Jolie Jeune Femme a Vendredi – don’t let the glasses and smile deceive you! I bet this classic Triumph riding lass would stamp on yer toes; knee you in the nuts; and leave you in the dust if you much as treated her any less than a woman fully deserves to be. And I’d support her for it! #strongwomen
Monkey Magic – sadly earlier today saw the passing of another Monkee; prime goofball Peter Tork died at the age of 77. Here he is in ’67 at the height of their fame grinning big on a Honda Monkey bike.
Cooler King – slim chinos, cut down sweatshirt, cigarette and Persol shades: he epitomizes Cool. A Triumph TR-6 dresses up to look German hits the mark too.
No. 1 Corinthian Arch – this year is the 60th birthday of the classic small British car: the Mini. So the blog will periodically dip into the history of the coolest vehicle ever devised. It beats the Beetle, dashes the Deux Chevaux, sinks the Cinquecento. I like this photo for the black and white photojournalist look as well as the Arch at Stowe where my wife live IN for a summer back in the mid-nineties.
Oily hands and a 10mm socket – just read about the passing of the creator of the global mechanics phenomenon, known as the Haynes Workshop Manual, John Haynes (1938-2019) aged 80. The step-by-step photographic and illustrative descriptions of dismantling and reassembly was conceived whilst he was a public schoolboy recording the renovation of an Austin Seven into an Austin Seven ‘Special’. The first published book in ’66 was for an Austin Healey Sprite. Hundreds of manuals for cars and motorcycles later the library stretched from the Solo’s Millennium Falcon, Kirk’s Enterprise to NASA’s Space Shuttle, and Apollo.
Cactus Cavorting- winter has descended again in the Midwest so some imagery of warmer 2-wheeled adventure can feed the riders soul. Here is Julian Heppekausen on his ’66 T120, called Terry, belting down the Baja Peninsula.
Oxblood Docs – whizzing hardtail bobber being piloted by a bandana masked gal who wears jeans under her skirt. Badass! A Wild Cat indeed! Old time Triumph twin motor with a surefooted attitude.
Apple – lookin’ like it’s come straight from an orchard this custom Triumph has a decidedly cool hardtail vintage appearance. Head turning for sure.
Scrambling – in the Sixties the machine that dominated off road racing was the powerful twin engined Triumph. Barreling around rugged landscapes it epitomized the early scrambler Bike.
Winter Fun – I need one of these! Chopper Triumph with street sign plow blade. I’d take the Chevy truck too! We have icy conditions here in the Midwest and expect even colder weather next week… minus 15°F
The Hill – climbing up from the historic and commercial center of Newcastle is Westgate Road. It literally was the west gate of the medieval town that following the line of the older Hadrians Wall towards the sunset. Its role as a meeting spot for travelers is therefore ingrained. For several decades it has been the popular venue for motorcycle gatherings centered around the numerous bike shops, chippy’s and cafes. I remember as a wee un coming down from North Northumberland twice a year to go to see an ophthalmologist at the General Hospital at the top of the road. My mother and I would take a bus from the City Center to the appointment and I’d look out of the window at the bikes; exciting stuff for a young lad! It’s popularity is waning but there are some stalwarts holding the flame aloft for any roaming bikers needing an excuse to gawp at new models; or enjoy a lunch at a greasy spoon washed doon wi’ a mug o’tea.
Bill’s new project – forlorn in the corner of some prefab garage sits a worse for wear Triumph chopper. Plenty of mid seventies elbow grease to revive its mechanical working from storage decrepitude… Mr Ferry, ready for a money pit?
Chopper x 2 – Sunday musings with a couple of posters of Triumph pre-unit Choppers. These are the sort of images I’d have blu-tacked to my bedroom wall.
Vanishing Point- nice graphic used for a screenwriter school ad. Using Easy Rider as an example of ‘write your own movie!’ The artist uses a tweed garbed scholarly academian with a worried look about him riding into town on a classic Triumph Bonneville.
Mini Me – latest update from my cousin Keith Wallace and his Mini project. Engine in, wheels on, steering and suspension fitted. I’m recommending red body with white roof like a mid-sixties Monte Carlo rally in Cooper regalia.
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