Grow Grow The Lightning Tree | early seventies teenage drama about an entitled girl Dora who gets relocated to her uncles horse farm. Rural characters abound including local rogue Ron Stryker who tears about the countryside on his customized Triumph Tiger Cub.
Tri-Umph | Three in the garage. Rainy day spent changing the oil and filter on the Bonnie. Getting it ready for some short outings in the coming season.
Car Boot Sale | a note seen last weekend at one of the numerous ‘flea markets’ in the UK. Typically the tables are loaded with cheap offerings from peoples house emptying efforts, but here someone was using the opportunity to locate something… I probably have these in a box of spares from my own Cub rebuild but the cost to ship ’em back to blighty would outweigh their cost of picking the items up locally.
L-Plates | The perfect little motorcycle to learn on: a lightweight and easy to control Triumph Cub 200cc. 1950’s swing dress on a bonnie lady under an English sun. The large windshield should keep the skirt fabric under some control.
One Two Three – here we are in midwinter and the riding season is months away. A plan needs to be put in place to get each of my Triumph ready for their particular outing requirements. The Cub to take to some off road trails in Wisconsin; the Bonneville for some local riding and vintage shows; and the Tiger for long stretches of American highways and backwaters.
Resolute – It is typical of the New Year for us to put on the mask of Janus and look back at what we achieved (or not) the previous year and thus look forward to the coming twelve months and make a determination of what we want to achieve. Usually in an effort to better ourselves; and, in a way, make this time we have count. Me? I’m not a big one for ‘resolutions’ but it’s fun to think of things that you would like to try and do. A list you ask? Well, here goes:
Raccoon Tail – the inked lady with platinum blonde ponytails has a cheery disposition with the aptly sized cherry red ’64 Tiger Cub.
One Two Three- stable is full now with a single, twin and triple. Enough fun to be had all ’round!
Hakuna Matata – ending the long work week with a nicely sorted Tiger Cub under bright skies with a sun kissed rock backdrop. Color scheme is the same as mine: dark emerald green tank and grey-silver fenders. The tigress might need something a little more sturdy than a tank top, daisy dukes and white tennies for any serious trail riding. But the aviators are cool.
Che – standing in proud resolution as if photographed by Alberto Korda, who captured the famous Ernesto Guevara image, this Triumph Cub evokes its mid Century heritage. The black headlight nacelle is elegant engineering against the steel blue tank.
Brighton 1964 – if you were there you were either a Mod or a Rocker. The scene to bee seen along the seafront of Kings Road. This smart chap has a leopardskin seat cover on his faired Triumph Cub whilst some other clean-cut youths gaze on. Horror films on show for period entertainment though the daily lifestyle of these two iconic subcultures were heady enough. Great photo though!
Ivy League – dusted-off and kicked the wee green tiger to life earlier today. Took it along a few alleys and around a couple of parking lots. It’s a friendly little thumper that is light to maneuver in tight turns and when bumpy undertire. Need to plan for a trip to some off-road facility to get it around a trail, over a dune, or through some woods.
Truckbed Baby – evening sunlight warms the time-worn patina of what looks like a Triumph Cub in original condition. Over half a century of barn dust. The sky blue Ford Econoline is a perfect tote for the scooter.
£184 2s 1d – not a bad price for an urban runabout. A splendid machine in crimson glory (flamboyant bushfire red) of the assembly line at Meriden. I quite like the tank paint scheme – somewhat different to Triumphs norm.
Aped Cub – Well; if you must. Forest green Tiger with hi-rise bars being hustled ’round some rustic park setting. Burgundy outfit, complete with stirrupped legs, add to the jolly nature of this period photograph. “Come in number five two seven, your time is up!”
