On our trip from the Varadero airport in Cuba to our resort in Jibacoa, we were hijacked into stopping at one of those forced touristo stops where they try to get you for a few pesos after forcing you to spend 2 hours in line at the airport.
Because we were the last to board the bus, we had no pesos, so no pina colodas for us...and no bathroom break since you need a .25 peso to tip the "attendant" and buy a scratchy piece of toilet paper (just one or maybe half of one). I had little choice but to cruise around and try out my new camera.
(Near the end of the stop, I did manage to get them to sell me a drink using Canadian money. They pour the mix, and then hand you the rum to pour yourself - how civilized is that?)
When I spotted the old Triumph, I knew I had to grab a couple of pics for the OS biker gang. Of course, this is Cuba, so for all I know, this is not a real Triumph, but a compilation of several bikes all held together with string and bubble gum.
It says Triumph on the side. So guys, you tell me...real or pieced together?
Can you tell what year it is?
Did someone post recently that flat black is faster? I'm not sure they have alternative choices in Cuba.
Apparently, helmut safety is optional. Not sure what kind of bike this is, but the helmut looks like its meant for baseball.
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but...you took these in Cuba? aren't you aware of the travel restrictions?
Z..yet another OS gang, but definitely one I can get behind.
The bike is not a Triumph. It is a MZ Trophy, single cylinder, 2 stroke, likely 250ccs.
The shocks and the front fork springs are not original but the leading-link front forks are. The front and back of the exhaust are original but the part in the middle, which allows the rear of the exhaust to tilt upwards is a fabricated piece, modified from the same system.
It was built in East Germany from 1956 to 1973. There is no way to tell from a picture what year it was, since the factory changed little bits and pieces all the time, even during the middle of the production year and did not announce its changes.
The MZ name comes from MotorradwerkeZschopau, the factory at Zchoupau was the same factory where DKWs were made before WWII. MZs were based on earlier DKW designs.
For a time MZ lead the world in developing 2 stroke engine technology. Today 2 stroke engines are not made in street bikes because of environmental pollution.
There were several iterations of the bike, minor changes, but nothing dramatic. They were very reliable "work horse" type bikes and many people in Western Europe bought them for their reliability.
And, no, I do not have all that data in my head but I do have a library of motorcycle books that trace the history of bikes and marques.
Thanks again,
Monte
i don't know if that headlight is the real deal. i'd bet that front fender isn't.
where's boanerges hiding? he's the old triumph expert.
Cap'n I have some other great "car" photos that I'll post later. This was just timed to go with all those recent biker posts.
Love that zoomy space age styling!
The other bike ....maybe a JAWA?
IMC: Yes, they competed for many years in the 125cc and 250cc World Championship Series, winning several individual races but never the over all winner for a season. They were a very small factory competing against Japan's best at the time. Yet their 2 stroke technology was recognized world wide as the cutting edge during those years. If they had the money and support that Honda had, for instance, who knows how far they could have done. They still market the marque using Honda and Rotax engines.
And, Capt'n, take a nap. You know it is not a Triumph. My leg is hurting like hell where you almost pulled it out of the socket.
;-)
Monte
Monte
I think we could bet the house that you are right.
Monte
Steven, we'll be using that Jackson Browne song for the slide show, and a little Buena Vista Social Club and another cd we picked up on our last trip by a local musician. Well, truth be told, you can't meet a local musician who doesn't have a CD to sell.
...still waiting for B1 to weigh in...
Only time Triumph used square cylinder heads that I know of was on the highly successful 1948 International Six Days Trial's bikes and their early production derivitives (ironically called the TR5 Trophy). The alloy top end design was actually from a powerplant they produced during the war as a generator for Lancaster bombers.
Too much information....
Anyway, glad you got safely home, JK, and thanks for thinking of us two-wheeled fools while you were on hols.
Why it's a 50, 51,52,53,54,55,56,57,58, 59, 60 automobile!! :)
I'll have to meet you at the corner though because my Dad never approved of the boys with bikes...especially the 21 yr old with the kawasaki 950 who showed up at the door when I was 15. Gah. Even I would have killed him now.
If I buy a pink Vespa for life in the city (free parking) this summer, will you disown me? It's very environmental.
The Mods rode scooters; Rockers rode motorcycles. They used to fight pitched battles at places like Brighton on Friday nights. ("Just for Kicks" was about a Rocker, like Red Molly.)
No one ever won and nowadays they all gather and larf about the old days. So I guess it's OK, JK. Sigh.
There is a spot on Front St now where all the bikes/scooters park. Everytime I walk by, I feel like I'm in Europe. It is really catching on here in ol' stuffy Trawna.
Think of it, the people you like to hate most, all riding motorcycles. We'll have to start a TO biker gang...full of pasty white Bay St. boys in their Zegna suits. haha
I'll have to supplant it with the thought of Cappy howling through on his trick Honda and scattering those girlymen like a covey of quail. Ah course, he'd have to make a right turn 'stead of a left coming out of the ranch, but still....
Anyway, take the course before you decide. Can't hurt. Wish I had, but I started riding a hundred years ago before there was such a requirement and only had to sign an affidavit testifying to my "skills" to get the coveted "M" designation.