Triumph6T Thunderbird
THE WALLED ONE
IT HAD BEEN A GOOD DAY. A COUPLE OF CHUNKY
Seventies Japanese classics , and a fine Italian superbike had been ridden . Next, Gary the photographer and I had a rendezvous with John, to capture his 1953 Triumph 6T Thunderbird . It sat there waiting for us, resplendent in glossy black. Where should we take it? "We could go up the hill?" said John, "I know a good spot . Would you like to ride it there? I'll take my 500 twin ."This was an opportunity not to be missed . A tickle of the carb, a swing on the kick-start and the 650 pre-unit engine burbled into life.
"Would you like to ride it there? I'll take my 500 twin." This was an opportunity not to be missed. A tickle of the carb, a swing on the kick-start and the 650 pre-unit engine burbled into life."
John set off, riding his other Triumph, a custom which was equipped with minimal front suspension and a rigid rear end . I followed on the Thunderbird, sprung hub and ancient telescopic forks soaking up the bumps on the country lanes. My goodness, this really was one of the loveliest motorcycles I'd ever had the pleasure to sling a leg over. Smooth as silk, with a clean and positive gearshift, and clutch as light as a feather. John had described the bike as being: "Like riding Monkey's Magic Carpet," and he wasn't wrong. He swung his 500 onto a steep and bumpy farm track, and belted up the ruts and mud and gravel like he
