Period photo of young rocker chick on her ‘Baby Bonnie’ the Triumph Tiger Cub. Its nimble character was ideal for the fairer sex and kept up the good looks of rider and ‘cycle both.
March 2, 2014
Boxed and ready to go!
Well, it’s coming up nearly a year on first acquiring the Cub project. Most parts for the engine rebuild are together, chassis ready for painting, wheels for shodding, and a few more odds and ends for controls and ignition.
Reassembly should commence soon… … A summer kick-over? Hmm could be a goal!
March 1, 2014
Mad March Hare…
After yesterdays leap let’s see if we can speed into spring! Here we are at March 1st with snow still on the ground and more falling out of the sky. Clocks change next weekend and warmer days shouldn’t be too far away… We could only hope!
Let’s crack on!
February 26, 2014
Of Rod and Reel
“Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it. The river was cut by the world’s great flood and runs over rocks from the basement of time. On some of the rocks are timeless raindrops. Under the rocks are the words, and some of the words are theirs.
I am haunted by waters.”
Norman Maclean
Watching a trials moto negotiate a wet stream reminds me of a fly fisherman reading the waters of a trout plump river. A tremendous book utilizing a thread of the anglers life connecting a man and his brothers story growing up in the cool tree lined canyons of Montana. It is Maclean’s ‘A river runs through it’. A quick read but worth savoring its exquisite language that rolls softly off the page.
…it’s our pal Ewan McGregor! True Scot, and motorcyclist, fly fishing in the Yemen…
..perhaps The Triumph fly lure is needed:
February 25, 2014
What goes up must come down…
Yet more deft action in the nimble hands of experienced trials riders here the diminutive Triumph Cub can certainly perform. Whether up steep tree rooted slope or down the other side a balanced technician can handle an appropriately set-up Tiger with obvious aplomb.
February 24, 2014
Braw brae
Here are a few photographs showing modern trials riders clambering up the wet and rocky footpaths above Kinlochleven. They are all on Triumph Cubs and look as though they are enjoying the outing. I have trekked many a mile up the Scottish bens on foot but would love to experience these ways aboard an old trials moto.
Cloudy skies typical of Scottish weather don’t dampen spirits here. I can smell the heather clad slopes from here and the salty air drifting up from the loch beyond.
The images are really giving me some inspiration for my own Triumph Cub trials motorcycle currently in the works. Though I would wear more period garb: such as army boots, cotton twill trousers tied up at the ankles, wool shirt, leather riding gloves and a flat cap. Although the cap me have to be swapped out for a tidy white open face brimm’d helmet. Waxed leggings and jacket obviously optional for typical ‘fair droukit’ Scottish weather.
February 23, 2014
Tiger Trials: of mud, stone, grass, log & stream
George Greenland in 1958 at an XHG Tigers event, the Priory Trophy trial, riding Des Smallshaw’s very tidy Tiger Cub special. The XHG were dispatch riders from the 7th Hants Home Guard and the tiger Club formed in 1945 and are still going strong. Hampshire being on the south coast would have been very busy during the war years and I’m sure there were plenty of DR riders haring to and fro along the country lanes back then.
February 22, 2014
My Heart is in the Highlands
Farewell to the Highlands, farewell to the North,
The birth-place of Valour, the country of Worth;
Wherever I wander, wherever I rove,
The hills of the Highlands for ever I love.
Chorus.-My heart’s in the Highlands, my heart is not here,
My heart’s in the Highlands, a-chasing the deer;
Chasing the wild-deer, and following the roe,
My heart’s in the Highlands, wherever I go.
Farewell to the mountains, high-cover’d with snow,
Farewell to the straths and green vallies below;
Farewell to the forests and wild-hanging woods,
Farewell to the torrents and loud-pouring floods.
Robert Burns (1759-1796)
Ray Sayer on Loch Eilde Path in 1959. What a stunning photograph with Loch Leven beyond, Kinlochleven below and the magnificent Aonach Eagach ridge overlooking to the south.
February 10, 2014
Smokes and Moto
Here’s a gal enjoying a little repair needs on her Triumph Cub and getting a drag from a cig off her riding pal.
A few tweaks to adjust the chain tension, oily mitts, and before you can say ‘Bob’s yer uncle”, she will get ‘er back on the trail.
February 9, 2014
Fins
Here’s another proud motorcycle rider on his Triumph Cub. I’m trying to figure out what make and model the car is. Late 50’s early sixties…? Ford Fairlane?
February 7, 2014
L-Plates
Everyone can remember the first time they released the clutch giving a whiff of throttle…. What better moto than the Triumph Cub to do it on!
Boiler-suited student and their mentor looking happy in the sun in this image. His eyes are on a Bonnie at the dealers… Hang on son! Put a few miles under yer belt on the Cubbie first!
February 6, 2014
Tigers Tale
Tank Art: a hand painted Triumph Cub tank complete with tiger, Catalina GP name and a signature from Ed Kretz Jr. Who raced the Catalina in 1956 on an early Cub to victory.
Ed, who passed away last September at the age of 81, was son of legendary Ed ‘Iron Man’ Kretz sr. (#38). Here younger Ed after that Californian win.
Here’s a link to his blog with many fabulous motorcycling racing photos of him and his father. Kretz Blog
Better go now Easy Rider has just started on the telly!
February 4, 2014
Sprockets
A new front sprocket arrived in the mail yesterday. Fourteen teeth. Nice long unworn teeth that haven’t been chomping on a chain for miles and miles and miles.
The original setup is an eighteen tooth front sprocket and forty eight tooth rear wheel one. That gives a ratio from the gearbox of 2.66:1. With the 14 front and a big sixty tooth one that will give me a ratio of 4.30:1. Nearly a 60% increase. A good trials gearing!
Tree trunks? Nae worries!
Dieter says: “You are beautiful and angular.”
February 3, 2014
Brasso Racer
“There is something deeply appealing about this class of machine. It reeks of backyard camaraderie and track-day competition that allowed the pilot to test his design, tuning and raw ability against the rest of the field. There is also an underlying modesty in this class of bike that must beguile the race scene of today which is full of laptop-tuned bullets that offer more corporate signage than anything else. Standing in contrast to the general classic scene, originality is not what you look for in this class of bike. It is the sum of the parts used, the authorship of the machine. This period racer has a 1957 frame and a 1959 engine and John Anderson built it in the mid-1970s. Well constructed and looking the business, it features a hand-built aluminium oil tank and battery box. Reputedly raced by Anderson’s wife, it has very heavy compression and lumpy cams and, of course, runs on methanol so it was not designed as a pub runner but an an “On any Sunday” classic. Note the old Brasso can for the oil catchment!”
Image and text courtesy Webbs Auctions House NZ
February 2, 2014
Charlie Uniform Bravo Tango Twenty
The police also used the small Triumph. No doubt a nippy ‘cycle to whip around town on.
Probably called the Panda Cub if adorned in the usual black and white paint scheme. Radio pillion box also achieves a rapid forward control point for mobile use; however when you have a strapping six foot four copper dressed in waterproofs I bet these little fellers strained their little hearts out. Roll on the Bonneville 650’s for more appropriate power…
geordiebiker.com 