Keeping in the theme of the weekend, well sort of, here’s a classic pulp fiction book cover. Using master of movie macabre Boris Karloff as promotion these fantasy thrillers jacket art is needed to fulfill the promise of the writings. Cliches aside!
But to run from a fire breathing flying behemoth wearing a haz-mat suit, shooting a laser weapon over your shoulder whilst haring away on a 200cc Triumph Cub…. Good Luck!
The annual celebration of those departed when candy skulls and marigold adorn the gravesites of family and friends. Calacas, or skeletal, figurines denote the life of the passed living.
Though a Mexican tradition it roots stem from precolonialism Aztec culture.
Hallowe’en and the dead shall rise… Well this chopped, hacked and generally abused moto might need more than Dr Frankenstein’s theatrical efforts to awaken with a hearty rort. Even though it says Triumph on the coffin tank the engine looks like a Yamaha… Scary!
Other Frankenbikes:
Boris Karloff styled GI Joe figure with combination.
A dude and his bride highway bound on a pumpkin colored chopper. What torque do you need to tighten neck bolts?
Tea and biscuit Boris?
The standard kicker interferes with the new rearset trials pegs. So I have obtained a KTM kicker with swing-out. It still needs the peg to be hinged up to operate but I already do this with the Bonnie so it’s no bother. However the Triumph uses a cotter pin, the KTM a spline fit. I’ll need to fanagle some attachment to transmit the downward hoof to turn the engine over.
ATGATT
Well shod and layered Triumph rider heading for the open road. Packed bags and loaded panniers two-wheeled adventure bound. I found this researching for a possible new lid. The Phil Read Arai is a nice one.
The black with three pointed flash was his race helmet colors.
Here’s one of his original full face helmets. Makes the Arai look like a space helmet!
What 180mph looks like in a 40 zone. Insect splatter mandatory. This is aboard a burly Suzuki XR69 handled in very capable hands of Lee Johnston.
Here’s the hedgerow-eye view of said classic racer. A racebike harking back to the magicians touch of an engine tuning alchemist Pops Yoshimura.
Well a piano can’t play the finest symphony if its out of key…
Best mod for an old Triumph motor is to shoehorn it into one of these finely fettled frames. One day a suitable donor engine might turn up…
Tio
180 mile round trip. A jaunt out to Michigan along Route 20. Oaks in rusty covering and golden elm with a sprinkling of red maples gave a seasonal backdrop to the venture.
Here the South Shore train rolled along the track parallel track dropping off and picking up various weekenders seen in these parts.
The bikes rode well. The air was fresh, the sun gave off a slight warmth and the roads not too busy. Good ‘back end of the year’ ride.
…are closer than they appear. Seen in the loading bay of a local Trader Joes. Sparkled in the beautiful blue skied October day.
A few errands to carry out in downtown. A couple hared past on their Triumph Scrambler. It looked like the ideal cool-tool for urban transport.
Michigan Avenue onto Lake Shire Drive. Those pipes look spiffing.
Mirrored view not bad too.
When I had the venerable Original Ninja my jaunts went further afield. It could zoom the big roads with ease and be a nimble ride on the back roads of Wisconsin. Here I am up by Lake Geneva I nice hour circuit around it through rolling countryside. I always stop in at the Yerkes Observatory; its 40 inch lens being the largest refracting telescope used for research.
Tank mounted baglux with map. Ready for the unknown roads. A very comfortable bike to ride…
Photos taken on Kodak slide film with a trusty Nikon F3.
Another day, another dog walk – same route, same spot. Parked in the same location as yesterdays Explorer was this well ridden Thruxton. Black with golden pinstripe. More lithe and laid back than the behemoth from yesterday. Choice? I think the Thruxton pips it.
DOHC, parallel-twin, 360º firing interval
865cc 90 mm x 68 mm
Air-Cooled
Multipoint sequential electronic fuel injection
Five-Speed chain drive
27° / 3.8 in.
41 mm forks with adjustable preload, 4.7 in. travel
Chromed spring twin shocks with adjustable preload, 4.1 in. rear wheel travel
Front brake: Single 320 mm floating disc, Nissin 2-piston floating caliper
Rear brake: Single 255 mm disc, Nissin 2-piston floating caliper
Tires: Front 100/90-18 Rear 130/80R-17
Fuel Capacity 4.2 gal.
Weight: 507 lbs. (Wet)
Walking the dog near work today; happened upon this moto made for the dedicated two-wheeled traveler. Its the Big Tiger – a Bengal amongst bikes, plenty of roar, and claws too match. My size too. XXL Perfick! All 1200 cc’s of her.
Engine:
1,215 cc (74.1 cu in) liquid-cooled, 12 valve, DOHC, straight three 85.0 mm × 71.4 mm (3.35 in × 2.81 in) 6-speed gearbox, shaft drive
Brakes:
Front: Dual 305 mm discs and Nissin 4-piston callipers
Rear: Single 282 mm disc and 2-piston caliper
Switchable ABS
Wheels:
Front: 110/80R19
Rear: 150/70R17
Fuel capacity 20 L (4.4 imp gal; 5.3 US gal)
Oil capacity 4 L (4.2 US qt)
Foot specifications in any book.
Gas stop: usually the ride needs at least one top up, typically at a suburban station where the gallon price is a good quarter less than the city one. Currently prices are 25% lower that earlier in the year. Canada’s oil sands are responsible for this; though OPEC keeps a rein on the global picture.
Its only been the last forty years or so when the barrel as a commodity has dominated world economies. Before then it was cheaper than water and to fill the boat sized automobiles typical of the ‘States was an inexpensive proposition.
This october morning was met with brisk fall weather. Hazy blue skies overhead and blazing autumn colours around. We took the Triumphs out for a spin north on fairly quiet roads stopping at a diner in Lake Bluff for coffee and pancakes. 50 miles in all and bike runs like a top.
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