Tuesday, April 30, 2013

More Gaggles Part 2 & a Nimbus

At the Motorcycle Swap Meet last Sunday I noticed a bike that I had never seen before


So naturally I have to snap a few more photos to show you


at first glance I thought that it was a home made machine, with a frame made of flat bar and not tubular


but it looked old with exposed pushrods so it was an old engine design


here's a closer view


then I notice the transfer case and the shaft drive


a closer view of the shaft drive and manufacturers plate


and the owner's matching helmet and goggles.   There seemed to be more vintage bikes here this year


there was a row of Nortons


and all of them looked better than new


I seem to gravitate to more unusual bikes, here is an old Ducati


and a Yamaha Hack.   I usually snap photos of Hacks for Dom whenever I see one


I can't remember what this was


I've started to appreciate the design of older Airheads


and their timeless design.


another BMW Hack.   I have seen this one before.  It is here every year


Here is a tiny MotoGuzzi parked beside a huge Indian


and who wouldn't notice a nice Vincent


and if you were into pedal power and didn't feel like pedaling anymore, then this may be for you


and it's for sale .   If you are interested in Old bikes, new bikes, vintage bikes, collector bikes or anything on two or three wheels then this is Motorcycle Swap meet is for you.   Too bad you have to wait until next year.   It's usually held on the last Sunday in April , Tsawwassen, BC   (info HERE)


19 comments:

  1. That Nimbus is cool Bob, I think I remember reading somewhere of a young guy doing one up and touring the world on one...

    Shame you didn't get a better pic of the V-Strom with the Leo Vince pipes ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Andrew:

      When I look at bikes, I usually gravitate to ones I don't see that often which are the rare, collectible, or antique ones. I figured that since Vstroms are everywhere I tend not to notice them so much, especially when there are hundreds of bikes around.

      Next time I will keep a lookout for you. I actually spoke to a couple from Courtenay who came over from Vancouver Island on the morning ferry and we chatted for a while. I forgot to snap their photo, can you imagine that ? They also had a couple of matching Honda ST1300's in their stable.

      Delete
  2. Bob, if you thought the Nimbus was interesting you might enjoy the story of two crazy Norwegians riding two of them, equipped with sidecars, around the world starting back in 2008/9. Take a look at the ‘King Croesus Contempt for Death Trip 2009’ http://kccd.no/blog_en.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Doug:

      You're amazing. You know everything, especially bikes from previous decades. That Nimbus caught my eye

      Delete
  3. Norton, Vincent... lovely bikes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sonja:

      I half expected to see you there, but your Lillooet Loop was much more appropriate for your last day here. I'd imagine that you would see many more of these back in the "old country"

      safe travels, and keep in touch. Of course your email may also change

      Delete
  4. In the Harry Potter series, Harry has a Nimbus 2000 broomstick. I would buy that Nimbus motorcycle just for the pleasure of saying I have the same ride as Harry Potter.

    You took some beautiful shots of the bikes. I have a lot of respect for the owners who spend time and money maintaining older motorcycles. The roads would be less interesting without them there.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. David:

      I didn't know about Harry Potter. We are not movie goers and have never seen a Harry Potter movie, but it's neat that they would use a Nimbus I suppose to make it hard for anyone to get their hands on one

      I usually don't take many shots of modern bikes, unless I see an accessory or something that I was interested in. I mean, you can see regular bikes everywhere. There were tons of Harleys there but I don't know anything about them, except they are too loud for me. I couldn't imagine coming home late or leaving for work early and having my neighbours mad at me. I hear a loud Harley drive past where I live and you can hear him coming for blocks away.

      I remember back in the early 80's I had a Suzuki GS1100 and to be courteous to my neighbours, I used to roll it down the block and start it down there and when I came home I made sure I was up to speed and turned off the engine and rolled the last half a block home, in peace and quiet. Our prev next door neighbour had a loud exhaust and every morning at the same time he would start his loud car. It gets annoying after a while

      Delete
  5. That Nimbus is really interesting. I've never seen one before.

    PS - I like the new pic you are using for your blog header.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Trobairitz:

      That was my first Nimbus too. Perhaps it will be here next year. It looked almost like "better" than new condition. If I snap more than one photo of any bike, then you must know that I liked it.

      Thank you Re: blog header. Last year after iMBC2012 I left you two and headed to Waldport/Yachats and it was my first time being alone for a couple of days. I was just sitting looking at the waves and was contemplating my next move.

      Delete
  6. Good stuff Bob, especially the hack pics! Thanks for those, though the one on the Yammie looked toes-out. Perhaps it was camera angle and lens distortion.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dom:

      There were also a couple of Urals there; a white one and a cameo one but I thought you already knew what they looked like. Perhaps it was the lens angle. Hope your parts come in soon, or maybe it's better that you stay put to wait for the weather to change

      Delete
  7. Can't wait for your visit. I know nothing about motorcycles and it seems to me that in you I'll have the perfect teacher. Of course, I can appreciate the beauty of the bikes you've photographed, but lack the insight to know what I'm looking had.
    Counting down the days, getting the trips lined up.
    Ciao. Mike.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mike:

      I only talk like I know something. It's all smoke & mirrors. I like to look at old technology but I'd rather ride something more modern and reliable, and with more parts availability.

      Time marches on, only 70 days before liftoff. Keep your stove warm and plan for some non-riding days

      Delete
  8. The Nimbus is a Danish bike, with a 750cc inline 4. Manufactured from 1818-1960 by the same folks who brought you the Nilfisk Vaccuum. I rode one briefly in 1971. What a brute...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chris:

      You know everything about everything. It was a neat bike but probably most of them are over in Europe. Hope to see you again before you leave for OK

      Delete
  9. Seeing that vintage Yamaha with side car gives me hope for the future ... (It was Canajun that planted that seed in my head!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen:

      are you saying that you wanted to attach one to your *Star ? It would certainly extend your riding season, and also allow you to carry more "stuff" . Looks like you may be able to bring your *Star out of storage soon

      Delete
    2. She's booked for pick up a week from tomorrow - (I will have had the snow tires off the SUV for a full two weeks.) Am thankful I do not live in Minnesota today - wonder if that snow will be gone in time for the 2013 summer skoot tour!

      Delete