That’s 60 over if you’re wondering.

Condor 1929 Populaire 500cc
Condor, based in Courfaivre, was together with Motosacoche the leading motorcycle manufacturer of Switzerland. The company started making bicycles in 1893. Founders were Eduard and Jules Scheffer. Responsible for the motorcycle side of the company was Otto Fricker, who became the son in law of Eduard Scheffer. Fricker produced his first motorcycle in 1901. Condor used a number of different engines: in the beginning mainly Zedel, Motosacoche and Moser and later also Villiers. In the later twenties and early thirties Condor was a very active competitor in races and many successes were recorded. After world war two Condor built mainly machines for the Swiss army; the 578 cc and later the 750 cc side valve transverse twin with shaft drive were well known machines.

Tight shirts + bitchin’ custom paint = time honored classic?
Absolutely in this case. Thank ya Brahktin’

A few pics that our photographer pal Holly took at the Chop Meet in SoCal this past summer. This is one of those events I really wish I could have traveled to, our California friends did a great job putting this all together.

About a week ago I went down while riding my Triumph around town. I’m fine, the bike is banged up and that’s about all I’m going to say about that until all insurance matters have been settled and signed off on. However, as a side effect of the whole thing I started entertaining the idea of swapping my modern Triumph (2003 America) - which serves as my daily rider / commuter - for a modern sporty. As I surfed the interwebs for information and inspiration, I saved a few pics of some of my favorite examples of modified Sportsters that kept their swing arms intact and I figured I’d share them with you. Why the swing arm? Why not an ironhead? This is a bike I would ride 90 miles round trip to work, I need it to get me their reliably and I don’t want to be constantly wrenching on it - I have plenty of other projects to be working on.

I also dig the challenge of making a swing arm bike look cool - it’s a lot harder to do than tossing the motor into a rigid frame. No surprise that many of the examples I’ve got come from Japan - those dudes got cool swing arm bikes down cold. But not to be outdone, there are a few QCB’s representing the states in there too.

I honestly haven’t made up my mind on if I’m going to jump into a sporty or keep the Trump, but the research has been fun. Check out the pics, and thanks to Bratstyle, Sparetime and the QCB’s for the inspiration.

Our pal Kevin C. sent in these pics he snagged from his father-in-law. So awesome. Here’s what Kevin had to say:

I snapped a bunch of cool polaroids from my father in law recently you may dig…

His name is Johnny Martinez and he used to own a body shop with his brother in LA circa 1969-1970…soooooo many rad photos but most are pretty blurry + faded…some good shit in there tho too…

BTW he mentioned green bikes were considered bad luck (maybe why he’s wrenching on it in both shots!)

Blurry or not, these pics rule. You guys know how much I love this shit, so if you’ve got some of your own vintage family photos, send them on in.

Classic.

Holly Andeson gets big props from us. Pointed in our general direction by my man Kevin C. (thanks Kevin, you get props on this too) she sent us a whole bunch of photos from a trip she made out to visit Jason Jesse and his shop Automodown. If you know of Jason - from his skate fame, his bikes or his appearances in the Choppertown flicks, you know his madness & genius is inspiring, frightening, unhinged and beautiful. The shots Holly took around his shop capture a lot of that essence through composition and through the actual elements in the shop she chose to shoot. Killer stuff all around, so hit the read more link below to check out all the pics.

All photos are © Holly Anderson - many thanks to her for sending them out way.
Read more…

amen.

John Pittman sent us this link to a great set of photos shot by Simon Crubellier at the Ace Cafe. Nice mix of bikes, still life and character pics. Definitely worth your time to flip through and dig into.
Check it out here: www.flickr.com/photos/simon-crubellier/sets/921790/

Do not stare at while under the influence of any mind altering substances as it may cause your brain to fold in on itself.

Pics courtesy of skinny:

This past summer in Arvada Colorado, a collection of vintage bikes have been
on display at the Arvada Center. Mostly Brit & Italian,couple of hd’s. Took some pics to share with everyone. Please excuse my photo taking abilities. These bikes are from the Harry Mathews & Jim Dillard collections.

Beautiful stuff, but I have to admit, while I love seeing these bikes preserved and in perfect showroom condition, sometimes it’s hard to digest that they’re pure mantle pieces and not on the road. Still love looking at them though.

1963 Triumph Catalog Cover - the French Version. I’m totally digging the illustration style.

Beautiful. (via glory days)