I searched the internet for inspiration and soon settled on what I wanted it to look like, partly inspired by Steve McQueens Triumph TT650 Special in the Great Escape, part Scrambler/Street Bike with a WWII theme.
This picture is obviously from the set of The Great Escape. Here’s an interesting Steve McQueen fact, Mr. McQueen did all of his own motorcycle stunts and would only ride Triumph motorcycles.
If you’ll remember, he steals this bike from the Germans and jumps the fence.
Notice the bike, it’s a Triumph?
You say, “but wait, the Germans used BMW bikes.” You’d be right.
Steve McQueen, however, gets what Steve McQueen wants.
Steve McQueen should have really been riding a BMW R71 or R75, dating from the 1940’s but Steve had been riding Triumph in various off-road events and was very familiar with the Brand and could ride them well.
The R71 was a consumer Bike anyway and both were too heavy for Jumping!
He wanted to do as much of the stunt riding, though he didn’t do the actual jump in the film.
He had the Triumph made to look and feel a BMW WW2 Machine.
Grey, extended Mudguards and Headlamp, front Number plate position as well as the all important knobbly tyres!
I do have form in the area I have to admit – I once setup a side by side photo on my Dnepr compared to shot of Steve on a similar Sidecar unit…
Kids thought I’d gone mad!