Author Archive

November 21, 2019

Brute

Something Wicked this way comes | It’s got a 2.5 liter in line triple engine churning our 160 odd bhp. Triumphs latest Rocket 3 is heading to a motorway in your town soon…

November 20, 2019

Take Flight

Percy Tait (1929-2019) – when it comes to the history of Triumph motorcycles one man is noted in the very foundation of that company. Beginning his career with Triumph as a 21-year-old factory worker he quickly rising in the ranks and started racing for the works team on the latest machines. It is reckoned he amassed over 1,000,000 miles test riding cutting edge motorcycles under the engineering eye of Doug Hele. As well as Grand Prix races he took part successfully in Isle of Man TT competitions. 750cc triple Slippery Sam is one bike that is forever connected with Percy. In his later career he went on to develop the 500cc Suzuki GP bikes for Barry sheen. In retirement he became a champion sheepsheet breeder. A giant of the history of British motorcycling, Percy Tait sadly passed away last weekend. at the age of 90.

November 19, 2019

Momme Moto

Black & White | I had to pick up my owners manual from Motoworks at the weekend. It gave me a chance to eye the current stable of Triumphs. This white Street Scrambler was a pearl shucked from the oyster that is the British motorcycle industry.

November 18, 2019

Man Cave

Winter Projects | with the oncoming off-season approaching I need to get the garage space organized. With limited space careful planning will ensure efficiency. A leaking roof needs to be addressed too.

November 17, 2019

B&W

F Stop | The Original celebrity photographer Terry O’Neill passed away yesterday. His portraits of the spotlight denizens from the sixties through to the eighties are considered iconic. Clockwise from upper left: Robert Redford, Julie Andrews, Steve McQueen and Mickey Rourke.

November 16, 2019

Painted Horse

16th St | we were exploring the near South Side and the extensive murals along some railway embankments. Glinting under the clear skies was this rust edged vee twin parked up. The Hayburner was a Bonanza episode where Hoss and Adam buy a Thoroughbred and find themselves competing with Little Joe for the Virginia City Sweepstakes. Or it could just be the slang for a second rate racehorse…

November 15, 2019

High Kick

Escapism | Sun sinking in the West sets mountains aglow. Park the bike in a meadow and kick your smile to the skies. Enjoy what life can offer you.

November 14, 2019

Mars Confectionery

M&M | Candy riding a sidecar combination. Seen on a display shelf at the noodle shop where I got our supper.

November 13, 2019

Reg ‘n’ Pete

The Leather Boys | classic early sixties biker film depicting a fictionalization of the rocker lifestyle in the UK. Gritty kitchen sink drama.

November 12, 2019

Shell Blue

Twenty One | My nephew Dan Cook turned 21 today. So to celebrate here is Triumphs 350cc (21 cu. in.) 3TA aka the Twenty One or more colloquially the Bathtub. It was the first unit constructed engine from Edward Turner’s engineering group.

November 11, 2019

This position will be held

Lest we Forget | Anzac mechanics making field repairs in a muddy corner of the First World War. Ypres November 11th 1917

November 10, 2019

Under African Skies

Dakar or Bust | evocative photography from Nikon wielding Roger DeSilva (1925-2008) who, after capturing atrocities of WW2, settled in Senegal and recorded the young country’s independence spirit amongst the chic lifestyle of celebrities and politicians. He has a retrospective in Paris exhibiting many of his beautiful imagery.

November 9, 2019

Combination Campsite

Roughin’ It!

November 7, 2019

Mail Order

Catalog Time | As the seasons change and cold weather starts closing its chill grip then the mail piles up with catalogues. Today the JC Peterman one arrived, the cover has a nicely illustrated winter scene.

November 6, 2019

Mid Week

Hump Day | 1906 Indian  HP Camelback motorcycle.