Sometimes it is good to just kick back and look at old photographs of riders past. It is even better if there is a story, but as in most cases they are just photos by themselves, no story, and have been discarded by people who share no interest in our past. These images would most likely fall under the last description, showing signs of having been torn from photograph albums and sold in second hand shops and on auction sites. We have been lucky in acquiring them and to share them.
Enjoy these few images of what was happening between the 1910s to 1930s.
As crumpled as this photo may be somebody decided that it was worth saving and pulled it out of the rubbish bag, or perhaps released it fro the clutches of 1 year old Junior who was just about to stick it in his mouth. And we are the better for it. Not sure of the make of the motorcycle and sidecar but somebody out there will know.
Good advertising for the Fergus Tea Company with a smart looking rider, possibly a travelling salesman, and a very tidy machine fitted with a fixed engine drive.
Very early Indian, about a 1916 Powerplus, and one happy looking owner.
Perhaps a club run of 4 keen motorcyclists? A bit blurry so the only motorcycle identified is the Ariel on the left. The second rider from the left looks very much like one of the two brothers in the next 2 photos. And the rider of the third motorcycle is most likely the photographer.
These 2 photos look like 2 brothers with a passion for sidecars. An Indian and an unknown, with a very sporty Swallow sidecar.
Clearly a photo of two young lads on a 1926 Harley Davidson wishing to impress the two headless young ladies sitting on the wall behind them. A well ridden motorcycle, possibly a magneto model fitted with gas lighting and a bulb horn.
Harley Davidsons fitted with service delivery bodies served small businesses well in the 1910s to the 1950s, even in New Zealand. This well used machine with the phone number 350.D advertised on the box has the rider seemingly quite happy to deliver your order. His white jacket and striped apron would indicate a grocer or perhaps a butcher.
Two young lads in school uniform on a Rudge Multi out for a ride after a full day of learning their multiplication tables and practicing on how to speak “rite nice eh guv”.
New Zealands amazing scenic countryside beckoning two scallywags for a ride on a Harley Davidson and an unknown motorcycle.
Another rural scene of a high quality photo postcard of Ken and his late 1910s Indian Powerplus motorcycle looking in ‘as new’ condition. The scenery is amazing.
A late 1930s Royal Enfield in rather scruffy condition (or well used by some) with a keen female posing as an enthusiastic rider? The motorcycle is fitted with a 21” front wheel and with that ginormous exhaust megaphone was it used for racing? Either that or the owner didn’t like his neighbours. Interesting that it is fitted with the cheaper Royal Enfield pressed steel forks, with the built in sideways flex. Not quite what a high speed racer would be looking for.
Two very keen riders on their Rudge Multi and Indian Powerplus motorcycles. The tidiness of the machines would indicate that they have been newly acquired, along with their all weather motorcycle riding gear, period leggings buttoned up the side and flat caps reversed. These type of photo postcards can be quite personal so from which rider was the message from on the reverse side? It reads “ Dear Miss Nees,this (PC) is a poor reward for your kindness of Sunday last. However – do you still take your tea without milk? Yours Truly Billy Bean. And what happened last Sunday?
We are still looking for more photographs to share so if you have any lying in the bottom of boxes or cabinet draws and unsure what to do with them please contact us through our Contacts Page for a chat. Thanks.