motorcycles as sculpture

[John Stevenson]

They were still connected until Churchill bought them out in the 1960 and then sold on to Alfred Herbert who closes in 1983

[PixMan]

BSA have always been a machine tool company, for years they made auto lathes that were excellent.

Much of the original bike factory was tooled up with their machines.

That's a completely different company, as far as I know. I believe the motorbike BSA company had its origins as Birmingham Small Arms. Or more correctly, BOTH the motorbikes and machine tools started as that company, and they've not been connected in decades.

[x39]

BSA have always been a machine tool company, for years they made auto lathes that were excellent.

Much of the original bike factory was tooled up with their machines.

Yep, we had a nice little BSA dividing head at a shop I worked in years ago. Even had the stacked rifles logo stamped into it. Neat piece.

[John Stevenson]

BSA have always been a machine tool company, for years they made auto lathes that were excellent.

Much of the original bike factory was tooled up with their machines.

[aboard_epsilon]

Or even retro retro since it's effectively a Seeley Condor replica.

They also put reproduction BSA Goldstar and Norton International engines into reproduction Seeley frames.

As I recall, prices are around the £20,000 mark

They also make Egli Vincents for those with deeper pockets.

I see that BSA are now a machine tool company

http://www.bsamachinetools.com/Stock%20Machines.htm

all the best.markj

[MrSleepy]

That is of course the artist Grayson Perry with Alan Measles riding pillion

Grayson Perry...what a star..

When I first posted that picture a few days ago..Swmbo bet me that I wouldn't let on who it was...and leave some thinking it was me..

Now the cats out of the bag..I can go and claim my tenner.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/2010/nov/02/grayson-on-his-bike-review

Rob

[EVguru]

Bit pointy.... And I bet it doesnt have a rear summer house for your teddy bear.

Rob

That is of course the artist Grayson Perry with Alan Measles riding pillion

http://www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/artists/grayson_perry.htm

How about his leathers inspired by the Cerne Abbas giant?

[PixMan]

Motorcycles as art is something that was recognized long ago by those of us who ride, and finally manifested as the show "The Art of The Motorcycle" that initiated at the Guggenheim Museum in NYC. The show traveled to other museums around the globe in various forms (not every bike in the Guggenheim show made the other installations), but all I ever got to see was the book and the two classic BMW's in the show that are owned by a friend's father. (He owns over 350 of the BMW bikes.)

As art, those bikes can be beautiful sculpture. As motorcycles, they are beautiful sculpture that I wouldn't ride around the block. And since most of them are driveway jewelry or trailer queens, it seems the owners don't ride them either.

[Dawai]

Mostly you see the same old crap we were doing in the 70s.. that green bike up there.. same old. Make them handle like a useless dangerous to ride machine.

They have rake and balance for a reason. To use.

Check out his creation.. over on Metalmeet, a Northern guy.. Sweden
He's doing something creative.. it should handle fairly well.. look rad.

[Deus Machina]

Okay, seriously, that picture.

Hey, I'm one of the under-30's that these flashy bikes are geared toward, and I'm still a bigger fan of the cafe racer look. Motor, tank, wheels, and not much flash or empty space between. Heck, I actually have a Suzuki 750 Katana (the GSX-R toned down for nicer riding) that has since lost is plastic and will be cleaned into a faux cafe racer once it's road worthy.

Function over form is its own type of beauty.

[MrSleepy]

I spotted this Harley in a clothing shop window in Tucson yesterday. Rather too tarted up, I'd say, but I'm sure you've seen more outlandish creations than this. I do like the colors, though.

Bit pointy.... And I bet it doesnt have a rear summer house for your teddy bear.

Rob

[EVguru]

see hes tipped the engine forward ..nice touch that ..it makes it look modern retro

Or even retro retro since it's effectively a Seeley Condor replica.

They also put reproduction BSA Goldstar and Norton International engines into reproduction Seeley frames.

As I recall, prices are around the £20,000 mark

They also make Egli Vincents for those with deeper pockets.

[aboard_epsilon]

Cafe' racers are more my thing;



http://www.stevetonkin-restorations....-for-sale.html

see hes tipped the engine forward ..nice touch that ..it makes it look modern retro

all the best.markj

[EVguru]

Cafe' racers are more my thing;

http://www.stevetonkin-restorations.co.uk/bike-for-sale.html

[GKman]

Whenever I want to view fine art, I visit Flat Track classifieds. http://vft.org/vftforsale2.html

To me a flattracker is the most beautifully scaled form-as-function machine in the world. This week's treat a JAP engine form the '30's.