A moody Miss Blanchett lookin’ the part ready to rip over the Downs to Brighton. The Triumph grill-badge buckle tops off a “don’t mess with me” attitude. Remember she’s played Dylan so the Triumph provenance is strong. Wotch Out you Mod Guys an’ Gals; Cafe Cate will sort you aht!
Ralph and Phyllis met in 1925 on a street corner in Sheffield, he worked in the steelmills of the Don Valley; they finally married in 1933 and have remained happily so ever since. On the meager wage of £3 per week they invested in a Triumph motorbike which he rode with Phyllis all over on, and, as this picture shows, with her sister Muriel.
None of this fair-weather cruisin’ for the lads and lasses in blighty! For the autumn and winter months in you need to wrap up and get out on the roads. Pannier rack and caked on road grime for the ’65 moto at the side of the road shows a rider intent on getting out for a no matter what. The damp pavement surface, leafless trees, grey misty distance; I feel a need for a warming cuppa at the transport cafe down the road! “Make it a pint of tea; milk, no sugar!”
Our Man McQueen seen here with an intense look waiting for some desert scramble to commence. Beat-up helmet, goggles to keep the dust out of his eyes, old trusty leather jacket and an electrical tape #152. His bike of choice for these SoCal weekend races was typically a Triumph TR6 650cc sled.
The bike was set up with high open pipes, a large air filter and deep cushy seat; to negotiate the rocks, sand and bumps respectively!
An early brochure cover from Triumph Motors (the Best Motorcycle in the World) shows the swooping R into the H, still part of the logo today nearly a century on. The illuminated script appearance give a sacred reverence to the name. And Lo! It did come to pass in the land of angels that there was a vehicle of conveyance balanced upon two wheels that did speed along…
You’d think he’d be cruisin’ around on a Harley or Indian; but no, The Boss, aka Bruce Springsteen, has Triumph as his selected ride. Good Choice! Here on what looks like a late 60’s TR6C Trophy. High pipes, small headlight, no tach and single carb give that away. That was then, this is now… the passion still burns!
Actor Ryan Reynold, yes The Green Lantern, here scooting around Hollywood on a cafe’d Triumph Thruxton. Blacked-out pipes & ‘gin, chopped fender & bellowed forks; Ace bars, smaller headlight and a cherry of a tank tops it off. Toting gear in a leather satchel, whilst trying to appear anonymous.
Dunno ’bout him, but that Hinkley Moto is a real head turner!
A fairly recent film from Canada starring Joshua Jackson (of Dawsons Creek, Fringe etc.) also has a starring role for a Norton Commando. The story’s premise is our main character learns he has cancer so decides to ride across the country to the west coast in search of himself. Carefully played, beautifully shot (especially the riding scenes) and a fine movie to see.
Josh obviously enjoys Brit Iron; seen here below, begoggled, on a later model Triumph.
Our Man McQueen fettling his Triumph TR6 prior to taking part in the 1964 International Six Day Trials ISDT. A true test of rider and his machine.
Rider 278 working on his TR6
…did Kubla Khan A stately pleasure-dome decree
Where Ralph, the sacred rider ran
Through caverns measureless to man
Down to a sunless sea.
after Samuel Taylor Coleridge
An unbadged (why?) Triumph Thunderbird used to great effect as an African explorers mode of transport. Hitch up yer skort pet, kick ‘er over and cavort along the rugged track into the Rwenzori Mountains. (not with those heeled sandals she’s not!)
“Dr Livingstone I presume?”
An unusual adaptation of a 70’s oil-in-frame Trophy. A pair of motocross forks, wide bars, an alloy uni-link swingarm, sportsbike wheels and tires, and to top it off, a dirt track seat and I’m sure some interesting engine internal upgrades and I bet this is a G-R-I-N inducing ride.
A back road scratcher for sure!
Bruce Dern appearing roguish with his lightly customized Triumph; cowhorn bars, peanut tank and sissy bar.
A stunning photo our our daredevil friend Evel Knievel jumping the fountain at Caesar’s Palace in Vegas. What a showman!
Lovely Thunderbird sits waiting for a twist of the throttle. Fancy a ride up to the Observatory?
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