Vintage B&W Photos of Riders and Bikes

Early Black Biker ca. 1936

Who this man is, and where he is going is lost to time, but his choice of an Indian and stylish gear seem to indicate he was fairly well to do. This image comes from a huge collection of vintage photos of African American, from just after the Civil War to WWII, put together by Daniel Corwin, and published in a book in 2006. Maybe more interesting to this crowd, it is also part of the book Soul on Bikes, all about the black biker culture.

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Vintage Harley Babe

Step back in time, and take a look at this beautiful bare foot babe as she strikes a pose in the saddle of a tricked out flathead Harley. Even your grandma couldn't resist the charms of taking a ride on the back of a bike, otherwise you might not even exist.

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Harley Hill Climber

Hill climb racing used to be one of the biggest forms of motorsports int eh country, because it was quick, and violent, and easy to spectate. All you needed was a hill somewhere and a handful of fearless riders on bikes and you could hold an event. This rider looks like he maybe as surprised as the flagger to have made it to the top.

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Vintage Father and Son Ride

Back in the day by the time your son could walk you'd have him piloting his own 50-100cc motorcycle. This father and son team look like that are all set for a day of friendly club racing on the big Rudge and little R.Z.

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Life Magazine Hell's Angels Feature 1965

Photographer Bill Ray spent a time riding with the Hell's Angels back in 1965 and took a ton of photos for a Life Magazine feature. His high quality work deserves a look, even if you don't like motorcycle clubs, just for the period pictures of choppers how they were built back in the days before catalogs and TV. You can see most of the photos here.

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Keenan Wynn and Friends

While Steve McQueen may get all the credit these days, it was Lee Marvin (not Marlon Brando) and Keenan Wynn who were the original actors/bikers. Here Keenan is seen filling the tanks of all of his riding buddies, since he was a character actor who appeared in over 100 movies and TV episodes, and smoking a cigar because he wasn't afraid of danger. This picture is by photographer Bob Magill, who seems to have a thing for bike, and shot many images of them.

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Racer and Burlesque Dancer Patti Waggin

Some people get their picture taken more than other, and when you are a beautiful burlesque dancer (with an educated torso) and also a motorcycle racer, flash bulbs are going to pop. Miss Patti Waggin (her stage name) has one of those life stories that seems to amazing to have been real, but it was. You can read all about her here.

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