Manned Torpedo: The Chariot. Controlled by British Commando frogmen these weapons were devised to seek and sink Axis shipping. Riding astride a warhead steering these pigs was for men of stern stuff. Hauling a Triumph Twin along a country road would be easy compared to this!
Bath time on Sunday night growing up I would play with my Britains torpedo, sinking boats and rubber ducks.
The old bounce needs to be looked after so I popped down to Motoworks to try some lids on. The Arai and Shoei were form fitting but darned expensive…$6-700. The Biltwell a bit too plush. But the Bell Vortex in XL was just right. A nice balance of scalp comfort, snugness, clear vision, weight, and a nice look. The white strip has a certain retro look. $200.
Milwaukee WI. – It was announced earlier this morning that heralded motorcycle manufacturer Triumph of Hinckley England were going to relocate their headquarters and manufacturing to the Midwest later this year. After a failure to relocate to Germany a few years ago management felt that re-centering their operations to the New World would be a strategy that will see their future sales goals meet the requirement of their shareholders. Owner and CEO John Bloor stated, “We saw an opening for a motorcycle business in the heart of America and felt it would be an opportunity we couldn’t miss; and besides we’ll be able to expand our offerings into the skidoo and jetski markets”. A new company logo was also debuted with a question from the press being answered by the public relations officer, “Harley who?”
Throwback Thursday: this Susuki GS125 is the same model is used for my first day of riding around Crystal Palace back in 1996. It was a handy tool to get my CBT Compulsory Basic Training.
North African Caravan. Classic Alex Oxley artwork for the Meriden motorcycle company.
Dog walking near the office. This Triumph Bonneville looks like s bit of a mongrel. The short tail pipes must surely bark, thick growling tires paw at asphalt. A wolf for the road.
The bloke’s blokey bloke has just ridden a motorcycle around a 120′ diameter wall of death at var nigh eighty miles an hour establishing a new speed record. Training under the master of vertical riding Ken Fox for a year or so he managed this feat Live on Channel 4.
The g-forces he attained was just over 5G. Similar to an F1 car or WW2 fighter in dive.
The Rebel Yell! We had a day trip to Milwaukee today, where the Museum of Art has been reorganized with a new layout for their modern collection. I spied this cracking bicycle devised by Wisconsin industrial designer Brook Stevens. A basic trailing arm front suspension, double rear wheel caliper brakes, stick gear shifter, comfy banana seat, and a noodle of a shape to the handlebars.
Let’s try and wrap the week up with something positive. After the tragic events in Belgium we should celebrate a Brussels icon. Hergé’s boy wonder Tintin. He knows how to chase culprits with speed and determination. Which is how the European authorities are conducting their efforts to find out who was behind the attacks. His ride is a Terrot motorcycle built in Dijon France.
En 1964, il participe au sein du « team USA » d’enduro au championnat du monde d’enduro (épreuve durant 6 jours) sur une moto Triumph de 650 cm³ à Erfurt en Allemagne de l’Est.
Un homme de moto…
“I learned that life is a long and difficult road, but you have to keep going, or you’ll fall by the wayside.” Steve McQueen March 24 1930 – Nov 7 1980
If you have a hankering to tote items around on your bike then a nice pair a bags slung over the rear wheel is the way to go. These new sacks from Triumph certainly look the part. A nice dark brown color with a gentle sweep-back. 
Looks good on a coffee & cream color scheme Bonneville.
Belgium took the brunt of World affairs today with the heinous and cowardly attacks by terrorists in Brussels. Many dead, a shocked population and a further need to eliminate crazed fundamental belief systems that wish ordinary folk just trying to get on with their lives to be murdered for their empty cause. Just plain Wrong! Civilization needs to advance folks! Not degenerate into a Dark Ages.
Here’s a beautiful 1933 Belgian 500cc Gillet Herstal Supersport to remember that there are great things in the world to enjoy.
Oh. And Belgian Chocolate…
Feline mascot looking windward on the fo’castle of this lively green Sunbeam. Pilot heaves this classic inline twin along the road proudly.
“First of all, Michael is very quiet, but he’s a visual man. And he and I would look at the same thing. We wouldn’t even have to talk to each other, just look. Incredible pleasure would build up. Secondly, we camped and so we were outdoors all the time. Riding across the country on a motorcycle in ’61-’62 is a great adventure. Cops would pull up to us, and they’d say, “Hey, where are you going? What can we do for you?” People gave us food. People told us stories.” Marcia Tucker
Here’s a timeless image of a young adventure prone gal in the early sixties raveling the country as an impoverished art student. The bike is a BSA A10. She went on to become a renowned art critic & historian, curator, and of course motorcyclist.
Her Biography.
geordiebiker.com 