Richard Parker – Triumphs choice to call their rugged everyday models after Panthers tigris was a good one to promote their machine for worldwide distribution.
November 9, 2018
Astride
Chevron – we’ve arrived at the week end so here’s a Friday lass with a Triumph to cheer The World up. Dynamic framing of the subject; focal length choice for the overhead view angle; and shallow depth of field focus achieve an impeccable portrait.
November 8, 2018
Design Development
Concept Art – early sketch elevation of the modern 800 Tiger during development. The integrative body panels augment the tubular frame off which the dark three cylinder powerplant is suspended.
November 7, 2018
B&W
Vector – technical illustration of the Tiger. Nice lineweights for suitable definition.
November 6, 2018
Adventure
Thing 1, 2, & 3 – A fun photo taken by Charley Boorman during a press release in Spring ’18 of the current Triumph Tiger 800 XCA. Three Moroccan kids enjoy the tall feline perch. Snowy Atlas Mountains beyond. This machine is a global travelers tool.
“I had an almost constant layer of snow across my visor as we headed into the mountains…“
November 5, 2018
Bonfire Night
Remember Remember – in 1605 Guy Fawkes and his Catholic conspirators were thwarted in their plan to blow up parliament. V for Vendetta, V for five, V or Victory. The Triumph Bonneville gains an extra gear in 1972 from four to five. They celebrated this added ratio with a Roman numeral V to the side panel decal.
November 4, 2018
On the Prowl
Lakefront View – the Tiger looking fine with Lake Michigan defining a level horizon beyond. The sun sets on summer time. Clocks changed and we’re into the longer dark evenings of winter time.
November 3, 2018
Lean left, lean right – repeat
Esses – A quick trip north to drop-in to a project job site gave me a chance to enjoy the continued color we’re experiencing this Fall. The winding part through Glencoe’s ravine is especially picturesque. Heated grips on!
November 2, 2018
Snapshot
Sunny Smile – someone’s girlfriend sitting astride their pride and joy. Late Thirties Triumph Speed Twin 5T with girder forks, rigid rear end and only available in the luscious amaranth red. These were in production until the 14 November 1940 when the German bombing of Coventry led to the destruction of the Triumph factory. An order of thousands of military spec 5T’s were destroyed as well as all of Triumph’s technical records, drawings and designs. Post War an updated 5T helped rebuild Triumph to become the worldwide leader for another couple of decades.
November 1, 2018
Naive Art – this piece is called Rosie’s Chopper by artist Stuart Swartz. Image statement:
“Here’s another whimsical painting of “Rosie”, this time proudly posing with her Triumph chopper.
This image was painted in a neo ’70s style reminiscent of velvet art and model box illustration from that era.”
October 31, 2018
Guising
Headless Nick – All Hallow’s Eve. Watch out for ghouls, goblins and ghosts.
October 30, 2018
Northshore Traveller
Fall Roads – another photo from the weekend. Here Dean looking pensive under his balaclava as we sped along Old Green Bay Road through Lake Forest.
October 29, 2018
A man who knows where his towel is is a fellow to be reckoned with…
Tea Towel – after a brew you need something to dry your washed mug with. Well here it is, classic motorcycles adorn this kitchen necessity. It was a gift to riding buddy Dean from a friends father.
“A towel, [The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy] says, is about the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can have. Partly it has great practical value. You can wrap it around you for warmth as you bound across the cold moons of Jaglan Beta; you can lie on it on the brilliant marble-sanded beaches of Santraginus V, inhaling the heady sea vapors; you can sleep under it beneath the stars which shine so redly on the desert world of Kakrafoon; use it to sail a miniraft down the slow heavy River Moth; wet it for use in hand-to-hand-combat; wrap it round your head to ward off noxious fumes or avoid the gaze of the Ravenous Bugblatter Beast of Traal (such a mind-boggingly stupid animal, it assumes that if you can’t see it, it can’t see you); you can wave your towel in emergencies as a distress signal, and of course dry yourself off with it if it still seems to be clean enough.” Douglas Adams 1952-2001
October 28, 2018
All I wanna do is…
I want to ride my bicycle- So goes the Queen song from their ’78 LP Jazz. Well, about that time riding your bike was the best thing to do! I had a couple of Raleigh’s, a chopper, a racer and friends who had BMX’s and other kinds of two-wheeled fun. Top Left is the king of kid cool: The Chopper, long seat, ape bars, three speed gear changing with central stick. Wobbly to ride by who cares! Top Center: The Grifter, heavy off road looking monster, precursor to the Bicycle Moto X of a later date. It’s rear hub made a distinctive clickety sound. Top Right: The Bomber, another weighty dreadnaught of a bike. It’s lines were driven from the US stumpjumpers being ridden in the Rockies and copied by youth sticking cow horn handlebars on their roadsters. Lower Left: The Arena, a road bike for speed, with true derailleur gearing, narrow seat and drop bars. Lower Center: BMX Burner, a true BMX offering for dirt tracks where knee and elbow padded racers could swoop berms, hit whoop-de-woos, and soar across tabletops. Lower Right The Maverick: an early iteration of the Mountain Bike craze that we’re still in to this day. It’s knobbly tires were good for muddy roads, cantilever brakes to stop on a dime, 15 gears for any adventure laden trail.
Two Wheels Good!
October 27, 2018
Bonnie leaves
Fall Color – a nice autumnal half century jaunt up north on the owld gal. Both Bonnie’s were riding pretty good albeit the cooler start. Trees are magnificent right now: ruby, gold, amber, scarlet, and all other fiery displays. I must say the Tiger has spoiled me for ease and comfort. Older bikes need more input to keep a smooth progress along the road. But they’re fun in their own right.
Also, the bike will be going up onto the workstand for a winter sort through. For one the rear sets are coming off… getting too cramped for comfort!
geordiebiker.com 