Birds of a Feather | interesting colonial imagery of some tribal leader with his feathered headdress astride the diminutive but useful 125cc BSA Bantam. Not quite in the vein of an Edward Curtis portrait but early National Geographic nonetheless.
July 20, 2019
Intrepid
50 Years Ago | We ventured, only a small step in the vastness of the Universe, beyond our earthly home. A journey of 3 days over a quarter million miles to our neighbor the Moon. A scheme so daring and difficult it gave us a glimpse of what was possible as a race when minds and courage come together. This iconic photograph taken by Neil Armstrong of Buzz Aldrin shows a man standing on a grey dusty plain under a black sky lit by a bright sun. We really are amazing… it’s just a shame a a civilization we’re quite dumb some of the time too…
July 20, 2019
Heading to the surface
The Eagle has wings | So said Neil Armstrong as the LM separates from the CM on its way to the lunar surface fifty years ago today. Its spidery and seemed ungainly form was spare and ideally suited to the vacuum of space.
July 18, 2019
I feel the need…
He’s Dangerous | The official trailer for the sequel to Top Gun was released today. Called Top Gun Maverick it stars Tom Cruise as the titular character – this time an aged fighter pilot rather than a brash young jock. Kawasaki motorcycles feature again. A brief sighting of the original Ninja 900 as well as a speeding Ninja H2. The Need for Speed.
July 17, 2019
Mirrored Moon
On Reflection | all photography releases by NASA shows how beautiful the ventures into space truly are. The LM Eagle reflecting the cratered surface is like a delicate Faberge egg balanced over a rugged plain.
July 16, 2019
Nosecone
Moonship Cutaway | beautiful technical illustration of the Command Module. The three astronauts traveled to the moon and back in the claustrophobic confines of this vessel. Though in zero-g it became very slightly more voluminous. They also had the Lunar Module which was docked to the nose of the LM for more elbow room. The CM is the only piece of hardware that made it back to earth.
July 15, 2019
Standing Room Only
LEM | Lunar (Excursion) Module. Three days after embarking on the Trans Lunar Injection the Apollo spacecraft entered orbit around the Moon. Separating from the Command Service Module the LM descended to the surface with the Commander and Pilot standing at these controls in their full spacesuits. The descent and landing is well documented as one of the coolest pieces of flying by anyone anywhere. Like landing a telephone box, using the computing power of a Casio scientific calculator, onto a grey dust surface under a black sky…. with diminishing fuel and alarms going off.
July 14, 2019
Field and Sky
Besting the Summer Heat | A sharp start this morning whilst the cool air was still around. A low light angle picks out the rural landscape in stark contrasting shadows. A hayfield has been harvested and baled for fodder. The khaki hue of the Tiger sits comfortably in the countryside scene.
July 13, 2019
Toys for Tots
Start ’em young | Available at Target for 4-7 year olds here is a ride on Beemer GS adventure bike for the tot who needs to explore their back yard. Dual sport E-bike?
July 12, 2019
Making Hay
Gravel Road | A balmy Friday evening beckons the Tiger up into Lake County where a sinking sun gives a final glow to the grassy fields. I explored down a short lane through horse country and found this bucolic scene.
July 11, 2019
Apollo
Command Module | Fifty Years ago this month three intrepid explorers headed off into a lunar rendezvous with destiny. Backed by countless engineers, scientists, mathematicians, computers (women who crunches the complex equations for orbital mechanics), skilled laborers, wives, budget analysts, lingerie manufacturers (the space suits required impeccable needlework); they headed beyond the surly bonds of earth atop the mighty Saturn V rocket. The cramped confines of the Command Module ‘Columbia’ took them the quarter million miles to our closest neighbor in the skies.
July 10, 2019
Essential Characteristics
Specifications
Engine Type Liquid-cooled, 12 valve, DOHC, in-line 3-cylinder
Capacity 800cc
Bore Stroke 74.1 mm / 61.9 mm
Compression 11.3:1
Max Power EC 95 PS/94 BHP (70 kW) @ 9,250 rpm
Max Torque EC 79 Nm @ 7,850 rpm
System Multipoint sequential electronic fuel injection
Exhaust Stainless steel 3 into 1, high level stainless steel silencer
Final drive O ring chain
Clutch Wet, multi-plate
Gearbox 6 speed
Frame Tubular steel trellis frame
Swingarm Twin-sided, cast aluminium alloy
Front Wheels 36-spoke 21 x 2.5 in, aluminium rim
Rear Wheels 32-spoke 17 x 4.25 in, aluminium rim
Front Tyres 90/90-21
Rear Tyres 150/70 R17
Front Suspension WP 43 mm upside down forks, adjustable rebound and compression damping, 220 mm travel.
Rear Suspension WP monoshock with remote oil reservoir, hydraulically adjustable preload, rebound damping adjustment, 215 mm rear wheel travel
Brakes Front Twin 308 mm floating discs, Nissin 2-piston sliding calipers, Switchable ABS
Brakes Rear Single 255 mm disc, Nissin single piston sliding caliper, Switchable ABS
Instrument Display and Functions TFT multifunctional instrument pack with digital speedometer, trip computer, analogue tachometer, gear position indicator, fuel gauge, service indicator, ambient temperature, rider modes (Road/Sport/Rain/Offroad/Rider configurable) and clock.
Width Handlebars 845 mm
Height Without Mirror 1390 mm
Seat Height 840 – 860 mm
Wheelbase 1545 mm
Rake 24.3 º
Trail 95.3 mm
Dry Weight 204 Kg
Tank Capacity 19 L
Constant Speed 56mph 90kph 77.4 MPG
Constant Speed 75mph 120kph 53.6 MPG
July 9, 2019
Saddle Up
Black ‘n’ White | lookin’ purdy with the Corbin seat. It looks ready for the open road.
July 8, 2019
A pair – Twin ‘n’ Triple
Fifty Years | that’s the time between these two Triumph models – half a century. Both prime examples of what is possible with technical ken of the respective day. Be it the simple but strong Bonneville 650 to the technical hefty Tiger 800. Both can give you a grin as wide as a slice of watermelon! The Bonneville belongs to riding buddy Dean.
July 7, 2019
The Cat Purrs
The Single Step | today was the Tigers first true ride: a short 80 mile jaunt up to Zion IL and back through Lake Country. Impeccable manners and a joy to travel on; the prospect from the Corbin saddle is commanding and controls are all ‘at hand’.
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Chinese Proverb
