On the ninth day of Christmas my true love gave to me:
Nine Rockets rockin’
Eight Dommies roarin’
Seven Comets thumpin’
Six Lightings flashin’
Five Golden Stars!
Four AJ’s harin’
Three Cafe’s brewin’
Two Bonnie’s beltin’
And a Vincent doin’ the ton along the A3!
Mototsiki as they would say in St Peterburg. Scot Johnny Stuart (1940-2003) was a preeminent expert on all things pre C 20th Russian: its objects, design and associated historical particulars. However rather than tooling around on a grumpy Ural combination he tore up the London streets near Sotheby’s on Triumphs.
He also penned the tome “Rockers: Kings of the Road”. Allegedly the most shop lifted book in 90’s London… About the leather clad, cafe racing boys of the sixties.
До свидания.
(Da svidaniya)
The new Triumph range were exposed today: and what a bevy of beauties they are too! The T120 being a new 1200cc based water cooled twin with wheels, tires, brakes and looks to match.
The old Meriden covers are shown off in homage to a deep history. Even a little ‘points’ cover.
Plump tank for the Thruxton, clip ons, rear sets and monobloc carburetor bodies over the fuel injection for period appearances.
Faired Thruxton too! Upside down race forks and rear shocks for track handling.
Keep ogling she’s a stunner!
The red one is my favorite: 84 foot pounds of torque and 112Nm @5,000rpm. Ripper! 
The road beckons…
Aft quarters. 
Beautiful details.
A nose for style.
10/10
Whilst walking the dog around the block near the office I spied this little jewel of a bike. The red tank and frame echoing the surrounding fall color as maple, elm and ash turn their foliage to signal oncoming winter.
A twin 350 MV Agusta from the early seventies it was in tip-top condition complete with factory decals
It’s a slender thing; like a spaghetti drizzled in bolognese sauce.
Two tiny carbs feed the cylinders with nice finning and smooth covers.
Long race seat and its rearward bum stop hint that a streamlined crouched stance is needed for speed work.
Elegant triple tree, instrument cluster and clip-ons similarly denote a Moto built for higher velocities. The tank top decal denoted world championship wins. Wins by one man: Giacomo Agostini. Whose signature that is below it. Me, I’d put John Surtees John Hancock on the tank.
Hopefully I can meet the owner and hear it start up!
The start of the week is usually the low point: it’s an awfully long time ’til the next weekend and at least one of the other days will surely throw a wrench into the works. Ogri the tough rocker from Bike magazine in blighty has a simple philosophy on life: “as long as there’s beer in the tap and no one has bicker the bike”
The creation of Paul Sample this leather clad bike has been around since ’72 drawn in a Robert Crumb-like inkmanship. Always little details to discover on a second or third reading.
Contemplating a small fairing for the front of the Bonnie… Starting to look at options.. This Emgo/Acme type is a basic headlight mounted item.
The geometry may be a little high. But I can lower the light mounting ears a bit. This 750 is acting as a handy mock-up for me.
This, below, however would be the right direction! Fixed to the main frame and classic shape.
Everyone loves a performing monkey: just dress him in a ringmasters outfit, drop a Turkish fez on its little head and off hex wheels around the stage. Stop! It’s just plain wrong and a little creepy. They’re mischievous simian mammals that should be left in the lush tropical rainforests. But these wind-up tin toys a a bit of fun.
It’s still a good name for a motorcycle club!
My ramshackle racer daydreams of its early existence as a clean factory model, such as this outstanding example. Complete in glossy finish any owner would be proud of. My Bonnie has a reborn character with oil under the fingernails and battle scars telling of an untold story describing a 70’s chopperization and unruly riding shenanigans. Like a dog from the shelter all I can offer is unconditional love when on rough running days or non-starting mornings…
This Rickman framed Triumph stood out in proud orange at Ed’s shop. Next to it an immaculate pre-unit Bonneville. Both truly desirable bikes. But that repli-racer: it’s a stunner!
Ground-up concours restoration of an amaranth red Speed Twin. Sublime and worth gazing at for hours. Put it on a plinth and enjoy the artistry that was Meriden engineering at its best.
A hourglass figure as prepared on an X75 Hurricane. Craig Vetter inspired lines and color maje this much sought after machine a beauty to behold!
A Big Zed! Power in a Can… Just love this, one of the first giant slayer muscle bikes to come from the Far East. I’m going to have to build a bigger garage!
Triumph speed blooded Thruxton is crying out for a full fairing. But it has to be done very carefully unless it will look like a hashed bin bolted on. This example is var nigh perfect. For sale locally for $11,000 at Motoworks…
Putting plans into action for the next Bonnie upgrade. The standard steel rims add a lot of unsparing weight to the bike and as was done in ‘the day’ I’m going to get hold of some hubs and lace ’em to alloy rims then shod the new lighter wheel with modern rubber.
Everyone’s favorite Dame Helen Mirren turns 70 today. The closest image I can find of her on two-wheels is at this premier of the film Brighton Rock in 2011. The red carpet ain’t looked so good!
Hot, hot day here in the Midwest. A short ride to try a blow a waft of cool air across the back. The odd spot along the lagoons and one or two sections where Lake Michigan touches the leafy ravines offered respite.
A Motoblot image just cropped up. Taken as my comrade on wheels Dean and I arrive to the recent street-fest event in Chicago. His spit clean ’68 looking sparking next to my rough 72’etc Orange Bonnie. I’m removing my yellow hornéd Davida lid as we line up in the British section.
Image courtesy of Good Spark Garage GSG
Maxwell Paternoster creates vivid art that buzzes like nails on a chalkboard: 
Twister Biker doodles with an uncanny eye for the unwieldy. Boom box toting hound and a tank-dancing Bōsōzoku; the Japanese out-of-controllers who will wreak havoc in flashy style.
Zombie BSA rider one time all time member of the Corpses From Hell gang.
Tiger Triton tearaway on taught tee-shirt. Go Mr Tora!
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