October 4, 2014

Angry Toy: Black brick biker (*assembly required).
I learned a lit about how things are built using the basic blocks of LEGO. These days there are countless mouldings to allow anything to be made. Early Technic sets started the idea of gears, axles, riveted beams and the like.

An early motorbike kit had the option of building a combination or chopper, both with working piston engine and chain drive.


I loved the assembly drawings.
Posted in Engineering, Graphics, Sidecar, Toy Motorcycle |
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October 3, 2014

Classic looks for a classic bike.
Fifties gal on a Thunderbird Looking for a freshly poured superslab parallel to old Route 66.

Posted in Cars, Gals, History, Triumph Motorcycle |
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October 2, 2014

European vintage esoterica, and a Honda Dream. As well a a healthy dose of Triumphs (oddly no Norton’s) these interesting models were risen (not hidden) at the weekends event. The Paul Smart Ducati, though a modern classic, is sugar to the eyes; a sunshine toned Gilera like a wind-up toy; the Teutonic cream framed Beemer; and the nicest peoples favorite in tomato red round off these world beating motos.
Posted in BMW, Chicago, Ducati, Honda, Photography, Vintage |
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October 1, 2014

Union Tank: British through and through. Just needs a clear winding road ahead.
Posted in Chicago, Photography, Triumph Bonneville |
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September 30, 2014

A foursome of Triumph motos seen on Sunday. Trident, TR6, late model T100 Bonneville’s and a hamper laden Scrambler. All perfect rides for the event.
Posted in Chicago, Triumph Motorcycle |
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September 29, 2014

Great photo of yours truly and the Bonnie by photographer Andy Dussard during yesterdays ride.
Posted in Chicago, Photography, Triumph Bonneville |
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September 28, 2014

A well planned event took place in cities around the world. To raise money and awareness for prostate cancer. Those taking part were obliged to turn up in dapper outfits befitting a gentleman’s club or Royal Ascot outing. I chose a bright flowery tie with my waistcoat.

About 200 motorcycles and scooters turned up for the Chicago event and after meeting up at 9am headed off in a x2 caravan through the City. Outrider blockers halted cross traffic so that momentum of the ride was maintained.

Triumph made up a good proportion of the bikes , both old and new. My Bonneville fought valiantly along the slowish riding, a hot clutch with feathered throttle slipped a few times. However the last stop. I turned my lights on rather than off so the bike was dead as a dodo and wouldn’t start for the short ride home… Deans Ford Ranger came to the rescue to haul my sorry moto back to Evanston.

That late model Thruxton looks better all the time!
Posted in Uncategorized |
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September 27, 2014

The bowels of the Bonnie: several hours of close inspection and reconnecting the synaptic parts of the central nervous system, or loom, looking for escaping electrons. A few joints looked suspect so were replaced.

Wiring reminds me of a plate of pasta; you need to follow it strand by strand. Add sauce and then things get interesting. Of course there is that intersection on the M6 near Birmingham. The traffic equivalent of my motos wiring. Take a wrong slip road and you’ll end up in Edgbaston rather than Wolv’rampton…

Gravelly Hill Interchange.
Posted in Cars, Engineering, Maintenance, Triumph Motorcycle |
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September 26, 2014

A 17″ tall sewn biker from the deft hands of Joyce Patterson. A commissioned piece for a Californian rider sits astride a 1:6 scale miniature Triumph. The tires could have been crochet, the tank embroidered,seat buttoned velvet. However the sized leathers are a perfect addition.
Posted in Clothing, Design, Motorcycle Art, Triumph Motorcycle |
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September 25, 2014

A wagon full of motorcycles! Coventry in the sixties and some bystanders look on as Richardson’s delivery for the newest Triumphs from Meriden arrive. The lorry is a Leyland Albion Dodge (LAD) cab design.
Posted in Photography, Triumph Motorcycle |
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September 24, 2014

I went to feed a friends cats this evening. One the way there a pair of feline eyes gleamed out of the dark. Close up the muscular outlines of a Triumph Sprint peered back at me. Nice form. Even black colored. In the dark.

The witches familiar.
Posted in Triumph Motorcycle |
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September 23, 2014

Keeping on this Gremlin theme here’s another informational graphic. It taken a mere hairline crack in a ships hull to let in water allowing it to rust out and leak or fracture. “Keep the Navy Afloat”.
Same with motorcycle frames- all joints need to be solid and secure. Don’t let those little bugger’s in!

Posted in Engineering, Graphics, Maintenance, Military |
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September 22, 2014
During world war 2 war machine production was ramped up to such a huge degree even today I can’t believe how they did it. To keep the home front workers productive a series of posters was prepared to hang in the factories promoting good work practices. Our little friend the gremlin was used to good effect ensuring safe practices on the factory floor.

High protection is essential when working with the heavy machinery producing guns, aircraft & ships.

Clean work environment is essential too. Classic British motorcycle owners should know this.
Watch your back mate don’t get laid up idle.
Posted in Graphics, History, Military |
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September 21, 2014

Fall temperatures are here, and with them a bit of color to add to the backdrop to a ride-out. Color was my language too with six breakdowns on the ride home. Engine cutting out. After fettling a couple of loose connections under the seat, twiddling air screws on the Amals and pulling the plugs to view their condition. It’s all pointing to an electrical issue somewhere… A gremlin has taken up residence in the workings and I need to flush ‘im out….

Posted in Aircraft, Engineering, Maintenance, Military, Triumph Motorcycle |
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September 20, 2014

A current offering on the online bidding site EBay is a ’65 Triumph Cub. The main photo shows a complete bike looking quite sharp. Big letters state the bike ‘needs some work’ and ‘ran when last in one piece’ also ‘mostly there…’ Well, for $1,750 starting price I would at least want a box of spanners and a workshop manual thrown in! It’s not as adventurous as my project with parts being scoured from all corners of The globe. Here’s another… $699.. More reasonable…

Posted in Engineering, Photography, Restoration, Triumph Cub |
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