My faith in humanity has been restored!
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
The Triumph Bathtubs
In an attempt to get my mind off of this country of monkeys flinging their poo around, I've decided to start a new segment on my favourite (you like that spelling?) motorcycles, specifically British motorcycles. The British motorcycles were the world's best until the early 70's when Japan thundered in a new era. Triumphs, BSAs, and Nortons are my big 3.
So I'm going to start with the Triumph bathtubs. There were three models: The unit 350cc 3TA Twenty-One (1957-1962), Triumph's first all unit twin (transmission and motor in one casing), the unit 500cc 5TA Speedtwin (1958-1962), and the pre-unit 650cc 6T Thunderbird (1960-1961). Meant for cruising around England's back country roads rather than bombing down the highway at 100mph, they the last of an era. In 1959 the Triumph Bonneville came onto the scene and literally changed everyone's perception of the motorcycle: fast, sleek, modern. What young man would want a Speedtwin or Thunderbird when he could now have the 46bhp 650cc T120 Bonneville twin? Also in 1961 the Austin Mini debuted. There wasn't a need for a gentleman's motorcycle any longer, now they could drive and stay out of the elements.
The 3TA, 5TA, and 6T were now outdated machines. In 1963 all Triumph motorcycle were now unit construction, more more separate transmissions and motors. To make matters worse, they were trying to compete with the rising scooter companies, which explains the enclosed rear section or "bathtub." Most of these bathtubs were removed to give the bike a more sleek appearance. And the headlight nacelles (enclosures) were removed and replaced with a more modern looking single chrome headlight, similar to the new Bonneville. Which, ironically, are all now reasons why I love this motorcycle so much. Oh how times change. These bikes are rare but not ridiculously unobtainable yet. You can find a 3TA or 5TA in England for around $5000 American.
1960 5TA Speedtwin
So I'm going to start with the Triumph bathtubs. There were three models: The unit 350cc 3TA Twenty-One (1957-1962), Triumph's first all unit twin (transmission and motor in one casing), the unit 500cc 5TA Speedtwin (1958-1962), and the pre-unit 650cc 6T Thunderbird (1960-1961). Meant for cruising around England's back country roads rather than bombing down the highway at 100mph, they the last of an era. In 1959 the Triumph Bonneville came onto the scene and literally changed everyone's perception of the motorcycle: fast, sleek, modern. What young man would want a Speedtwin or Thunderbird when he could now have the 46bhp 650cc T120 Bonneville twin? Also in 1961 the Austin Mini debuted. There wasn't a need for a gentleman's motorcycle any longer, now they could drive and stay out of the elements.
The 3TA, 5TA, and 6T were now outdated machines. In 1963 all Triumph motorcycle were now unit construction, more more separate transmissions and motors. To make matters worse, they were trying to compete with the rising scooter companies, which explains the enclosed rear section or "bathtub." Most of these bathtubs were removed to give the bike a more sleek appearance. And the headlight nacelles (enclosures) were removed and replaced with a more modern looking single chrome headlight, similar to the new Bonneville. Which, ironically, are all now reasons why I love this motorcycle so much. Oh how times change. These bikes are rare but not ridiculously unobtainable yet. You can find a 3TA or 5TA in England for around $5000 American.
1960 5TA Speedtwin
Monday, September 8, 2008
I'm a whale watcher
Lori's surprise trip last weekend was going to Monterey, CA and whale watching! Holy cow, how cool can she get? We stayed in the old Monterey Hotel. And, coincidentally, the Cherries Jubilee car show and Italian Festival were going on the same weekend. It was weekend of loud cars and impromptu italian marching bands directly outside our window. The hotel was gracious enough to give us ear plugs. It was a great weekend of nice dinners, whale watching, the aquarium, and missing our poochies.
If you're brave, here's a photo gallery of the trip.
Some highlights...
Lori looking cute, which is all the time
Old tug boats
Sea lions doing what sea lions do
Our whale watching boat
dolphins
There they blow, 3 humpback whales
Here's a red crab in the water
Here's a black crab not in the water
Monterey Bay Aquarium
I love Monterey
If you're brave, here's a photo gallery of the trip.
Some highlights...
Lori looking cute, which is all the time
Old tug boats
Sea lions doing what sea lions do
Our whale watching boat
dolphins
There they blow, 3 humpback whales
Here's a red crab in the water
Here's a black crab not in the water
Monterey Bay Aquarium
I love Monterey
Thursday, September 4, 2008
How One Screw Can Ruin Your Week
A screw. Not a hump, but a fastener. Carelessly left on a street. That's what ruined my week. My boss was letting me borrow his 1970 Triumph motorcycle for the weekend and on Monday, Labor Day, I went to Colma to get some oil to do an oil change for him. It was a beautiful day. A beautiful day to get a flat. I hit a screw, pulled over, and started walking back. About 4 miles. Of course I forgot my phone.
I decided to give hitch hiking a shot. I'd never done it before. I stuck my thumb in the air and kept walking. After a mile someone picked me up and dropped me off about a mile from home. I kept walking.
I saved a worm crawling on the sidewalk in the hot day. I put him in some cool shade and hopefully he crawled back in the earth. Good thing I wasn't fishing.
I made it home, drank some Hawaiian Punch, got my truck, and Lori helped me pick it up and bring it home.
Tuesday night, after getting a new tube, I took off the rear tire, which was a pain in the ol keister. But unfortunately I could not break the seal on the tire.
Wednesday I brought the tire in to get changed at a shop. $20. Worth my suffering if you ask me. I get a phone call later saying the wheel uses a specialized tube with a thicker valve stem. And of course they didn't have one. I had to call around and found ONE in Redwood City. I had to leave work in my Desoto and travel 15 miles south, get it, and come back. Last night I got everything back together just as it got dark. That is the most painful flat I've ever had to deal with, and the whole thing cost me about $75 in gas, tube, shop and 10 hours of my time.
What made all this really bad is the pressure that I had to get it back to my boss by today, Thursday, because insurance people are inspecting it. But I made it by the skin of my teeth. And I can borrow it ANYTIME I want. Tubular!
I decided to give hitch hiking a shot. I'd never done it before. I stuck my thumb in the air and kept walking. After a mile someone picked me up and dropped me off about a mile from home. I kept walking.
I saved a worm crawling on the sidewalk in the hot day. I put him in some cool shade and hopefully he crawled back in the earth. Good thing I wasn't fishing.
I made it home, drank some Hawaiian Punch, got my truck, and Lori helped me pick it up and bring it home.
Tuesday night, after getting a new tube, I took off the rear tire, which was a pain in the ol keister. But unfortunately I could not break the seal on the tire.
Wednesday I brought the tire in to get changed at a shop. $20. Worth my suffering if you ask me. I get a phone call later saying the wheel uses a specialized tube with a thicker valve stem. And of course they didn't have one. I had to call around and found ONE in Redwood City. I had to leave work in my Desoto and travel 15 miles south, get it, and come back. Last night I got everything back together just as it got dark. That is the most painful flat I've ever had to deal with, and the whole thing cost me about $75 in gas, tube, shop and 10 hours of my time.
What made all this really bad is the pressure that I had to get it back to my boss by today, Thursday, because insurance people are inspecting it. But I made it by the skin of my teeth. And I can borrow it ANYTIME I want. Tubular!
Banksy Tours America
Enough of this political bullshit. Banksy is touring America and here are some pics:
BANKSY TOURS AMERICA
BANKSY TOURS AMERICA
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Horrow Show
After being thoroughly frightened by Fred Thompson at the RNC last night, I have compiled a list of celebrities I was surprised to see are Republicans.
Sammy Hagar
Gary Sinise
Adam Sandler
Alex Trebek
Sam Raimi
Drew Carey
Dennis Hopper
Chuck Norris
Tom Selleck
Yakov Smirnoff
Vince Vaughn
Leslie Nielson
David Lynch
Zachary Ty Bryan
Stephen Baldwin
Nacy Cartwright (And a Scientologist)
Dick Clark
The Rock
John Hughes
Freddie Prinze, Jr
Kevin Sorbo
Walt Disney (he's an old school Republican, so he gets a bi)
There are many more that I am NOT surprised they are Republicans
Reference
Sammy Hagar
Gary Sinise
Adam Sandler
Alex Trebek
Sam Raimi
Drew Carey
Dennis Hopper
Chuck Norris
Tom Selleck
Yakov Smirnoff
Vince Vaughn
Leslie Nielson
David Lynch
Zachary Ty Bryan
Stephen Baldwin
Nacy Cartwright (And a Scientologist)
Dick Clark
The Rock
John Hughes
Freddie Prinze, Jr
Kevin Sorbo
Walt Disney (he's an old school Republican, so he gets a bi)
There are many more that I am NOT surprised they are Republicans
Reference
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Rumble On The Bay
I made it out to Ace Cafe on Saturday night on my boss' bike, but I missed the ride on Sunday. Here's some pics:
Rumble On The Bay
Rumble On The Bay
Kumma Yu Wanna Lay Mey
Our big tiki party bash was this weekend. We pretty much spent our whole weekend cleaning, decorating, and spending money on it. I had a blast for sure. I was too busy being bartender and manning the grill to get any pics of the party itself. Lori made a volcano cake!!! Thankis for everyone who showed up! We'll be doing this again, but we can't guarantee the weather will be as perfect as it was.
All the pics
All the pics
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)