January 9, 2014
It was the keen eared Radar who spoke those words on one of my favorite TV shows. M*A*S*H whereby the insanity of war is given comedic status in a serious belly laughing manner. The staff of the 4077th bump through the highs and lows of a mostly forgotten Korean war.
Though it was mostly Jeeps and bubble canopied Bell choppers some promotion oriented company took it upon themselves to develop a Hawkeye Pierce motorcycling doctor.
It looks more like a cafe racer with broad fairing. He even wears his white surgical apron…whilst looking for this I happened upon a Triumph TR6 and Spitfire advertisement with none other than Alan Alda at the open topped wheel of the sunny yellow TR6.
That’s as good an endorsement that you could want for me!
“I will not carry a gun, Frank. When I got thrown into this war I had a clear understanding with the Pentagon: no guns. I’ll carry your books, I’ll carry a torch, I’ll carry a tune, I’ll carry on, carry over, carry forward, Cary Grant, cash and carry, carry me back to Old Virginia, I’ll even ‘hari-kari’ if you show me how, but I will not carry a gun! –” Hawkeye
P.S.
BJ Hunnicut did have a yellow moto….
San Fransisco 5426 miles
Posted in Chopper, Film and TV, Military, Toy Motorcycle |
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January 8, 2014
Take a couple of beat up old Cubs, with plenty of parts missing, and with some thoughtful reassembly you could end up with a whole…
These forlorn relics of youthful two-wheeled exuberance have seen better days but a restorers eye and greasy fingers and furrowed brow dripped in sweat; as well as the ubiquitous emptying wallet, could very well let them, as One, ride the lanes again!
E pluribus unum: out of the many one…
Posted in Restoration, Triumph Cub |
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January 7, 2014
This small cast metal toy motorcycle has a clunky charm to it that would surely fill any youngsters imagination with two wheeled deeds of daring-do. Indeed it has a striking resemblance to the noted stunt team of the Royal Signal Corps.
Here’s a First Day Cover type commemorative posting of a Royal Mail stamp with the classic Triumph and uniformed white helmet rider tearing across the mailing in fine style. This actual mailing was even more special using Forces mail to an Earls Court Cycle exhibition in 1980. Charming stuff…
Posted in Bicycle, Graphics, History, Military, Motorcycle Art, Toy Motorcycle, Triumph Motorcycle |
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January 6, 2014
Scott McKenzie’s counterculture anthem of the late sixties gave young folks to heed Tim Leary’s phrase “turn on, tune in, and drop out” and head west… Well the cool were already there! Here’s Steve above the Bay on a splendid Triumph in a pose that makes me want to saddle up, kick over, and ride out to the west…
Posted in Music, Steve McQueen, Triumph Bonneville |
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January 5, 2014
A Winter Weather Advisory: drifting snow and plummeting temperatures here in the Midwest allow alternate moto activities to be planned and undertaken.
Winterize your ride! Don’t let a salty ice crust build up or an errant plough tip it into the road side snowbank. Take it into a dry indoors where the typical preparations, maintenance and upgrades could be undertaken. Plenty have written about the furlough storage needs so I’ll not go into them here.
Or you could put studs on your tires, dress in weather appropriate hard and whizz around a frozen lake oval. Here’s a Tiger being put through such paces. It looks fun!
Tomorrow morning temperatures are expected to be -20 Fahrenheit… With won’t chill reaching fifty below…. Stay Warm! Me? I have my Cub Project to plan!
Posted in Chicago, Maintenance, Triumph Motorcycle |
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January 4, 2014
When cars were named after heroes: the Triumph Spitfire was one such; a two-seater 1500cc powered roadster that heralded the best of British spirit. WWII ace Ginger Lacey cheekily grins from his flying cap, he saw tremendous action in the 1949 Battle of Britain over the southeast as well as flying over Japan during the close of hostilities. This car needs a white silk scarf a-flutterin’ behind the driver to evoke its namesakes legacy. Ginger is true ‘boys own’ stuff with 28 definite downed aircraft to his name he gained the DFM with Bar.
Posted in Aircraft, Cars, Classic Car, Military, Superhero |
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January 3, 2014
Mr ‘Foxy’ Fox says so; so there! Here waving enthusiastically whilst piloting his beemer combination. Son Ash Fox rides pillion whilst nephew Kristofferson Silverfox, and Kylie the possum takes the chair. Obviously upbto some cunning highjinx.
The original characters were created by the colorful mind of Roald Dahl and brought to life by Wes Anderson. Marvelous!
Posted in Motorcycle Art, Writing |
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January 2, 2014
A braw Scot’s based advert proclaiming the virtues of another mode of transport in the garage… Thus could be revisited for today! Perhaps it could say: ” make your first car a motorcycle!”
Again, good clean graphics of a cartoon nature. Two-color printing used to great effect from the kilts tartan, swooshing scarf, and the red “2”.
Posted in Graphics, Motorcycle Poster, Triumph Motorcycle |
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January 1, 2014
“We twa hae run about the braes,
and pu’d the gowans fine ;
But we’ve wander’d mony a weary fit,
sin auld lang syne.”
Robert Burns
Photo by BA Motos with story behind photo here:
http://thebullitt.blogspot.com/2012/09/ride-your-own-biography-ba-moto-on.html?m=1
Posted in History, Music, Photography, Travel, Triumph Motorcycle, Writing |
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December 31, 2013
Seven times Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher is in critical condition after a skiing accident in the French Alps. He’s in an induced coma with lowered body temperature to enable a speedy recovery.
He was wearing a helmet, which probably saved his life. Skiing has just become more familiar as a helmet wearing sport for personal safety.
Schumi also takes to two-wheels on occasion; gunning a bee-colored Triumph Sport in this shot. Although being one of the highest earning sportsperson he is a huge contributor to worthy causes, most notably UNICEF.
We wish him a swift and full recovery!
Posted in Cars, Racing, Triumph Motorcycle |
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December 30, 2013
A simple orange window’d backdrop sets off this Tiger well. The slogan is to the point too! Speed and efficiency in a Triumphant package; letting the akimbo’d rider visit the sights of Britain.
In a similar vein this blue advert scheme gives the rider and his Thunderbird something to ponder on: Exciting is the key word here! Those integrated lines look so slick even today.
The green green grass of home lets us view a smashing ride from the pilots eye view if a crisp airbrushed photo of the 350. De Luxe? Delightful!
Posted in Graphics, Motorcycle Art, Triumph Motorcycle |
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December 30, 2013
Icy days: it’s been dropping to waay below zero temperatures here in wintry Minnesota. Might be a bit frosty for this snowbound Cub. You’ll be needin’ some studs on the tires there pal!
Yup, both Centigrade and Fahrenheit well into double digits. Exposed flesh? Keep it covered! And don’t touch bare metal!
Here’s the Real Winterized Cub…
Posted in Photography, Travel, Triumph Cub |
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December 28, 2013
The early break-away arm of Triumph that developed in Germany had a few smaller machines just right for the continental two-wheeled lifestyle.
It looks like Cupid’s arrow will shoot an arrow into any speedsters heart here. Crisp pen and ink graphics with speed lines, spinning wheels and a determined rider. On a lighter note: all can enjoy the range if mooed, combination or roadster and have fun at the sane time.
These engines use a split barreled single two-stroke engine. Utilizing a single combustion chamber and two pistons. The company TWR or Triumph-Werke Nürnberg AG produced these models such as the 200cc Cornet and 350cc Boss from the thirties thought to the fifties when the company was swallowed by Grundig, a typewriter manufacturer… (Now yesterday’s Cub Reporter seems apt!)
Here’s a very Teutonic machine ready for serious typing.
Still lovely graphics though on latter advertising in the sixties…
Posted in Design, Graphics, History, Triumph Motorcycle |
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December 27, 2013
A Cub Reporter! .. Wah, waa, waa, waaaah!
One well known rookie journalist we know is young Jimmy Olsen who, as the Nikon wielding sidekick to Clark Kent, paced the streets of Metropolis. There has been a couple of storylines in DC Comics where he’s involved in a biker gang. But has also been seen to ride around on a motorcycle…
However in the more recent iteration of The Man of Steel he’s seen totin’ around the streets as some cataclysm occurs.
Posted in Motorcycle Art, Superhero |
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December 26, 2013
Well, the jigsaws are made, the annuals read and the toys played with…. Yup, it’s Boxing Day. Cold Turkey leftovers and yearnings for an old James Bond movie on the telly.
Hope everyone had had a fun, family, friends, food and festive time … Now let’s get back to Fiona Volpe’s scene stealing Beeza Lightning ride in Thunderball…
Posted in Book, Toy Motorcycle, Triumph Motorcycle |
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