February 11, 2017

International Motorcycle Show

On Display – plenty of new motorcycle models to ogle over, swing a leg over, and consider as real-world rides. The vast acres of Rosemont Convention Center contained the shiny, colorful products of the two-wheeled industry. Obviously Triumph was well represented, but we also enjoyed the models from Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, and the Big Kawasakis. Indian Vee-Twins; Royal Enfield singles; Guzzi’s and Ducatis; and the sumptuous Teutonic BMW’s. A splendid collection of vintage cycles, as well as the usual polishes, sunglasses and patches. I’ll spend the coming week posting the show offerings (we don’t need to look at the Moto-chatchkis.)

The Thruxton is a gorgeous bike, but I think I’m a bit tall for it. The larger GS styled bikes are more my going.

Oh yeah! They had complimentary tattoo’s too.

February 10, 2017

Cuddly Toy

Tiny Touring Tiger – though a diminutive Moto, some find it adequate to load up and take on a mini adventure. If you had all the time in the world, narrow country lanes, and an inquisitive eye, then the Cub could certainly be an able steed.

February 9, 2017

Fettled 

Black ‘Gin – after the ‘new’ Cub we saw yesterday here’s another approach. A well sorted trials with a plethora of goodies from J&M Enterprises. Mostly engine parts: 250cc piston with matching barrels and other lightweight components.

February 8, 2017

Re-Boot

A New Wave – what a gen of a motorcycle: this seriously upgraded Triumph Cub looks like it breezed off a designers screen and rolled off the assembly line. Big able tires for sure underfootedness, disc brake up front to screech the rubber to a stop. Good suspension, and brown leather upholstered saddle. Blinkers let other know where you’re going. 

Ten out of Ten for this one!

February 7, 2017

Soc 

Smart and Savvy – some suited gent about town looking the part on his perfectly clean spanking new Triumph Tiger Cub. Tweed jacket, thin black tie and vee-neck, drainpipe trews and black suede ‘brothel creepers’. The Moto is an ideal tool to tootle around with the crew.

February 6, 2017

Tic-Toc

At the third stroke it shal be eight thirty precisely- fancy illuminated dealership wall clock. Backlit with neon it would let salesmen know when it was their tea break or buyers know how long they’d been ogling the latest models.

February 5, 2017

I don’t like Mondays

Back-End – weekend is var nigh over so we’ll take a Sunday evening pause and enjoy this sturdy Moto. Based on the legendary Trident racer #67 Slippery Sam this modern day homage certainly looks the part for hurling it down the road. 

February 4, 2017

Scarab

Bug Cub – like some emerald carapaced bug, the wee trials bike was brought out into the chill February air. I took it around a parking lot to let the engine and gearbox ‘stretch their legs’. 

February 3, 2017

Chin Strap 

Mirror, Mirror – sometimes it’s best not to see what’s rearing up behind you, nor see where you’ve just been. You should ideally concentrate on the road ahead whilst making sure you’re looking good when traveling upon it.

February 2, 2017

Watch that first step. It’s a doozie.

Punxsutawney Phil – being the 2nd of February today isn’t just when the Wood Chuck eats us know if winter will stretch out for another six weeks but is now also known as a repetitive day. After Mr Bill Murray’s comedy movie from 1993, where a selfish TV reporter finds himself in a time loop on 2nd Feb and only through self learning of selflessness he escapes the cycle. 

The photo is Bill on a Honda XL175 dirt bike as a camp counselor in the film Meatballs. 

February 1, 2017

Links

Back on the Chain Gang – as Chrissie Hynde sang back in ’82. I’m giving the Bonnie’s drive chain a good cleaning: degreasing, oiling, scrubbing, lubricating. Making sure the rollers and pins are supple to power the back wheel. 

January 31, 2017

You read too many comic books!

Life – Rebel without a Cause. Actor Robert Pattinson plays photographer Robert Stock who recorded James Dean in the mid-fifties. Leather clad Dean is played by Dane DeHaan.

Immaculate 50’s Triumph TR5 Trophy 500. The iconic actors original Trophy is in a restored condition and on display at the James Dean Gallery at Fairmount, Indiana.

January 30, 2017

If you wanna be the best, and if you wanna beat the rest!


Record Breakers – Last September 539 bikers broke the world record for the longest ever parade of Triumph motorcycles. Their entry fees went into a fund set up by a 29-year-old woman who has had a series of brain tumours since she was four.

Jessica Simpkin’s charity at the Children’s Brain Tumour Research Centre at Nottingham’s Queen’s Medical Centre. has now raised more than £31,000 for further research into children’s brain tumours, their early diagnosis and new treatments. The event was organised by Staffordshire Triumph and closed a section of the A617 in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. Mostly newer Hinckley models were represented, however some older Meriden bikes were seen in the caravan too.

Jessica’s mother said: “There were lots of different people from all walks of life with problems themselves and they all came together that day, it was fantastic.”

January 29, 2017

Globetrotter


Like some latter day Ted Simon of Jupiters Travels fame, Kane Avellano arrived back to South Shields last week – a day shy of his 24th birthday following an epic 32,000 miles global journey.

He set off last May and in the eight months since visited 35 countries over six continents

“I had the chance to discover what the world really has to offer, to meet many different people along the way and explore their cultures, religions and behaviours, while having an incredible time.”

As well as the experience of the circumnavigation he also took the journey as to raise awareness and sponsorship funds for the children’s charity UNICEF.

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/bonnietour

January 28, 2017

GB

Swiss Watch – slushy roads in Central Europe for some laden travelled passing through neutral Switzerland. The Moto is ’64 registered Bonnie, a very early unit engine. With the Gallic and Helvetic license plates in the background this is probably Geneva.