![Belt drive gives away the supercharger. Motorcycle with supercharger.](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5jvw2GzY8yooQkT6ssD3ipImvP5V6_y6NN6qBgBtlHCCH6M5d6qA0xJ6uiLxJnY7hqEFw_iJrbpxMMyYbSlAZ3AmSMl1WfS3_w5srWcoRMOWu5Atz3kHUjizHxSqw3XRs326FIjp4JPQ/s400/Trident.jpg) |
1970 Triumph Trident with Judson supercharger was an unexpected sight. |
The
2020 Dania Beach Vintage Motorcycle Show was a delight for anyone interested in old-timey motorcycles. But one of the joys of these vintage events is coming across a motorcycle new to you — something you never knew existed.
The supercharged 1969/1970 Triumph Trident T150 shown by Mike Ennis of Plantation, Fla. was one of these. The belt drive of the custom Judson supercharger was the first thing to strike the eye. The rear "slick" tire was the next indication of this bike's purpose in existence.
![I wonder what it sounds like? Hasn't been started in 50 years! Large air inlet on motorcycle supercharger.](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvGmPkUnK_Ryj-IqSzg7EtgeReY9GTVAPiTGZwvuehnRwxbVbor_xTV_WktVY-pZy6Y0gkwhwr9-2Q7FlYeGvnNun3sadnY6GDaNkBowy8_OWUAVtmBStNa8jvaTpQ-0u1W2h_jcPJow0/s320/Trident_rag.jpg) |
Rag stuffed in inlet suggests how much fuel mixture supercharger packs in. |
But remarkable too was that it has only 21 miles, has not been started or run since 1970, and spent 1970-2006 on display at a motorcycle dealer in Illinois, according to the placard displayed alongside the motorcycle.
![Sticker warns you to be gentle with trip odometer reset. Motorcycle instrument cluster includes boost gauge.](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqWDlZF-DTRgU_NE67GR54LgMGRd05uOHXagutt8icvysjo_xwwU0zNdU8OlxFRiFj5jGfRpowp77gs1tlSaIlaw9I7a7r-slH-k-rBRIribKCBK24jTZi_UaLc9QWK9YIsQITbBUp-Hw/s320/Trident_cluster.jpg) |
Supercharged Trident gets a boost gauge. Note sticker on speedo. |
The boost gauge in the instrument cluster was an addition. Even more amazing was the 50-year-old warning sticker on the 150-mph speedometer regarding use of the trip odometer. "Do not pull trip shaft down. Rotate only to re-set — snap fit," it warns. The first owner would have removed this sticker.
![Looks like hell. On purpose. Motorcycle is decorated for Halloween.](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiitaFhGvzoX1AeNtfIljq_kn8GMNGZlBX1tq9LjLFd7fyDgC1GCRMNpD5wIAdzKT9aLZYwWhluf9pSeyeoc8DE6_vKuLq_mnBqoyZnJI1YTLjizv3meRXzQ0MWGTrVRj5sQzYjuLxGkmA/s400/Rocket_III.jpg) |
Triumph Rocket III is not pretty, but it's pretty amazing. |
No claim of responsibility was made for a different three-cylinder Triumph parked nearby, a more modern but richly "patinaed" Rocket III. From the skull on the gas tank opening to the skunk skin on the seat, to the barbed wire wrapped around an exhaust down tube, it was an exercise in how to make an over-blown monster motorcycle even more outrageous.
![This front end says "get out of the way." Scary markings on front of motorcycle.](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs2h-QdH9T4IRz5fWwR3E2t3ScQOMbqi-STryYnKMsp0JWCQl02k5B4EqUm4FG5nrVFAh7R-9WkWkH2qHcTNqzHgI0zAzj4SEqeadsMknoslJ7j9wxTmwgDMO5XdYQmkNtxsva8Oosrr4/s320/Rocket_III_front.jpg) |
Spiked fender, barbed wire on lamps. |
It was too modern to compete for an award in this vintage motorcycle show, but was on the show grounds — and where else would you see such a thing?
![Pretty but pretty scary to ride? Two motorcycles with rocket ship bodywork.](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwkekXTeMZMnWuGnSYblopSS2mbb2ZC0u1FRlmLAKrLRI6OUIJyGqIbjaAzomgPLROU37jHJ7dTehr9t9RdSsnVX3vcWevdmENTg1-bHx4hQmE1VqC5wo7mBYFpgmy-GFpMiYoLN9Q3JE/s400/Burn_up_2.jpg) |
Shiny rocket ships from the Burn Up Company dare you to ride. |
The same applies to two shiny rocket ships shown by the
Burn Up Company of West Palm Beach, Fla. They're real — and have done 70 mph on the expressway, a staff member told viewers.
![Skycycle looks built for speed. Streamlined motorcycle.](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ldX37G5HAwhhKk5ThhDQDLwrDNKjAOlbqwcnDercphkJpomecSt0gQfm-1gj8FET1I8fDSQlxtP8z0Ouca4Hs-3zfvAPOguyyXv3FNvw-QCSBemn2hZuZUl5gttF1ItkazWyN38hPAc/s400/Burn_up.jpg) |
Burn-1 Skycycle looks more ready for the sky than the road. |
"I got in and couldn't get out," one tall man commented of the cockpit of the Burn-1 Skycycle three-wheeler. The unnamed two wheeler next to it offered no cockpit; sitting on it would be like riding astride a bomb.
![Skycycle appears ready for record setting. Streamlined cycle car.](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7X1KZRE7m68q7GlcQT8PSU0L3wqTcY4Zqgjh35nFORd5bED1e0wilf-_8djUqzdp5T2IewTDkzw5FjctOPsEf5BdySKPIMWgJBiXXXuKHf6alYGfXzQoXu5WkdH4mYLDFBEjckmo-1q8/s320/Burn_up_3.jpg) |
Sleek Skycycle. |
Seemingly more practical was the 1981 Honda Motocompo scooter on display at the show (sorry, I forgot to collect the owner's name). Its clever design prompted viewers to try to guess how this motorized suitcase folds up for transport. I especially liked the "Up" arrow that directed it should be set on its side.
![It folds down into its own suitcase shape. Honda folding scooter.](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZVDc99e5Q_4qJjxOHu4z4au-9_svbBApPqTv_uuW5EsVBqlkhKO6maaKqTomxuvT2pcUvHPGnxGDXWfjHhM1xwSXlUauKfdW-jiz2TPFSp1Qif4J2yti9QN24JGA_h6xfoUt6rgsfao/s320/Motocompo_2.jpg) |
Not sleek is this 1981 Honda Motocompo. |
Four "carrying points" are marked on the plastic body, suggesting it would take two people to lift it (it weighs 100 pounds). Its 49cc two-stroke motor and single-speed running gear would limit its usefulness.
![Don't try to lift it yourself. It weighs 100 pounds. Honda folding motorcycle.](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjruBpsELY7E3Oy9MS3EYBXMZMLJEIfy_zJdgErgpebraIA4xvxtU6gCN0AT8Fv9lWCclBGIitNq9KquZWZS0ZxgoeEocF3AWWaxmfEoK-CWekomjhnrD2xehfJLyQt7ftaq9aR1_r_XNc/s320/Motocompo_3.jpg) |
Note the "Up" arrow and "Carrying Point" on Honda suitcase scooter. |
![Meant to appear practical, it's hard to imagine riding it. Honda folding motorcycle.](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRna8Vro4ThCZ1Na_5kXiz9oxkfrQjZjpjWfrTSqkp_wpei81vOKq8vxJqNnL8djCOmxddRRoiQjo85LtNCU0jDL4oAS9G5kzR9-s1wb1ZGuRX3nil6aGk1l6mFZ015aP28cDTsPfWkjs/s400/Motocompo.jpg) |
Motocompo is small; you might be better off on the Honda 50 step-through behind it. |
![The dog seemed perfectly happy to be in motion. Big dog stands on wheeled platform attached to a scooter.](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghnYbsgej5VTg7VxsWfSoS5Q24azFqisnXXktg7gKgQnidY39U-hS-2eW8y2RNbLhx5q51WTo-GqwKN2kCWGBdpORCvbgMNaDh19hFtHJPBBGm3IZgtZrpbt2y0iJD3W3H8cT_YXMtr3g/s400/Dog_rides.jpg) |
Dog too big for a sidecar? How about a side platform? |
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