Triumph of engineering
WE ALL age and so today's Hinckley produced Triumphs will in the future be found in museums.
Just as the riders of the 1960s look fondly at British-built machines at shows and displays, the rider of a 2008 Triumph Bonneville will probably be cooing over a restored example of his bike in 40-plus years.
Then they might understand how surprised I felt when I saw a 1976 Triumph T140 Bonnie, like the one I rode, up for sale at a classic bike show!
A fine example of 1960s Triumphs can be seen just inside the doors of Fareham's Triumph specialists Rafferty Newman.
It isn't stretching the imagination to suggest the immaculate machine, a '68 Triumph 650cc Trophy Sports, is parked on the spot where customers in the shop would have looked at a brand new model back in the heyday of British biking.
Raffertys has been around for a long time, and as Chris Linney (owner of the restored gem and leader of the Raffs' crew) commented, there would have been a Trophy among the many different makes of Brit bikes on sale in those old days'.
Hinckley Triumphs are not from the same family as the old Rockers favourite, but switch your gaze from that Trophy to the new Thruxton parked in the next row and the heritage is blindingly obvious.
Before anyone puts more years on my head than I warrant, I was not old enough to ride a bike until the early 1970s. But I indulged my passion for classic Brit iron during the mid-Seventies with a variety of BSAs and Triumphs.
Back then I was impressed to be riding a big bike, looking at that TR6 and the new Triumph twins I'm struck at how small and sleek they are compared to many modern bikes.
This Saturday you can judge for yourself because Rafferty New-man is hosting a modern classic open day with bikes available for demo rides and special offers.
If you're tempted by the chance of taking out a Bonneville, Bonneville T100, Thruxton, Scrambler or the awesome Rocket III then you must phone Raffs first on 01329 232424.
Due to the overwhelming demands of insurance, riders must wear appropriate clothing and provide identification and licence details before being allowed on a bike.
Don't worry though, it won't be a demanding interrogation just a few simple questions to answer.
Refreshments will be available inside the showroom and 20 per cent will be taken off the price of Triumph merchandise and clothing.
Having had a root around the clothing I expect quite a few of the new Triumph T-shirts will be snapped up, so don't be late.
If classic bikes are your thing and you have one you'd like to show off, then pop in and have a chat with Chris who is putting together a display of bikes for the Fareham Rock n' Roll Reunion the following Saturday, May 17.
Fareham has been hosting similar festivities for a few years and the theme of last year's festival was scooters.
More than 30 scooters turned up and Chris has decided to better that turnout by 70 - he wants 100 classic bikes to be on display while visitors enjoy live rock and roll music, dancing and other themed entertainment.
All that's asked is bring your bike along and let others see what a classic bike looks like.
The number to call is the same as above, 01329 232424.
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