Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Custom Aftermarket Engine / Gearbox Mounting Plates - 1960 - 1961 TR6C

 I bought these alloy engine / gearbox mounting plates off ebay about 7-8 years ago. I have no idea who made them but being right and left sides with rounded edges makes me think they are not one off parts and most likely production items from an aftermarket company. Anyone recognize? They are 1/16" thicker than the stock steel plates and a lot lighter.

All of the drilled holes are right where they should be, except for the top gearbox mounting slot.

So a stock plate was bolted up and slots were marked and center punched. 


Holes drilled and next the slots were cut with a jig saw. 

Due to the plates being thicker than stock the bottom two mounting points needed to be milled down. Down the street at my Dad's garage his low buck garage milling machine was put to use.

Next came some polishing and hand detailing and presto, custom alloy engine / gearbox plates. 


Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Saturday, October 20, 2012

1962 Bonneville For Sale


Bob has this sweet unrestored 1962 T120 Bonneville for sale.

 
Thanks Ton Up Jonnie for the luggage rack and Wellworthy Cylinders!

SOLD

Monday, October 8, 2012

"Desert Special" Triumph Sled Oil Tank

Found this customized oil tank a couple weeks ago in a long closed down motorcycle shop that had specialized in Triumph's and BSA's. I searched far and wide in that shop but could not find any more related sled parts or any remnants of the "Desert Special".

In keeping with the "as found" patina philosophy, I only wiped the dust off, that way the tank could be put on a survivor bike and look the part. I'm usually bummed when I find any good old piece of formed sheet metal with a dent on it, but in this case the overall condition couldn't be any better.
The added breather tower in place of the old filler cap shows that this tank is modified for serious business. The relocated oil filler tube is baffled inside and keeps the cap at the top height of the tank. The caps were moved to the outside on sled oil tanks so the seat would not have to be disturbed to add oil.  

The mounts are for mid 1960's to 1970, 650 and 500 frames. I do not have a specific use for this tank right now and even though it would look great on my shop wall, I will entertain interesting trade offers. I'm looking for similar parts for 1960-62 duplex frame Triumph's. Skid plates, oil tanks, 15/16" throttle handlebars, seats, etc. OR....?

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The 1970 T100C project I have is going to get this tank. No added breather and not the fancy baffled filler, but the bike is going to be more of a trail bike than sled. I took this to sell at the first MC swapmeet I went to over 20 years ago, but lucky for me it didn't sell for the $20 I priced it at. I wish I still had the other's I sold before I knew I was going to get over the bolt on hardtail scene.

Thursday, October 4, 2012

*** Ted's Triumph's Competition Special *** Desert Sled Blueprint

SoCal Gearhead Artist BOMONSTER hooked me up with this high quality scan months ago and now it's time to spread the word. In 1967 his dad published a motorcycle results paper called Rap Up. He wrote the articles, took the pictures and created the ads including this one. This is about as good a Triumph desert sled blueprint that you're going to find. There are a handfull of other mods that were done during that period, but this ad shows the majority of the most common. Check out his BLOG to keep up on his work and travels.

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

El Camino Triumph Desert Sled




Looks like a Checkers Club machine and has many of the desert sled specific mods of the time, a little unique that it has lights. In recent years I've seen a few survivor sleds in unwashed condition like this one and I think it really adds to the story of the bike and is something that once lost is gone forever. Cheers to the guys that own these soiled survivors and are smart enough to leave them as is. Pics by Jon Rispante.