70’s glam rock band Mud had a number 1 hit with Tiger Feet. Here’s period advertising. With dancing Cubs probably bopping to that very tune.
I really love your tiger feet
I really love your tiger feet
Your tiger feet
Your tiger feet
Your tiger feet
Well alright.
2014 was a good year for the British motorcycle industry. TRIUMPH achieved record sales in the Uk after supplying a fifth of new bikes over 500cc. From the ever popular sports bikes in the Daytona, Speed and Street Triples; the retro Bonneville and its surly cousin Thruxton; to the flexible Tigers for both road and trail; they are positioned for riders of all tastes.
Model sales are booming:
Bonneville Scrambler up 84%.
Tiger 800XC up 24%
1200 Explorer XC up 54%.
In all 8,128 bikes were sold in the UK last year.
In context a 10% sales growth across the industry was witnessed in the UK last year.
Triumph’s UK general manager Rick Cawley said: ‘The industry is undoubtedly experiencing its most successful seasons in over five years, a true reflection of the burgeoning confidence in the UK economy and demonstrates that riding is regaining popularity as a leisure pursuit, as well as a stylish option for the urban commuter.’
It’s good to hear that the Triumph name is a common site on blightys’s roads these days!
This one’s a runner: some carefully selected upgrades to ensure this single runs with reliability. An oil cooler is strapped to the down tube, wide cowhorn bars, blinkers (indicators). Though a toolroll is also strapped to the grabrail, gotta be ready for the unknown!
The metallic battleship gray is a period touch too. I reckon California unmapped roads and back lanes is where this pony is reined.
Reuse, recycle, replay.
Remember slipping out the delicate disc of vinyl from its sleeve. Spinning it over edge to edge gazing at the shimmering groove. Popping side 1 onto the turntable and clicking the arm to begin the turntable and gently placing the needle down. It was a sacred sequence when listening to your favorite LP’s. Mine was Sargent Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band.
The disc brake as table is inspired. But I’d lay a velvet bed down first.
When exceeding 100 mph you want to ensure you’re in good balance. What better way than to check weight on these ‘clocks’ repurposed from a set of Triumph speedo and tachometer.
Used by dealers in days past to promote upcoming shop events. Triumph-Day to mark on your calendar.
“Yesterday I was expecting Tomorrow, but all I got was Today”.
Well, I would hope today was a T-Day!
Triumph had the big papa Tiger T110 650cc desert king, the scooter Tigress, and the wee Cub. The fifties sure had a lit of fun on two wheels.
What a fun banner sign to post in a cold winter day. But even better: make your second moto’cycle a car! But I do like health and savings promoted along with the all important fun.
An older poster for dealerships to advertise the qualities of the wee Cub. As it says “light, lively, better to handle”.
Times were simpler back then…
Somebody was feeling quite optimistic. A 200cc Triumph Cub with fairing, rack and fresh tires. Large tank with a long legged range will take you along the back roads to the Cote d’Azur.
Posting similar items before I do like these cutaway display engines. With the internal workings of the combustion chambers and supporting gearing shown for all to see. This is an early twin as devised by Edward Turner which maintained its core form for several decades. The red painted cut faces are an inspired feature of these for clear illustrative purposes.
Or…
Big boots with thick socks and tucked in trousers. This rider is serious to cajole his Cub over some moorland path, mown to a close nap by a flock of sheep no doubt. With winter clutches upon us in the Midwest today (windchills minus 20 Fahrenheit today) this images gives me a taste of a future day out as the weather improves in spring.
Winter has arrived in Chicago. An inch or so today to be followed by minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit wind chills overnight and a forecast of six inches of drifting snow tomorrow. Moto mounted plow is needed in JCB yellow… Chain’d wheels and salt spreader too.
Someone has turned a recent model Bonneville into a capable mile muncher. Some suspension mods, aluminum cases, windscreen, tank bag. Back roads have never seemed more attractive.
More esses on the path ahead!
I learned to ride on a Chinese motorcycle like this HaoJiang 125cc. A simple motor to zip about South London on for a week during a rainy November in 1996. Here’s how a Chinese family use one of these rides: crammed aboard, wrapped for the weather and raring to go.
geordiebiker.com 