Motorcycle specifications Triumph900 Bonneville T 100 Bud Ekins Special Edition 2020 A tale of mates

Bud Ekins... James Sherwin "Bud" Ekins. A must-have name for some; a must-discover for others. Let's introduce him for a moment, then come back to him in a few signs. Multiple cross-country and enduro champion, near-legendary motorcycle stuntman, desert pilot, Steve McQueen's buddy, he's also the author of one of the film industry's most famous motorcycle scenes. Bud, you've all seen it. And you didn't know it. He's the one who makes the jump in the finale of The Great Escape.

so when it comes to motorcycles and MC Queens, Triumph is never far away. Its Modern Classics range includes two bikes paying tribute to James Ekins, the Bonneville 900 T100 and 1200 T120. A delicate touch, evoking the sighs of California as the scent of the 60s wafts through the air.

sharing the same color scheme, the 900 and 1200 have taken care not to confuse each other, each inverting the position of the colors on the tank in relation to the other. A clever game of mimicry through a mirror. Simple, authentic, nostalgic; even more so with the vintage Triumph logo, the one used from 1936 to 1990.
It's in the details that this special edition 900 Bonneville plays its collector's card. Firstly, the rider's eye is caught by a Monza fuel filler cap and a California emblem embellished with the name Bud Ekins - the "winged globe" also appears on the front mudguard. The crankcases receive decorative badges. The turn signals are also part of the reception by opting for LEDs. On the riding side, the handlebars get special grips and the rear-view mirrors are moved to their extremities.

let's talk about Ekins again!?! The Ekins name can be found on the side covers of the airbox, and more intimately with the certificate of authenticity that accompanies the bike, as well as a booklet tracing the history of the character. For collectors, these elements take on their full value with the signatures of Nick Bloor, Triumph's boss, and Bud's daughters, Susan and Donna Ekins.

not yet. Let's resituate the bike, intended as a back-road racer, daughter of the reborn 800/865 Bonneville in the 21st century and descendant of the 1959 Bonnie. The ride is simple and relaxed, with a 55 hp parallel twin. Modernism is cleverly concealed under the action of fuel injection, ABS, traction control and an assisted clutch. You can wander around and smile. And if you're itching for more engine response, Triumph offers the power of a 1200 and a tribute to Bud Ekins on the T120.
The requested budget extension over the standard Bonneville is very reasonable.

finally, let's come back to the man, the story, the passion. Bud Ekins was a true off-road star, the biggest American Triumph dealer of the 60s and a talented stuntman.
Born in Los Angeles in 1930, Bud Ekins learned to ride in the hills around Hollywood, working on his off-road skills long before he was old enough to hit the roads.as luck would have it, California was home to a thriving network of off-road circuits, and by his late teens, Ekins was already known as one of Southern California's top motocross and desert racers.
In 1956, in California, Ekins finished 2nd in the 246 km Big Bear Hare and Hound; he won the same race the following year, where Triumph took most of the top places.

ekins subsequently opened a Triumph dealership in North Hollywood. He quickly attracted many promising young actors, including Paul Newman and Clint Eastwood. Despite the commitment required to run a successful Triumph dealership, Ekins continued to compete, finding success in a number of off-road races, including the Hare and Hound, the Mint 400 and the Baja 1000 (which he helped create). McQueen often joined him.
Ekins is a highly regarded driver, having represented the United States in the high-profile ISDhe brought McQueen into the American team in preparation for his famous participation in the 1964 ISDT in East Germany.ekins ended up bringing home no less than four ISDT gold medals in seven years.
Ekins' competition successes and friendships opened up a new career for him, and while his exceptional jump in "The Great Escape" became the most famous motorcycle stunt in cinema, his stunt skills were in ever-increasing demand.he would go on to be considered one of Hollywood's finest for almost 30 years.

M.B - manufacturer's photos
Credits: Triumph