…on a Triumph. A smashing old poster regaling the virtues of two-wheeled transport; even when the roadwork season (summer) hold up traffic. The old tramlines offer a balance beam way over lifted cobbled streets. As always I love the inked brushwork of these classic bike adds. The intent and attire of the gal is spiffy too!
A little too busy to put up a proper blog post so here’s a dirty desert sled for your viewing pleasure…. “Just look at the size of that chainring!”
Weekend is here! And I hope people have a destination in mind for the road ahead. If the desert beckons and the trucks gas tank is full then saddle up pilgrim and get that hoss out!
When Men were Men. So what do you do with a fast light engined Triumph? You go out and race of course! That’s what Irishman Ernie Lyons did after the War. He took a GP500 and went to the Manx Grand Prix in ’46, with a sackful of high speed talent went on to win in heroic style, and wet conditions.
Not for the faint of heart even in perfect conditions. Apparently a longer touring mudguard was key to beating the conditions as well as Ernie’s undoubtable racing prowess. Look at that wet reflected road surface, slick.
What’s more remarkable is that the hale Mr Lyons is still going strong in Ireland at the grand age of 99. There’s a cheeky youthful sparkle in that eye that’s for sure.
Bill? Any more to add?
As hostilities came to a conclusion in ’45 the world was looking for any semblance of normality and fast motorcycles was one such distraction. As all manufacturing had gone into wartime efforts there had to be somewhat of a reuse of surplus items. Triumph had created a lightweight twin engine for use in generators. This seemed like a good start.
The lightweight square barreled vertical layout could be rehomed in a frame ready for circuit, road; TT or race. Of course the engine geometry had been developed by Edward Turner in ’38 just prior to the outbreak and I’m sure the time spent during wartime tweaking this motor into a reliable power source would stand it in stead post war on the track and the road, eventually becoming the Bonneville.
The GP engine seen here shows its origins proudly with mounting bosses cast mid fin where the generator components were bolted on.
But it’s the moto we’re interested in… It has a tight geometry for quick steering, 19 inch rear wheel and 20 inch front, low seating stance for a good clip and an intended fast look.
Twist the throttle with intention and hold on. They were tough guys who rode these at speed for sure!
Thanks to regular comment contributor Bill in Cumbria who noticed Beck’s sitting atop a GP a couple of days ago; I thought we’d better look into it. They are getting rarer than hens teeth, having been raced hard and blown up. People are now turning to the square barrels used on the early fifties TR5’s (like the Fonz’s ride in Happy Days)
But what a cracker of a bike it is. I bet it belts out a heart thumping sound. And with an open primary the working mechanations are there for all to see.
There’s more of a human story to this bike which I will cover later… .. But as an important part of Triumph history this is a key model. I think Hinckley Triumph should come out with a smaller, but fast, 500 twin now, combine it with: commuter, racer off road motorcycle models. Get the young uns onto bikes!
Trying to look like some latter day McQueen here’s football star David Beckham taking to the streets, dirt and studio on a variety of two-wheeled motos. First off a classic pose with a knobbly tired Husky, ready for a day in the desert? Needs a bit more grime under the nails I think…
The black and white imagery is nevertheless timeless.
Another ride in the Hollywood Hills with half face lid stylin’ on a Norton. A clean example with open primary case.
Finally, and appropriately for this blog, more of a photoshoot, he’s atop a vintage Triumph. I don’t know if its jeans, boots or even hair product, he’s promoting, but the bike sure looks splendid. Ready for a vintage track meet.
Posh on pillion? Nah, don’t think so!
I’ve had one or two of these before on the blog, but I do like a good cuttaway engine. With cut lines in red and carefully sliced to maintain moving parts integrity it’s one of the best ways of seeing how the combination of parts work together.
This is of course the diminutive 200cc Triumph Tiger Cub single cylinder engine. I’m becoming familiar with the workings and the component integration.
….the need for speed. Our Tommy Cruise getting his prop Thruxton up to reasonable speed on a closed set in London’s Mall for an upcoming flick, “All you need is kill”. A graphic novel brought to life.
The story is Hiroshi Sakurazaka’s written and Yoshitoshi ABe’ illustrated SciFi story very much like a Philip K. Dick version of Groundhog Day.
“He’s Dangerous”. Iceman
Back in the late sixties when the British motorcycle industry knew things were in hubris began an evolution of the globally successful Bonneville headed twin engined T series. The parent company BSA was waning and a merger with Norton Villiers was soon to be forced upon them. The wagons were circling…
..one if the remaining technical ‘wheezes’ they had was the creation of an oil filled frame or ‘Oil-in-Frame’ as they came to be known.
In ’71 Triumph introduced its new Bonneville & Trophy and BSA its Lightning and Thunderbolt. The photo shows their similarities such as the slab sided covers, and differences: notably the engine and gas tank. The Bonnie tries to keep a sense of its heritage whereas the Thunderbolt has new slim lines and the unit engine seems more in place. My ’72 should look like the farther model, but its developed into a 70’s hybrid.
Too little too late? The triples were a great bike, the twins were long in the tooth, worker political going on were afoot and the CB750 was running roughshod across the world. The death knell was run, BSA had a year and Triumph about ten of hobbling along.
However both good looking bikes…
A collage of the numerous Triumphs seen at Mods vs Rockers. Enjoyed ’em all!
…yup I need a Pools win! After my lunchtime swim today I spied this smashing Scrambler parked outside…
The owner had shod it with hefty knobblies, wide bars and the odd lightening whittle-down of a few covers. It looks like a heap o’ fun suitable for any road you happen to be on.
All in black too, stealth, moody and tough looking. At least it would match my leathers! Only have two words for that: “Want One!”
…in it to win it! This sweeter than sugar Bonneville is being offered in a sweepstake. All you have to do is make a donation.
http://ironandair.com/triumphgiveaway
The bike is sorted by Dime City Cycles and looks like a winner out of the box. Cherry Red speedster. Donations go to Wellspring International Outreach Foundation by motojournalist Neale Bayly. The cause is a sheltered home for abandoned kids in Peru.
Rugged knobbly tires lined up ready for a hare across the SoCal desert. Indeed it’s our old pal Steve McQueen gunning his Triumph sled for a hoof over the dust, sand and scrub if an arid Joshua tree’d scene.
Carry water, tools, tar irons, flares, water, goggles, inner tubes, water and some more water…
A photoshoot of the missus, moto and me! Taking the classic portrait of Charles & Ray Eames sitting atop a Velocette as inspiration.
No pipe though…
…fun stuff!
Reaching out for the ‘bar. A finely tattoo’d arm adorned with curly far eastern print graphics. Seems appropriate with the lines of a sweet looking ride. The Scrambler Triumph has a few special mods to enhance an off road appeal – well, rough lanes, not true dirt, but dusty paths nonetheless.
Hope she covers up for action at speed. Care canny lass!
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