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Vivian Bales, crossing the United States solo on motorcycle, 1929

a year ago by PugJesus to c/historyphotos

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fubarx 24 points a year ago

Learned about her through a Harley Davidson history article. Her trademark 'Enthusiast' outfit was all-white.

Especially amazing for the time was Bessie Stringfield: https://motoress.com/...

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Lost_My_Mind 20 points a year ago

Damn. What a badass chick! Is she single?

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neukenindekeuken 24 points a year ago

Sure, you just have to dig up her contact details.

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Nasan 17 points a year ago

No one will object to this, I exhume?

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aeronmelon 10 points a year ago

I have some grave news for you…

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Jimbo 18 points a year ago

Holy moly, a Harley Davidson that actually looks comfortable

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lemming741 6 points a year ago

If you're ever in Milwaukee, the HD museum is worth the trip. Through WW II, it is very cool. By 1970, you should be looking for the nearest exit.

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path: 0 20305180 20307700, hotness: undefined, score: 6, children: 2
Onomatopoeia 2 points a year ago

Ah yes, the "Malaise Years" in the automotive world.

In the case of Harley, brought on by the acquisition by AMF - the same people that made tennis rackets and kid's bikes.

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path: 0 20305180 20307700 20310096, hotness: undefined, score: 2, children: 1
lemming741 2 points a year ago

And for similar reasons- import bikes were slaughtering HD, so they lobbies for protection.

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chonkyninja 5 points a year ago

And cool.

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Broadfern 16 points a year ago

If ever there becomes a vintage lesbian crush comm, this would be a great inaugural post.

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jaz 5 points a year ago

Doesn't hurt that she resembles Carrie Brownstein.

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shalafi 14 points a year ago

Dated the diver version of this woman! Gods she looked just like that at 50, only with blonde stripped hair from living in the sun and under the Gulf. Same smile!

Tough, independent, beautiful, strong, all that. Same size even! So wish I could post a pic, not asking permission. In another world I could see her opting for motorcycles instead of SCUBA. She was quite a woman.

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path: 0 20305738, hotness: undefined, score: 14, children: 2
Nastybutler 16 points a year ago

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acockworkorange -2 points a year ago

Weird? Actually cool flex, you mean.

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neukenindekeuken 10 points a year ago

This had to be extremely uncomfortable haha. The suspension and roads back then were awful, and even today making about 200ish miles a day with a solid ride on great highways/freeways is enough to cause every muscle in my body to spasm and lock up if I'm not taking constant stops.

Can only imagine how rough this trip was.

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path: 0 20308758, hotness: undefined, score: 10, children: 0
jubilationtcornpone 5 points a year ago

That Harley had a factory top speed of 85 mph (140 km), which was quite impressive at the time. A Ford Model A topped out at 65 mph (104 km).

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Onomatopoeia 6 points a year ago

85 on a bike (and tires and roads) of that era.

I have a 90's sport bike that can do 140 - even today 85 is about all I car to do with it.

Hell, 1970's cars didn't really do those kinds of speeds well - the suspensions just weren't designed for it, they tended to float a LOT.

There were some really ballsy folks in the early 20th, racing stuff like this with little more than some leather protecting them (notably on their head).

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FelisCatusDomesticus 4 points a year ago

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ayyy 3 points a year ago

I need more metal plates with my name and hometown on my possessions. Classy af.

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ByteJunk 3 points a year ago

The license plate is her name and state? That's bad ass.

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tapasinthesun 2 points a year ago

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magmora 2 points a year ago

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acidadebranca 2 points a year ago

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historyphotos
historyphotos

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HistoryPhotos is for photographs (or, if it can be found, film) of the past, recent or distant! Give us a little snapshot of history!

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