Chopped Triumphs......In The Black

Agonised about doing this for a while, but in the end subtlety won the day, and now I'm glad it did.

Anybody who followed the Beezer build will know that parts that scream for attention don't really cut it around here. But the rewards are there for those that take the time to look a little closer. The black powder coat has not detracted from the high engineering quality of Joe's mounts but on the other hand, the mounts will now, not diminish the overall theme of the bike.

Well that's the plan anyway!

Triumph T110 ..................... Wheels Back

As threatened yesterday, there's been a major step forward, and if you can't guess, the wheels are back from the builders.

Geoff was taking a pair of hubs down for a Bonnie he's doing so it made sense to send these down at the same time. Johnny thought like wise and sent the centres for his '49 Speed Twin as well. 

Took the frame up there to check the the rear was sitting centrally in the bike, good job really as the rim needs to come over 3/8" towards the Drive Side. I would have done it myself, as performing the same operation on the Beezer was easier than I ever thought, however, the builder had told Geoff that if it wasn't right he would come out and do it..................nice!

A better shot of the front, showing about as much spoke as possible, all the fun of a spool hub on this side and a totally useless brake on the other..........probably.

The sixteen on the rear, showing a rather strange spoke pattern, it's gotta be this way to match the dimpling on the rim but I don't think I've seen it before. Cool but odd!

The rubber is on order, so if the builder does the tweaks in the week they should be wearing boots by this time next week.

Long Chain Cases.................Back in Black

As promised earlier, here's the chain cases finished and ready for fitting. The picture doesn't  show the full quality of Otto's paint here, it really does look wet. Toying with the idea of running a 428 "O" ring chain on the primary, that and Surflex clutch plates will mean there will be no need to put oil in these. Less chance of the occasional drip of perspiration being left on the floor underneath.

Should be a few steps closer by the end of the day so stay tuned.

Triumph Cast Parts Available From England!

Came across Jon's blog yesterday and was really impressed with what he is doing down in Devon. 

I served my apprenticeship in a steel foundry and have got a good idea what's involved. It's certainly not an enterprise to be taken lightly.

It's good to see someone from England giving it a go for a change, and BIW wishes him all the success he deserves.

Late unit stuff at the moment but Jon promises more in the future, finned timing covers I hope!

Nice one Jon

Rigid Triumph Air Filter

As a carry on from yesterday's post I've skanked these pictures off of the bay to illustrate the difference in the air filters. The one above is for the later frame '52 to '54 with the keyhole in the back post, and requires the battery holder with the straight back bracket.

This is for the earlier type of frame, '46 to '51  without the keyhole where the filter is sandwiched between the battery holder and the back post, meaning the battery tray support needs the crank in the bracket to clear it. It also uses the same frame lug for mounting.

Rigid Triumph Battery Carrier.........Ya Live 'n' Learn!

 The main reason for getting involved with this Triumph was that bits are readily available, albeit at a price sometimes, and the parts are pretty interchangeable between models and years. As time goes on and the nitty gritty of detail kicks in, there  are lots of subtle detail changes all over the place, and it's great finding some of these out!

Todd at Small City Cycles put a post up a few days ago talking about how he modified his battery carrier  by effectively reversing the top mount to pull the assembly tighter to the gear box post. Ya can get the idea from the picture below, not being adverse to plagarising a cool idea, I thought I'll have some of that. The problem being that the one shown below is an original piece and although tatty still very usable. So find a repop one and cut that about, no harm done, only there doesn't seem to be this type being remade at the moment.

Turns out that the carriers with the cranked bracket are for the earlier rigid with a straight back post, the offset is there to allow the air filter to sit in behind it. This is the type that fits Johnny's '49 Speed Twin.

The one below is for the later "Keyhole" frame that has a hole through the back post to allow the air filter rubber through and the filter itself is positioned centrally. This  is the one that Johnny bought as he couldn't get the proper carrier. If you look there is no offset in the bracket, therefore no cutting required, it could be moved in by about 3/8" to take up the thickness of the mounting lug, but does it need it...........Hmmm?, it's already almost an inch closer.

The exchange has been done and it's a win - win situation, the more ya learn the better it gets!

New Gun In Town

Posted a pic of the primary cases last weekend, still wet and still on the rack.

Went up to collect the finished, dry article today, the finish will blow you away, straight from the gun it takes some taking in, this boy is special.

A perfectionist, that's beyond question, the cases I'll post later but here is a sample of his resto work.

He comes from a custom background and as yet I've not been priviledged to see his more creative style but one look at this, his recent work is enough to whet the taste buds .

Needless to say the paint on Newgate's Knocker is being laid by him and Johnny has already committed to the resto work on his '49 Speed Twin.

Shit Man, I ain't got a Brough, but if you did you would think you'd check out the options available.

I've been 'round long enough to know my opinions are worth diddley squat, but I know what i like, even the little lady likes Otto's work.

If you want paint laying down and rattle cans are not the answer any more contact the man, you will live to be thankful.

Bobby Sirkegian..........Living Legend

Idly trawling 'round the webosphere earlier I was stopped in my tracks by this '51 Thunderbird. Restored by the original rider Bobby Sirkegian (aka Bobby Sir Kegian) it is a joy to behold and a faithful representation of how he rode back in the dawn of the drag racing era.

 As beautiful as the bike is, the story of the man is even more amazing, he was running on the salt at Bonneville at the age of thirteen, and cleaning up at the nascent drag strips of the time.

Here's another of his restorations, known as Pretty Boy sums up everything a hot Triumph should be, call it a Bobber if ya like it's bang on the money for your's truly.

Just to show the "period correctness" of the bike here it is in 1953 with Bobby Sirkegian on board.

I intend to do some more research into this living legend and come back with a much more informative post.

TFMW Springers

Picked these up last week from The Baron, a set of 3" under narrow springers from The Factory Metal Works. No flattened tube end nonsense here, properly engineered and an all 'round nice job.

There was a bit of confusion over the stem, and as it turned out none was sent, an e-mail to Lucas has resolved that and a standard one should be on it's way.

Lone Star Hero

During the hunt for one of these a few weeks ago Chris left a comment saying that he had one from an old Bantam that he had stripped. A couple of e-mails back and forth and it was on it's way, now for some reason it was in my mind that Chris lived somewhere in England, strangely enough in the southern part, don't ask me why, I just thought that.

Well it turned up today and the return address is Texas!!!! not bad only 8000 or so miles out!

Can't begin to thank him enough it's really got me out of a tight spot and renewed my faith in humanity. I'll check with the overhaul guy tomorrow that it's OK for a ham fisted amateur to remove it from the case and polish up the alloy prior to the rebuild.

To keep the spirit alive, Chris is after a 21" WM1 Dunlop  40 hole Alloy Rim if anybody's got one.

Lightnin' Hopkins, Johnny Winter, Jimmie Vaughan, ZZ Top, Johnny Guitar Watson,

Chris Hutson

All top men from The Lone Star State 

Mystery Frame From The Far East

Saw this on the TRIDE blog and that's all I know about it, looks sweet and the way the price of original standard frames is going it would make a great alternative. If anybody knows where these are being made or where they can be bought from then I'd love to know.

BLACK

Scored these off of the Bay a couple of months ago, got 'em for a good price but the quality of the alloy is crap, especially the outer. Looks like the metal was not at optimum pouring temperature or something, full of air pockets. One of those jobs where, as one imperfection is polished out another one opens up, so black 'em up with2K and all is good.