Triumph on SPEED channel show

[caddydaddy]

There is a new one-hour TV documentary series on "SPEED" called "SPEEDMAKERS". It covers the entire manufacturing process of different types of motor vehicles. The next episode will cover "TRIUMPH MOTORCYCLES" and will be shown this THURSDAY APRIL 21 2011 at 9pm and 12 am (EASTERN STANDARD time zone). Check out the link below for your local time and future program scheduling.

http://www.speedtv.com/schedule/filter/program/1060091/timezone/ct/

[1000lbs]

Sounds kinda like the Twiste the Throttle show they had on HD theatre.  DVR set, thanks for the heads up.

[gradus]

Thanks for the tip. DVR is set.  

[Gary B.]

I watched the episodes about top fuel dragsters and Kenworth. Pretty good show. Just doesn't belong on Speed. I'll have to watch the Triumph show. Wonder which model they will highlight?

[Capirex]

I watched the episodes about top fuel dragsters and Kenworth. Pretty good show. Just doesn't belong on Speed. I'll have to watch the Triumph show. Wonder which model they will highlight?

A show dubbed 'Speedmakers' doesn't belong on Speed?  How so?

[Gary B.]

A show dubbed 'Speedmakers' doesn't belong on Speed?  How so?

Well, it is better than all those terrible "reality" car building shows with all the drama, but if it's all the same, I'd rather watch car and bike races...

[Capirex]

Well, it is better than all those terrible "reality" car building shows with all the drama, but if it's all the same, I'd rather watch car and bike races...

Im witchew on that.  Speedvision had it right the first time.

[caddydaddy]

 Wonder which model they will highlight?

I saw a preview for it last night, and I guess it's about the Thunderbird.  

[SalsaShark]

From Speed's website:

Episode 9: Triumph Motorcycles
The UK's largest manufacturer is also one of the most famous names in motorcycling...Triumph. Celebrated for their timeless style, precision engineering, and of course, distinctive design, Triumph employs the most state-of-the-art design and manufacturing processes in the industry. The Triumph mystique goes back to the 1950s and has been a significant element in films starring Steve McQueen and Marlon Brando. Today, Triumph holds numerous speed records and racetrack wins. The classic Triumph style is an integral influence in today's vintage designs, and at the same time they continue to push the performance envelope with their modern racing bikes.

[garry]

That was a good show overall. I was impressed with the factory. Humans, not robots, and they mentioned most workers by name. The focus on the Thunderbird got a little old. I would have rather seen an overview of the model range, but I guess that's not the usual plot of the show. Worth watching for sure.

[Gary B.]

I forgot to record it and only caught the second half.  

[Blunder]

It wasn't bad. The narration was a breathy love fest of all things cruiser but it was an interesting show.

[AZSprint]

It wasn't bad. The narration was a breathy love fest of all things cruiser but it was an interesting show.

C'mon now, they did mention the "Triple Speed" by name...sorta

[drbenjamin]

C'mon now, they did mention the "Triple Speed" by name...sorta

and I'm pretty sure that it was a Sprint GT tank being painted when they said that!  All the stuff being painted (in Pacific Blue, not a Speed Triple color) in the prior scenes looked like Sprint GT gear (pannier covers especially) and the tank had the right shape ...

[SalsaShark]

I caught the last 15 or so minutes.

The one thing that really caught my eye was what looked to be a Spring GT in the back ground dressed up in (what looked to me to be) a Jaguar Racing Green. Very nice!

OK, so some quick google searching, found it's a limited edition British Racing Green ST.


 

[pushr0d]

One of the fringe benefits of working at the Factory is that you can buy a bike painted any color they have in the booth.  Thus the BRG 1050 ST, which has never been offered.

[SalsaShark]

^^ I've always loved that color.

I had a 66 mustang in high school that I repainted in BRG (or whatever it was called at the time).

[Cricket1]

The show was ok.

I really wished they had talked more about the entire Triumph lineup, because to the casual viewer, it appeared all they make are cruisers. That and as they were describing the engine assembly of the big parallel twin, the shot was of a triple. Then they were describing the 270 degree firing order of the parallel twin, but the graphic on screen was a Vtwin!

It was neat to see the production line, and how much hand assembly goes into the bikes. It also seemed from their descriptions that Triumph is always building all their models at the same time. In reality they make a few at the same time, for say a few months, then rotate to the next few models for a few months etc.

Considering the time they spent on Triumphs history, the fire in 2002, etc, to leave out so much seems a shame.  

[pushr0d]

Well, it was only an hour show (minus 20 minutes for adverts).

They talk about the 1600 being the biggest in the class, but then they show Storms being built.  They, BTW, come with the 1700 kit.

Not bad.  I liked it.

[Gray Dragon]

I just caught all but the last 15 min. at a local restaurant (no sound just sub-titles).  Overall I enjoyed it, not a lot of new info for someone that has be tracking Triumph but still a good watch & read .

[pushr0d]

Anyone else notice there were no females in the show?

[caddydaddy]

Anyone else notice there were no females in the show?

Naw, I was too busy looking at the BIKES!

[Pitts2112]

I just caught it as a rerun last night and thought it was pretty well done.  I was really interested to see the technology and the process for building bikes.  I was surprised to see that all of the assembly is still done by real humans, and how quickly the whole thing comes together.

As for peoples' comments about only showing one bike, that makes perfect sense, not only for Triumph, but also for at least 50% of the show's viewers who don't know a great deal about Triumph's lineup.  The Thunderbird is Triumph's newest bike, so it makes sense for them to showcase it.  From the point of the intent of the show, it makes sense to follow one type through the whole process to maintain continuity.  After all, they were trying to show the manufacturing process, not the full range of bikes available.  Imagine how confusing it would have been if they kept jumping from one model to the next rather than simply following one model and showing the whole seamless process from beginning to end?

I was deeply impressed that the striping is still all done by hand.  I'd have thought that was a dying art and was amazed that a human hand can get that kind of accuracy and consistency.  

Very well done, I thought.  I thoroughly enjoyed it.