David Essex, rocker from the 70’s takes on the biker persona with this 1980 model 750cc Triumph. Black leather coat and tan cowboy boots date his appearance perfectly. His other moto links are a role in the original Evita musical as Che Guevara. He also starred in a low budget British movie about a motorcycle racer “Silver Dream Racer”.
After Johnny Allen took his ‘Ceegar’ on that smokin’ run Triumph presented this model. The R1, GSX-R, Ninja of it’s day.
A study in highlight and shadow: a dimly backlit moto showing off its fine classic lines, clean outline and balanced form. The perfect combinations of circles, curves and engineering to create the epitome of two-wheeled transport.
So where did the Bonneville get its name? The salt flats in northwestern Utah were named after Benjamin Bonneville, a french born Army officer known for his expeditions to the intermountain region of the United States. Though mapped in the 1830’s it was a century later when its long flat hardpacked surface was seen as the optimum location for speed records. Then in 1956 a motorcycle racer by the name of Johnny Allen brought his Triumph twin 650cc powered “Texas Ceegar” streamliner and took it for a run on ‘the salt’ attaining a speed of 214.40 mph. The bike was built by Stormy Mangham and tuned by Jack Wilson and their savvy engineering was able to tromp the dominating NSU factory team. Triumph took this victory over the germans to heart and within a couple of years named their fast new twin-carb 650 the Bonneville. The rest is history!
Sadly the original Ceegar was severely damaged in the infamous fire at the British National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham UK in 2003 however it ashes were resurrected by a determined team in the US. After a brief sojourn to Bonneville it returned to its home in Birmingham.
Here’s our man on an unfaired speed machine obviously set-up for going top velocity in a straight line.
Here he is with racing pal, Peaches Hainer; hardtails, high boots, big twins and a grin.
“Rebellion is the Only thing that keeps you Alive!”
Rebecca from The Girl on a Motorcycle (la motocyclette) – a 1968 film starring Marianne Faithful.
A great piece of artwork by the illustrator Louise Limb of Honor Blackman; she of The Avengers and James Bond.
The singer Pink loves her Triumph Bonneville; seen frequently haring around the LA boulevards duckin & diving from paparazzi. Alecia Beth Moore, as she is also known as, takes the biker look somewhat seriously; engineer boots, open-face with nannini goggles; though a nice leather jacket and at least a pair of gloves is recommended!
Blonde on Blonde: slap on a vinyl LP of one of Dylans masterpiece poem/songs and lay back and soak in the words, rasping voice and the images evoked in what some regard as his masterpiece.
“…and these visions of Johanna are now all that remain.”
Bassist and lead vocalist from the punk group The Stranglers JJ Burnel is a long time motorcyclist; in particular Triumph. Mobbed by fans what better moto to be seen on than a Bonneville!
Here’s an evocative shot taken of the assembly line in the Meriden workshop. The pieces come together to create a machine where the sum greater than the parts. A Golden Age of the British motorcycle industry soon to wane only to re-emerge like a phoenix from the ashes to where it stands as a proud builder of Brit-Motos!
Much more solid looking, nearly Guzzi-like even; the longer 70’s frame’s line need this tank to give it a visual balance.
Shiny, shiny cafe’d oil-in-frame Bonnie. Red framed and chrome tanked as well as a comfy Corbin seat. Nicely detailed and crafted to be a real head turner!
geordiebiker.com 
