A direct ripoff of the Six Million Dollar Man was introduced in 2000AD. A secret agent with computer brain implants strengthened by acupuncture. Wizard boffins in MI6! Here he chases a terrorist riding a Triumph Trident. Hmm, the belligerent is firing the Uzi with his throttle hand.
– glass artist Amy Jean Nichols enjoys a sideline drawing art cards depicting classic motorcycles. Her studio is called Rigadoon Glass, after her adventurous travels aboard her R75/5 BWW sidecar rig. This Triumph Triple is one such card that looks the part for old fashioned communication.
– the new Triumph Trident has arrived in Chicago and have already sold out at Motoworks. I haven’t seen one in person yet, but will no doubt see one darting around the urban environment.
Percy Tait (1929-2019) – when it comes to the history of Triumph motorcycles one man is noted in the very foundation of that company. Beginning his career with Triumph as a 21-year-old factory worker he quickly rising in the ranks and started racing for the works team on the latest machines. It is reckoned he amassed over 1,000,000 miles test riding cutting edge motorcycles under the engineering eye of Doug Hele. As well as Grand Prix races he took part successfully in Isle of Man TT competitions. 750cc triple Slippery Sam is one bike that is forever connected with Percy. In his later career he went on to develop the 500cc Suzuki GP bikes for Barry sheen. In retirement he became a champion sheepsheet breeder. A giant of the history of British motorcycling, Percy Tait sadly passed away last weekend. at the age of 90.
Pentagon | an errand in the City allowed me to drop my new panniers off to Johnny Scheff’s Motoworks to have their looks keyed to my ignition key. The new Triumphs looked splendid in the August sunshine. The current line-up are all cracking looking bikes.
Kinky Boots | As Patrick Macnee (John Steed) & Honor Blackman (Cathy Gale) sang back in 1964:
“Full length, half length, Fully fashion calf length, Brown boots, black boots, Patent leather jackboots, Low boots, high boots, Lovely lanky thigh boot, We all dig those boots..”
Miniature Portrait- Before the advent of photography people would have a small painting of their loved one prepared and mounted in a suitable pendant. Here is someone’s rendition of a Triumph Trident T160.
Three lumps please pet. Here’s a splendid cafe hybrid set up in the grandest of traditional style. A three cylinder Trident shoehorned into a Norton featherbed frame. Ray gun silencers, rear-sets, clip-one, alloy rimmed 19″ wheels and a muckle tank. The stern looking owner looks the part too! Leather vest badged like some knights chainmail armour. The white silk scarf completes the cafe racer ensemble to grand effect. I bet this machine can move!
Passage of Time – I’ve decided to clean up this blog a bit. By subscribing to the WordPress platform I eliminate the daft ads that appear at the bottom of the page and get a dedicated address. Put it in yer favorites for an occasional dabble down the rabbit hole of the 2,800 or so posts… that eight years worth…
Chopper Wednesday – stretched and wrung out: these Brit iron have been chopped into next week. Including a rosy red hardtail Trident with double decker headlight and stepped king and queen seat, as well as a ape hangered Bonnie with taller than an elephants eye sissy bar seat with quilt buttoned saddlework. The Norton in the lower right frame could be restored to original fairly easily but you’d be brave to keep the flamed tank.
Easy Rider? Sure ask Captain America for directions!
When Two is Three – more paired motorcycling capers with a couple zooming along aboard an early BSA Rocket Three. The anorak jacket emblazoned with the marque logo gives the image period quality.