cyn. It was a meet and ride spot for motorcycle jockeys to get together and ride around in the dirt. Impromptu racing, hillclimbs, TT etc. As the years went on the bikes got pushed further and further out of the city. If anyone has more photos or stories related to the place please share them with us all.

Hydraglide Hero

Just a day in the life of a midwest Harley rider.

Hill Climbing

This is a different sort of hill climbing. This is the kind I like the most. Taking old bike up trails and into the woods and mountains. This photo was taken in the So Cal mountains in the 1950s. That's one of the things I truly like about early riders and bikes. There was one bike for all needs. A tire change was the only thing to separate the daily rider from the race bike from the desert bike from the mountain bike.

A happy young Indian rider

Looks like grand dad is thinking, "What is with this generation? Overhead valve? Hydraulic front end? A helmet? My grandson is a pussy!"

Cruizin' in Mass.

I think this is Massachusetts. Looks like early 50s. I wouldn't trust the guy giving directions. He looks wicked shady.

Indian New Models for 1950

I'm guessing about the year based on all the Vard hydraulic front ends. I'm loving the teepee. Wonder how that would go over today. Wish I could sneek around the corner and look at the new model Triumphs.

Yellow Jackets Club Sweater for Bob Mac

Over at the NLAMC, we made this sweater for our friend Bob Mac. Bob was a Yellow Jacket in the late 40s and over the years has lost his sweater. We are proud to have been able to help him "find" it again.

Baltimore Trail Blazers Club House

A look inside the life. Not a bike in sight. Wonder what the sidewalk in front of the place had parked on it.

Scott hamming it up on his flathead

Don't know too much about this here feller or his bike, but he seems happy and that's what counts.

Eddie and Chuck share a scooter.

Any idea what their mount is? Don't say each other.