Triumphrat

Bhakti-rider · 12-06-2005, 06:06 PM

By way of introduction, I grew up in the golden years - between Korea and the assinations & Viet Nam - and had a 12-year-older brother who, by the time I was beyond being a toddler, always had some kind of powered 2-wheel conveyance. The first one I remember was a bicycle (baloon tire) with a small, I think 4-stroke, engine. Next was a scooter. (Then after he'd gone into the service and been back he had multiple motorcycles).

I myself first experienced the magic of riding a powered 2-wheeler when I was 14; it was called a Blazer, and it was like the more well-known Tote Gote. Up till 1982, I had motorcycles from time to time, but it never happened that I owned a Triumph (or "Triump" as a cool older guy I knew at work who owned a Bonneville kicknamed them).

Last Spring I bought a T100 (having test ridden one, and previously test-ridden the original "new Bonneville" and not been impressed enough to buy one). I most intensely wish the T100 had been on the market when I decided to start riding again in 1997; I wouldn't have spent many double-digit thousands of dollars on new motorcycles if it had been, because I wouldn't need any other bikes (well, a dirt bike, yes, but I tried that last year and found that my bad back won't tolerate it).

Now I have a Beemer that I'd like to sell, an SV650 that is so good it's worth keeping, and the T100. I've made the T100 more to my liking by a bunch of functional (some of those performance-related)and non-functional (cosmetic) mods, and I'm not finished yet. I want to replace the chrome engine covers & front sprocket cover by the stock base model's covers, and I want to get British Customs' 904cc kit, along with the related goodies, cams, intake, etc.

I'd dearly wished I could have won the 952 Commando, both years it was raffled, but maybe with all those engine mods the T100 will be everything I could hope for.

I'd be well pleased to converse with any classic Triumph lovers (I won't say "especially unattached females" - that would bring to mind the story about Mulla and the robe, which is a diffferent matter entirely...)

boozefighter · 12-06-2005, 06:22 PM

Welcome to the site. Looks like you've had some nice bikes through the years. We have a lot of fun here but watch out you don't step on your dork or some of the members will be jumping all over you. I hope I get to take the first shot. Joe :-D :-D

Ridge · 12-06-2005, 06:53 PM

Welcome Bhakti!

I love those Mulla Nasruddin stories...looks like you might as well tell that one!

~Ridge

Hawk · 12-06-2005, 07:13 PM

Hi Bhakti......

Welcome, I'm up in the North Bay myself...(Marin County)

RandyDTFR · 12-06-2005, 09:24 PM

Welcome- Congrats on your new bike!

Since your riding in Calif, I'm sure you know all about a local (all west coast now) free magazine named Friction-Zone Most shops carry it. They always have ride ideas, and lots of safety stuff. Cant beat the price.

The editor will have a booth at the International Motorcycle Show this weekend in So Cal, and next in San Fran. Its worth checking out-

~Randy DTFR
Ride safe!

BigRedandRiding · 12-06-2005, 10:25 PM

Welcome, Bhakti-rider!

I have the Speedmaster which I think I love as much as you love your T100, but oddly also find myself looking at the new Triumph Scrambler and thinking... hmmm, maybe I need that too so I can cheat on my Speedy!

Many Happy Miles on your 'Triump'!

Bhakti-rider · 12-07-2005, 08:27 AM

OK, Ridge... this is one of my favorite Mulla stories:

Jalal, an old friend of Nasrudin's, called one day. The Mulla said, "I am delighted to see you after such a long time. I am just about to start on a round of visits, however. Come, walk with me, and we can talk."

"Lend me a decent robe," said Jalal, "because, as you see, I am not dressed for visiting." Nasrudin lent him a very fine robe.

At the first house, Nasrudin presented his friend. "This is my old companion Jalal: but the robe he is wearing, that is mine!"

On their way to the next village, Jalal said: "What a stupid thing to say! 'The robe is mine' indeed! Don't do it again." Nasrudin promised.

When they were comfortably seated at the next house, Nasrudin said: "This is Jalal, an old friend, come to visit me. But the robe: the robe is his!"

As they left, Jalal was just as annoyed as before. "Why did you say that? Are you crazy?"

"I only wanted to make amends. Now we are quits."

"If you do not mind," said Jalal, slowly and carefully, "we shall not say any more about the robe." Nasrudin promised.

At the third and final place of call, Nasrudin said: "May I present Jalal, my friend. And the robe, the robe he is wearing... But we mustn't say anything about the robe, must we?"

Ridge · 12-07-2005, 07:50 PM

That wacky Mulla.

The Mulla loved his donkey. One day the townspeople came running and shouting, "Effendi, Effendi!, it's your little donkey, he is lost!"

Nasruddin was visibly relieved and exclaimed, "Praised be to Allah!"

The crowd was puzzled asked why he should be so relieved. The Mulla was shocked at their confusion and stated, " Don't you see? Why, if I was on him, I would have been lost too!"

~Ridge