March 6, 2012
Fettling a bike is getting it set-up to ride ‘just right’ for speed, roadhandling, stopping and enjoyment whilst riding it. Here are a few examples of such machines that have been truly fettled.
First off: a pre-unit engined cafe trimmed for a streamline repose with nice adjustable bars, ‘way-back’ rearsets (including a handy-bendy kick start lever to clear those pedals) and well padded bum-stop seat. Fast flashes of blue over white complete the look.
A Trident is the marriage of a well tuned Triumph ‘gin, most typically in pre-unit spec, and the well handling Norton featherbed frame. Here’s a superb example fettled for the track. Wired fasteners an’ all. The seat is upholstered like a 50’s diner stool. And that big, big, big tank ideal for crouching over and laying chin on for the straights.
A couple of proud garage hands with #72. An OIF 650 (just like mine) straight through pipes will give this one a raucous sound and a bit more (Tri) oomph. Flat bars, low saddle for bobber stance, a and trimmed or omitted tins lighten the load.
Posted in cafe racer, Racing, Triumph Motorcycle |
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March 5, 2012
Here’s a rendered 3D computer generated model of a Triumph bike. A mathematical vector image of the cycle of choice… Perhaps a future ride for Woody and Buzz Lightyear in another “Toy Story’; or a modern recreation of The Great Escape? Hope Not!
Plenty of hard work here!
The wireframe model shows how the elements of the moto are formed as solids, surfaces and shapes.
Posted in Triumph Motorcycle |
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March 4, 2012
A few choice images of Triumphs in various guises: be it travelling with your mates, racing or touring. Whatever the scene smiles abound! The mud covered, big tanked and laden moto is a classic shot of a true motorcyclist!
Posted in Photography, Triumph Motorcycle |
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March 3, 2012
Checking out the condition of his spark plug (la bougie), Our french friend Jack smiles mid ride of a damp and muddy yomp through some wintery copse (bois). From the looks of the leathers, boots and hairstyle this looks like early seventies. (The high front mudguard of the trailly behind him gives it away too!)
Posted in Maintenance, Photography, Triumph Motorcycle |
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March 2, 2012
A simply marvellous image of youthful fun. Here are three friends crammed saddleward atop a lovely ‘bathtub’ Thunderbird. Hope they kept up two-wheeled enthusiasm in later life!
Posted in 60's, Photography, Triumph Motorcycle |
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March 1, 2012
Browsing Flickr for some moto images I came upon these evocative photographs of a youthful as well as energetic Triumph owner and rider. Also were was a picture of the same guy and his ride later in years. Dennis Fisher: Ride Safe Mate!
“Hilts, eat yer heart out!”
Posted in 60's, Triumph Motorcycle |
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February 29, 2012
The wee Monkee passed away today, aged 66, though eternally youthful. Their music and zany escapades are for sure a big part of growing up and maintaining a bright view of life. Here he’s on his 60’s Honda CB450 ‘Black Bomber’.
Posted in 60's, Honda, Music |
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February 28, 2012
So what’s the long face for? A gal and Triumph and a sunny paddock… what more could a gee-gee ask for?
Interesting Fact (not that we don’t have enough here!): Alan Young who played Wilbur was born Angus Young in North Shields, Northumberland not too far from where I hail from. His journey to stardom in Hollywood was via Edinburgh and Canada. Mister Ed was a Palomino called Bamboo Harvester ~ who didn’t come from North East England… (the photo is NOT Mister Ed… OR Wilbur!)
Posted in Film and TV, Gals, Triumph Motorcycle |
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February 27, 2012
Another Geordie (not a Tynesider but a George!); this time George Harrison. Growing up in Liverpool he would go to the local races, here seen atop a Triumph at the Aintree Racetrack in 1955. So he was 12 at the time, just before he discovered the guitar and joining ‘The Quarrymen’…
This may even have been the poster for this particular race meet, Saturday April 30th being in 1955. Beautiful clean graphics with golden text in mid-century font on black background.
It seems ’55 was an important year for Aintree, it was here later that year Stirling Moss won his first Grand Prix driving the powerful Mercedes Benz W196 pipping ‘El Maestro’ Juan Manuel Fangio into 2nd. Exciting Stuff! I’ll bet George Harrison was there too!
Posted in 50's, Cars, Motorcycle Poster, Music, Triumph Motorcycle |
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February 26, 2012
A simply drawn animated movie from 2009 based on J.R. Ackerly’s memoir from the fifties “My Dog Tulip”. Here is the author and narrator of the story driving Tulip, an alsatian, and his sister Nancy in his combination. Christopher Plummer narrates (he’s nominated for his supporting role as Hal, Ewan McGregor’s characters father in Beginners); Lynn Redgrave is the sister. (her last role before her death in 2009 – she was nominated for an Academy Award in ’66 for the title role of Georgy Girl)
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February 25, 2012
Lisbeth Salander the hardened protagonist of the Stieg Larsson novel “Girl with a Dragon Tattoo” played with surgical method by Mara Rooney (nominated for an Oscar for her role this year), is given a choice vehicle to scoot about on during her escapades in the movie of the same name. A sweet little black cafe racer number.
The cafe’d Honda is a CL 350 (thanks Gogglesdown for clarification); a scrambler style moto from the late sixites -early-seventies. It’s distinctive high pipes a desired look by the kids of the day. For the movie it was given a nice rough cafe treatment, knobbly front tire for the cobbled streets of Stockholm, and slick rear boot for a speedy rort along the country roads. Ace bars, flat black trim finish the goth appearance fit for Lisbeth.
Posted in cafe racer, Honda, Movie |
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February 24, 2012
Nominated for Best Actor, here’s wor Geordie Clooney enjoying his Bonnie.
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February 23, 2012
This months edition of Motorcyclist was waiting for me in the mail slot… On the cover none other than Triumphs limited model run of their T100 McQueen special. Only 1100 of these will be built: resplendent in black trim wheels, olive drab tank and plush ‘ISDT ready’ single seat. Border fences to jump anyone?
Posted in Steve McQueen, Triumph Motorcycle, Uncategorized |
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February 22, 2012
The beat of a Triumph’s heart. Whilst taking off the timing cover I get to see the timing gear and oil pump. Mechanical Artistry.
Posted in Maintenance, Photography |
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February 21, 2012
Two-Wheeled fun: here’s the indominable Butch Cassidy tootlin’ around on an early ‘safety’. Bowler hat atop that smilin’ blue eyed outlaw. I know it ain’t a moto but what the heck! Sometimes all you can play is a real ‘Cool Hand’.
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