Iz-atta Triumph? stories

[Bucky]

It seems universal that when folks see our Triumph badge, they often can't help but
reminisce. I've heard countless accounts of "I had a Bonny back in sixty ---, wish I 'd never sold it "
and "I wish I'd bought one instead of this Harley"
(No kidding - I've heard that at least 8 or 10 times on Patriot Guard rides)

Two of my favorites - I was lashing a pair of car tires to the sissy bar and saddle bags
on my Speedmaster, out behind the Sears store at Lanesboro, MA. The Sears pick up
door at the Mall's rear parking lot was almost empty of vehicles, allowing me a wide and
uninterrupted berth with which to do my load securement duties. A very (very) old gent
with a shuffling walk made a beeline toward me as I tied and tucked away at the tires.
When he got to within earshot, he didn't waste any time with "Hello" or "How ya doin'" or even "What up my n---ga"
Instead, he went directly to: "Do they still call them Trumpets?"
I replied, "They sure do."
He said "I had a '47 Indian."
In honor of the bright warm sunny Spring day, I replied "Betcha wish you had that right now."
He let out a long low "Yeaaaaaaaaaah."

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I was in a meeting one day, and with the weather in the 30s, had the only motorcycle in attendance.
A guy walks in and asks, "Is that your motorcycle?"
(I reckon I was the only one there who looked stoop-it enough to ride in the 30s? )
I replied, "Yep that's mine,
Apparently he hadn't heard Triumphs were in production, and assumed the bike was an
antique, for he then said "Wow - that's worth a lot of money."
I said "Oh hell yeah, it was built near the turn of the century."
He didn't take long enough to process that fact, and exclaimed rather excitedly, "Really???"
I let him down slowly by allowing "It was manufactured in December of '05"
He looked confused, so I thought it best to quit while I was ahead, and let him cipher it out on his own.

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I'd love to hear your Triumph Tales o' The Trail

Martin

[bennybmn]

I like to say "yeah it's an '02".

[TonUp]

The line I get the most is "WHO MAKES IT?" and I say TRIUMPH, they have been around a very long time, and they say "NEVER HEARD OF IT!" and I say ever heard of the INTERNET? as I walk away.


Tito


Ton Up!

[tealetm]

I was getting an anual inspection done on the bike and as the inspector started to fill out the final paper work, he asked me:

"What kind of Ducati is this again?"
"Its not a Ducati (pointing to the large white badge on the tank). Its a Triumph"
"Oh- ok".

I'm glad that guy knew what he was doing.

[Speedblastr]

It happens to me all the time as well. scenarios from old gummers to young people all the same as above stated. Some didn't even think they made them any more. Wish we had a franchise in northern Indiana. Now that's a thought isn't it ! People are so used to seeing Harleys and rice burners , that they don't even know. However every H.D. rider I run into gives my bike the utmost respect and is flabbergasted by it ! I love it ! Speed.P.S. they call it a Trumpet as well!

[modre]

last summer I was sitting in the park with a couple bikes and an 80 yo guy walking by came over with "now that looks like a bike"...thick Liverpool accent...we chatted for 15-20 minutes about his early years on Nortons, Matchless, Ariels, and Vincents in his past in Jolly Ole Blighty.

I don't care squat for the recognition, it's the stories and history coming alive that feeds my soul. I didn't ask, but I'm sure he was draft age in WWII. and was active in the post war wave of motorcycles and combat veterans.

a machine attracting old guy detour from his daily constitution and dropping barriers that might otherwise be defense works is a pretty interesting quirk in the pattern.

Human animals are generally stand off-ish or hustlers looking for opportunity...this guy just wanted to hang for a minute and relate...no strings attached.

[JEnfield]

Do any of you guys own an old one or just the new ones. I have two old triumphs and I wouldnt ride one of them out of town after I rode the 07. I will try to post you some picks but when some one ask me what year it is I say alot newer then my old ones.

Jimmy

[modre]

I started out with a '66 T100C way back when girls were younger





then had a first year with oil in frame and 5 speed Bonneville (70=71?)...the new frame was odd.

I love the art pre 70s, but never sold on whitworth

I know a guy in Burlington Vt. (Colchester) with 3 500s in his basement.

if the opportunity presented itself, I'd do another vintage Triumph, and tho the 650 was the icon, the 500 square engine single carb were THE bike for hooligans.

I saw a bike shop in Iowa selling perfect 68 Bonnes for $18K...yikes!

[TonUp]

I like it! My kind of machine!



Tito


Ton Up!

[drlapo]

not aTriumph story
but I have pulled up along side yupies in thier 525s on my R80 and said "I didn't know BMW made cars too"
I have also had people ask me when the boy scouts started making motorcycles...think about it