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Originally Posted by Jake
Ted Simon was helped by Triumph a lot agree - I can't remember but I sem to remember something along the lines of the bosses at triumph decline help and it was the workers that took this first rebuild on board unnofficial like i may be mixing it up with another tale but it seems to ring a bell. Then when the bosses realized there was a some promotion to be had they stepped in to help. Be mindful that this was a triumph and if anyone wanted it to reach the other end of Europe then some special care would have been required so the workers wanted the bike to reflect well on them and their work. Ted was doing something that could reflect on the company big style - again they knew Ted was a journalist and was going to write a book about his travels - was there something in this for triumph ?.
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Great comments Jake!
I'm not sure of the protocol or precise history regards Simon's first re-build and support at the old Meridan works. But it got done ... and Triumph got their name out there ... RTW. Sad, too late for them by that point really.
Here's a more recent and interesting Tidbit from Ted's last big round the world ride. Must be 6 or 7 years back by now? Ted rode a fully customized BMW R80 on that ride ... you may remember it, the one that fell on his leg and broke it ... stranding him in Africa for a few months.
Interesting part of this story is that in planning/prepping for the trip Ted FIRST went to Triumph, met with Mr. Bloor or his representatives. Ted wanted to repeat his epic RTW ride on a Triumph ... as you would do!
Triumph flatly refused to provide a bike or to sponsor him. Talk about stupid!
Ted kind of burnt his bridges with Triumph at that point, speaking out publicly, hammering Triumph for their unwillingness to help. Ted had been all set to repeat his ride on a "modern" Bonneville. Never happened.
This is nearly as bad as KTM's faux paux in turning down Ewan & Charlie for their Long Way Round debacle on BMW R1150GS - ADV ... all 318 kgs. worth!
Another Kudos for HD is the complete rebuild they did for long time MC Globetrotters Peter and Kay Forwood. Total ground up re-build done at HD factory ... this done with something like 250,000 miles on their bike.
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