Place de la Concorde – a vintage gathering Gallic style. As well as some older Citroen, Mercedes, deux chevaux there is the odd British bike.
Le Moto Paris
War is Past
Century – A private of the Royal Engineers on his motorcycle. The chevrons on his lower right sleeve show he is in his third year of overseas service… One Hundred years ago today saw the start of a British offensive at Arras which, by its end a little over a month later saw close to 400,000 losses and casualties on both sides. The motorcycle is a wartime stalwart Triumph Model H.
Edward Thomas a notable wartime poet was killed in action this day. His work extolled the virtues of the English countryside and its invigorating open airs. One of my bosses twenty years ago was the godson of Thomas’ nephew, born in May 1918 he was named after his uncle.
“And I rose up, and knew that I was tired, and continued my journey”
Trishula Triumph
Black Dog – Neptunes spear was the Trident; also the sharp stick used by Triumph to win a bevy of races in the late sixties… it’s also the possible next project for Geordie Biker Workshop. I saw this one at Morries Place as a suggestion from Ed Zender. Nice powerful three cylinder tool… a seed is sown!
“Trishula” is Sanskrit for trident and was the weapon of Shiva.
Bollyville
Go the Distance
Citrus Cycle
Woman Strong
The Rat Race
“You Dirty Rat, You!” This is the grotty underbelly of the biking world: where owners let their rides gather the accouterments of the highway and beyond. Odds and ends, flotsam and jetsam, bric-a-brac… junk. Under this palimpsest of knickknacks is a hardtail Triumph, complete with sheepskin (or buffalo skin) seat cover, these typically attain high mileages with well cared for engines… just the patina of life adds character and individuality.
McQueen Moto
Sled – Glory Motor Works owner Justin Kell standing with a ’64 500 Triumph. Found in a dusty south California aircraft hangar it was determined to be one of Steve McQueen’s desert racers. There is talk of restoring it; I would hope they’d keep its aged patina and stop further corrosion, wipe the engine down with an oily rag, get the engine sorted to run like a champ, new Dunlop tires, and take it to the Mojave.
Friday Cool
The Dudley Dude – a factory fresh Triumph TR6 being taken for a cruise around the Streets of London. To mark Steve McQueens Birthday here he is in his element looking cool: desert boots, jeans and Triumph tee-shirt. This moto was his number 278 steed for the upcoming ISDT that was held in East Germany. Year is 1964. B reg plate. NX designates Dudley registration.
Twin Cities Twin
Bunny O’Hare
Bank Robbery – a 1971 film starring Ernest Borgnine and Bette Davis as an unconventional pair of thieves. In wigs and fake beard disguises their getaway vehicle is non traditional too: a Triumph Trophy 250, bit of a cream-puff when it comes to power. I know this was the bike I had when first arriving in the ‘States and indeed got my motorcycle license on. I wouldn’t do errands on it never mind a bank robbery!











