November 2, 2018
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.
Posted in 30's, Clothing, Gals, Photography, Triumph Motorcycle |
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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.”
Posted in 70's, Chopper, Gals, Motorcycle Art, Triumph Motorcycle |
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October 31, 2018
Headless Nick – All Hallow’s Eve. Watch out for ghouls, goblins and ghosts.
Posted in Clothing, Photography, Triumph Tiger |
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October 30, 2018
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.
Posted in Chicago, Photography, Triumph Bonneville |
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October 29, 2018
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
Posted in Every Day Carry, Motorcycle Art |
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October 28, 2018
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!
Posted in 70's, 80's, Bicycle |
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October 27, 2018
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!
Posted in 70's, cafe racer, Chicago, Photography, Triumph Bonneville |
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October 25, 2018
Big Lad – a new Triumph is being launched right now: The 1200cc Scrambler. Desert tool, adventure proof, and grin provoking I’m sure!
Posted in Triumph Motorcycle |
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October 24, 2018
Twenty Scored- today we celebrate our 20th year as a happily married couple. Here’s an old photo we reconstructed with us posing like design couple Charles & Ray Eames.
Posted in Design, Photography, Triumph Bonneville |
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October 23, 2018
The Wild One – Johnny rides into town in this bold painting. Shiny leather wrinkles complementing the scudding cloud horizon. Surly lip curl and blue jeans offer attitude.
Posted in 50's, Clothing, Film and TV, Motorcycle Art, Triumph Motorcycle |
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October 22, 2018
Lakefront Property – the sun glistened nicely off the waters at Lake Geneva as I made a sauntering lap. Rolling Wisconsin roads tinged in a golden autumn. Splendid ride.
Posted in Photography |
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October 21, 2018
An Eye on the Universe – today’s destination for a Fall ride was the 120 year old Yorkers Observatory, which houses the world’s largest refracting telescope. A 40″ diameter lens that provided important findings in the early years of 20th Century astrophysics. It is located at Williams Bay on Lake Geneva in Wisconsin. As of October 1st is is no longer under the management of the University of Chicago and is not open to the general public.
Posted in Engineering, Photography, Science, Triumph Tiger |
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October 20, 2018
Courier- fag stop for BSA Bantam owner along some street in The Big Smoke. A motorcycle is the best way to get around London. It lets you nip through the traffic making sure you get to your destination with a smile and on time.
Posted in BSA, Clothing, Photography |
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October 19, 2018
Shorties get to Play too! The Tiger has quite tall legs in stock form and with the saddle set high. But it can also be fettled for those of smaller stature. As is written about in Gail Biddulph’s blog here it doesn’t lose any of the moto’s superlative characteristics. She takes it for a sporty whirl over the Snowdonian passes between Blaenau Ffestiniog and Betws-y-Coed. A familiar stomping ground from my mountaineering youth. Once I went over the Llanberis Pass on top of a mini bus, at night. Now I’d be happy scooting over on a Tiger…
Posted in Gals, Photography, Travel, Triumph Tiger |
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October 18, 2018
Black ‘n’ White – sinew and muscle: the Tigers appearance gives the impression of a cat readying for a leap onto prey.
Posted in Design, Photography, Triumph Tiger |
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