Taking a grinder to Britain's motorcycling heritage.
Disclaimer
This "Blog" represents the thoughts and actions of the author. It is created for academic interest and entertainment only. It is neither intended or implied that any person reading any article contained within, imitates or recreates any work described.




BRITISH CLASS

BRITISH CLASS
TRIUMPH GP500

Monday 31 December 2012

Drag Artist's Delight


Peter has just released these pics of his finished T100 vintage drag bike. You may have noticed the engine detail photo at the top of the page and wondered what the relevance is, well this is it.


Peter, -  and I hope he doesn't mind me saying this - was mentored by The Baron of Speedshop fame during the build, and his exacting eye for detail and period correct parts shows.

Pictures by Gary Margerum


If you need more, and who can blame ya, it's featured in this month's BSH out today.

Sunday 30 December 2012

A Frame Of Two Halves


Over the past year and a half or so a few unattached and, let's say "creatively modified" frame halves have ended up 'round here. No use to man nor beast it was decided to bring them back to the way big Ted Turner intended.


The front half had been raked in an enthusiastically amateur Blacksmith style. The top tubes had been cut and maybe an inch of tube removed prior to the front down tube being heated and bent back until the tube ends met again. The whole lot "strengthened" by sliding bits of gas pipe over the joints and welding up. 
The rear section had the old inch and three quarter slugs added behind the gearbox mounts to straighten the line down the back bone. It's also had some cutting and grinding done around the axle plates. 
They were taken to frame maestro Toddy for a little remedial work on his jig. Top tubes both replaced, down tube back in line and slugs removed, nice work mate. Whilst up there picking it up there was another bloke there who was looking it over and he said "what are you doing about the rear brake pedal pivot?" I've gotta 'fess up here, never even noticed it was missing! Then the Karma kicked in...............

  
............he says "I've had some of them cast up for a GP replica I'm building" and do I want one for 20 quid! You can see my answer above.

As this frame, which is marked up as a '51 by the way, has had so much work and so many irreversible detail modifications done to it, it will become the basis of The Skankweasel project, allowing a little more creativity in the design.

Friday 28 December 2012

Primary Delight - Todd's Got It Covered


Spent a lot of time lately trawling the world trying to score a good pair of long primary cases, drop me a line if you have a pair excess to requirements.


Looking through the Jockey Journal for leads I came across this jaw dropping set up. Made by Todd at Small City Cycles and promised to be in production and on sale soon, needless to say.....can't wait.

Monday 10 December 2012

Cliff's a' crackin'.....................

.............on that is.
Latest undercover shots from our man on the scene.



Lookin' nice there mate.



Shortened Sporty front end tuffin' it out in front sits well with the TFMW frame.


Just hope the fat bloke in red's gotta camera in his sack when he nips 'round mate.

Sunday 9 December 2012

The Numbers Are In



The letter's back from the dating fellah, to allow the registration process on Newgate's Knocker to proceed. Frame's earlier than I thought, sure one of the interweb lists showed it as a number from 1951, ain't moaning though. The motor is early '54 which is excellent news as this clipping from the Jan '55 issue of the US mag Motorcyclist shows,


If they weren't released until March to the American press then early May is very early indeed.

Saturday 8 December 2012

Sweet Pre Unit From Yokohama






Pics are appearing from last Sunday's show in Yokohama, Louie posted this sweet rigid on the JJ.

Monday 3 December 2012

Triumph in Japan

We all know that there's some great work coming out of Japan, without a doubt some of the best Hot Rod Triumphs in the world are originating there. Ironic ? Maybe so, but undeniable all the same.  Came across Sunao's blog whilst trawling for Tiger 100 RR stuff , (again) and was more than impressed with the work he's doing.............................and he's got an RR frame.
Check it out for yourself HERE The Google auto translate struggles a bit but it doesn't detract.