One of the great recent motocycle craftmen on the west coast is Shinya Kimura; he shapes, hones, whittles the frame, tank, fairing of Triumphs…
A great short film about his ethos in bikebuilding.
“The Needle”
September 14, 2011
Triton fit for a Queen
The classic True Triton: pre-unit Triumph engine enveloped by the curvy Norton Featherbed frame. A choice combination shown here at speedwith appropriately dressed rider: Frank Thomas boots, gauntlet gloves, puddin’ bowl lid. Poetry in motion.
September 13, 2011
That 70’s Show
There was a time when some riders got bored with the staid styling of the Triumph machines. They responded with a few choice add-ons to achieve a hot-rod, chopper, dude look. Some weren’t so successful as these two images show…
First off: a pipe bending excercise that even Uri Geller would be astounded by. I believe you can fire spears out of them. But windows will be broken nonetheless!
Hi-Back? Ape Bars? Captain Britain? At least getting this lost soul back to stock would be a fairly straight forward proposition. I believe my Bonnie met this fate sometime in its shady past before I rescued it.
September 11, 2011
of Handicraft and Flea
No riding this weekend, but a couple of fun motorcycle themed items seen at the Wicker Park Renegade Craft Fair and Wolff’s Flea Market respectively. A ceramic tile to dress up your workshop backsplash; and a kids bike, pedla power, looking like a v-twin.
The moto-graphic on the tile is an interesting take on two wheeled transport; I can’t tell if it’s a Harley or Ariel.
I can see a young (very!) Geordie Biker riding one of these along Brommey Road in Wooler back in the mid-70’s! It looks like fun, just needs a card in the spokes for a motorcycle noise…
September 11, 2011
A Triumph Rat Packer
How better to tootle around the studios of Hollywood in the sixties than on a white Bonnie; here’s Dean Martin with pillion, actress Stella Stevens, enjoying the British Bike in the California sun… the movie “The Silencers” starred Martin as secret agent Matt Helm in his first outing.
September 9, 2011
The Road ahead…
A beautiful panoramic image of a modern Thruxton (yes close to the top of my want list!) being sped along a clean stretch od asphalt. Nicely composed photom wheel spin blur, a little background movement, classic!
Another couple of great black and white photographs of the Thruxton and fair haired owner.
September 9, 2011
Red Carpet Treatment
Go on, give the Triumph an entrance it deserves! This is Nicholas Biebuyck and he is a motorcycle specialist with Bonhams auction house. What a fun job that would be! incipeindustries is a design review blog that he has created. It explored the wide world of design ranging from products, places and people. A great site!
September 8, 2011
Everyday Cool…
It’s been a while since we’ve had a bit of the King of Cool, Mr. Steve McQueen. Here’s a couple of Triumph-centric shots: one with a great T-shirt; probably quenching a dry thirst after a ride in the desert; the other pushing his moto around some film lot, shades & hanging fag seal the deal.
September 7, 2011
The Enjoyment of Two Wheels
Sometimes bike photography can look sterile, lifeless, technical. But biking is more than that; it’s vital and exciting, dynamic and thrilling, ego-centering and mind-expanding.
A bunch of folks take their Triumph bobbers out to the wide spaces of the desert; the sun, the air and the horizon…
September 5, 2011
Triumph of Galatea
Another fine illustration from Taiyo LaPaix of his ego self and muse. Pappilla, riding a bobbed Triumph. Galatea refers to Pygmalians ‘brought to life’ statue whom he falls in love with. Seems appropriate for the subject.
September 4, 2011
Sunday Ride
Perfect Weather for a ride: 70’s light breeze, clear blue skies with a few fluffy clouds…
Trying out the new (old) Triumph jacket, which fits like a glove on a chicken’s lip: supple, comfortable with zip-open air vents.
Blue skies above…
Dean Rennie accompanying me on his ’68 Bonnie.
September 3, 2011
Start ’em young…
…appreciating fine bikes that is! Here’s an item available from the Triumph Store as an accessory: a childrens colouring-in book of the current range of motorcycles; from Bonnies to Speed Triples. I wish I had this as a kid!
September 3, 2011
Och the Noo; git oahn yer bike an’ tek the road te the But ‘n’ Ben…
Further to yesterdays piece relating the artwork to the fine inkwork found in a Broons page; well here’s a part of a story relating to Hen Broon being chased to their highland retreat, the But ‘n’ Ben, only to find it’s headed by none other than Granpaw Broon… crivvens whit fun!
All Broons artwork harks back to the definitive linework of Dudley D. Watkins. Who inked The Broons, Oor Wullie and Desperate Dan of the Beano for 30 odd years before his death in 1969.
September 2, 2011
Tri-Cor catalogue cover
To the finish line! A comicbook brush and ink illustration of a haring Triumph swept by the chequered flag. Looks like it was for ’69. Has shades of the Broons or Oor Wullie.
September 1, 2011
Rule Britannia!
The local Craigslist offering today is a tasty looking 1971 Bonnie in excellent Union Flag livery! $3,600 and it’s all yours!New electcs, stainess spoked wheels, well detailed.
geordiebiker.com 