November 21, 2015
Early snowstorm blew a wintry atmosphere to the Bonneville launch event being held in the multipurpose space Revel on Fulton Market in the old meat packing district. The big trailer on its first night of a countrywide tour displayed its ‘livestock’ across its broad side and rear. Bonneville Triumph projected through the sleet onto an adjacent building.
Inside we were warmly welcomed with a ‘goody-bag’ of a seasonably appropriate wool hat, Bonneville embossed leather key fob, and a beer bottle foam holder. Local microbrew beers were on offer. The amber IPA was perfect for wandering the rooms with like-minded bike fans.
Music was deejayed and stylalized film showing the motos in action projected onto the walls between indigo spotlights.
Cheers Triumph! 
Posted in Chicago, Triumph Motorcycle |
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November 20, 2015
At the Triumph new model launch this evening under a snow bleaching sky I saw the outstanding design detail that has gone into these machines. The Thruxton R was truly sublime. I want one! It fits me perfectly with exactly the same riding geometry as my ’72 Bonneville.
Posted in Chicago, Design, Engineering, Triumph Bonneville, Triumph Motorcycle |
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November 11, 2015
Going to the Chicago launch event for the all new Bonnies and Thruxtons… Can’t wait!
Posted in Chicago, Triumph Bonneville |
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September 20, 2015
Short Sunday jaunt to enjoy the late summer weather. No autumnal colors yet; but blue skies with fluffy clouds and a refreshing breeze to the moving air made for near perfect roads
I was able to capture some ‘on-the-move’ images to highlight the proceedings. The smile is obligatory for days like this!
I must also report that now I’m running a higher octane fuel (93) the bike is running so much better. Dean had noticed a rich smell to my exhaust as well as the dieseling or run-on after I was shutting down. I also experienced pinging when throttling up under load.
Deans Bonnie was running sweetly too.
Posted in Chicago, Photography, Triumph Bonneville |
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September 13, 2015
Make three: we were joined in the Sunday ride by David and his stunning BMW R75\5. It was a gleaming Teutonic machine that stood out as the three of us louped along Highway 12 through Indiana into Michigan. The Triumph were like a couple of English terrier scamps to this smooth Powerful German Shepherd of a bike. The weather couldn’t have been better and the roads not too busy for this time of year.
Posted in BMW, Chicago, Photography, Triumph Bonneville |
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August 18, 2015
BSA – Birmingham Small Arms. I enjoy seeing the other great British make on show. These sixties unit Beezas were a varied selection of their available machines that folk looking for a Triumph alternative which every bit as good as the Meriden Iron, were drawn to. These bikes utilize a superb balance of fine engineering and style.
If Triumph was the Beatles then BSA is the Rolling Stones…
Firebird 650 – high pipes, big tank, knobbly tires – desert sled?
Posted in 60's, BSA, Chicago |
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August 17, 2015
Kawasaki’s King KZ900: this example was polished to the highest mirror-like sheen by its owner as I was taking this photo. Power master of the seventies.
This Yamaha RD350 was a different approach to speed. Two stroke with Yamahas Power Valve System, basically racing developed fuel injection for the narrow power banded strokers allowing road racers to scream the streets like GP champs on the track.
Suzuki, on the other hand delved into alternative engine technology in their RE5. A Wankel rotary powerplant, though offering smooth power delivery requires careful cooling and hence complicated plumbing. Nortons rotaries were much more sucessful with Suzukis machine only being produced for a couple of years.
Talking of smooth; here’s Honda’s Mr Smooth. Offered in the six cylinder behemoth CBX. The superbike that connected the seventies development of the air cooled muscles like the CB750 through the Kawasakis and other 750 and 900’s to the eighties water cooled Ninjas and GSX-R’s. A hefty brute but solid power house nonetheless. A nice example.
Posted in 70's, 80's, Chicago, Honda, Kawasaki |
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August 16, 2015
Though it was a hot 90 degree day we managed to get out to the west suburbs where a well attended show took place at the Triumph Ducati dealer in Villa Park. The parking lot was divided into show bikes and parked bikes. I had mine in the common or garden parked bikes. There was a great selection of clean examples of old rides in both areas. This little original condition Benelli starts things off. Small in stature but grand in character.
A ’73 Harley Davidson combination owner was very proud of her outfit. She had toted a tree in the chair earlier this year. Wherever she drive it people would wave and cheer!
Another outfit: this time a BMW r75 wartime rig. Fully dressed for European action with MG34 machine gun, jerry cans and trailer. A true enthusiast.
The parking lot contained new Triumphs, this new Royal Enfield Continental GT, Beemers, Kawasakis, Hondas, an odd Harley or two. Motorcycle gawkers heaven! This week I’ll show the congregation of Nortons, Beezas, and other fine examples of older machines.
Posted in 50's, 60's, 70's, BMW, Chicago, Harley Davidson, Sidecar, Vintage |
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August 8, 2015
A long morning in the saddle up into Wisconsin with fair weather and a stop at Morries Place to see the British motorcycle wizard Ed Zender. Brunch at Twin Lakes WI. Bonnie’s running like tops (for the most part).
Posted in Chicago, Triumph Bonneville |
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July 25, 2015
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.
Posted in cafe racer, Chicago, Photography, Triumph Bonneville |
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July 20, 2015
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
Posted in cafe racer, Chicago, Clothing, Photography, Triumph Bonneville |
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July 3, 2015
The coiled serpent twisting its scaly body around the tank of this Big Zed fuels its embodiment of strength from the liter powerhouse.
Fire breather! Roaring Worm!
Posted in 70's, Chicago, Kawasaki, Tattoo |
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July 2, 2015
Rise of the White Knight: under the banner’d canopy of Hinckley Triumph here is a thoroughbred oyster pearl. Like some chivalrous band of brothers these racers stand proudly under standards of Rats, Rocker, & Ton-up.
Posted in cafe racer, Chicago, Horse, Triumph Motorcycle |
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Cheers Triumph! 
geordiebiker.com 