Thursday, November 11

When hair and handlebars grew


I'm endlessly fascinated by that period in English biking history when rockers transformed into greasers (or grebos, or 'bikers'). The catalyst seems to have been 'Easy Rider'.

Look at any photos taken at UK festivals from the late '60s to early '70s, and you'll see the emergence of apes on otherwise stock British bikes, surplus WWII German helmets, homemade MC patches... and even real choppers.

I'm researching a piece for the mag on this period (with the gratefully-received help of guys who were there in the thick of it like Quaffmeister)... should be good.

If you have any photos from that period, please get in touch.

7 comments:

arcadian said...

I had that mag!, that cover pic,that looks like his legs are a bit short! Its like yesterday. Gone in the box with the rest.

Unknown said...

Looking forward to it, a freer time maybe..

Trawler said...

You should do an article on New World Library paperbacks as well.
A very British thing.

Trawler said...

Sorry meant New English, but you knew what I meant eh!

tiptopdadddy said...

Guy, this is the look I'm going for with my SB&F build, I love those tough, stripped down greasy hippy machines!

Quaffmeister said...

Who you calling a Greasy Hippy !!!!
QM

tiptopdadddy said...

I'm rather partial to greasy hippy machines: http://s47.photobucket.com/albums/f168/tiptopdadddy/?action=view&current=007-1.jpg#!oZZ91QQcurrentZZhttp%3A%2F%2Fs47.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Ff168%2Ftiptopdadddy%2F%3Faction%3Dview%26current%3D004.jpg%26