AA-2026-BF9B3A
On the image
A man in a bright blue puffer jacket and a bold yellow beanie leans casually on his new Suzuki GT500. This machine, a triumph of engineering and a statement of independence, was the kind of modern marvel a man of the 1970s might acquire and immediately want to document, even if the optimal setting was an unfinished garage.
He chose the workshop as his backdrop, perhaps indicating his readiness for tinkering, or simply because it was the sacred space where such valuable possessions resided. The scuff marks on the wall suggest prior projects, or perhaps just the accumulated evidence of a life lived around tools and machinery.
His glasses and confident gaze suggest an individual comfortable with technology and his place in the world, unburdened by concerns of ecological impact or the brief lifespan of such an investment. He looks directly at the lens, presenting his machine, and himself, to posterity, confident in this moment of mechanical cool.
The historian's note
This image captures a man with a Suzuki GT500 motorcycle, a two-stroke twin model produced by Suzuki between 1971 and 1977. The GT500 was part of Suzuki's successful line of "Ram Air" two-stroke motorcycles, known for their performance and distinctive engine cooling fins.
The setting appears to be a home garage or workshop, characterised by unfinished wood-panelled walls, suggesting a common environment for motorcycle enthusiasts of the period to store and maintain their vehicles. The attire of the individual, including a puffer jacket and knit cap, is consistent with typical casual wear of the 1970s.
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Visually related — by likeness
Man with Suzuki GT500 Motorcycle, 1970s. 1970–1979. Archive & Atlas, Historical Image Library, AA-2026-BF9B3A. https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/man-with-suzuki-gt500-motorcycle-1970s.
@misc{aaAA2026BF9B3A,
title = {Man with Suzuki GT500 Motorcycle, 1970s},
year = {1970–1979},
howpublished = {Archive \& Atlas, Historical Image Library},
note = {Accession AA-2026-BF9B3A},
url = {https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/man-with-suzuki-gt500-motorcycle-1970s}
}TY - ART TI - Man with Suzuki GT500 Motorcycle, 1970s PY - 1970–1979 PB - Archive & Atlas, Historical Image Library AN - AA-2026-BF9B3A UR - https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/man-with-suzuki-gt500-motorcycle-1970s ER -
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