I just got off the phone with Tim Cole of MotoTwin. He and his brother Oliver are wonderful chaps. It's always a pleasure to speak to them as both of them have a great sense of humor. A trait I hold in very high esteem. For those of you new to the New Triumph Bonneville community, MotoTwin is a UK based parts & accessories specialist for the NTB. Both Tim & Oliver have engineering backgrounds and share my passion for the Hinckley twins. I'm very proud to be their US stockist. Tim tells me that he and Oliver are off this weekend for the Rocker's Reunion at the Ace Cafe in Brighton. Lucky dogs!
While I'm on the subject of praising my Brit suppliers, I'd be remised if I didn't mention Norman Hyde and Peter Jenks. 'Ol Normy, as I fondly refer to him (but not to his face) is a sweetheart of a guy, as is Alan & Dave in his shop. Norman's son recently married an American gal and I believe they live in PA somewhere. Norman's experience with the older Triumphs is quite legendary and his bits & pieces for the NTB are equally impressive. I drive him mad with my anal-retentive demands on how things should be boxed and packed, and he takes it all in stride.
And Peter Jenks... now here's a character. And I mean that with the highest respect. Peter's foray into the NTB aftermarket mirrors my own history in many regards. He too is a veteran of the Delphi NTB Forum. Peter's a tinkerer. Not by trade, but as a hobby. I'm sure most of you know him for his seat bolts, but there are many other wonderful products he's developed. He makes his own prototypes in his personal workshop and then farms-out production to machine shops that product Formula 1 racecar parts. No wonder the quality is unmatched. Peter and I have been doing business for a year or two before we finally met in person last year while Peter & I were visiting Chicago. Peter was on business and I was visiting an ill friend. As an American, and having worked with Brits, Aussies and Kiwis in the racing business for so many year, I had a very clear mental picture of what Peter would look like just having only spoken to him on the phone prior to meeting him. He didn't disappoint. A quintessential British gentleman. Think of a shorter Tony Blair with silver hair and glasses.
Our first meeting was a painful one for me... quite literally. While walking to Peter's hotel, I tripped on some irregular pavement, fell and broke two ribs! Peter had no idea at the time and thank heaven I had three of my friends with me at dinner to carry the conversation as I just sat there moaning & groaning. BTW... we ate at Webber's Grill in downtown Chicago. I highly recommend it.
posted by RaceDweeb @ 7:00 AM
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