About This Site
The person behind TriumphBonnevilleOrgReady to leave on a 4-day moto trip around Lake Michigan!
Working on a friends Bonneville SE in my original one-car Oak Park garage!
My current 1993 Chevy “Bonneville Hauler”
Grandkids visit “Popops Garage” in Wisconsin.
My 1955 Ford F-100 Street Rod Project – circa 1980’s
This site is intended for modern 2001-2015 Hinckley Triumph Bonneville owners, riders and enthusiasts of all ages and kinds to share their passion for this great classically-styled, modern British twin cylinder, air-cooled machine.
This website is developed by me, Randy Birkey. I am the owner of a 2008 Triumph Bonneville Black purchased new from the oldest Chicago area Triumph dealer, Motor Cycle Center located in Villa Park, Illinois in June 2008. Since then, I have also owned and sold a 2012 Thruxton and a 1976 Bonneville 750. Until recently, I lived and worked in the Chicago area as a freelance illustrator, web designer, and developer doing business as BIRKEY.COM for clients nationwide.
However, I now live in the Madison, WI area and am continuing my web business from there, while adding a new side business/hobby flipping used modern classic Triumph Bonneville’s from the 2001-2015 air-cooled era.
Project Bike: 2002 Bonneville T-100 | Project Bike: 2006 Scrambler 900
I am also a “gearhead.” Growing up I was a bicycle and small gas engine mechanic and tinkerer. In my early 20’s I built a 1955 Ford F-100 street rod pickup truck, and then bought and rebuilt a 1972 Datsun 240Z as well. I currently own and drive a 1993 Chevy Indy Pace Truck as my “Bonneville hauler.” After raising a family and becoming a grandfather, I now ride, tinker and wrench on my Custom 2008 Bonneville 1100, and share my experiences with fellow riders and a range of aftermarket suppliers, products, accessories, and performance upgrades.
I have been involved with the local Chicago area Riders Association of Triumph (RAT) club called the Windy City RATs, managing the website, social media channels, attending social functions, rides, and other special events. As I have moved to Wisconsin, I plan to add involvement with the Rock River RATs, primarily associated with Team Power Center in Janesville, WI.
Please feel free to contact me anytime using the contact form or email. If you live in the Chicago area, please join the Windy City RATs Facebook Group, or if in Wisconsin, connect with the Team Power Center FB page.
Regards,
Randy
P.S. There is no way I could have learned what I have thus far without the help of many people with much more experience and knowledge than me. To all of you out there who have contributed to my Triumph Bonneville education, you have my respect and thanks. I want to specifically thank Bill and Steve Gately of Bonneville Performance, Johnny Scheff and Steve Strickland of Motoworks Chicago, my good friends at Motor Cycle Center (MCC), and JB and the Service Team at Windy City Triumph!