November 23, 2015
This is the centerpiece of the show: T120R Bonneville. It’s exciting, nimble looking, beautifully executed and is a visual clone to the sublime ’68 Bonnie. From a narrow corseted waist that you experience when sitting on, to the appearance of the engine with hints of Edward Turners original twin from the 30’s.
Silver and crimson separated by a gold pinstripe. Knee pads to hug the tank when whittling along curvy roads. Fuel injected engine with a suite of mapping for different road conditions behind the Amal look alike Concentrics; just needs a tickler button.
Named fender support fork brace, rubber bellow fork boots, twin clocks and a beautiful headlight offer a clean prow.
Even from the rear the hourglass shape is evident. A generous pillion loop allows two-up fun; hopefully a lively 1200cc motor will mean ease of passenger carrying.
Bonnie is Back!
Posted in Chicago, Design, Photography, Triumph Bonneville |
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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 8, 2015
We’re more like the Hip-replacement crowd… But the fashion-fun folks at Vogue magazine know a cool prop when they see one. A lightly customized new classic Triumph Scrambler. I’m going to teach Geordie how to ride on pillion like that.
Posted in Clothing, Design, Gals, Motorcycle Poster, Triumph Motorcycle |
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October 29, 2015
I tend not be a detail oriented person but when I see the product of creative minds who put components together in what looks like a seamless yet integrative manner then I’m impressed. The new Thruxton R is one such item. I see countless hours over ‘drawing boards’ (aka digital tablets) and prototype review as an assembly of individual parts are fettled to create a symphony of engineering. Yet there in a district underlying DNA of machinery from over half a century ago.
It’s all very well putting it together and hoping, but keeping an overall visual balance is essential. Seeing it move at speed? Can’t wait!
Posted in Design, Engineering, Triumph Motorcycle |
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October 27, 2015
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
Posted in cafe racer, Design, Engineering, Triumph Motorcycle |
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October 22, 2015
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!
Posted in 70's, cafe racer, Design |
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October 14, 2015
Idly flipping through an architectural journal today my eye made a double-take on a French furniture ad (RocheBobois). A wall sized photo canvas with the delightful lines of an AJS engine provided a perfect backdrop to their modern dining furniture. What beauty to behold.
When viewed in its entirety the 7R is a gallery unto itself.
Posted in 50's, Design, Motorcycle Art |
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October 11, 2015
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.
Posted in cafe racer, Design, Engineering, Restoration, Triumph Bonneville |
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September 6, 2015
Keeping the cat theme going: this time tiger power for workshop duties.
Posted in Design, Maintenance, Tattoo, Triumph Motorcycle |
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August 21, 2015
There’s nothing beats looking at the unique details a motorcycle attains over its lifetime. From the original parts, decals and paint to an ownership or two of patina and mile worn age. This BSA Royal Star is still crowned after fifty years of distance run.
A Triumph front wheel with alloy rim and lightened disc brake. Just what I’m going to do on mine. So it’s good to see what it’ll look like: fantastic.
RAF roundel on a Street Triple. Yellow outer ring denotes a type C1 used from ’42 – ’47 . The lighter yellow giving it better visibility on upper dark camouflage surfaces. Not the Mod icon but the Spitfires and Hurricanes of WW2.
Hmmm…
Posted in BSA, Design, Engineering, Triumph Motorcycle |
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July 23, 2015
I’m not sure of the early 70’s oil in frame Bonneville with its conical front brake could pull off a stoppie like this but it’s worth dreaming about!
From the penmanship of M (Gianmarco Magnani)
http://silencetv.com
This is how it’s done properly!
Posted in Design, Graphics, Motorcycle Poster, Triumph Bonneville |
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July 16, 2015
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!
Posted in BSA, cafe racer, Chopper, Clothing, Design, Graphics, Motorcycle Art |
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July 1, 2015
there was plenty of eye candy at Motoblot. Each belonged to a dedicated owner who loves showing off their steed. Each washed to a mirror shine reflecting admirers faces in their perfectly designed curves. Each represents a history unto itself.
What was old now is new:
Indian. The new cruiser looks set for a haul along Route 66 from Chicago to Los Angeles. The old police bike would be a great ‘big road’ rider.
Kawasaki? Team Green knows about power – like this canny Eddie Lawson bicep is set for action.
The Purple People Eater: two stoke powerband terror of the seventies would scare the mane off a lion. The Mach IV
The bumblebee world traveller is the much desired BMW GS1000. Big legs for long distances.
A weary looking edge worn Beemer yearns for Barvarian strasse to plod along…
More fun than a barrel of baby sloth (look it up you’ll agree that’s a lot of fun!)
Posted in 30's, 40's, 70's, 80's, BMW, Chicago, Design, Indian, Kawasaki, Vintage |
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June 29, 2015
Italian Triple. “Il Bruto” the mighty Jota in glistening orange. It had a radioactive glow in the midday sun.
Cleveland Cycle Works little quarter liter custom scrambler. U.S. Built small Moto with sweet styling suitable for city flitting. It’s like a new version of my Cub…. We’ll write about CCW another time.
Board tracker blitz: twenties Titan for zooming the banked oval. The pure engineering on these things is as brave as the riders who piloted them.
Muscle Magic! Not a bike but by ‘eck it’s a steroid built machine for rippling the Tarmac and busting licenses. It has a 440 7.8l V8 Magnum engine that took the Hemi-Orange monster to Dodges swan song in the 60’s through 70’s muscle car spacerace.
Posted in 60's, 70's, cafe racer, Cars, Chicago, Design, Film and TV, Photography |
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June 17, 2015
They say you should stare at something yellow for 30 seconds each morning to start you off on a brighter note for the day ahead. 
This Triumph Adventurer Sport is a definite morale booster for any sleepy eyes.
Look at the stars
Look how they shine for you
And everything you do
Yeah they were all yellow
Late last night
I heard the screen door slam
And a big yellow taxi
Took away my old man
Don’t it always seem to go
That you don’t know what you’ve got
Till it’s gone
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot.
She wore her yellow sun-bonnet,
She wore her greenest gown;
She turned to the south wind
And curtsied up and down.
She turned to the sunlight
And shook her yellow head,
And whispered to her neighbor:
“Winter is dead.
AA Milne
I write on big yellow legal pads – ideas in outline form when I’m doing stand-up and stuff. It’s vivid that way. Robin Williams
So we sailed up to the sun
Till we found a sea of green
And we lived beneath the waves
In our yellow submarine. 
Posted in Design, Graphics, Triumph Motorcycle |
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