A superb image of McQueen as a ’64 ISDT rider taking his TR6R Trophy steed through its paces along a wooded gravel trail in East Germany. The concentration is intense.
March 15, 2012
Tickle the Carbs, give her a Whiff of Gas…
…and hoof it down! On a hot day you need to dress appropriately; here Steve is checking out his racing desert sled, prior to or after one of the California Sunday events. A speed worn patina enlivens this moto perfectly.
March 14, 2012
HB or not 2B
Nice pencil sketch of a 1937 Triumph Speed Twin. nearly like some charcoal scribbling by Leonardo of a future 2-wheeled transport.
March 13, 2012
A Tasty Danish Pastry
Brick by brick by brick: a full size model Triumph bike constructed entirely of LEGO blocks. The streamlined fairing and black engine superbly fashioned.
The original Daytona; the beefy triple from Triumph in the mid-nineties. A modern classic!
March 11, 2012
The Tonight Show with…
The talk show host Jay Leno is a discerning collector of all things automobile and motorcycle. An envious number of both two and four-wheeled items in his garage. Here showing a liking for the Hinckley badged Thunderbird moto.
As Ed would say: “Heeeeere’s Bonnie!”
March 8, 2012
When the Wind Blows
Nice graphic; evocative of the open road on a Triumph. Indeed there is a dedicated site to our Mr. Toepfer and his motorcycling and photography exploits. It’s better in the wind. There’s even a great short film there.
It’s Better In The Wind – Short Film from Scott Toepfer on Vimeo.
March 6, 2012
Fettlin’
Fettling a bike is getting it set-up to ride ‘just right’ for speed, roadhandling, stopping and enjoyment whilst riding it. Here are a few examples of such machines that have been truly fettled.
First off: a pre-unit engined cafe trimmed for a streamline repose with nice adjustable bars, ‘way-back’ rearsets (including a handy-bendy kick start lever to clear those pedals) and well padded bum-stop seat. Fast flashes of blue over white complete the look.
A Trident is the marriage of a well tuned Triumph ‘gin, most typically in pre-unit spec, and the well handling Norton featherbed frame. Here’s a superb example fettled for the track. Wired fasteners an’ all. The seat is upholstered like a 50’s diner stool. And that big, big, big tank ideal for crouching over and laying chin on for the straights.
A couple of proud garage hands with #72. An OIF 650 (just like mine) straight through pipes will give this one a raucous sound and a bit more (Tri) oomph. Flat bars, low saddle for bobber stance, a and trimmed or omitted tins lighten the load.
March 5, 2012
Virtual Vroom!
Here’s a rendered 3D computer generated model of a Triumph bike. A mathematical vector image of the cycle of choice… Perhaps a future ride for Woody and Buzz Lightyear in another “Toy Story’; or a modern recreation of The Great Escape? Hope Not!
Plenty of hard work here!
The wireframe model shows how the elements of the moto are formed as solids, surfaces and shapes.
March 4, 2012
On The Road..
A few choice images of Triumphs in various guises: be it travelling with your mates, racing or touring. Whatever the scene smiles abound! The mud covered, big tanked and laden moto is a classic shot of a true motorcyclist!
March 3, 2012
Jacques à coté de sa Triumph … la bougie est belle !!
Checking out the condition of his spark plug (la bougie), Our french friend Jack smiles mid ride of a damp and muddy yomp through some wintery copse (bois). From the looks of the leathers, boots and hairstyle this looks like early seventies. (The high front mudguard of the trailly behind him gives it away too!)
March 2, 2012
Three in a Tub…
A simply marvellous image of youthful fun. Here are three friends crammed saddleward atop a lovely ‘bathtub’ Thunderbird. Hope they kept up two-wheeled enthusiasm in later life!
March 1, 2012
Dedicated Triumph Owner
Browsing Flickr for some moto images I came upon these evocative photographs of a youthful as well as energetic Triumph owner and rider. Also were was a picture of the same guy and his ride later in years. Dennis Fisher: Ride Safe Mate!
“Hilts, eat yer heart out!”
February 28, 2012
The Wonderful World of Wilbur Pope
So what’s the long face for? A gal and Triumph and a sunny paddock… what more could a gee-gee ask for?
Interesting Fact (not that we don’t have enough here!): Alan Young who played Wilbur was born Angus Young in North Shields, Northumberland not too far from where I hail from. His journey to stardom in Hollywood was via Edinburgh and Canada. Mister Ed was a Palomino called Bamboo Harvester ~ who didn’t come from North East England… (the photo is NOT Mister Ed… OR Wilbur!)
February 27, 2012
Here Comes the Sun
Another Geordie (not a Tynesider but a George!); this time George Harrison. Growing up in Liverpool he would go to the local races, here seen atop a Triumph at the Aintree Racetrack in 1955. So he was 12 at the time, just before he discovered the guitar and joining ‘The Quarrymen’…
This may even have been the poster for this particular race meet, Saturday April 30th being in 1955. Beautiful clean graphics with golden text in mid-century font on black background.
It seems ’55 was an important year for Aintree, it was here later that year Stirling Moss won his first Grand Prix driving the powerful Mercedes Benz W196 pipping ‘El Maestro’ Juan Manuel Fangio into 2nd. Exciting Stuff! I’ll bet George Harrison was there too!
February 23, 2012
Mag McQueen
This months edition of Motorcyclist was waiting for me in the mail slot… On the cover none other than Triumphs limited model run of their T100 McQueen special. Only 1100 of these will be built: resplendent in black trim wheels, olive drab tank and plush ‘ISDT ready’ single seat. Border fences to jump anyone?
geordiebiker.com 