Charles Burki

Charles Burki was born in Indonesia ("Nederlands Indie"). From a very young age he combined excellent skills as an illustrator with a strong preference for technical subjects. When he settled in Holland in the middle of the 1930s, motorcycles were his favorite subject. He made many illustrations for the Dutch motorcycle magazine "Motor", like the one below (that must be a Norton M20 and a translation is not required!). It will not come as a surprise that he spent his earnings on fast motorcycles and in 1935 he bought an M30 International. Used solo for two years it was then hitched to a Steib sidecar; that's his wife Sophia in the chair.

In 1942 Charles was captured by the the Japanese and he spent three years in prison camps in Indonesia and Japan. Miraculously, he first survived when the boat he was travelling on was sunk by a torpedo. Then, on the 9th of august 1945, he survived the blast of the "Fat Man" atomic bomb that destroyed Nagasaki from a distance of less than 2000 meters.

The drawings below were made in the Fukuoka 14 prison camp in Nagasaki on pieces of scrap paper that he had found. Obvious, they were made from memory.

After the war, Charles continued to make a living drawing illustrations for companies such as Philips, Fokker and DAF, and off course for "Motor" magazine;  read more in the excellent book by Vincent Denters (above).

Art Deco???

Just messin around with some computer art.....

I love me a NICE RACK! Warning this ain't about deer!

A perfect rack is always nice to look at!

Adding Biker shit to the mix just makes it sweeter.

Harley Davidson has got Balls!

1928 CS1 Norton

A very tidy and correct looking CS1 Norton, that lives somewhere in South Africa. When asked to identify the year that this bike was built I got the following answer.

How can one can tell 1927/28/29 CS1 from each other, the simple answer is 'with difficulty!' As far as I know no changes were recorded in the write-up of the show models but that does not mean they did not occur, especially internally! For instance the rocker arms were made thicker at some stage, the lower splined end of the vertical shaft was altered and - almost sure - the length of the vertical shaft changed too. Probably there were some detail changes in the finish. Cheers, Simon.

Update on 05 december 2009 when I was contacted by the owner:

Hi, I am the owner of this 1928 CS1 - registration TJ 22. The registration was it's original, dating from 1928 and was a Johannesburg number. I knew the bike from 1973 and always coveted it. The previous owner passed away as quite a young man and the bike was left to his 10 year-old son. It had failed on one of our major rallies and the son, with no mechanical knowledge, did not have the capability or training to fix it. It languished in their garage for 12 years when, in 2000, the widow contacted me and offered the partly stripped bike - which I grabbed! I had to sell a 300cc OK Supreme, fully restored, to buy the Norton but was convinced it was the right thing to do! I completely stripped it and refurbished all aspects and rode it in the Durban to Johannesburg rally the following year. It has completed a great many such rallies here in South Africa and is used frequently. It is officially dated by our Southern African Veteran & Vintage Association as 1928. Many of the castings have 1927 stamped or moulded internally. Regards, Tony.

How to make pumpkin pie

Happy Thanksgiving Yall!

Discovery of a 1931 Manx Grand Prix winner

Mr Jock Muir (above) was a student at Cambridge University and came from Radlett, a small town close to Luton in Bedfordshire. Jock raced Velocettes with a great deal of success. At one point in the 1930 Junior Manx Grand Prix he was second to Freddie Frith and he settled the fastest lap before retiring due to mechanical problems. In the Senior race he finished 5th, mounted on a 350cc (!) Velocette!

It's a fair bet that agents ‘Dunham and Haines’ supplied Jock’s Velocettes. Dunham and Haines were in Luton, very close to where Jock lived. With Jock’s performance in 1930 they managed to get him a works Norton to ride in the 1931 Manx Grand Prix; the Norton factory supplied their expensive works machines to successful riders only. Sure enough, there is a note in the Norton factory dispatch records that a specially prepared CS1 model with engine number 51750 was delivered to Dunham and Haines on the 26th of August 1931.

Jock did not disappoint Norton and won the 1931 Manx Grand Prix on the CS1; the page above from the 1932 Norton catalogue “That brilliant motorcycle” reports on his victory. The photo at the top of this page probably shows him on his Norton during the race. Happy with the outcome, Dunham and Haines displayed the machine in their shop and the photo below shows the Norton on display, along with Jock’s Grand Prix trophy.

Jock continued to race his Norton and was quite successful and photos of him appeared in the 1934 ‘Roadholder’. One has the caption “J M Muir during his record breaking run of over 101 miles in the hour”. He raced against riders like Frith, Daniell and Crasher White and certainly was no slouch.

Then comes a gap of about 60 years when in 1996 a long standing friend of Alf purchases the remains of a Norton from a farmer in Northern Ireland. The machine was in pieces and in very poor condition. It looked distinctly pre war but it had had a swinging arm conversion and a pair of BSA telescopes replaced the original girders. On his friend’s behalf, Alf sent the engine and frame numbers to the Science Museum in London who at that time held the factory dispatch records and the records stated the magic words; the frame number and the engine number matched and the machine was a works special prepared for the 1931 Manx Grand Prix!

It took Alf another five years to persuade his friend to part with the Norton. As the owner, Alf continued his search and wrote to Old bike Mart who published a photo and description of the bike. There were many replies from Luton residents and a note turned up from a Mr Peter Roydhouse stating that a Norton with engine number 51750 had been supplied to Mr J M Muir in 1931. We can only conclude that Alf most probably owns the remains of the genuine 1931 Manx Grand Prix winning Norton!

The engine of Alf’s bike is of a later type than 1931 as it has the timing side rib in the later position and the filter bolt under the bevel housing that was introduced after 1932. It also has a more modern bronze head and a magnesium cam box with a central oil feed fitted. The engine is stamped as per the original number and there are no signs of another number that has been erased. There seems no doubt however that favored customers could and did return their bikes to the factory for up-dating and the fitting of such things as new crankcases, bronze heads etc. so all of these changes may have been made in the machine’s active life as a racer. Jock retired in the 1933 Senior TT so perhaps he wrecked his engine?

Alf started the restoration in 2003. Engine and gearbox (still containing the original close ratio gears) have been rebuilt by now but Alf intends to leave the frame as it is; all part of the bikes incredible history! (Story by Alf)

Shiny ass paint

Photo by Pegasus Photo.

sons Of Anarchy Season 2 episode 11 review

Last weeks episode was absolutely kick ass! I can't say enough about how much action they packed in and what was revealed. I was out of town and am far behind on posting so I'm not going to go into every little last detail about this one like I have in the past. Besides, only got two comments on the last review, so I'm guessing the posts reviews are getting too long to read.

Can you believe that Opie now knows? Wholly shit.

Can't believe he stayed in the club. Poor Tigger. He took his beating like a man, full knowing he deserved it. He's lucky Ope didn't kill him. I can't believe the club is accepting of all the shit going down.

Wow. is all I have to say.

Can't wait till the next one. Till then.....

c1938 Model 20 Norton

Martin from the USA sent me this postcard. The photo must have been made in Holland, suggested by the Dutch licence plates, the bicycles in the background and even the man's haircut. On the back of the unused postcard it reads: Reportage, A v Beurden, Hof fotograaf, Tilburg. Tilburg is a town in the south of The Netherlands and mr van Beurden must have been a professional photographer by approval of the Queen herself.

The bike on the left is a DKW RT, a 98cc two-stroke. Many were built, for the only reason that they were very cheap to buy and run I guess. The bike on the right is a 600cc side valve BMW; strikingly, it seems to be almost completely covered in chrome. The BMW is a type R6 or R61, depending on whether it has rear suspension or not, which is not clear from the picture. Both BMW types were produced after 1937.

The Norton is a brand new Model 20. The M20 has the 500cc engine from the M18 but with a twin port head fitted. It's a trials version. In the 1930s, any model could be ordered in trials trim for a few pounds extra. These extra's included things like more ground clearance, a sump plate, high level exhausts, wider front mudguard, foldable kickstart and competition tyres. A very luxurious bike, with the tank panel and all that chrome.

The pushrod tubes still run parallel to each other and the headlight is the 8" Lucas. All of this suggests a 1935-1938 model to me. (Thanks  Martin and Chris!)

Jimmy Guthrie

The pictures above show Jimmy Guthrie; famous for 19 motorcycle Grand Prix wins and 6 victories at the Isle of Man TT races. Most victories were on Norton motorcycles. Sadly, he was killed on august the 8th 1937 riding in the German Grand Prix. Stanley Woods, an eye withness to the crash, is adamant that a German rider "took Guthrie out". According to him, Jimmy crashed as he was forced into a gutter by Kurt Mansfeld on his DKW. Mansfield was one lap behind when this happened; he reputedly was an emotional man, perhaps trying to show he was just as fast as Jimmy. Though Stanley suggests he did it on purpose as the Nazi regime was unhappy at the English riders being so successful.

Dennis, who has an excellent website on Velocette motorcycles, is the custodian of Australian Allan Schafer's motorcycle literature collection. Allan was a prolific letter writer in mid 1930s to many of the worlds top riders. This photo above and the letters below come from Allan's collection; the pic is a sad shot of Jimmy (in the middle) in the pits just prior to that fateful crash. Mildred Woods (Stanley's wife) sits on the pit counter, team mate Freddie Frith is on the right.

Less well known, Jimmy had a motor-repair business together with his brother Archie and was a technically minded man; see his comments in the letter below on the plunger rear suspension used for the first time in 1936.

For a short film on Jimmy's life, click this link.

1928 CS1 Norton

A CS1 Norton as we like to see them - being used as the maker intended! Most photos were made at a stop during the 2008 West Kent Run.

The Binks carburetter with the twin float bowls is a very nice detail. A rusty tank may be the reason for the petrol filter below the saddle. The clutch looks a bit modern to me and the 'box has a positive stop mechanism fitted.

more stupid shit seen on the road.

Driving behind this, I felt kind of insulted.

"Hey, Who you calling a bimbo?"

Sons Of Anarchy Season 2 episode 10 (90 minute special) review

Looks like Jax is really going to go through with going Nomad. Clay said he didn't strike a match.

Jax is going to go through with it anyway. Jax finds Piney, and tells him of his plans. Jax said if he stays in the club around Clay one of them is going to wind up dead. Piney says, "and we both know who that should be."

Chibs is freed from the hospital, and finds out about what has been going on in the MC world while he's been on his hospital hiatus. He's in the van talking to Half Sack when he finds out about Cara Cara being burned, and about Jax going Nomad. He makes Half Sack take him to see the IRA. He makes threats, and runs into Jimmy O. Jax comes in, and they get out. Too bad the place is bugged, and FBI agent Stahl is listening in on the conversation. She now has proof that they are tied in to the IRA.

Stahl is waiting for Jax sitting in his house to pay a suprise visit. She confronts him and his reasoning for leaving S.A.M.C.R.O. Tara catches wind of this and is a bit pissed, but more hurt that Jax was making this decision without talking to her about it. Regardless, Jax isn't changing his mind. Stahl makes threats to Jax that if he doesn't give her some information on the Irish that she will come after him. For now S.A.M.C.R.O. and Jax are living in grace.

The Sons stumble across an amo making Indian Tribe as a result of a Repo they did. The vehicle is loaded with cases of home made ammo. Looks like SAMCRO will be adding to the list of what they will be dealing.

Jemma talks to Tara about how bad of an idea it is for Jax to go Nomad.

Chibs is confronted by the Feds to make some deals. Being He is a true line to Jimmy O'fallon, He is a prime candidate for the deal making needed by Stahl.

We learn about Chibs history with Jimmy O. He excommunicated him from the IRA and took his wife and daughter. Left him with his face scar as a reminder. Chibs has had to swallow a lot of pride to deal guns as a member of SOA whom is using the IRA as a pipeline to get the guns.

Jax tells Gemma about going Nomad. They talk. Gemma tells him how bad of an idea it is. Tells Jax that she doesn't think his father's death was an accident. She said that she thinks He hated his life, and let the road take it. She told him to read page 449. (Which is revealed later to talk about John Teller's struggle in his own mind if he should go Nomad).

Chibs has a meeting with Jimmy O. Jimmy O has a lot of balls and is truly a wicked fucker. Chibs said he doesn't need to help him. Jimmy say to Chibs, "Yeah you do, I banished you, I took what's yours. These are the facts. You'll do as I say." Chibs replies, "Go to Hell Jimmy." Through conversation we find out just how much of a scum bag Jimmy is. He makes sexual comments about Chib's daughter. Ultimately, to keep his daughter Cari-Ann and his wife Fiona safe, Chibs is forced to help restore the relationship of the IRA and the Sons.

Bobby tells Jax he doesn't think Clay had anything to do with Cara Cara burning.

Tara gets suspended. She got busted for keeping Chibs in the hospital with fake symptoms.

Bobby and Jax visit Juice in the hospital. Talk about Jax wanting to transfer. Informing about needing Juice to proxy his vote.

The Sons do end up making a deal with the Indian tribe. They are going to make ammo for the Sons. As part of the deal, They end up dealing some psychedelic mushrooms. To make sure they are any good. Clay has Half Sack and Tig try them out. They get truly fucked up. This is some hilarious shit. While Clay is trying to show the One Niners how good the shrooms are because they will be dealing them, they see Half Sack sitting with his legs in a mud pit. He says, "It's cool and warm at the same time. It's cwoorm." He has this stupid shit eating grin on his face and he starts singing cwoorm. Then we see Tig looking at the Indian souvenirs totally vegging the fuck out. I literally laughed my ass off. Seriously. I have no ass anymore. LOL!

Opie and Lila get it on. Did you know Opie actually has hair under that stupid hat of his?

Unser convinces Jax that it had to be a crew that torched Cara Cara. Couldn't have been just one guy. Not Clay. Jax talks to Clay and apologizes about accusing him for it. He asks Clay if he still wants him gone. He says, "Yes."

Gemma sees the conversation between Clay and Jax, but did not hear it. She walks out and talks to Unser who is walking by. She asks him to help protect the club.

The Club reluctantly votes a unanimous Yay to release Jax from the Redwood Charter, and allows him to go to the Nomad Charter. Jax takes off his cut and puts it on the table, and cuts off his charter patches right there and tosses them on the table right at Clay. Jax looks really pissed off and really hurt all at the same time, like he might cry.

Based on a tip that Chibs gave the Feds, they go on in and do some serious harassing of the IRA

Young one. Make some threats, a little black male, and get him to be a rat.

Gemma gets Jax, Tara, and Clay together with her. To help keep them together, She tells Clay and Jax what happened to her, that there was no car accident, that she was gang raped by Zobel's crew. While she is telling the story, we see all kinds of screen shots of all the different SOA crew and cops doing different things. They show Halfsack still sitting in the mud pit now naked pleasuring himself, and they show Tig still there, crying and saying, "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." After Gemma is done telling the whole story, Clay embraces her and Jax and Tara get up to leave. Jax picks up his charter patches on the way out.

After watching this one, I thought this episode was the best one yet. But as you know, I was already an episode behind. I've already seen, as I'm sure many of you have episode 11 of season two. I think that even tops this one. If you haven't caught it yet, Hang on to your seat. It's a Hell of a ride!

Next Post of the last show Season 2 episode 11 coming soon.

1927 ES2 racer

From Simon's archives: This reputedly is an ex-works 1927 ES2 racer (except that Norton did not use the ''ES2" type number as early as June 1927) that was restored by the late Wilf Green - a Yorkshire character if ever there was one.

The first OHC CS1 racers designed by Walter Moore were put into competition in 1927. Norton was being cautious to have an OHV version of the racer available as a backup.

Mystery Norton part 3

Another set of pictures of a Norton that shares some peculiars with Rob's latest purchase. The pictures are not vey clear and the bike has been raced so surely many parts may have been discarded and replaced by whatever was available at the time, but... this clearly is a two stay frame designed to accomodate a Royal Enfield rear hub and the gearbox is a Sturmey Archer. This may have been a 1930 CS1 model like Rob's and Stanley's (Thanks, Alf).

Long rides can make you think of some pretty CORNY things.

Cruising down the road the other day, (It was a long ride), my mind started to drift. Looking at corn fields didn't help me keep my mind where it needed to be either. (On the road.)

You know in the corn fields how they always have those herbicide and seed signs like , Pioneer, Dekalb, Asgrow, Etc. Well, I saw some of them thar signs just like it.

Well, you know what they say; "All corn's good fer is fattenin up the pigs."

So as I'm cruising it dawns on me; If you eat too much corn on "DEKALB"........

it'll only make your "ASGROW" bigger?

Just a twisted thought I had.

Ordering an Inter

Someone ordering an M30 International in 1934. I'm surprised by the tone of the letter; they can't tell mr. Burnett when his very expensive motorcycle will be delivered. Do they ask him beforehand not to complain when this takes longer than anticipated? Demand for these machines must have been high. (from Alf's archives)

1928 M18 Norton

Another 1928 M18, found on Photobucket. Both the round oiltank and engine number indicate that it is a 1928 model; as it uses the MkIV B&L oilpump, driven from the inlet cam and without the external oil lines it must have been built late in the 1928 season (compare this M18 to the early-1928 model in the previous blog).

It looks like a bike that may have been raced. The luggage rack was replaced by sporty looking flat strips to hold the rear mudguard.The petroltank may have been fitted to carry more petrol; or it may have been fitted in an attempt to give the bike a more modern appearance. Look carefully and you'll see it has the flat tank frame. I've seen saddletanks fitted to flat tank models before but this one looks much younger than the rest of the bike; very nicely made but it seems to employ the 'modern' type of fuel cap. The magdyno and headlight look a bit out of place. The overall condition is brilliant, let's hope it stays like this.

Follow this link and this link for slideshows on this Norton. (Thanks Martin!)