A ride out along the lakefornt this weekend; chilly air but dry roads and lovely watching the lake whizz by.
October 20, 2010
Cover of ’65 Triumph range brochure
Fun artwork for the cover of the mid sixties Triumph motorcycle range brochure. Makes you want to take a ride down to a cafe and sit under a shade sipping an aromatic cappiccino watching passers by admire your ride…
October 19, 2010
2009 Triumph Bonneville T100 Special Edition
In 2009 Triumph celebrated its 50th anniversary of the Bonneville with a limited edition in the classic tangering dream color scheme. Very close to my Porsche Gulf colours! It looks fabulous and I’m sure would ride great and sure to be a head turner…. now if only I could win the pools!
October 10, 2010
Autumn Rides
I took the bike out both days this weekend; one trip heading north through the winding roads lined with fall colored trees, the otehr south along the lakefront upon the gentle rollercoaster that is Lake Shore Drive. Perfect weather…
October 4, 2010
Around the World on a Triumph
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.
October 2, 2010
Cuttaway Triumph Engines
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!
October 1, 2010
Charlie Browns Bike
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.
October 1, 2010
The Illustrated Triumph
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
September 26, 2010
Taking the Bonnie out for a spin
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
September 26, 2010
More Triumphs in the Limelight
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!
September 18, 2010
Triumph Tank Badges
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)
September 18, 2010
If you want to play a real cool hand; then you better ride in on a Triumph
Paul Newman on a mid-sixties Bonnie.
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