October 4, 2010
One inspirational story is of Ted Simon, who, in 1974 aged 43, ventured on a four year journey around the world covering 64,000 miles through 45 countries on a 500cc Triumph Tiger. A truly impressive feat that was undoubtedly life changing. The book “Jupiters Travels” recounts his adventures and the people he met on his journey.
Two decades later, aged 70, he then retraced his route, this time on a BMW, to see how the world had changed. Truly Impressive.
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October 2, 2010
A couple of things I loved looking at growing up was how things were put together; two forms of which were real things with cuttaway parts (the cuts always painted red) and the inner workings on show, sometimes with a hidden motor somewhere making the whole contraption move. Here’s a Triumph in such a manner:
The other was engineering illustrations beautifully crafted by the manufacturers draughtsmen. No AutoCAD back then, just pen and ink. True works of art with perfect line weights, hints of solidity and true understanding of how things not only go together but also work together.
It’s like having X-ray vision!
Posted in Triumph Bonneville, Triumph Motorcycle |
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October 1, 2010
A classic fall season peanuts where CB wins out with a slow bike and persistence, as well as a pumpkin helmet. His prize? 5 Free haircuts, in true Charlie Brown style he admits that his father is a barber and we see that his bonce is thinly covered as it is.
Posted in Motorcycle Art |
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October 1, 2010
Great Illustrations from a contributor to Classic Bike Guide: Louise Limb. Loose fluid style with a healthy dose of speed give life to her motorcycle images. http://www.louiselimb.com/portfolio/classicbikes/001.htm
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September 26, 2010
This weekend I finally had the opportunity for a couple of jaunts out on the Bonnie to get familiar with its handling and controls as well as getting comfortable with it in traffic. I rode up Sheridan Road yesterday to Lake Forest; nice windy roads through leafy North Shore communities; returning down Route 41 to get the bike up to speed. Today I rode down the length of Lake Shore Drive, again a mix of traffic, speed and city riding. A few adjustments to the front brake cable to tighten it up as well as dialling up the rear shocks gave a more secure feel today. Still need to attend to the front brake cable brake light switch as well as the engines idle and low speed tuning (it’s a little hesitant). However, when you roll on the throttle the bike takes off and I sense why they felt the need for an additional gear in 1973 with the T120V! (V for 5 speed). All in all though a couple of great rides out!
Down near the Adler Planetarium with the Chicago skyline behind
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September 26, 2010
Antonio Banderas
George Clooney – on a modern Bonneville
Ellie-May Clampett
Hey, it’s the Fonz – Heyyy! King of Cool riding British Iron in Milwaukee; home of Harley Davidson.
Hugh Laurie – aka, Prince Regent, Bertie Wooster, House MD
Ray LaMontagne – musical inspiration from riding the Triumph?
Rita Heyworth; with Edward Turner (for it is he) at the helm; distracted from the beautiful lines of his Speed Twin ~ the first of many models he created at Meriden.
Hagrid – this Trumpet flies!
Posted in Triumph Motorcycle, Triumph Movies |
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September 22, 2010
Great anime biker movie added for fun.
Posted in Motorcycle Poster, Triumph Movies |
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September 18, 2010
Four decades of the Triumph name emblazoned upon the tank. All using the classic R swooped underline.
Speed Twin (Forties)
Thunderbird (Fifties)
Bonneville (early sixties)
Bonneville (Late Sixites)
Bonneville (seventies)
Triple (Seventies)
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September 18, 2010
Paul Newman on a mid-sixties Bonnie.
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September 14, 2010
The nearly three quarter century domination of british motorcycle makes was populated by notable brands whose names evoked the ideal of two-wheeled transport.
Matchless (1899-1966) ~ The first year Isle of Mann TT was won by a Matchless in 1907
Ariel (1902-1970) ~ “Spirit of the Air”
Vincent (1928-1959) ~ from Latin vincere, “to conquer” – Vincent Black Lightning: ’nuff said!
Velocette (1904-1971) ~ a french sounding but british through and through manufacturer finished their models with the evocative Venom and Viper.
Norton (1898-1975) ~ the quiff off the N and the swoosh of it’s scarf like tail as well as the tilted o’s create a name of speed.
B.S.A. Birmingham Small Arms (1910-1973) ~ Rifle and Bicycle makers made some of the best bikes of the 20th Century; a winged B adds a sense of flight.
Posted in Motorcycle Art |
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September 11, 2010
Here are a selection of the small toy motorcycles I had when I was just a bairn…. The first three are from the incomparable Britains collection.
The BMW and Agusta were both well played itesm; one I always wanted though was the Greeves Scrambler, below, currently going consistently on Ebay for £30-40.
These two Polistil models were my favorite bikes of the time: Kawasaki and Norton Commando.
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September 11, 2010
This small single cylinder Triumph I picked up when first arriving in the ‘States suited me well, good for messing around in the city getting comfortable with american roads. Its diminutive nature was ideal for getting my motorcycle license too.
Though for my 6′-5″ frame was a tad cramped!
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September 8, 2010
Before Wikipedia there was Fact Cards; collect ’em all! On the reverse was the bikes specifications.
Good subheading: “High Performance”
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September 8, 2010
Here are a couple of period ads for the RGS… the v-neck sweater looks the part! Destination Fun indeed!
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