
Scaled Down – another model bike for my select collection. This one is an eighteenth scale Tiger 800.
it has a decent level of detail for the XR version of the multipurpose Triumph.

Scaled Down – another model bike for my select collection. This one is an eighteenth scale Tiger 800.
it has a decent level of detail for the XR version of the multipurpose Triumph.

Early Start – the new day broke clear, though chill, with a bright low sun and temperatures in the mid twenties. The Tiger started easily and took her packs without a shred of notice. I stayed at the friendly Homestead Inn ($39.95 a night) being fed the promised fresh coffee and ginormous cinnamon buns made by the proprietress Mary. Wrapped up against the chill and a steady road home I made good progress back to Chicago. All in all 930 miles and 5 1/2 tanks of gas. Good outing with a huge variety of riding conditions.

Shadow Bar – the evening light with its low warm illumination lights up the orange tanked Bonnie to good effect. The shadow of you and your bike speeding along beside you is quite mesmerizing.

Star Man – today marks the 57th anniversary of Colonel Yuri Gagarin’s flight into space.
Poyekhali!—Let’s go!

. This awesome picture was taken at Church Lawford in 1965 and “Margret Reiser, straight ahead, gets away smoothly. Margret had ridden the Comet all the way from Switzerland”.
Yellow Peril – Privateer racer John Parker built this Trident in the late seventies successfully competing in over 100 races.
Fettling includes: a Norman Hyde big bore kit; a Rob North frame; a stroked crankshaft; works cams; works steel-billet con-rods; lightened timing gears; triple Amal 30mm carburettors; works specification valves; Lucas RITA electronic ignition; a Quaife 5-speed close-ratio gear box; Ceriani forks; Essex wheel hubs; Borrani alloy wheel rims; Twin Lockheed front brake calipers; and a 3-into-1 exhaust system.
Fast? You betcha!

‘Zine Cover- sunny lemon backdrop and a profile portrait of a racing green Trident and coo’ing model in pure sixties vibe. Fifty years ago when the T150 was introduced.

Number Nine – Today also sees the birthday of Gary Nixon, 60’s & 70’s Triumph team roadracer who took the hearty triple to good results. In his own words: “Watch the starter, get a good start, ’n then in a few laps, start lappin’ guys. An’ then you win the race.” Sound easy? Well it was for him.
Oh, it’s my birthday too!

Hipster – with my recovery from hip surgery going splendidly I am now swinging around on a pair of crutches. Luckily being in the clutches on winter here in the Midwest my riding is otherwise thwarted. Hopefully I’m back to full leg strength by springtime so I don’t have to scoot around like our chopper chap here…

MMXVIII – let’s hurtle into this year with the vigor of a stunt cat jumping through a hoop of fire.

Marvel! Tomorrow (28th) we celebrate the 95th birthday of comic legend Stan Lee. Co-creator of such greats as The Incredible Hulk, The Amazing Spiderman; The Mighty Thor; and Captain America.. as well as The X-Men, Silver Surfer, Sub-Mariner, Dr Strange, Daredevil to name a few. His characters came to vivid life with the stunning penmanship of Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko, and John Romita. Only getting the odd Marvel comic when going to Newcastle for my eye check-up that came to appreciate the American work. I grew up with the writings of John Wagner & Pat Mills of 2000ad, whose creations were illustrated by the likes of Brian Bolland, Carlos Ezquerra, Mike McMahon, Dave Gibbons, Massimo Belardinelli… it is by reading, studying and copying these I learned to use a pencil and pen allowing me to have a comfortable fluid draughting hand – but they ALL draw a dynamism from Stan’s exciting creations. Happy Birthday Mr Lieber!
