I had thought that dragging the knee didnt become popular until Agostini in the 60s. This is John Surtees on what looks like a Vincent in the 50s.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/orangelion03/surtees.jpg)
Great photo isnt it? Reminds me of Superbikes in the early 80s.
Looks like knee sliders and frame sliders too. maybe a quick change front wheel?
I keep looking at the phot and am so impressed with his form...Textbook!!
Not a lot of difference in style here:
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/PhotoGallerys/xlarge/mgp_2006_01_25_Sepang_Casey.jpg (http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/PhotoGallerys/xlarge/mgp_2006_01_25_Sepang_Casey.jpg)
Quote from: orangelion03 on October 08, 2011, 07:38:28 AM
I had thought that dragging the knee didnt become popular until Agostini in the 60s. This is John Surtees on what looks like a Vincent in the 50s.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/orangelion03/surtees.jpg)
Great photo isnt it? Reminds me of Superbikes in the early 80s.
Sorry to burst your bubble, but that is most definitely not John Surtees. That picture is from either BIKE or SUPERBIKE magazine from a good few years ago. The rider may be Rupert Paul. I have the very issue with this article in it, but it would take me a long time to dig it out! Some time during the mid 90's seems to ring a bell, but it is not a period shot.
Bubble bursted [drink]
I appreciate the correction!!!!!!! I copied the photo from a facebook page and assumed it was correct. This explains the "modern" technique then!!! ;D
I was just about to post these and it shows that even in the early 80s, they werent hanging off quite as much as the picture in my OP. Still pretty impressive lean angle on the first one!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/orangelion03/Eddie_Lawson_Classic_Superbike_Wallpaper.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/orangelion03/Baldwin_Pocono82.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/orangelion03/13142-540x355.jpg)
Lawson and Baldwin!!! Two of my favorites. [thumbsup] [Dolph]
The guy on the Vincent is indeed very impressive! And yes, Vincents came from the factory with QD wheels, front and rear, which required no tools to remove them. We seem to have gone backwards in this respect!
I don't think they had Duct tape in the 50's did they? Looks like the rider is using a duct tape knee slider [laugh]
Pretty sure King Kenny originated the knee down/hanging off style.
That's the way I remember it. [thumbsup] [Dolph]
I think Robert's and Sheene used to argue the fact. Knee out, knee down.
Quote from: ducpainter on October 13, 2011, 11:45:56 AM
Pretty sure King Kenny originated the knee down/hanging off style.
Pat Hennen and Aussie Gregg Hansford were at it too..
(http://www.deejay51.com/LAV76%20UNL%20HENNEN%20LEADS%20HANSFORD.jpg)
Poor Bazza.... he was a bloody character...
I had one of those early Bell Star helmets...tiny field of view. ;D
Quote from: orangelion03 on October 08, 2011, 07:38:28 AM
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/orangelion03/surtees.jpg)
if this is a 1990s pic wtf is with that "helmet"..?
is that a construction hat?
Looks more like a harness racing drivers hat to me.
Is there any course that would let him on with that? it doesn't seem to be remotely protective.
Depends if he has a good fake DOT sticker or not. ;)
lol
The guy on the Vincent is a journalist. The article appeared in an issue of Performance Bikes some time in the early to mid 90's. The first racer to regularly get his knee down was the great Jarno Saarinen, who was an ex ice racer, hence the technique. A certain K.Roberts watched him racing in 1972 or thereabouts, and adopted the style himself.
Looking at that front tire makes me squirm!
Yes, Duct Tape was around in the 50's. That's how we held that old British junk together. In fact Duct tape was invented by 3M for use in WWII (40's). It was originally called Duck tape and was Olive Drab in color. After the war people used it for everything including taping ducts, hence, the peacetime name of Duct Tape.
A little history from an old guy.
Tom
Quote from: Ducmania on October 22, 2011, 05:40:06 PM
Yes, Duct Tape was around in the 50's. That's how we held that old British junk together. In fact Duct tape was invented by 3M for use in WWII (40's). It was originally called Duck tape and was Olive Drab in color. After the war people used it for everything including taping ducts, hence, the peacetime name of Duct Tape.
A little history from an old guy.
Tom
duck tape was first made by Johnson & Johnson in 1941 or 42 for the war effort..
3m invented adhesive tape in the 20s.
http://www.ideafinder.com/history/inventions/ducttape.htm (http://www.ideafinder.com/history/inventions/ducttape.htm)
everyone was making everything back then.. IBM and Smith Corona making guns! whoda thot?