An idea for my next painting

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

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!

Posters of Lost or Forgotten Bike Films

 

Great anime biker movie added for fun.

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)

If you want to play a real cool hand; then you better ride in on a Triumph

Paul Newman on a mid-sixties Bonnie.

British Motorcycle Marques

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.