Take a look here: https://www.facebook.com/ridingvintage/photos_stream for lots of "old" pics of both 3 & 2 wheelers (click on the little pics for a larger view) -- some samples:
And my favorite: Who's been working on your motorcycle?:
Lee
MB5+TW200+CRF250L+GTV300+INT650
XL883R w/Texas Ranger Sidecar
Zuma 50F + Burgman w/Texas Sidecar<Mrs. SwampFox
That last photo is probably someones sidecar monkey.
I really like old pictures of bikes.
Who said they never chromed them way back when.
46u - 7/23/2013 11:57 AM I really like old pictures of bikes.
Who said they never chromed them way back when.
46U, Chrome was offered some where in the mid to late 30's can't remember the exact year but they had chrome packages even then, and before chrome it was refered to as a bright metal finish which was polished nickle parts and cadium plating also offered for quite a while to spokes along with other things were common motorcycle parts cad plated. The first photo of the gas station servi-car I believe is the second year of the VL Servi-car they came out in 1932 complete with the tow bar hooked to the front end, it was used for pick up and delivering customers cars.
Yes some chrome was offered but not as much as on the picture that did not post for some reason so here it is again
I'm guessing that young lady in the photo may be Dot Robinson, founder of the Motor Maids
Circuit Rider - 7/25/2013 6:52 PM I'm guessing that young lady in the photo may be Dot Robinson, founder of the Motor Maids
Yes Bud you are correct, That is Dot Robinson as for the extra chrome to me that would be nothing more than an owner customizing their bike to their taste looks to me that Dot liked a little extra bling in her ride.
Not only was Dot Robinson one of the co-founders of the Motor maids but it was her father that started the Goulding sidecar business in Australia before moving here for a bit more info try this www.gouldingsidecars.com
hdrghack - 7/25/2013 7:32 PM
Circuit Rider - 7/25/2013 6:52 PM I'm guessing that young lady in the photo may be Dot Robinson, founder of the Motor Maids
Yes Bud you are correct, That is Dot Robinson as for the extra chrome to me that would be nothing more than an owner customizing their bike to their taste looks to me that Dot liked a little extra bling in her ride.
Not only was Dot Robinson one of the co-founders of the Motor maids but it was her father that started the Goulding sidecar business in Australia before moving here for a bit more info try this www.gouldingsidecars.com
Thanks for the information and I agree she had the parts chromed.
I did a search on her and her is a picture of her in 1940. Yes the first picture is all so Dot.
hdrghack - 7/25/2013 5:32 PM
Not only was Dot Robinson one of the co-founders of the Motor maids but it was her father that started the Goulding sidecar business in Australia before moving here for a bit more info try this www.gouldingsidecars.com
Some great vintage photos there 🙂
Yes there are some fantastic old pictures there, Check out riding vintage the link is at the top of this thread. Dot and her husband Earl both competed in the Jack
pine derby enduro races in Michigan she won many sidecar class races.
Dot and her husband Earl also in later years opened and operated Robinsons Harley Harleydavidson in Detroit Michigan for many years.
Dot's last sidecar rig was and I still believe is in the AMA museum it's a pink and grey HD ultra classic with a Hannigan sidecar
When Dot s mother went in to labor with her she was taken to the hospital in her husband s sidecar.
Dot s last motorcycle.
Only know film footage of board track racing 1920. It says in Daytona but Daytona never had a board track. To me a must see. They even have sidecar racing.
46u - 7/25/2013 7:54 PM
When Dot s mother went in to labor with her she was taken to the hospital in her husband s sidecar.
Dot s last motorcycle.
Saw that pink sidecar rig on display at the AMA museum near Columbus, Ohio, some years ago.
Way back in the day:
They say that a picture can say a thousand words and some of these tell so many stories. Ever since my old friend the late "Chang told me about the day's just after WW! I've always had a thing for those sidecar rigs from that time in history. My family came later and liked the bikes and sidecars from the late 1920's. and 30's so I never had a chance to learn about the early sidecars first hand.
These are just a few that I have found on the internet and each picture is interesting.
Back in the day this would have been the least expensive way to get around. Looks like the entire family is on board for an outing. I bet this man was a hard working guy and a good provider for his family.
A Sunday afternoon outing all dressed up in their finery's. Even the sidecar and bike was cleaned up for the day. Not even dirt in the tire treads.
I bet this was just after WWI. Some of the men are still in their uniforms. I've been told that some of the "Dough boy's" didn't even have cloths when they came home from the war. They may have picked up their surplus sidecar rigs like Chang did.
This "Doll" would have fit right in at our shop in a different time in history.
Possibly a family portrait.
Looks like the rain wasn't about to slow them down. Note the sidecar wheel and the extended axle. I found many pictures from the old days with the same set up. If the sidecar's going to lift up then move the "moment" and it works. If a guy wasn't watching out he could mow down a mailbox or two.
From what I read one time this gentleman was a former Dough boy that lost his legs and half of his left arm. He had this custom rig built and drove around the country with his dog. I had already built the Larry Dodson rig before I saw this picture. It's funny how eighty years earlier someone built what I thought was unique and in the end my rig wasn't with something similar running around the country before I was even thought of.
This would have been very early with the wicker body. Even the little one had her own goggles.
This could have been my old friend the late Chang back in the day just after WWI. Even when this former soldier was having his picture taken he stood at attention, heals together, tows spread, and hands tucked. You can tell he was proud flying the flag and didn't have to worry about being politically correct and offending someone.
It was fun looking at a different time in history,
Johnny Sweet
