In the background, a bike with 2 RD (350?) motors.Do believe it is....
In the background, a bike with 2 RD (350?) motors.Do believe it is....
Taken on May 13, 1958, flush from the success of their world tour in support of their songs “That’ll Be The Day” and “Peggy Sue,” Buddy Holly and two other members of his band, the Crickets, paid a visit to Ray Miller’s Motorcycle Shop in Dallas.
They left with new bikes.
* Drummer Jerry Allison bought a Triumph Trophy.
* Bass player Joe Maudlin bought a Triumph Thunderbird.
* Buddy Holly bought a 1958 650cc Ariel Cyclone -- one of only 200 ever made.
They also purchased matching gloves and caps, and then rode their brand new bikes to a local J.C. Penney’s where they bought matching Levi jeans and jackets, and then proceeded to ride the 350 miles back to their homes in Lubbock, TX in a rainstorm.
Less than a year later, Holly was killed in a plane crash.
The Ariel stayed with the Holly family until 1970.
Years later, it was given as a 42nd birthday gift to Holly’s childhood pal and fellow rocker Waylon Jennings and recently it was offered for sale.
The Guernsey’s auction house says the Ariel hasn’t been ridden in 20 years -- Jennings died in 2002 -- and has only 4,000 original miles on the odometer.
The Ariel went on the block on Oct. 5, 2014 at the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, along with more than 2,000 other items from the Jennings vault where it hammered for $32,500 plus fees..
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If I recall correctly, I read an artical about this cycle. Seems a bodyman built this beautiful ride. Based on an 30's Indian 4 cylinder model. It's a one & only. Restored a few years back.
Very nicely done, but totally impractical and some might find it ugly!If I recall correctly, I read an artical about this cycle. Seems a bodyman built this beautiful ride. Based on an 30's Indian 4 cylinder model. It's a one & only. Restored a few years back.
Find it impressive as an example of art deco design, but as a motorbike I don't like it.Very nicely done, but totally impractical and some might fight it ugly!
Do you know where they were manufactured? BTW, great bike, but it drives me nuts to see modern hardware (hose clamps,hoses, etc.) on a vintage bike.1927 Levis M, 247cc, 2 stroke. Saw this at a show and shine for our chapter of the Canadian Vintage Motorcycle Group. 2 speed transmission - check out the gear shift. Bike was quite unique - tank had one compartment for straight gas and another for oil. There’s a small oil pump that lubed the crankcase which in turn lubricated the top end. Must be one of the earliest examples of oil injection for a 2 stroke. Also had an acetylene generator for the headlamp and tail light. Very cool bike!
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Birmingham. Oh, that's proper Birmingham, not Birmingham Alabama or any others you might have in the US of A.Do you know where they were manufactured? BTW, great bike, but it drives me nuts to see modern hardware (hose clamps,hoses, etc.) on a vintage bike.