Helmet | Job Done! Wearing suitable safety gear is of prime importance when selecting your riding garb. And the bonce is your main body part that needs the best protection. I never skimp on this component. The Bell full face lid I got a couple of years ago took last weekend’s spill in workmanlike form; with scrapes, scratches and no doubt a thumping from the road. It’s retired now, as a helmet should be after a crash, and will be replaced.
Nessun Dorma | The aria from Puccini’s opera Turandot was famously used for the BBC coverage of the World Cup in ’90. Sung in true maestro style by Pavarotti it was also used by Pirelli tire manufacturer in their late 80’s advertising campaign. Direct translation from the Italian is “None shall sleep” so using it for a tire seems appropriate. So, back to the matter at hand: these are the two tires I got for the Tiger from old new stock at Motoworks yesterday. Knobbly treads for a bit better traction on gravel. I need to go look for some back roads now! Heidenau K60 Scout up front and Continental TKC 80’s in back. This combination is meant to be a good balance for compromise between asphalt and loose dirt.
Oily hands and a 10mm socket – just read about the passing of the creator of the global mechanics phenomenon, known as the Haynes Workshop Manual, John Haynes (1938-2019) aged 80. The step-by-step photographic and illustrative descriptions of dismantling and reassembly was conceived whilst he was a public schoolboy recording the renovation of an Austin Seven into an Austin Seven ‘Special’. The first published book in ’66 was for an Austin Healey Sprite. Hundreds of manuals for cars and motorcycles later the library stretched from the Solo’s Millennium Falcon, Kirk’s Enterprise to NASA’s Space Shuttle, and Apollo.
D-I-Y Sometimes you need some ken to be familiar with your interest. A ubiquitous Haynes Service & Repair Manual is an essential reference tome for any self respecting biker.
Winter Fun – I need one of these! Chopper Triumph with street sign plow blade. I’d take the Chevy truck too! We have icy conditions here in the Midwest and expect even colder weather next week… minus 15°F
Pops – The post-war period in Japan saw a push in engine tuning to wring out any available additional horsepower to not just be faster but the fastest. This would eventually lead to the superbikes of the seventies and eighties and the current flock of hyper sports.
Leading this evolution of power and speed was Hideo ‘Pops’ Yoshimuro (1922-1995). After maintaining aircraft for the Japanese Empire during WW2 he redirected his masterful talents to the British bikes being brought to the land of the rising sun by American servicemen. This photo shows our man astride a fettled BSA preunit drag bike readying for a speed run.
Later he shifted his works and racing team to California where big reliable Japanese superbikes like the Kawasaki KZ and Suzuki GS’s went on to dominate the burgeoning AMA road racing circuit.
I, Robot – in 2017 Yamaha displayed their autonomous riding motorcycle being hurled around a racetrack at speed. Today is the 99th birthday of science writer Isaac Asimov who created the three rules of robotics:
An Eye on the Universe – today’s destination for a Fall ride was the 120 year old Yorkers Observatory, which houses the world’s largest refracting telescope. A 40″ diameter lens that provided important findings in the early years of 20th Century astrophysics. It is located at Williams Bay on Lake Geneva in Wisconsin. As of October 1st is is no longer under the management of the University of Chicago and is not open to the general public.
Details – motorcycle events are truly marvelous places to gaze at the intricacies of mechanical engineering found on two wheels. Polished parts; crafted components; detailed design; and triumphant technology.
Jerry Can – the cunning folk at Icon 1000 have given this Tiger 800 a definite utilitarian brutish appeal. With a finish like machine pressed galvanized steel sheet, ready to roll through some dystopian military industrialized kingdom.
Deux Chevaux – like some giant upturned orange wheelbarrow this Citröen 2CV was parked up near Morries Place last weekend. Developed in France after the 2nd World War as an economical family transport it was spare in detail but complete in purpose. Over 9 million of these cars and their variants were manufactured over 42 years. It’s up there in motoring history with the Ford Model T, VW’s Beetle, Fiat’s 500, and BMC’s Mini.
Four Square- more offerings from the Ringwood motorcycle emporium. Delicious BSA Goldstar in immaculate condition, one lung and splendid mirrored chrome tank emblazoned with the gold star representing Wal Handley’s ton lap at Brooklands in ’37. Green lane ready Triumph Trophy Trail, half liter of long legged fun. Norton & Beeza goodies: one a TT special willing for speed, the other a doughty sloper ready for a lazy countryside jaunt. Finally a hefty Laverda 3C Triple, 1000cc of Italian grunt; just need a quiet afternoon along Lago Maggiore…
Hurricane – in an attempt to win over a flagging US customer Triumph and BSA employed industrial designer Craig Vetter to create bodywork for the new and fast triple that would appeal to the American market. Though a BSA Rocket Three at heart, by the time the X75 was released it was emblazoned with a Triumph badge. The deep orange with yellow swoosh are inspired with an hourglass shape that provides a sexy line to this muscle of a motorbike. Triple stacked silencers on the timing size are keenly futuristic. This example was built by Ed Zender for a customer. He says it runs well with a powerful and tight power unit. In the sun it’s a sublime example of a special British motorcycle.
Hound – it takes a canine nose to enjoy the fast winds from a moving vehicle. Especially if it’s a cafe racer. Be-goggled pup smiles and wags their tail to promote speed conjuring components.
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
