legendary

Brief description of what to expect from posts here.

Legendary Bikes: The Flying Merkel

Posted by Rob Brooks | Aug 18, 2022 | Legendary Bikes | 0 |

Legendary Bikes: Vincent Black Shadow Series C

Posted by Rob Brooks | May 9, 2022 | Legendary Bikes | 3 |

Legendary Bikes: 1933 Rudge Ulster TT

Posted by Rob Brooks | Oct 22, 2021 | Legendary Bikes | 0 |

Anatomy of a Legend- Wayne Rainey Interview

Posted by Rob Brooks | Oct 31, 2019 | Ride Life | 2 |

Legendary Bikes: The Flying Merkel

by Rob Brooks | Aug 18, 2022 | Legendary Bikes | 0 |

The first time I ever beheld a Flying Merkel up close was at the Barber Museum in Birmingham, Alabama during the annual Vintage Festival they host every October. In a large side room where a Bonham’s auction would soon be staged, the bright orange machine arrested my attention, and I stood transfixed by this beautiful 100+ year old motorcycle. I’ve no idea what the bike later fetched on the auction block, but I’ve read they can go for well over $100K in good or restored condition. It’s easy to understand why, when the history of the brand is explored.

Legendary Bikes: Vincent Black Shadow Series C

by Rob Brooks | May 9, 2022 | Legendary Bikes | 3 |

When the topic of the world’s most historic motorcycles is discussed, often among the first to come up in conversation is the iconic Vincent H•R•D Black Shadow. Jet black throughout save chrome pipes and various polished bits, the Black Shadow of the late 40s-mid 50s is still a stunner to behold, whether in photos, video or in person. There is something alluring yet menacing about the motorbike, with those sexy curved chrome pipes, that distinctive 50 degree OHV 998cc v-twin and those blacked out engine casings decades before it was modern-hip. These where the original “Black Edition” motorcycles.

The Abernathy Boys- An American Chronicle

by Rob Brooks | Feb 25, 2022 | Legendary Bikes, Ride Life | 6 |

I first laid eyes on the photo of the “Abernathy Kids” when my father gave me a wooden framed print of it some 10 years ago for my basement “man cave”. He knew a little of the backstory which he shared with me, and I placed the picture and frame among some of my other vintage and antique paraphernalia downstairs, where it remained for a decade. When we transferred my “motorcycle works” to a new outdoor garage, I thought the photo and frame would fit perfectly, so I set it among my other old stuff on the back pegboard.

Legendary Bikes: Kawasaki Z1 900 Super Four

by Road Dirt Crew | Jan 31, 2022 | Legendary Bikes | 5 |

With the recent advent of the 50th Anniversary Kawasaki Z line, we thought a look back at the makings of this iconic motorcycle might be in order. Our friends at the Throttlestop Museum in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin have a pristine original Z1 900, and some fascinating details about it’s rapid, desperate development that arguably produced the world’s first “superbike”. If you’re a fan of 1960s-70s motorcycles, this story with fascinate you. If you’re not, you just might become one after this tale.

Legendary Bikes: 1933 Rudge Ulster TT

by Rob Brooks | Oct 22, 2021 | Legendary Bikes | 0 |

The only time I’ve ever viewed a Rudge Ulster TT up close was at the Throttlestop Museum in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. At the time, I’d never heard of the brand, and found it fascinating. Simple yet beautiful, spartan yet aggressive looking, the bike held my gaze for a few minutes, as I read up on its brief history via the info placard at the display. I love motorcycle racing, and the Rudge Ulster TT with its brief backstory intrigued me, so I decided to research it some more for a story.