Triumphrat

GrandPaulZ · 11-11-2009, 05:29 PM

(From my older brother, Oscar)

Howdy, Paul;

The ride today went very well. Over 30 bikes in staggered file, a 15 minute ride through all the main roads of our campus with security blocking the intersections. I rode for you and for the other veterans in our family; thank you very much.

Predictably, the Bonneville was (1) the only British bike there, (2) the only non-electrics bike there, (3) the only bike without a self-starter, (4) the oldest bike there, and (5) wildly popular. I’ll tell you what, though… after 15 minutes of riding at speeds so slow that I had to pull the clutch in pretty often to stay in formation and NEVER got out of first gear, that pup was HOT. When we parked the bikes, mine had wisps of smoke coming off the head and cylinders where the remains of the degreaser were toasting (I cleaned the bike up a bit on Saturday in preparation for the ride). I had to go out for a short ride in the breeze to cool it back down. Not surprisingly, all the other air-cooled bikes were hot too.

A LOT of chrome and Harley out there today but the bark of the Brit was clear and true. I think there was some grumbling from the real patriotic diehards about the three or four Japanese bikes (Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha) and even about the Ducati, given the occasion, but nobody minded a Brit in the mix ;o)

'66 Triumph T120R Bonneville 650 w/ single carb head & '67 paint scheme

KADUTZ · 11-11-2009, 11:57 PM

GPZ
Today is Veterans /Rememberance Day
No one has more respect for the Vets than me. No I didnt have to go as I was 4-A in '69. My Father, Step Father, and Father In Law were WWII Vets. My wife's Grandmama was a French WWI War bride. I had a friend (Korean Vet) that gave me the tag KADUTZ. I have numerous friends that were Viet Vets some came back in bags, one took a sniper round in one eye that came out the other, one was taken prisioner by the VC three times, and another spent his time at Camp Eagle after Pi$$ing off a Sgt Maj with friends in Washington. The reason for this post? Your Brother failed to mention Kawasaki. Honda was started after the war as was Sony. I don't know about Suzuki or Yamaha. But Kawasaki Heavy Industries DID use WWII prisioner slaves in their "employment". Also looking at the history of Dr. F Porsche may enligten some younger members of the forum re VW and Porsche involvemnent.
At this point might I point out that November 14 2009 will be the 69th anniversary of the NAZI's bombing of Coventry and that on Nov 19,1940 53 employees of BSA died during NAZI bombing.

NJTiger · 11-13-2009, 12:19 PM

A crisp salute to all our veterans, including my new friends here of other countries.