del mar info

[Steven van Twuyver]

Triumph unveiled their new 650 Bonneville at Del Mar. I don't know for sure if it is 650cc displacement or perhaps more. Looks respectably retro and has a one "pushrod tube" in front between the two cylinders that looks a little weird since it is in fact an overhead cam motor. The single tube is just an oil passage. The show announcer was funny when he introduced the Triumph rep. Called him by his name and said "I'm glad to see you have been cured of anorexia. What do you weigh now? 300 pounds?" A cheap shot, but funny. The Concours de Elegance was not held in the infield as in years past because they separately charged admission for racing both Saturday and Sunday. I liked the new format for exhibiting the bikes. Lots less Harley stuff this year, no trials riders but a very exciting motocross jumping exhibition. Awesome antique bikes. The only disappointment was the bike swap meet - hardly anything there. On a completely different issue, bowman.kelley sure has put a damper on the great gun and oil debates. Hopefully Mr. Bowman will be a fast learner and become a regular contributor with replies trimmed to their bare essence. -svt-