A TV show that we’ve been watching, though now cancelled, starred a late sixties Bonneville. The main characters son was rebuilding it in secret behind his cop dad’s back. However when he finds out he says “just make sure you ride safe and wear a helmet!”
The main character played by British actor Jason Isaacs (also known as the long blonde haired death eater Lucius Malfoy). The shows premise is that he exists in two realities after a car crash, one where his wife died but son survives; the other ‘awake’ reality vise versa.
Wanna look snappy in a three-piece suit and shiny oxfords? Well to go with that Saville Row look you need a special edition Paul Smith Triumph Bonneville. That fresh, laid back designer look matches a 60’s icon seamlessly (excuse the pun). The PS Stripes are a fashion barcode defining British creativity. His collaboration with John Bloors Bonnie begat 9 one-offs each with a distinctive look, of which two designs led to 50 production specials each: “The Multi-Union” & “Live Fast”.
Road, Speed, Sun and a Smashing Moto: here is a beautiful image extolling the virtues of the open road. A sense of freedom atop a latter day Bonnie while the world blurs by; fresh air up the nostrils smooth road under-boot. Yup, it doesn’t get much better than this!
Sunny skies saw me northbound on a fairly quiet Sheridan Road to get a few miles under the belt. The air temperature was a wee bit parky (high 40’s) but the sun helped spirits. A fellow rider on a nice Honda VFR shared the ride through Lake Forest for a bit.
The newest edition of The Bonnie certainly looks picture perfect under a bright Mediterranean sun. The rough age-worn stucco wall and centuries-old doorway contrast sharply with the crisp yet classic likes of this moto. I’d certainly be happy walking out through this door after a morning coffee for a cavort along the Cote d’Azur.
Mechanical Beauty: the motorcycle is an astounding vehicle and when looking at its parts there is a nice balance of purpose and aesthetics. None more-so than the classic Triumph twin. Both music to the ears and eyes!
“Royal is my Race” so proclaims the Clan McGregor’s motto! Here clansman Ewan races his latter-day Triumph Bonneville along damp lanes and across the odd burn. Lookin’ like he’s set up for a trip what with the leather pannier satchels and a big duffel. Roper gloves, denim, and a worn leather jacket round off this road ready look. A Davida open-face with what look like Naninni goggles.
Trying a spot of fly fishing brother? River crossing made to look easy: careful with that throttle! However he’s an old hand at this having made countless arduous such crossings when travelling through Asia in his and Charley Boorman’s epic adventure Long Way Round.
The forecast was to be a record-breaking eighties warmth and sun… instead chilly overcast typically April weather. But still manages to get out. Put the thermals on had a warming coffee half way on the ride.
…the Sum of its Parts. An advert for a late sixties Bonneville; some believe to be the epitome of the T120. Here promoted as the essential components to create this machine. Slice of cherry pie anyone?
The light of days past: here is an evocative snapshot of a Triumph owner from sometime when the Bonnie was the Latest and Greatest. Here a ’66. The clarity of those old Kodachrome photographs is sublime. A ’63 Mercury Comet sits in the shade behind. Apparently this is Thompsonville CT. The colour scheme for that year was white with a triple orange pinstripe throught the tank; complete with chrome fenders, grey topped seat and a sorted 650 engine: about as good as it gets.
Lovely black and white photograph by Giles Clement of a very clean early seventies oil-in-frame Bonneville; this time not in the usual greasy cafe scene imagery. Fancy a dip pet!
Sometimes it just takes a different viewpoint to see something with fresh eyes; here an overhead perspective lets the elegant hourglass lines of a Bonnie be shown off to great effect. When new bikes are shown off it’s always the side views, but the rider spends most of the time astride the machine looking down from the saddle across the tank to the bars. That’s one of the prime aspects of a moto to enjoy.
Corner carver: the newest Bonneville model the SE, with cast wheels (not the earlier spoked model) straight pipes and a navy/white colour scheme sure does look the part winding down some coastal lane with the sun-kissed salty air beckoning.
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