Richard Parker – Triumphs choice to call their rugged everyday models after Panthers tigris was a good one to promote their machine for worldwide distribution.
September 19, 2018
Over & Under
A Bridge too far – black and white stark graphic of zooming Bonneville with the arched trusses of a span overhead. Nice composition, with essence of speed and support both.
August 3, 2018
Glamour Shots
Boldest – Friday brings a twofer where the bikes play second fiddle to the gals who pose coyly at prospective buyers of these single cylinder cycles. Starfire was the quarter liter starter machine, the Victor was more off road styling fit for gravel trails. Soft focus anyone?
August 2, 2018
Bold 4
In a Bottle – nighttime fun on the town. The Lightning 650, which starred under a golden rocket launching fairing in the James Bond film Thunderball, was in direct competition with Triumphs Bonneville for top dog in the motorcycle world. It’s a classic bike and deserves the bolder advertising of the day.
August 1, 2018
Bold 3
The Cavalry – the BSA sportsbike of the sixties sits pretty next to the horse borne regimental troops that protect Her Majesty in London & at Windsor. The 650cc Thunderbolt is akin to the ceremonial dress of the Blues and Royals (Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons). The chrome tank matching the red plumed helmet and cuirass armor; the star blazed tank badge like the Order of the Garter Star.
Sadly the ladies gaze on haughtily in their leather jackets. I’d rather they sat astride the motorcycle as proud riders, like their equine companion.
July 31, 2018
Bold 2
Jet Setter – from Oceanside to the skyward scene. BSA’s Shooting Star makes for a snappy runway runabout between the airport lounge and the private jet. Aviator look to the rider and sixties bombshell for the wing perched gal in the leopard skin coat. The louche world of the swingin’ sixties…
July 30, 2018
Bold 1
Spearfishing – this week we’ll delve into the world of misogynistic sixties advertising, when men were told to be manly, and the ladies attractively adorn the scene. All very James Bond-like… this BSA Victor certainly looks the part in this coastal location. The polished tank with a distinctive sun yellow accent catches the glint of ocean waves perfectly. Beach scramble anyone?
July 29, 2018
Public Message
The Mechanic – surly actor Charles Bronson advocates for quiet off road mufflers when the dirt bike hits the backwoods trails… more stealthy for the vigilante in us…
May 24, 2018
Jim Stark
James Dean only starred in a handful of films, but what movies he did have remained powerful examples in the media. This Triumph Thunderbird advert puts a twist on one such title with the promotion of uncompromising motors. “You’re tearing me apart!”
May 22, 2018
In the Halls of the Mountain Kings
Mountain View – taking your gal on an alpine tour behind the controls of a Speed Twin is good as it could get according to this advertising illustration from the fifties. The yellow frock doesn’t seem like suitable attire for high altitude pass cresting. Of course the Amaranth Red is picture perfect for the sublime scenery.
May 15, 2018
Le Moto
4810 – with a premiere writing instrument such as the gold nibbed Mont Blanc you need a suitable means to carry it around. A continent buster such as the burly ’99 Triumph Trophy will do. Sign your John Hancock on the contract down in Marseille, pop le biro in the pannier, zoom up the autoroute to Geneva for supper.
May 3, 2018
Good Town
MPH – Sodium Chloride NaCl Natronium with negatively charged Chlorine… it’s an abundant compound found in our oceans and the ground. Thousands of uses and essential for our bodily health. Evaporate a brine inland lake allowing the salt to crystallize forming a flat hardback ‘roadway’. Perfect for long straight runs to see ‘how darn fast you can go!”
April 30, 2018
Scissors
Rayguns – the signature exhaust mufflers of Triumph’s T150 sounded a heraldic trumpet to other bikers as the Trident hared past them.
Very seventies photography with blurring focus and a hint of movement during exposure.
April 10, 2018
Po-po on a moto
Police Steed – bobby on a Beeza. When British motorcycles reigned supreme the local forces used the best of ’em to get along the road with speed. Nice monochrome ink painting advert with a happy sergeant copper swinging his police boots over an A10 escorting some VIP no doubt.
March 20, 2018
Coiled
Suspended Season – On the First Day of Spring let’s look at what the boffins at the Triumph factory conjured up to make the ride smooth and rider content. It’s all about damping: taking the uneven jolting from the rough surface and dispersing the imparted kinetic energy into heat energy, typically an oil filled shock absorber, before it can transfer into the saddle.
geordiebiker.com 