28/5/2023 Bike Shed Motorcycle Show - Sunday.

So on Saturday I rode down to the show on my bike. One of the things I like about this event is that if you have a ticket you can go on more than one day and you don't have to pay again. Going on the bike is nice as there is dedicated free motorcycle parking, but the actual ride down there in 2023 isn't the pleasant and fun experience it would have been years ago - these days the traffic is worse (even on a bike!) and there are multiple 20 MPH speed limits - which can be difficult to notice while you are trying just to stay alive not being taken out by the the countless lunatics, idiots, and just bad drivers on the roads. As I found to my cost last year... I knew there were some bikes on display that I'd missed and not got photos of on Saturday, so I thought I'd take advantage of my free travel and go again on the Sunday.

And after Great Northern get me into town I still enjoy travelling on the DLR sitting at the front of the train pretending to be the driver - the novelty still hasn't worn off! And I enjoy the views of the modern dockland area which still seems like an alien and futuristic environment to me - like I'm in Blade Runner or something. I guess I'm still a kid at heart. Don't tell anyone. 😉

Also, the live music bill looked better on Sunday. 🎸😎

I was rather impressed by Logan J. Parker at this event last year and now she is back again - this time in less country and more rock mode. Obviously I prefer the latter.

Oh yes, and there were motorcycles too. As I suspected, there were some interesting machines that I didn't have time to see yesterday as I had a gig to go to afterwards. 🎸

I'm sure these CCM's handle well, but as they are called Spitfire I'd want something more powerful and faster to be honest - and a British engine instead of the BMW designed Husqvarna motor used here. 😕 I'm sure it's good bike and fun to ride, but please call it something else as I don't think this pays tribute to it's name.

Now this new but retro looking Norton Commando is far more like it - although I am even less likely to ever be able to afford one than a CCM.

But talking of BMW's.

Old.

Not so old, but radically customised.

And new but customised.

Yes, these really are 1800CCs - BMW are building stock boxer twins in that capacity now - I wouldn't mind getting my hands on one!

How wide can you make a motorcycle that only has two cylinders?
Those cylinders are 900cc each though!

The new ones straight from the factory aren't cheap, but are cheaper than the new Nortons. But nothing like as fast.

If I won the lottery I'd still have one sitting in my garage though.

Along with a Harley, but not an impractical pretend off-road one like this.

A Kawasaki Z1 based dragster with turbocharger and nitrous oxide injection.

And from one extreme to the other - showing that mopeds can be cool. 😎

And back to the UK with Triumph.

This looks very fast, but less than comfortable.

This modern but retro customised Triumph also looks less than comfortable - I don't like the current fashion for seats like planks - something also found on public transport these days. 😬 This trendy 'scrambler' might look cool for posing around town, but I don't think anyone would want to actually ride it far on London's pothole cratered roads, or for long on a trip into the country. I'm sure my current ride is far more comfortable for either.

This Triumph Daytona styled to look more like a Speed Triple reminds me of my previous couple of bikes - I recognise most of the components.

This Royal Enfield takes the retro look back a lot further.

'Slumdog' is an interesting machine that emphasises the former British motorcycle brand and it's move to Indian manufacture and eventually ownership.

So, it was another great Bike Shed Motorcycle Show - a cool relaxed atmosphere, and many interesting, varied, and imaginative custom bikes. See you there next year?