January 4, 2013
For nigh on the first half of the Twentieth Century the Triumph company was based in Coventry. Housed in a large factory where both motorcycles and cars were built in large numbers. The clunking of machinery, grinding of lathes, and rumbling of engines must have been a heady experience. Horn blows and the shift starts.
Here’s a great image of a squad of weathertight adorned test riders ready to hit the Midlands lanes to check the bike for owner worthiness.
The factory turned to war efforts in the late thirties which put it square in the sights of the German Wehrmacht; and lo, during the Coventry Blitz between September 1940 and May 1941 the works, along with other manufacturing, were flattened by Heinkel and Dornier bombers. (A side note: Coventry is twinned with Volgagrad and Dresden, both noted sites of major WWII history)
Triumph Motorcycles were rapidly rebuilt in ’42, this time over in Solihull at the Meriden factory.
Posted in History, Photography, Triumph Motorcycle |
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December 31, 2012
Let’s all see a jump into the New Year a lot more safely than our old friend Bob Craig ‘Evel’ Knievel. His Sin City leap over the Caesars Palace fountain on New Years Eve in 1967 though launching his celebrity it landed him in a months coma…
You be careful out there folks!
Posted in 60's, Photography, Triumph Motorcycle |
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December 31, 2012
As long as I can remember I’ve always had a fascination with maps and plans. Understanding the ‘lay of the land’ so to speak. A map tells you not only where you are but also what is around you. An Interweb search has recovered this factory plan of Triumph Meriden. In it you can see a fabrication and assembly process from raw materials, through machining, enameling, through to assembly and on to testing and despatch. The repair shop is also there; so aftercare is within the factory. You can easily stroll the hallways smelling the oily swarf emu bating from the machine shops, fresh rubber tiles being mounted to finely tuned wheels and the first grunts of the bikes as they receive their life giving kicks by the testers.
“The miracle, or the power, that elevates the few is to be found in their industry, application, and perseverance under the prompting of a brave, determined spirit.”
Mark Twain 1835-1910
Posted in History, Motorcycle Art, Triumph Motorcycle |
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December 29, 2012
Triumph has arisen. From the lows of the seventies and near comatose eighties the Triumph story has entered a new stronger and healthier chapter in its historied name.
Meriden saw the workers fights for maintaining a motorcycle manufacturing heritage steeped in race victories, worldwide distribution, and a name to stand above the rest. However it was too little too late.
Like an ember hidden under the dead ashes of a hearth, the name Triumph wouldn’t die easily. A monument stands on the site of the old Meriden factory; now surrounded by a housing estate with roads named: Bonneville Way or Turner Drive.
But for the last quarter century the rebirth at Hinckley under the directorship of John Bloor the Triumph name has gone from strength to strength; even after a factory fire in 2002.
The new Hinckley plant is a glistening showcase of great British industry heading into another century of motorcycle greatness! Looking at the latest model line up of Trophy, Tiger, Daytona and Bonneville that is surely the case!
I’m proud my moto’s badge says “Triumph”.
Posted in History, Triumph Motorcycle |
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December 28, 2012
Assembly Required: here are a few evocative shots of the Meriden factory line where the 750’s are being built. The last embers of a decades long industry. A tough time for the strong British manufacturers; cars and bikes alike.
Elbow grease and graft. Making products that go around the globe.
Posted in 70's, Photography, Triumph Motorcycle |
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December 27, 2012
The day after Christmas is of course the observed holiday for tradesmen, service personnel and other workers of the world (well in some Commonwealth related countries). The day after that is all back to business for the grafters… Here are two nearly identical photos of a Triumph assembly line 3 decades apart; one lad is working on a 750 on a Meriden Co-op line, the other a beefy Thunderbird 1600 of more recent manufacture.
Factory life is an interesting aspect to review especially related to the British motorcycle industry. Next few days we’ll investigate.
Posted in 70's, Maintenance, Triumph Motorcycle |
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December 22, 2012
Murray Walker that is! His enthusiastic voice rang out the excitement of motorsports for decades. Two as well as four! Unless you can also count the 6 wheeled Elf Tyrell F1 cars! BBC reported today that the next Formula One season will be commentated by the lovely Suzi Perry who has been the voice for Auntie’s MotoGP for the last ten years. Well of course she is a two-wheeled MotoLady which includes a love of the old Triumph badged cycles.
Scrambler ma’am: the utility bike for the damp British roads.
A blast darn the Great Nort Road to the Ace Cafe for a cup o’ tea! A Speed Triple is tge steed to be seen on! White leathers match Moto well!
Bonnie Bonneville, a great choice for all! Big boots to fill giving voice to F1. Vintage Murray in the Janes Hunt days with Senna, Piquet and Mansell are legend!
Posted in Film and TV, Gals, Racing, Triumph Motorcycle |
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December 21, 2012
¡Muy Buena! A shop spied by a work colleague, Emily, whilst on her honeymoon in Barcelona. With Sumptuous Gaudi architecture all around she managed to spot this Moto-store sign. A Triumph! I went to their website and was swooned by a new Kawasaki 800 sports bike in that special green. Www.qualitybike.com
Posted in Travel, Triumph Motorcycle |
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December 19, 2012
The latest iteration of the new model Tiger, an 800cc Moto ready for global action. Tall suspension, grand stance and rugged good looks; big cases tote adventurers goodies. This XC has ABS and a punchy triple engine, all rendered in a suitable drab green color scheme.
Posted in Triumph Motorcycle |
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December 18, 2012
Four Legs or Two Wheels: if you join The Force you could get to ride either. The 70’s Triumph set up with ‘blues and two’s’, tank mounted ‘phone and tall fairing give the Roz on a Rumble an imposing view of the traffic of the day. I can’t imagine giving chase at speed with that conical front brake! Cheery kids look like they’re having fun on both steeds while the local Bobby’s look on.
Posted in 70's, Photography, Triumph Motorcycle |
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December 14, 2012
They thought it was a good idea at the time… Added a foot to the fork tubes, thinned the seat, de-muffled the pipes. Shout-out to the world “I got me a Choppa Tri-oomph!” Fridays are for zany ideas; but this rebuild looks like it could saved from a fate worse than… Doesn’t look like the headstock has been fettled with, may just need a new pair of tubes and springs, seat, decent bars and this Bonnie would live to ride another day…
Peter who?
Posted in Chopper, Triumph Motorcycle |
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December 13, 2012
Now this is a lot better! Johnson Motors Inc. in California hauled around their two-wheeled wares nicely ensconced within the bed of a beautiful Chevy 3100 truck.
Lined up with motos ready to deliver to their Pasadena owners who are anxiously waiting to get out on the Pacific backdropped highways.
A period image from Catalina in ’56 shows these carriers had a classic Triumph white and blue color scheme. Smart Stuff!
Posted in 50's, Maintenance, Triumph Motorcycle |
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December 12, 2012
Don’t need no truck, trailer or van. I can jes’ tote my motos on the roof of my Caddy Coupe DeVille. If I want to head out into the woods and decide which bike I’ll ride when there it’s the perfect vehicle for luxury hauling. A decal on the wing also reinforces the Brit-Iron fandom of this scene.
Now where did I put that ramp…?
Posted in Photography, Triumph Motorcycle |
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