September 17, 2011
A well known bike to millions of American TV viewers of the 70’s is comng up for sale. The ‘cool’ Triumph we see The Fonz riding on during the opening credits of Happy Days. It’s a 50’s 500cc TR5 Trophy with rigid frame. A moto used by the desert racers in SoCal at the time; this one beginning in the hands of Bud Ekins. When Happy Days was in it’s conceptual infancy Hollywood called their biker pal Ekins to supply a chopper for a new cool character to ride on; he put high bars on, stripped the front fender and sprayed the tank silver… an icon was born!
Roll-on 3 decades and Ekins was clearing out his not inconsiderable collection passing a warehouse of bikes, parts and memerobilia to another Triumph dealer ‘Mean Marshall’ Ehlers. This old Trumpet was sitting forlornly amongst it all. Now Mr Ehlers needs to sell it so this bike is up for grabs to the highest bidder through Bonhams.
Posted in 70's, Triumph Motorcycle, Triumph Movies |
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September 16, 2011
Nice clean graphic of the logo name and a quarter of the Union Flag,
Posted in Motorcycle Art, Triumph Motorcycle |
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September 15, 2011
One of the great recent motocycle craftmen on the west coast is Shinya Kimura; he shapes, hones, whittles the frame, tank, fairing of Triumphs…
A great short film about his ethos in bikebuilding.
“The Needle”
Posted in cafe racer, Triumph Motorcycle |
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September 14, 2011
The classic True Triton: pre-unit Triumph engine enveloped by the curvy Norton Featherbed frame. A choice combination shown here at speedwith appropriately dressed rider: Frank Thomas boots, gauntlet gloves, puddin’ bowl lid. Poetry in motion.
Posted in cafe racer, Norton, Triumph Motorcycle |
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September 13, 2011
There was a time when some riders got bored with the staid styling of the Triumph machines. They responded with a few choice add-ons to achieve a hot-rod, chopper, dude look. Some weren’t so successful as these two images show…
First off: a pipe bending excercise that even Uri Geller would be astounded by. I believe you can fire spears out of them. But windows will be broken nonetheless!
Hi-Back? Ape Bars? Captain Britain? At least getting this lost soul back to stock would be a fairly straight forward proposition. I believe my Bonnie met this fate sometime in its shady past before I rescued it.
Posted in 70's, Triumph Motorcycle |
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September 11, 2011
No riding this weekend, but a couple of fun motorcycle themed items seen at the Wicker Park Renegade Craft Fair and Wolff’s Flea Market respectively. A ceramic tile to dress up your workshop backsplash; and a kids bike, pedla power, looking like a v-twin.
The moto-graphic on the tile is an interesting take on two wheeled transport; I can’t tell if it’s a Harley or Ariel.
I can see a young (very!) Geordie Biker riding one of these along Brommey Road in Wooler back in the mid-70’s! It looks like fun, just needs a card in the spokes for a motorcycle noise…
Posted in Motorcycle Art, Toy Motorcycle |
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September 11, 2011
How better to tootle around the studios of Hollywood in the sixties than on a white Bonnie; here’s Dean Martin with pillion, actress Stella Stevens, enjoying the British Bike in the California sun… the movie “The Silencers” starred Martin as secret agent Matt Helm in his first outing.
Posted in 60's, Triumph Movies |
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September 9, 2011
A beautiful panoramic image of a modern Thruxton (yes close to the top of my want list!) being sped along a clean stretch od asphalt. Nicely composed photom wheel spin blur, a little background movement, classic!
Another couple of great black and white photographs of the Thruxton and fair haired owner.
Posted in Motorcycle Art, Triumph Motorcycle |
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September 9, 2011
Go on, give the Triumph an entrance it deserves! This is Nicholas Biebuyck and he is a motorcycle specialist with Bonhams auction house. What a fun job that would be! incipeindustries is a design review blog that he has created. It explored the wide world of design ranging from products, places and people. A great site!
Posted in Triumph Motorcycle |
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September 8, 2011
It’s been a while since we’ve had a bit of the King of Cool, Mr. Steve McQueen. Here’s a couple of Triumph-centric shots: one with a great T-shirt; probably quenching a dry thirst after a ride in the desert; the other pushing his moto around some film lot, shades & hanging fag seal the deal.
Posted in Steve McQueen, Triumph Motorcycle |
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September 7, 2011
Sometimes bike photography can look sterile, lifeless, technical. But biking is more than that; it’s vital and exciting, dynamic and thrilling, ego-centering and mind-expanding.
A bunch of folks take their Triumph bobbers out to the wide spaces of the desert; the sun, the air and the horizon…
Posted in Motorcycle Art, Triumph Motorcycle |
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September 5, 2011
Another fine illustration from Taiyo LaPaix of his ego self and muse. Pappilla, riding a bobbed Triumph. Galatea refers to Pygmalians ‘brought to life’ statue whom he falls in love with. Seems appropriate for the subject.
Posted in Motorcycle Art, Triumph Motorcycle |
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September 4, 2011
Perfect Weather for a ride: 70’s light breeze, clear blue skies with a few fluffy clouds…
Trying out the new (old) Triumph jacket, which fits like a glove on a chicken’s lip: supple, comfortable with zip-open air vents.
Blue skies above…
Dean Rennie accompanying me on his ’68 Bonnie.
Posted in Triumph Bonneville |
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September 3, 2011
…appreciating fine bikes that is! Here’s an item available from the Triumph Store as an accessory: a childrens colouring-in book of the current range of motorcycles; from Bonnies to Speed Triples. I wish I had this as a kid!
Posted in Motorcycle Art, Triumph Motorcycle |
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September 3, 2011
Further to yesterdays piece relating the artwork to the fine inkwork found in a Broons page; well here’s a part of a story relating to Hen Broon being chased to their highland retreat, the But ‘n’ Ben, only to find it’s headed by none other than Granpaw Broon… crivvens whit fun!
All Broons artwork harks back to the definitive linework of Dudley D. Watkins. Who inked The Broons, Oor Wullie and Desperate Dan of the Beano for 30 odd years before his death in 1969.
Posted in Motorcycle Art |
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