March 31, 2019
Nessun Dorma | The aria from Puccini’s opera Turandot was famously used for the BBC coverage of the World Cup in ’90. Sung in true maestro style by Pavarotti it was also used by Pirelli tire manufacturer in their late 80’s advertising campaign. Direct translation from the Italian is “None shall sleep” so using it for a tire seems appropriate. So, back to the matter at hand: these are the two tires I got for the Tiger from old new stock at Motoworks yesterday. Knobbly treads for a bit better traction on gravel. I need to go look for some back roads now! Heidenau K60 Scout up front and Continental TKC 80’s in back. This combination is meant to be a good balance for compromise between asphalt and loose dirt.
Posted in Adventure, Engineering, Maintenance, Travel, Triumph Tiger |
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March 30, 2019
Bayerische Motoren Werke | a visit to Motorworks today on S Western to pick something up gave me a chance to see their refurbished digs. As of this weekend they are now also an official BMW dealership. So they now represent the trifecta of European machinery: Triumph, Ducati & BMW. I spied this very sharp R90s sitting near the parts department. Teutonic Twentieth Century technology at its ‘allerbeste’. The classic black/silver smoke tank is pure seventies superbike.
Posted in 70's, BMW, Chicago, Photography |
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March 29, 2019
ISDT | Motorcycle Racer extraordinaire Marjorie Cottle was a Force for women riders in the first half of the 20th Century. Here she is flying through a pre-war Austria in 1939 on a Triumph attempting to earn a gold medal in the arduous International Six Day Trials.
History notes:
Despite the worsening political situation in Europe the German organisers went ahead with the event, which saw 61 British competitors make the start. Marjorie Cottle, riding a 250 Triumph, formed part of the Sunbeam ‘A’ club team, the other members being Geoff Godber-Ford (350 Sunbeam) and A A Sanders (350 Triumph). The trial commenced as scheduled on Monday 21st August with a run into recently occupied Czechoslovakia but within a few days the British competitors were becoming increasingly concerned. On Friday 25th the recall telegram arrived from the War Office in London and the remaining British contingent, including Marjorie Cottle, was escorted to neutral Switzerland and safety. Britain and Germany were at war nine days later.
Posted in 30's, Gals, Military, Trials, Triumph Motorcycle |
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March 28, 2019
Poop-Poop | one of the great environmental books to read is Kenneth Graham’s tale from the riverbank: The Wind in the Willows. Mr Toad of Toad Hall always finds the adventurous side of life as can be seen in the latest animated offering being released this summer. In the trailer he’s haring along a country lane on a vintage motorcycle only to come a cropper.
“The Open road, the dusty highway, the heath, the common, the hedgerows, the rolling downs; Travel, change, interest, excitement! The whole world before you, and a horizon that’s always changing! ” Toad
Posted in Adventure, Film and TV, Movie, Travel, Writing |
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March 27, 2019
Theodore “Ted” Logan | Keanu Reeves is known for many iconic movie roles (Johnny Utah, Neo, John Wick) but the first was as one half of the dim witted Californian duo Bill & Ted. They travel through time, in a phone booth, meeting historical figure thus ensuring good high school grades and eventual fame for their band Wyld Stallyn’s. A future utopian society based on their music depends on them not flunking high school.
It was just announced last week that a third B&T film is going to be made for release in 2020. Bodacious dude!
Keanu is a very keen motorcyclist, being seen on all kinds of rides including this contemporary Norton. He also formed a company called Arch Motorcycles building high end custom bikes. We’ll cover this in a separate post.
“Strange things are afoot at the Circle-K”
Posted in 80's, Movie, Norton |
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March 26, 2019
Work Horse | though a tad chilly the overhead clear skies and spring sun allowed me to utilize the Tiger to attend a site meeting out in St Charles on the Fox River. Winding back roads in Kane County and no-nonsense humping along the interstate meant an efficient yet fun trip. Hey, even when you’re grafting you may as well enjoy yourself!
Posted in Chicago, Triumph Tiger |
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March 25, 2019
Kustom Kat |For over five decades the custom motorcycle scene has been dominated by one name Arlen Ness. He passed away over the weekend leaving a void in the genre. Taking the laid-back Californian attitude and rebuilding bikes into crazy vestiges of their former self he would use mostly Harley Davidson’s to create multitudes of choppers, bobbers, and, like this Triumph, diggers. This latter style was a needle thin profile with stretched out forks – highly impractical but look beautiful. Arlen Ness 1938-20019 RIP
Posted in 60's, 70's, Bobber, Chopper, Design, Motorcycle Art, Triumph Motorcycle |
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March 24, 2019
Harvey Mushman | today would have been Steve McQueen’s 89th Birthday.
Posted in Clothing, Film and TV, Photography, Racing, Steve McQueen, Triumph Motorcycle |
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March 23, 2019
The Cat’s Whisker | a sunny early spring day gave me an opportunity to haul the pussycat over back roads across Lake county into Wisconsin and a lap of the still frozen over Lake Geneva. New saddle was extremely comfy, new leather jeans and boots kept me cosy. A perfect flight to broom cobwebs out of the feathers.
Posted in Chicago, Photography, Travel, Triumph Tiger |
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March 22, 2019
Friday Fun | Happy couple cavorting along under a high summer sun looking for antics and shenanigans. BSA single is the mode.
Posted in 40's, BSA, Gals, Photography |
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March 21, 2019
Badge | The story goes that when Eric Clapton was putting the finishing touches to a George Harrison written piece he thought the middle bridge was labeled ‘Badge’ hence the Cream song got its name. George played backing guitar under the name “L’Angelo Misterioso”. This bikers vest is covered in Triumph embroidered patch badges.
Posted in 60's, Clothing, Graphics, Motorcycle Art, Music, Triumph Motorcycle |
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March 20, 2019
‘Ump Day | It can be a tricky maneuver to maintain momentum one gains from the first half of the week to establish a decent and stable toehold into the latter half. Given a positive attitude, and topography like a hump-back bridge, one can achieve this translation with assured aplomb. Take this cove on his rigid framed Triumph; he certainly has a serious head on his shoulders, along with an appropriate cool appearance to maintain the professional air about his seemed flawless leap. He’s even smart enough to take on Ballaugh Bridge, the notorious Isle of Man TT circuit to sustain a level of grace and composure for this Wednesday transition.
Posted in 50's, Clothing, Racing, Triumph Motorcycle |
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March 19, 2019
Royal Flying Corps | A despatch rider in the Women’s Royal Air Force (WRAF) enjoying a tea break while seated on her Phelon & Moore 500cc single cylinder motorcycle circa 1918. On 1 April of that year the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Naval Air Service were amalgamated to become a new service: The Royal Air Force (RAF). Image from the archives of the Imperial War Museum
Posted in 10's, Clothing, Gals, History, Military, Sidecar, Vintage |
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March 18, 2019
Firestarter | Woke up to the sad news that The Prodigy frontman Keith Flint died over the weekend. If you were at a rave in the mid to late nineties you will have danced to their music. Fluorescent hair and wide-eyed he was the vision of a Century making a last gasp for excitement. He was also an avid motorcyclist to the point that he owned a race team – Team Traction Control – who, with Ian Hutchinson on a Yamaha R6, grabbed some wins at IofM and the Ulster GP. A lot of people said he was a friendly down to earth bloke. Sad day. RIP Keith Flint (1969-2010)
Posted in 90's, Music, Racing, Yamaha |
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March 18, 2019
Saddle Up! | here’s the new perch on the Tiger. Like a BarcaLounger it creates a comfy place to enjoy the long road from. Dense foam concave shaped padding support the gluteus maximus as the miles accumulate under wheel.
Posted in Travel, Triumph Tiger, Uncategorized |
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