classic motorcycles

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

When one Classic Motorcycle Engine is not enough.

In any classic motorcycle one motor is enough, but back in 1966 Bob Leppan set a record at Bonneville at 395kph.

Two, 650cc Triumph engines powered this classic. and was fairly streamlined to say the least.

The road going version however only had one engine, and with its iconic classic chrome headlight sticking in the wind, its pea shooter exhausts with that familiar sound rather than being streamlined, it was none the less a beautiful bike to behold.

The classic motorcycle model T120, 650cc landed in 1959 . Even with its high performance engine and twin carbie set up, it didn’t quite manage 120mph as the model suggests, but 110mph wasn’t too slow either.

Classic Motorcycles and any models worthy of interest.

I felt inspired the other day when I saw a young lady parking her Classic Motorcycle . Bonneville's only come in green, what the heck , why not, it's earned the right to be green. British Racing Green as the colour was affectionately known. Apparently they did come in other colours as the photo shows.

It is interesting to note that the Company was of all things British. but Triumph, a true Classic Motorcycle manufacturer, had a background of German origin. Back in 1886,a German called Bettman sought a more accepted name for his Company, and it was then called the Triumph Cycle Company. Twelve months later it registered as the New Triumph Co.Ltd. It received substantial monetary backing from the Dunlop Tyre Co. That same year Bettman was joined by another German, named Schulte.

It did not take long for the new company to produce it's first Motorcycle and it was fitted with a Belgian unit. One year later, 1903 it's sales topped 500, pretty good for those days.

Can you imagine today, where the "British" icon Triumph Motorcycles, arguably built the Classic Motorcycle of all time, also produced a Motorcycle called Gloria.

Triumph Dudded by F.I.M.

Back in 1955 a guy set a speed record on a Triumph motorcycle that was fueled with Methanol, He was Johnny Allen (311kph) and it was not recognized by the F.I.M. But none the less Triumph claimed it as theirs and then named the bike Bonneville, after the great salt flats. The legend was born that day,and to this day earned the right to be called a Classic Motorcycle.