1800cc motor – ample sized vee twin lump lets the bike stroll along at a good clip even two-up. Some highway miles, town bumbling and mountain ascents were all taken with great aplomb.
February 16, 2016
Fold
折り紙 The intricate craft of origami. Paper folding to create various object. Plane to solid. Here’s a wee paperbag motorcycle. Perhaps Gaff left it for Deckard.
January 31, 2016
Zero to Sixty in THREE WEEKS
Solihull January 29 2016. The last Land Rover Defender rolled off the assembly line after 67 years of continuous production. The US have their Jeep and the British the ‘Landy’. Earlier Series’ models and latter day Defender utility vehicles have been used on farm and battlefield both. Slow, basic, rattly and draughty; it was a basic tool. I remember smaller grouped field trips sat in the rear bench seats of the LWB 12 seater.
Any color as long as it’s green with a cream roof… Desert or jungle expedition anyone?
The Pink Panther: effective desert carrier for the SAS.
January 30, 2016
Bibendum
I’m giving up my period looking Dunlops and plumping for a pair a sleek new Michelins. Pilots to be precise. Mounted to new alloy rims laced with shiny stainless steel spokes. These are gonna stick to the roads like clarts on my Doc Martens…
One of the oldest trademarks is the Michelin Man also known as Bibendum (from Horace’s Odes “Nunc est Bibendum!” – Now is the time to drink! Originally with cigar in mouth wearing pince-nez, he reminds me a bit like The cartoonist Giles’ grandma…
January 26, 2016
Tonka
Tonka was a big deal growing up. The pressed steel bodies could take the typical abuse from a boy in his dirt pile. I yearned for the backhoe tractor with front loader “tractor with four diggers” is what I’d call it. Well I got it and managed to break it . So my sister wrote to Tonkatoys in Minnesota (actually Mound MN on Lake Minnetonka) crying false advertising which stated an elephant could stand on their toy construction vehicles.
So they wrote back in apology and send one of their Dump trucks in compensation. There’s customer service!
I wonder if I could get them to send one of their Triumph Bonnevilles…
November 20, 2015
A Trump Card has been played
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.
October 29, 2015
The Details
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!
October 27, 2015
Hot of the Presses
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
October 11, 2015
Fairs fair
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.
October 8, 2015
Dr Jekyll…
1988 saw Norman Hyde bring forth his reframed twin and triple Triumphs to speed stably along the motorways of Thatchers Britain. Good tyres, good brakes, better engine balance and a whiff of fine engineering and the Harrier was born.
Good on the track too; its prowess derived from a knowledge of running the triple racers in the early sixties.
The newer Hinckley version is a fettled brute. Keep your Thruxton I’ll take one of these sir!
October 3, 2015
Water found on Mars
Just been to see a great film: The Martian starring Matt Damon in the titular role also known as Mark Watney. Directed by Ridley Scott and based on a marvelous book by Andy Wier it tells the survival difficulties of an astronaut stranded on Mars in a fictional, though truly believable mission to the red planet. Two Thumbs Up! Go see it!
In other news: Jason Bourne can ride a mean motorcycle…
September 27, 2015
Longevity
Hmm… Not to sure about this with the shenanigans going on at Meriden in the seventies. I believe they weren’t spending enough time on them; with components manufactured with aged tools, worn factory conditions and a workforce unsupported by the company or government.
If only they had heeded their own words!
September 9, 2015
Gas ‘er up!
We’re only half way through a short week after Labor Day weekend but we need a fuel stop… BP is known the world over a the premiere petrochemical company… Just don’t mention the Gulf! Ford GT in Porsche livery anyone?
September 7, 2015
MCN
Motor Cycle News has this image watermarked. It more than a game of football now; he’s sat upon what looks like the all new water cooled 1100cc Triumph Twin which is planned to be on the streets next year. Chunky tires, hefty forks, plump tank and forward stance… Been waiting for this one! Mines going to be in Mango Tango color.
Beckham is promoting Belstaff clothing and sharpens pencils on his hair cut.
geordiebiker.com 