
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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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…

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

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.

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…

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?

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.

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.

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?”

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…

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.

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”