Archive for ‘70’s’

April 30, 2018

Scissors

Rayguns – the signature exhaust mufflers of Triumph’s T150 sounded a heraldic trumpet to other bikers as the Trident hared past them.

Very seventies photography with blurring focus and a hint of movement during exposure.

April 22, 2018

South Western

Motoworks – open house down at Johnny Scheff’s excellent dealership. Triumph, Ducati, Royal Enfield and Vespa all represented. Service also caters for BMW. Sunny weather, burgers and good chat. The vintage license plate with 68 GIT was an old Bonnie.

April 21, 2018

Play Well

LEGO – a brick set from the mid seventies just when I was taking notice of motorbikes. Not bad when there was limited styles of pieces.

April 19, 2018

Nostalgia

Boyhood Desire – this is the oldest memory of things two-wheeled: the Black and Gold Norton Commando. As pointed in use as a Fairbairn Sykes fighting knife used by the Scottish Highland trained Special Forces.

April 7, 2018

Who do you think you are kidding Mr Hitler?

Dad’s Army – classic BBC comedy from the seventies. Currently being repeated on Netflix; well written, and superbly acted. Captain Mainwaring and his second in command Sergeant Wilson in charge of the Walmington-on-Sea Home Guard which includes Lance Corporal Jones, Privates Frazer, Walker, Godfrey and Pike…

April 5, 2018

Moto Parameters

Specifications

Make Model

Triumph Trident T150 750

Year

1968 – 70

Engine

Tansverse three cylinder, pushrod OHV, 2 valves per cylinder

Capacity

741 cc / 45.2 cu in

Bore x Stroke

67 x 70.5 mm

Compression Ratio

9.0:1

Cooling

Air cooled

Lubrication

Dry sump

Induction

3 x 26 mm Amal MK1 carburetors

Ignition

Individual points & coils

Starting

Kick

Max Power

58 hp @ 7250 rpm

Transmission

4 Speed, constant mesh

Final Drive

Chain

Gear Ratios

1st 13.00 / 2nd 9.00 / 3rd 6.64 / 4th 5.26:1

Frame

Single downtube, duplex cradle

Front

Telescopic fork, hydraulic

Rear

Swingarm, dual shocks

F Brakes

8 in TLS drum

R Brakes

7 in TLS drum

Front Tyre

3.25-19, Dunlop K70

Rear Tyre

4.10-19, Dunlop K70

Dimensions

Length: 86.0 in

Width:   33.0 in

Height:  43.5 in

Wheelbase

56.3 in

Ground Clearance

6.5 in

Seat Height

32 in

Dry Weight

460 lbs

Fuel

5.0 US gal / 4.2 Imp gal

Top Speed

105 mph

April 2, 2018

Remember to lean into the corner

Mike the Bike – born this day in 1940 Mike Hailwood went on to become one of the most naturally talented road racer of all time. As well as a maestro at GP in all sized engines he could also beat the best of ’em at the Isle of Man TT. His 1978 comeback for the Senior TT is the stuff of legend. Mike looks most comfortable as pillion to James Bond Film actress and ’69 Miss World Eva Rueber-Staier on a Triumph motorcycle. photo taken at Thruxton, UK, on 1st August 1971

He was awarded the George Medal for bravery after pulling Clay Regazzoni from his burning F1 car at the S Africa Grand Prix in 1973.

March 27, 2018

Strange Case

Dr Jekyll – the beast within. Specialist motorcycle performance component guru Norman Hyde has a solid history in making Triumph run quicker and faster. Under the tutelage of Doug Hele at the Triumph Racing Development Department he cut his teeth on making Bonneville’s and Tridents go like the clappers. Records were made on the drag strips with his meticulously engineered machines. Norman looks rather dapper in his weskit & jaiket astride a newer Bonneville for which he’s developed many performance parts.

My Bonneville has Norman Hyde rearsets and clubman handlebars… well, I think it goes quicker…

March 25, 2018

From Both Sides

Face Left – Face Right

Looking like a proper motorcycle, this Triumph T150 Trident has all you need to enjoy the roads on two-wheels. Speed with Style. What more can one want?

March 21, 2018

The Westland Wet

Tarzan – 1975 July 17th, here we see Shadow Minister for Industry Michael Heseltine peering at what looks like the meager leftovers of a once vibrant motorcycle industry. A two-stroke 125 Norton Villiers Triumph sitting all slick looking with nowhere to go… The setting is the Royal Automobile Club RAC headquarters in Pall Mall. NVT chairman Dennis Poole isn’t amused as he looks on. Heseltine cut a controversial swathe through British politics from the seventies to the millennium under Heath, Thatcher and Major. He could swing a mace too! He’s 85 today.

March 15, 2018

Et tu Brute?

Beware the Ides of March- located at 7922 State St Midvale Utah lies the overburdened establishment known as Caesar’s Motorcycle Empire. Local character Caesar Boswell was connected with Draper Widowmaker Hillclimb and was a source of parts and information on many makes of bike. It’s like an Aladdin’s Cave for two-wheeled aficionados.

March 11, 2018

Forty Two

Six by Nine? Being the birthday of author Douglas Adams it’s the day to celebrate International Towel Day. We also need to consider what the Answer to Life, the Universe, and Everything is. If it’s 42 then you must then ask yourself ” Well, what’s the Question?”

March 6, 2018

One on the Side

Jade Chair – seafoam pearl combination mounted to a suitable Trident ready for the driver and passenger. Operating an outfit is on my to-do list…

March 1, 2018

Synthesizer Scoot

ELP – Prog Rock piano and keyboard master Keith Emerson astride his aped Norton Commando clad in full leathers. Forming the group The Nice he developed a mix of classic, rock, jazz, blues, and boogie-woogie amongst others first on a Hammond organ and later on a Moog. I would hope he took musical inspiration whilst hating around on his black motorcycle.

February 25, 2018

Here come’s the Sun

The Quiet Beatle – George Harrison would have been 75 today; whilst John & Paul collaborated to create some of the most memorable songs, and Ringo was one of the greatest drummers; it’s George whose music stays with you in a deeper more spiritual way. The triple album ‘All Things must Pass” is a mainstay of my Desert Island disk list. Here he looks happy on a Triumph Bonneville photographed by wife Pattie Boyd. “If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there”