Isle Of Man TT, 1920's photos

I don't know if anyone is interested to see these photos taken on the Isle of Man TT races during the 1920's by my Grandfather who went a number of times during the 1920's. These images have never been seen publicly before and are all labeled up as I.O.M.. It is possible that some of the images relate to events organised for spectators during the TT week. According to the captions, in the album, the first 2 images are Douglas I.O.M..

Wow.....marvellous.

I love the m/c chariot racing......superb lunacy :clap::dancingbanana::lol:

Us over here took it a step further with 2 bikes per chariot.
Motorcycle Chariots - YouTube

Those TT riders would be better with knobby tyres, but those bikes nowdays would be worth a good dollar like Rudges, Vincents..........

Not quite the Roman Colosseum, 1930s Chicago. Happy New Year to all.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...dromepng-1.jpg

Great posts. Cool pics.

Seeing the image of the "Wall of Death" reminds me of my relative who, in the late 1930's rode on the handlebars of motorbikes performing in the "Wall of Death" and who, later, went on to become a founder member of the Parachute Regiment. But what is the name given to someone who rides on the handlebar of a motorbike? Someone who rides on the back of a motorbike is called a "pillion rider" and, therefore, in theory, there should be a word or words to describe someone who rides on the front, i.e. the handlebars. I've never heard any words to describe a motorcycle passenger who rides the machine in front of the person operating the controls, but, thinking on my feet, suggest handlebar-surfer. Can anyone else make a better suggestion or is there a correct word/s. Many thanks.

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Originally Posted by Flying10uk

Seeing the image of the "Wall of Death" reminds me of my relative who, in the late 1930's rode on the handlebars of motorbikes performing in the "Wall of Death" and who, later, went on to become a founder member of the Parachute Regiment. But what is the name given to someone who rides on the handlebar of a motorbike? Someone who rides on the back of a motorbike is called a "pillion rider" and, therefore, in theory, there should be a word or words to describe someone who rides on the front, i.e. the handlebars. I've never heard any words to describe a motorcycle passenger who rides the machine in front of the person operating the controls, but, thinking on my feet, suggest handlebar-surfer. Can anyone else make a better suggestion or is there a correct word/s. Many thanks.

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I doubt there is an official term, so handlebar-surfer seems as good as any.
I have some friends who actually live down your neck of the woods that actually own and operate a vintage 1920's-30's era Wall of Death with vintage Indian motorcycles etc., so will ask on FB if there is an official term......other than just lunatic :lol:

Stunt rider there was never an official phrase coined for a person operating a bike from the bars but this is what they do nowdays.......
1st Place Stunt Riding World Championship - YouTube

Seems the "Indian Scout" was popular for the wall of death as it had huge torque and could manage...nice looking old bike.

Be interesting to see Cinders on one of those old 1916 bikes, would likely look like a trained bear on a bicycle...

I had a 1927 Indian twin, bloody thing, even with the decompression lever down it used to drive my knee into my chin.

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Originally Posted by muffett.2008

I had a 1927 Indian twin, bloody thing, even with the decompression lever down it used to drive my knee into my chin.

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I can relate to that very easily...

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Originally Posted by muffett.2008

I had a 1927 Indian twin, bloody thing, even with the decompression lever down it used to drive my knee into my chin.

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Never got the chance to ride an old Indian, but a guy I know who has one (as well as a Harley WLA) has never mentioned it being bad......but then he also has a BSA Goldstar 500 in Clubmans trim, and THAT is an evil barsteward to start.....I know, I tried it a couple of times, and even though I owned a 1940 BSA WDM20 at the time, I walked away from it swearing and nursing sore body parts :lol:

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Originally Posted by muffett.2008

I had a 1927 Indian twin, bloody thing, even with the decompression lever down it used to drive my knee into my chin.

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You're supposed to retard the spark before you kick it over. I loved seeing the Isle of Man as a dirt-and-mud race! I bet it was safer that way ... it's a widowmaker now.

jn

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

Be interesting to see Cinders on one of those old 1916 bikes, would likely look like a trained bear on a bicycle...

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Hmmm! did not they issue a bag of salt to keep the snails back! Seriously though the olden day riders of the 20's-30's had far bigger kahoona's than I as they had very suspect tyres (Skinnies) deplorable brakes and the race track was a damn near a horse track across some farmers paddock naah! they were far braver than I........
I remember once being a complete idiot and kicking over my Honda CR 250R Elsinore 2 stroke scramble bike with bare feet it backfired and the force from the kickstart rising back up on my right instep had it turn instant blue bruising with me barely able to walk at all afterwards.
I coined that bike "The all or nothing" so narrow was the power band your either going flat out or its bogged down over fueling itself but they were a very quick bike I had many spills on that thing but it was great fun.:madsmile:

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Originally Posted by CINDERS

I remember once being a complete idiot and kicking over my Honda CR 250R Elsinore 2 stroke scramble bike with bare feet it backfired and the force from the kickstart rising back up on my right instep had it turn instant blue bruising with me barely able to walk at all afterwards.
I coined that bike "The all or nothing" so narrow was the power band your either going flat out or its bogged down over fueling itself but they were a very quick bike I had many spills on that thing but it was great fun.:madsmile:

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I had a very similar mishap with my Gilera KZ 125.
One of the most intense feeling of pain I can remember...

Yes Ovidio you can understand what it feels like and yet I could comfortably kick over my 1976 Z900 Kawasaki.