Most motorcycle riders have always wanted to look cool, whether it be with an open face crash helmet, Stadium googles, sheepskin topped riding boots, and from the 1950s and 60s a white scarf and leather jacket adorned with badges and patches.
These few photos of Eric and his motor (side valve New Hudsons) are depicting a man who seemed to really like his motorcycle, and he too wanted an image. Was his pillion passenger a motorcyclist or perhaps just seizing upon an opportunity to look cool as well?
As can be seen these photographs are still attached to the album pages which to me presents a real time love for motorcycling. I wonder how many dinner parties Eric had where he said “let me show you my latest holiday/riding snaps”?
Not sure where the pages originated from, whether they are New Zealand or from afar, am quite sure they are not from the UK as there is no number on the front number plate. Interestingly though there is a message on the front number plate just visible, it reads ‘Speed on Big Boy Hell Not ???? (unable to read the last word). Perhaps a bit of teasing for those who ride OHV Sports machines. A bit of a character I reckon. And isn’t Eric a cool looking dude. I bet his mum thinks so.
And to share the love of riding motorcycles here are a few other riders out just doing it on New Zealands roads in the late 1920s and 30s. A postcard style depicting riders on a journey . . . somewhere. We have left it large enough (8M) to get a good print and frame it for your office/workshop wall.
