News Blog
Stories, articles, commentary on all things Triumph Bonneville related!
WindyCityRATs Holiday Party
Last night I had the privilege of attending the holiday party for the local Riders Association of Triumph owners called WindyCityRATs. We were hosted at the location of oldest Triumph dealer in the Chicago area called Motor Cycle Center, located in Villa Park, IL, by...
I try the Dunlop Roadsmart II tires
As previously noted, I recently purchased a 2012 Triumph Thruxton 900. It had only 137 miles on it and the original Metzeler tires. I noticed right away in riding it that the tires do not grip and handle as well as the Dunlop GT 501's on my 2008 Bonneville....
Taking a Triumph Bonneville 865cc Engine to 1100cc
I had over 63,000 miles on my 2008 Bonneville 865cc engine and it needed a valve job. So, instead of doing that only, I decided to send the entire engine to Bill Gately of Bonneville Performance, for a complete engine overhaul and upgrade modification! My final...
Triumph Thruxton OEM Airbox Modification
Regular followers of this blog know that I have already written about replacing the airbox on a standard 2008 Triumph Bonneville using the British Customs Airbox Removal Kit ($295 with filters and brace, $189.95 with just the battery box). Now that I have added a 2012...
Chicagoland Toys for Tots Motorcycle Ride
I had the privilege of participating in the 2014 Chicagoland Toys for Tots motorcycle ride and parade on Sunday, December 7, 2014. along with an estimated 40,000 other motorcyclists. I decided to meet my buddy Dan at Motoworks Chicago before heading south on Western...
Traxxion Front Fork Suspension Kit for the Triumph Bonneville
After attending a Total Control Advanced Riding Clinic in 2009, I decided to upgrade the suspension on my stock 2008 Bonneville to improve my ability to control the Bonnie. Racetech suspension was recommended by the course sponsors, so I did some research and then...
New Triumph Twin Models for 2016?
This past week you may have seen thee "leaked" photos on Facebook and other social media sites of a possible new Triumph twin prototype photographed in Spain. It appears to be fairly well developed and near completion. Visor Down posted this article: New 1100cc...
Motorcycle Awareness Video – A Second Look
It may be a little corny, but the message is solid. Please watch and take to heart. Credits: Department of Licensing, State of Washingtin
Triumph Factory Custom Build-Off
Have you all seen this contest online yet? Triumph decided to host a contest pitting 2 volunteer teams against each other using some stock Triumphs as foundations. It has turned into Bobber vs. Scrambler. The deadline and unveiling was in Milan on November 4, 2014....
2012 Triumph Thruxton 900
Well, I've gone and done it again... purchased another Bonneville! This time it is a 2012 Triumph Thruxton, black with gold trim, that I found for sale on Chicago CraigsList. The original owner, Bill had purchased it new from Motor Cycle Center in 2012, put on exactly...
Windy City RATs Fall Ride
On Sunday, October 26th, I met up with 4 friends from the Windy City RATs group for a ride up into the Kettle Morraine area of Wisconsin. We had great fall weather in the upper 40's and lower 50's, and mostly sunny. I left my home around 7:30 AM and rode west to ward...
Fall Moto Ride 2014
On Saturday, October 18, 2014 I rode my 2008 Bonneville to meet my friend Lee at the Dunkin Donuts in Lombard, Illinois. It was a typical overcast and cold fall Chicago day in the 40's and 50's with some drizzle and plenty of wind. Perfect for a day ride into Southern...
Barber Vintage Festival 2014 – AHRMA Racing
After riding 690 miles on Friday, October 10, 2014, I got up on Saturday, October 11, 2014 and rode my Bonneville to Barber Motorsports Park in Leeds, Alabama for the 10th Anniversary of the Triumph Sponsored, Barber Vintage Festival. The gates opened at 8 AM, and I...
My Ride to Barber Vintage Festival 2014
Every year in October, Triumph Motorcycles America hosts and sponsors the Barber Vintage Festival at the beautiful Barber Motorsports Park near Birmingham, Alabama. 2013 was my first experience, and it was so good, I went again this year on the 10th Anniversary of the...
New Glarus Octoberfest Road Trip – 2014
I took a weekend road trip recently with my buddies Dave and Chris to the southwest region of Wisconsin that included the New Glarus Octoberfest. Dave and Chris were part of the spring trip we took the the Tail of the Dragon. Chris put together this cool video of our...
Triumph TwinsTalk Podcast – Episode 1
Welcome to the first episode of Triumph TwinsTalk (or, "Triple T"), a podcast for owners and anyone else interested in the modern Triumph Twin Bonneville, Scrambler or Thruxton motorcycles. We've thrown open the doors of Randy's Garage and are taking podcasting for a...
Chicago Motorcyclists Beware!
I had a strange experience this past week. I got an envelope in the email from the City of Chicago. Here is what I found inside: So, I went online to the www.cityofchicago.org/finance site and found the section to look for speeding camera images and videos. Then I...
The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride – Chicago
Globally more men are affected by prostate cancer than women are by breast cancer. Each year, one in nine men develop prostate cancer, and close to 500,000 men will die from the disease. I participated in this global awareness and fund-raising event on Sunday,...
Brighter Headlight Option for the Triumph Bonneville
I've been looking for an option to significantly brighten my stock 2008 Triumph Bonneville headlight for some time. I've searched on Triumphrat.net (http://www.triumphrat.net/twins-technical-talk/189034-extra-bright-headlight-do-i-need-special-wires-or-anything.html)...
I Visit the Springfield Mile 2
Labor Day weekend is the traditional time for the 2nd Springfield Mile AMA Pro Flat Track racing event of each season. It is the only venue that hosts 2 races each year, held at the Illinois State Fairgrounds race track. At the generosity of Bill Gately, owner of...
Dirt Bag Ride In – Motorcycle Show & Swap Meet
One of the followers of this blog is Eugene, who asked me to post this information regarding and event he is involved in setting up. It is called the Dirt Bag Ride In, and its a motorcycle show and swap meet taking place on September 13, 2014, from 12 noon to 4 PM....
Video Update on the Triumph Land Speed Record Pursuit at Bonneville
Here is an update video on the ongoing Triumph Castrol Rocket pursuit of the land speed record at the Bonneville Salt Flats. My understanding is that the August Speed Week had to be cancelled due to weather and poor salt conditions and is being considered for an...
Bonnie Visits the Peoria TT
I rode to the Peoria TT this past Sunday and took this quick shot before entering the race park.
Rebuilding my Bonneville Front Forks Again
While my Bonnie was disabled due to the carb malfunction and I was waiting on the parts to fix it, I decided to rebuild my front forks again. I had ordered some new parts from Bellacorse that were waiting to be installed:...
General interest motorcycle news articles and posts.