After Johnny Allen took his ‘Ceegar’ on that smokin’ run Triumph presented this model. The R1, GSX-R, Ninja of it’s day.
January 15, 2012
Minnie the Minx: Goldie Gal
British Iron of the toughest sort: the BSA Goldstar, a big 500cc single with bellowing sound. The only way it should be set-up: rear-sets, clip-ons, siamese pipe and that big polished panel tank. The Union Flag offers backdrop to make any British bikers heart thump. Whether cafe bound, or to Brighton over the Downs this is your steed of choice!
January 14, 2012
Europe in a Chair
A couple from Hollywood CA, Mr & Mrs Nelson, wished to take an adventurous tour of Europe, so they arrived in the UK in the summer of ’52. After taking both delivery and instruction of a beautiful Thunderbird and Swallow sidecar from the Meriden factory they set of on a three month exploration. I bet that photo album is work looking through!
January 13, 2012
A Fine Silhouette
A study in highlight and shadow: a dimly backlit moto showing off its fine classic lines, clean outline and balanced form. The perfect combinations of circles, curves and engineering to create the epitome of two-wheeled transport.
January 12, 2012
Liquor Deli & Wine
The Kills
Alison Mosshart aka ‘VV’ of the alternate band The Kills utilized the cool factor of a hefty Triumph in this great B&W image.
January 11, 2012
To Wax Lyrical
De rigueur of the Triumph rider in the past; when roads were quiet lanes and the speed limit was a little over 42 mph, the jacket of choice for a Brit Iron moto was a heavy cotton waxed jacket such as the Barbour. A cloth cap and goggles usually finished the look.
… roll-on the sixties and a certain International Six Days Trial. Our Man McQueen and the rest of the US team doffed a Barbour to compete in the rain and mud of on and off road motorcycling competition. Belstaff make a modern version of it too, as well as a contemporary wax jacket by Aerostich, the Falstaff. That Thunderbird 6T looks pretty spiffy too!
January 10, 2012
Bonneville…
So where did the Bonneville get its name? The salt flats in northwestern Utah were named after Benjamin Bonneville, a french born Army officer known for his expeditions to the intermountain region of the United States. Though mapped in the 1830’s it was a century later when its long flat hardpacked surface was seen as the optimum location for speed records. Then in 1956 a motorcycle racer by the name of Johnny Allen brought his Triumph twin 650cc powered “Texas Ceegar” streamliner and took it for a run on ‘the salt’ attaining a speed of 214.40 mph. The bike was built by Stormy Mangham and tuned by Jack Wilson and their savvy engineering was able to tromp the dominating NSU factory team. Triumph took this victory over the germans to heart and within a couple of years named their fast new twin-carb 650 the Bonneville. The rest is history!
Sadly the original Ceegar was severely damaged in the infamous fire at the British National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham UK in 2003 however it ashes were resurrected by a determined team in the US. After a brief sojourn to Bonneville it returned to its home in Birmingham.
Here’s our man on an unfaired speed machine obviously set-up for going top velocity in a straight line.
Here he is with racing pal, Peaches Hainer; hardtails, high boots, big twins and a grin.
January 9, 2012
Bikes and Babes…
“Rebellion is the Only thing that keeps you Alive!”
Rebecca from The Girl on a Motorcycle (la motocyclette) – a 1968 film starring Marianne Faithful.
January 8, 2012
“Take That! Steve McQueen!”
A dusty desert scene, knobbly shod Tiger and an air of coolness. Here’s that Brit-pop idol ’emulating’ McQueen. A determined face whilst manhandling an airborne, speeding bike would have achieved a better look.
January 7, 2012
Gabby Giffords ~ Wonderwoman
It’s been a year since a crazed gunman opened fire in a public space in Arizona, killing several and severely injuring Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. It’ll be along road to recovery; but she has an adventurous spirit as seen here on her many bikes over time. Racing, scootering and travelling. The open road surely beckons for this Superwoman.
January 6, 2012
I do like a bit of Wensleydale
The daring duo of our intrepid inventor hero, Wallace, and his worthy sidekick, Gromit. Here flying the chair of a red Triumph combination. Jolly Good Fun! “Cracking good job, Gromit!”
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