The front number plate is not official. The previous owner thought a pedestrian slicer was classic as she was angling for that "period" look. The number sequence SNP-67 was for her, "Snoopy 1967", as the bar end mirrors gave the impression of floppy black ears. Licensing plates or "tags" in the US are a lot smaller for motorcycles, measuring about 180mm x 100mm. I fabricated a new tag holder for it using some spare aluminum siding pieces, which tucks in nicely. Here is an image of a US plate from my old days.
OK it modulates the headlight beam from full to almost off, 4 times per second. Works well in Australia where with the bright sunshine reflecting off the back of a bike's headlight without a modulator you can't tell the headlight is even on sometimes. But by modulating the intensity of the beam it kinda draws attention. I'm amazed not to see any others on the road. Back brake modulators or more popular but I sort of do that manually anyway and I'd rather rely on my own awareness to avoid being rear ended rather than a modulator on the back brake.
Well, technically this is what I was doing with my Triumph yesterday. Speedy and I went for a bit of a ride in the afternoon even though it was hotter 'n snot. But I was very motivated to get out! Earlier in the day Mr. Sandi rode to Bisbee with two of our riding buddies. That 200 mile RT ride (some on the freeway is still just a bit much for me, especially on the Speedy with little wind protection. So I waited at home with our boxer, Annie, until he returned. Annie is having progressively worse health issues to we're trying to have at least one of us at home most of the time . I rode to the north into a "master-planned" community called Saddlebrooke. I have an aunt and uncle who have a winter home there along with their home in Michigan. It's really a 55+ community that's designed so you'd barely need to leave--which doesn't much appeal to me--but it works well for my aunt and uncle who are now 88 and 90 years old. Golf, tennis, classes in art and cooking, etc. The appeal for me is the beauty of the mountain views and the nicely paved loop around the development. It winds up being about a 50 mile ride from start to finish. The mountains to the east/southeast And part of the golf course looking to the north. There are prettier views of both mountains and golf course but no safe places to park and snap pics. The previous photos of the mountains and this one of the golf course are taken from the parking lot of a small golf course clubhouse along the loop. Here's my route shown in satellite view so you can see where the Catalina Mountains, Saguaro National Park, and Tucson Mountain Park are in relation to Saddlebrooke. The setting really is quite stunning! The nice little loop around the development. I'd estimate the loop distance is 7-8 miles. As I mentioned, it was rather "toasty" by the time I got out the door at 2pm. I packed a water bottle with ice water in my tail bag plus I stopped at the little gas station convenience store and and sat in the shade with a Red Bull midway through my ride. I wound up using the ice water to soak my shirt for a bit of "swamp cooler" effect under my mesh jacket for the ride home. That lasted about five minutes! Note the humidity level on my weather app. And I'll definitely need to get a ride in on Wednesday based on the predicted high temp that day! At least it was a bit cooler in Saddlebrooke which is a bit higher in altitude than Tucson proper. But it also got me to wondering where the weather station is that reports the local temp on my iPhone weather app. Seven degrees makes a lot of difference! My 2019 Speed Triple clicked over to 4K miles on the odometer today. Nothing like not riding for seven months to keep your mileage down. Not the way I'd prefer to do that. Oh well, time to make up for lost time! Edit: I forgot to post this photo I took on yesterdays ride. I noticed my stack of "stuff" on this table as I was drinking my Red Bull in the shade and thought it sort of funny--plus a little sad--that two of these items are now a necessary bit of kit.
So sorry to hear about Annie Give her a cuddle from me Good to see ya out and about on the Triumph keep in with your Aunt and Uncle
Ah I see, not dissimilar to the flashing LED lights we see on pushbikes here in the UK. The gov had to change the law to allow it for them, not sure if motor vehicles are allowed to do that here though, but I have never checked.
Hi Wessa, I have been looking, and test riding the same bikes, But opted for the Honda cb1100rs. The Speed twin is beautiful, but too similar in style to my street twin. Parked it up next to a nice Speed twin yesterday at J&S Cheshire.
The evening weather forecaster on the BBC this evening was twittering on about the up and down weather in the UK at the moment. He went on to say that it's nothing compared to Denver, Colorado over the next couple of days .... 38 degrees and sunny today but only 3 deg tomorrow and snow!! Is that for real @Sandi T. ?
Yep to be honest all the bikes i tested were ok, but the speed twin stole my heart. It then broke my heart with its squealing brakes. I eventually went for the thruxton r in british racing green; I love it. And recently I bought an interceptor 650 enfield to complete my garage. I must admit the grey on the honda looks great, and is very similar to the z900rs for this year. Next time you are going to J&S in Delamere send me a pm the day before and I will trot over. It is only five miles from my home..
Denver is known for big weather swings, Steve, but this one does seems a bit extreme. I just checked my iPhone weather app for Denver and here's what I found. 91ºF today--hot! And a 60% chance of snow for tomorrow! That is a HUGE temperature swing. And Haze?! I've never seen that on this app. Not sure if it's dust, pollution, or something else they're calling "haze". Hmmm...
When I picked up my TWAT and rode it home it was fitted with these shortie Triumph levers Nah.....not for me Luckily the TWAT came with the original levers so I’ve been spannering and swapped them out Much better for me
Have had the TWATin loads of bits trying to find somewhere suitable to put my monimoto tracker It’s now done No pictures ya robbing bastids It’s still saying CERBERUS
Not the best I’ve ever had But the TWAT has enough room under the pillion seat for a puncture repair kit Some tools And an airman pump Let the adventures begin
It's gonna be quite funny when your monimoto says "Your TWAT is here ......" Like you've ever had any difficulty locating yours?
Trip to Super Sausage Towcester Road - by far the best sausage bap so far (real sausage instead of cheap gristle)! Few bikes around - is good to see. Back home via Potterspury and a stop at Hartwell railway bridge. It is 26 degrees C today and even with a mesh jacket, kept having to stop because of overheating.......pretty pathetic really.
