Okay, so I got this idea to really dig into what motorcycles were like back in the ’60s. I’ve always been kind of fascinated by that era – the music, the style, and, of course, the bikes. So I started this whole project to learn more.
Getting Started: Finding Information
First thing I did was hit the internet. I mean, where else do you start, right? I started looking for old magazines, articles, anything I could find about bikes from that time. I was looking for pictures, you know, to get a feel for what they actually looked like, not just some modern recreation.
- Searched for digital archives of old motorcycle magazines.
- Looked for forums and online communities dedicated to vintage bikes.
- Even checked out some online museum collections.
It took a while, found a few good forums where people were sharing scans of old brochures and stuff. That was a goldmine!
Diving into the Details
Once I had a bunch of information, I started to organize it. I created folders on my computer for different brands, like Triumph, BSA, Honda, and all those. Then, inside each folder, I made more folders for the different models. It was a lot, but it helped me keep track of everything.
I started noticing patterns. Certain styles were really popular back then, like the cafe racers with their low handlebars and that classic “Ton-Up” look. And the scramblers, too, those were cool, with their high pipes and knobby tires. I was really starting to see how different the bikes were back then compared to now.
- Cafe Racers: Low handlebars, single seats, and often, custom modifications for speed.
- Scramblers: High exhaust pipes, knobby tires, designed for off-road riding.
- Standard Bikes: More upright riding position, often with a bench seat for two people.
Compiling Everything
Finally, I started to compile it all to a word doc.
So, yeah, that’s kind of how I went about exploring motorcycles in the ’60s. It was a fun little deep dive, and I definitely learned a lot!
