SHOW & GO CYCLE SHOP

NEW M&H 18" Drag Slick Tire Available

2011-10-12T09:40:00.000-07:00

M&H 18 x 4.00 26.6" Drag slick

The new M&H tire will be here at the end of the month. The NVMDRA has the first chance at selling them . This is the first time in production in 30 yrs. We are taking orders for them now and if we pick up at factory can get a better price. But we have to pay when we pick up so Im asking that folks prepay thru pay pal and should be shipped out first week of November. Im having my son Steve handle orders. so if your interested email me phone # and I will have my son contact you. or call me 740 827 0492 and Ill call you back with arrangements.
Thanks
Wayne Skinner, Founder
National Vintage Motorcycle Drag Racing Association

PS tires $167.00 + shipping 15 to 25 dollars about cost for continental USA

CB Honda Dragbike - Looking for History

2011-10-12T09:01:00.000-07:00

Looking for history on this bike. If you have any please let me know. Disregard the number on the number plate, its not Keith's number. Thanks, Randy

Chapman lay down drag bike

Last raced by Keith Robinson of Pipersville, PA. Owner of Precision cycle (Honda dealer)

Keith ran at Atco, NJ -- Cesel County, DE – Maple grove, Pa. He was very well known and held tittles in C/Gas with this bike.

Frame was built by Chapman Race cars- Chicago

Aluminum lightweight AKRONT rims.
MRE air shifter solenoid and trigger.
Aluminum oil tank
Hurst/Airheart rear brake caliper.
Grimeca master
ARD Magneto
Metzeler 170/60-18 rear slick.
Adjustable wheelie bars
Total bike length is 10ft 8in

Custom built Honda cb750E- 2527450, stroked to 836
KEIHIN carbs
Russ Cullens of “RC Engineering” custom built top end and cam.
Lower end built by Eraldo Ferracci of “Fast By Ferracci” with custom aluminum rods.

This is the only Chapman bike I have ever seen or herd of made by Chapman Race Cars- Chicago
There is still a lot of research that needs to be done.

Thanks, theracedude@yahoo.com

Bud Ekins Exhaust Pipes for Triumph 650's

2011-10-09T10:18:00.001-07:00

I am in need of a set of these Bud Ekins style exhaust pipes. I was told that JRC did a batch, but they are now gone. Looks like there are some UK made pipes that may be similar for sale on ebay.uk. Anyone have any info on where I can find a set of these in the USA???

Jared of Throwbacks MC is hooking me up with the Ekins pipes. If you need any new Triumph parts at a good price send him a parts order at jedwambaugh@hotmail.com

Jon Rispante's 1966 BSA "Gold Digger"

2011-08-20T10:03:00.000-07:00

STREET OR STRIP 1966 BSA A65 Lightning

Built from empty cases and bare frame with high attention to detail.

The "before", pictured in front of my garage.

and the pile o parts that went with it that he was nice enough to take off my hands and actually put to use to build this kick ass ride in less than a year.

Sunsetter UPDATE

2011-08-15T16:22:00.001-07:00

"Hi, regarding your blog : "Nothing better than a survivor like "The Sunsetter". Pssst, hey buddy, you know that thing is suppossed to have drag bars, right? Super cool show card with original A.J. Lewis Motorcycle Shop reciepts."

Good news, the bike now has the original drag bars, and cables on it! My uncle owns the bike and wanted me to share this photo with you of the bike with the drag bars on it now. Yes, these are the bars that AJ had installed. The owner before my uncle had put the higher rise ones on there because he had a bad back.

Enjoy, Jason "

Sometimes the right thing does happen. The Sunsetter is a work of perfection again!

National Vintage Motorcycle Drag Racing Association Meet

2011-07-06T08:48:00.000-07:00

From Skinner: " We have a race at Accelaquarter Raceway Park in Harrisburg Illinois on Aug 13 this will be a one day event under lights if needed this track a non profit track with procceds going to needy kids 1/8 mile can camp and race with cars next day if you want, swapmeet bike show all the same.

Track ask that everyone thru gate pays $10 then for racing go fill tech sheet and pay race fees of $25 swapmeet $40 bike show to be collected when announced we can have gamblers race or heads up should be fun."

Too far away for me, but with all the sponsors and the cool theme hopefully it grows. All you easteners need to support this!

PICTURES

Hot Deal in Riverside

2011-07-06T08:42:00.000-07:00

Sellers description: "Here we have a pre-unit drag bike up for grabs. I bought this drag bike with the intentions of restoring it to original and make a few exhibition runs with it but it has to go. It has a one of a kind webco square tube frame design, custom alloy tank, drilled brake drum with a shouldered borrani with an old avon slick mounted to it. It is very old but it is still very rare and neat. I have some forks, a drilled rear fender brace, custom rear brake lever, and a basket case pre-unit engine with extra parts, and a complete transmission. I found some other parts like webco finned oil cooler, and finned rocker caps. I don't think you will find another one like it. If you have any questions call (909)996-1964. Thank you and take care. $2000"

Craigs List LINK

Born Free 3 Triumph Turnout

2011-06-29T16:43:00.000-07:00

ALL PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY: JON RISPANTE

Thee Classic Formula

Gotta admit I have a weakness for rigid forks on choppers, especially when part of a total package that could easily pass for a bike featured in a late 60's issue of the original Choppers Magazine. Nice one.

Featured build by Todd Asin. Show winner in my book.

Baron's Speed Shop period correct show dragbike. All around done right. Love the primary cover!

This one from Classic Cycles Inc. really does it for me. Dying to see some good profile pics of it. Add any good links to the comments or send me pics!

This beauty from back east speaks for itself.

Another one from Todd Asin. The guy has a knack for building traditional triumph choppers with unique design ideas that turn out really sweet! Check that frame...

Nothing better than a survivor like "The Sunsetter". Pssst, hey buddy, you know that thing is suppossed to have drag bars, right? Super cool show card with original A.J. Lewis Motorcycle Shop reciepts.

Mark Drew's unbeatable "Solitary Confinement".

Don't know if this bitchin' reversed head chop by Scott Craig has a name or not, but it should. Biggest problem with riding this bike is that I think I would want to have the throttles wide open all the time. Another great traditional Triumph chop with a healthy dose of bad attitude.

A perfect all purpose custom fun machine for rough mountain roads, trails, beaches or highway, Jon Rispante's "Grass Hopper"

And lastly, working from that big pile of BSA parts he cleared out of my garage, a sneak peak of his latest creation "The Gold Digger". Not quite finished yet, but sure to shock the bolt on/weld on hardtail crowd to their core...

Update pic

2011-06-22T08:59:00.000-07:00

Of Lee Thiessen's low rider.

Bloody Nose gone, but will go again...

2011-06-04T09:11:00.000-07:00

Some people have asked if I'm gone too. Trying to really focus on making progress with whatever it is that's driving me from day to day. New posts will come but probably not very frequently. I am bikeless right now since my old chopper was loaded on a truck a few weeks ago, so I really need to get something new rolling. Hopefully before the end of summer.

The buyer wanted to make a few changes, to put it mildly. After getting over the initial reluctance to tear apart what was a finished work for me, I really didn't mind doing it. That's because I made a few extra bucks on top of what I sold the bike for, and I got to keep the forks, Z bars, headlight, gas tank, oil tank, rear fender and sissy bar! All those parts have a place in my heart and getting to keep them made the pain of letting go of the bike way easier. Old Joe the Painter passed away last year, making this paint set his last old style chopper job. The sissy and Z's were made in the Club shop with the help of our P-resident metal wizard, Jonathan, and now when I build the next chop I have these pieces with all the personal history and many proven miles to use again. I did the conversion of the bike in my garage and I think it turned out pretty good. Now I continue to hold the Bloody Nose name and if it's in the cards for me, the Bloody Nose will ride again!

The tanks retired to the rafters for now...

The original Z's I narrowed and the headlight with first generation DTMC mount permanently retired to do duty as centerpiece for my little shop that,

has a whole lot going on at the same time.

The sissy bar and Z bar that will be used again!

I had already started building another very similar set of extended glide forks for the next chopper, so I am going to go ahead and sell this set of ready to go 8" over legs. If your interested check them out HERE.

The Assasin in Dice

2011-06-04T08:45:00.001-07:00

Check it out!

Jon Rispante's Grasshopper in The Horse

2011-04-21T12:09:00.001-07:00

Get a copy to see more.

Family heritage. Bitchin' photo of Jon's dad, Jim Rispante that the Horse failed to include in the feature.

Early 1950's Triumph 21" Spool Hub Racing Wheel

2011-04-17T12:08:00.000-07:00

Believe it or not I found this mid-day at the Clubman's swap meet. Why it did not get snatched up early is probably because of the amount of parts there were to dig through. There was an estate sale from a collection of 1950's - 1960's Brit parts that took up six spaces. I ran back and forth from my spot to this area quite a few times that morning. Without this estate the swap really would not have been that good, but that's the way it always goes. The last thing you want to see at a once a year swap meet is all the same old faces! You don't even wanna know what I paid, the prices for most of the parts there ranged from fair to steals. This wheel is the real deal, dated to the early '50s by the painted rim center, 21" Avon Supreme tire and super neat alloy hub with internal bearing sleeve to fit early 1950's Triumph forks that has the tell tale grease fitting typical to early spool hubs. I sold the tire to Bobby SirKegian, will probably sell the rim separately and I have hopes to have the hub laced to a NOS 21" Borrani Record rim that I bought at the same spot. This hub is cast alloy and I have identified it in some 1950's era photos of pre-unit Triumph race bikes. I don't know who made it but would love to find out.

Factory Triumph Front Wheel Racing Hub

2011-04-17T11:58:00.000-07:00

Same as the hub originally fitted to the 1955 T100R but laced to a 19" shouldered alloy rim with a super cool Beck TT Special tire. I actually found another wheel exactly like this one the same day at the Clubman's swap. There was a guy there that was trying to piece together a T100R replica that I sold the second wheel to for a fair price. Finding two Triumph spool hub racing wheels in one day gives you an idea of how good this swap was!

1955 T100R forks

2011-04-17T10:28:00.001-07:00

From the above clip from the Oct. 1954 special parts list we see that the complete T100R fork assembly had the H788 part number, but the middle lug number listing has its numbers transposed, instead of H875 it should read H785 as seen on the genuine example below.

The top lug has the standard TR5 / TR6 model, H380 number, but with 7/8" handlebar clamps. I recognised this set of trees as special going through a rack of forks at the recent Clubman's swap meet. This matching set was doing duty on some extended chopper legs. An extremely rare find and no doubt a missing component on some of the current T100R restorations that have been built up from only a matching frame and engine. This pic found by Shaggy clearly shows the modified fork covers that are missing from most all of the current restorations.

Van C. Kreaps Triumph 500 Chopper

2011-04-06T17:59:00.000-07:00

Built in '75. Bolt-on hard tail and the neck raked about an inch and a half with 10" legs.

The "before" pic.

Super Rare Webco Rocker Oil Manifold Find

2011-04-06T17:36:00.000-07:00

As lined out in my previous POST on finned rocker oil manifolds for Triumph twins I identified this one from 1960 as what I believed to be the earliest type made by Webco.

Well, a new never before seen example in my 20+ years of looking was found at the recent Clubman's swap meet. The five fin pre-unit manifold. Slightly bigger than the four fin counterpart and drilled all the way through with a set screw blanking the oil hole on the far side. Spacing of rocker spindle holes are an exact match. Year of first manufacture UNKNOWN. One of many exciting finds that day!

San Jose Clubman's Show Bikes 2011

2011-04-06T17:13:00.001-07:00

Here are my picks of the best at this years Clubman's Show. Unique Unit 650 Street Tracker. I'm a big fan of the pre-1957 Triumph front wheel hub on later models. A little funky but cool hardtailed BSA A10.

Super sweet BSA A65 custom. Nicely done!

Bill Sauer was back with his kick ass restored Show & Go T-bird that he debuted at the 2009 Clubman's show when the resto was not quite finished. Now it's all done with lights and the period license plate bracket that he made a batch of way back when. Of course I asked him if he had any more and unfortunately they have all been scattered to the wind.

On our way home we caught up with Bill by chance. What a cool combo!

Bill Lee's Custom Pre-unit Triumph

2011-04-02T09:17:00.001-07:00

Photos circa 1964. Painted Metalflake red by Bill. Dick Howell built engine, bike turned a 13:93 in the 1/4 mile. Anyone with a 1954-59 Triumph project that is thinking about screwing up another old bike with a bolt on hardtail take note of this classic formula.

DeathTraps M/C Swap Meet in two weeks!

2011-03-29T15:11:00.001-07:00

New Location on private property in the Estes Customs lot, from what I've heard the turn out is sounding promising. I think there are still some spaces left, so dig out those old parts and join us! Contact deathtrapsmc@yahoo.com.

Blitzkrieg Machines Annual Gathering

2011-03-29T15:09:00.000-07:00

For those that can make it to France on May 7th.

Dick Howell / Bill Lee "Tinker Toy"

2011-03-19T08:25:00.003-07:00

Of the thousand plus old magazines I've scoured through over the years looking for this stuff, the one and only time I remember seeing a picture of the "Tinker Toy" pre-unit Triumph dragbike is this one from the 1967 drags at the Stardust International Speedway, Las Vegas NV POST with its brute dual Dell'orto carbs, double row primary and 9-bolt Bonneville head. This partial pic of hot pre-unit power plant in swingarm frame left me begging for more... Mysteries revealed, below is the additional info I got from Bill Lee: Here is the Orig. Tinker Toy and the 2 guys who built it and raced it for 4 seasons. It started as a TR model, front forks are early BSA 250 Bantum 21" front spool,the frame is in Purple Metal Flake. I Bill Lee made the frame and metal parts, Dick Howell (seated) done all the perfect engine work, It was dyno'd at 82 HP, at std bore & stroke 40 CI this photo taken at Dicks Dads house in Fresno Ca. 1966, it turned 11:27 et at 127 mph, we lived in Brodrick CA when this was built, in 1968 we put it in the Sacramento autorama and took best of show for bikes and the Governors excelence award. Back in those days I didn't own a camara, this photo was taken by Dicks dad who was a professional and had a studio in Fresno, we did a lot of racing at Fremont raceway, I think their archives would have pic of the bike, we held track records at 8 Ca. tracks. he broke the worlds record in Fremont and it stood for a month, your pic was taken at Las Vagas at the worlds championship all bike meet, tinker toy won the DG Bike class, stepped into the DF class and took out 8 more bikes before being beat, to my knowledge it's the only bike ever to win the Gov. excelance award at the Sacto. autorama, Dick sold the motor to a guy in Sacto. and was put into a street bike, the rest stayed in Dicks garage for some time, I don't know what happened to it, If you talked to someone a few yrs, ago that claims he has the bike he might have the motor or the other part, they were split up in about 69 or 70, that bike had close to 150 throphys to it name, as you can tell, I'm very proud to have been part of that bike and it's history. I rode it 2 times when Dick hurt his knee and in those days it was awsome to cross the 1/4 mi traps at 125 mph on that bike, I don't have any english stuff left, but my 650 triumph is still my all time favorite, here is my 650 in 64 when we were racing the tinker toy, I painted the tinker toy and my bike at the same time in metal flake, mine red, tinker toy purple, the last paint job I did on tinker toy for the Autorama was in faded Candy Purple, it was pretty. I extened the swingarm 6" we were the first to my knowlage to do this, within a few there were many. The tinker toy was a '54 and thats what it started as Dick and I used to road ride together for a couple of yrs before he decided to make a dragracer. He built the motor and I stripped the frame and dug up the front forks, I built the tanks and oil tank and a few other items, we raced it one season as a 54 motor, then one day while working on it in Dicks garage a guy came by and ask if we wanted to buy a MC motor, it was a near new 63 Uni. YA it was hot, Dick did some mix and matching so I couldn't swear to the parts for sure as my memory serves, we were working on it in the garage one day and Dick's wife came out with drinks and said what are you guys tinkering with now, thus she name it tinker toy. The motor is made from 54 & 63 parts, all cases were hand lapped and there were NO gaskets in any cases or no head gasket. He kept it parked on a white sheet over a rug and never a drop of oil. That bike was prefection, it was raced four seasons and tore down every winter and nothing in that motor was ever replaced, you would marvel at Dick's motor work. He rebuilt my triumph motor and it turned a 13:93 in the 1/4. Tinker Toy had 2 slicks, one was a recaped soft rubber the other was a Avon drag slick. We prefered to cap. The 54 flywheel was chopped, lightened up, but they dropped the rpm too much on the launch, so he used the flywheels from the uni motor, also the head & barrels. He built the motor with his gears to red line at 10.5 and cross the line at 10.2. The Bannam forks dropped the front quite a bit, when I put the 6" in the swing arm I just used a shorted tube to get the drop we wanted, I drilled over 200 different size holes in the frame and cast connecting joints. then layed a sheet of fiberglass over the whole frame, worked it down to what you see, thats all the frame was changed, nobody ever knew about the holes in the frame. Walt Ross from San Jose had his Sportster frame done full of holes, him and Bob Lux with a 54? Triumph, both running Fuel was turning in the real low 10's 148mph, they grudge raced a few times at Fremont, not for sure, I thing I had the frame down to 18 to 20lbs??, lot of details to remember but I'm working on it, I think the whole bike was 212lbs, every time I study the pic I see another little detail, you can see I took out the lower tank bar. The chain guard was a strip of brass with the edges rolled. The top of the oil tank is the filler bung form the primary cover, the gas tank cap is the cap from a grease gun. The action in the forks was not Hyd, just a 5" spring like a valve spring. The tack was bought from Germany, it started a 5000 rpm. I hand formed the seat from alumium and it was drilled full of holes. Dick opened a Kawie dealership in west sacto, in the early 70's and when the first 3cyl 500 kawie came out Dick ordered one and done one of his speed tunes on it, took it to Bonnyville and set a new 500cc worlds record, a little more history, the guy had reactions like a cat, never beat of the line, Bill More pics of Bill's bike SOON!

1953 Bill Martin "Big Bear Spring Frame"

2011-03-19T08:25:00.001-07:00

The race that started Triumph's claim to fame in American Racing. The 1953 Big Bear race had 448 entries, with only 83 finishing. Four newly made Martin Spring Framed Triumphs were in the mix and Vern Robinson's came in first after the leader Bud Ekins took out his Matchless in a slide. Vern had only been racing for a year and only had one previous trophy on his mantle.

Being a large fellow, Vern had no advantage in the power to weight ratio area, and the suspension had its work cut out for it. I like the high California bars and plain control levers pointing towards the sky.

The story behind the 1953 race winner.

A year or two ago a guy had a complete Triumph twin Martin chassis including forks as seen in this article offered on ebay. An extremely rare find!

Unknown 1950's era Martin Swingframed rider.

First kid on the block to build one that I know of in the modern era, David Edwards Iron Tiger Martin Swingframe as featured in the March 2000 issue of Cycle World magazine.

For those that can appreciate the history and coolness of these swing frames I have an original 1953 example as mounted to a 1952 Thunderbird with matching numbers engine on ebay HERE.

Jack Chard's California Customs

2011-03-15T08:56:00.000-07:00

Sent over by JORDAN The chromed pre-unit Triumph with candy peanut tank was built in the early 1960's and has to be one of the coolest bikes i've ever seen.

Japan

2011-03-14T10:23:00.001-07:00

Got this envelope on Friday from Kaz a few hours after hearing the news of the quake tsunami.

Talk about some eerie timing. My most sincere wishes for the well fare of our Japanese brothers and sisters. No matter where you are, take a lesson here and prepare for the hardest of times because they can visit you anywhere you live in the blink of an eye. Following reports now of potential escaped radiation heading towards the west coast of the United States in the coming days...

Eric DeVries Triumph Cross Country Bike

2011-03-08T13:52:00.000-08:00

'66 Bonneville ('72 TR6R motor). Not finished yet, still looking for a skid plate.

Looks like loads of fun!!!

The Bloody Nose

2011-02-22T08:37:00.001-08:00

The first version with borrowed 1952 6T engine, no charging system, single row primary, stock length forks, unfinished sissy bar and in need of some more paint. Just wanted to get it rolling and when I did, it helped me plan out where I really needed to go with it.

Second version, getting closer to what I wanted in a hardcore Triumph chopper club bike. 4" over forks and paint by back in the day Bay Area original "Joe the Painter". The drips on the top of the tank were one of his signature styles and it was the finished tank that gave me the idea for the name of the bike. The sissy bar was finished from the same bar used on the first version.

Racked up some good miles and good times.

This type of chopper style packs the gear nicely.

Dawn Nicole Rosa photo shoot at the 2008 Chopmeet

Click HERE to see the entire Horse feature.

Hardcore Chopper Feature

Last year I decided to go all the way and get some longer fork tubes from Franks and an old pair of Z bars that I gave to a friend years ago came back to me. They had the lines I was really wanting. Installed stock fork gaitors and narrowed the bars.

Taking off from the last Oakland Dice party on what turned out to be an insane hangover run.

A finished work for me. Runs strong, handles great, blows minds.

Most importantly, FEELS RIGHT.

Up FOR SALE today. Check it out HERE and

please help spread the WORD.

Bud Hare story

2011-02-17T13:51:00.000-08:00

Neat email about Bud Hare I got recently:

Paul, I found your site searching for info on Bud Hare. My Uncle rode Triumph and Velocette back in '40's and early '50's. Dad always rode Harley's.

This pic is me around 1972. bike is a 1956 TR6. was bought in basket and had been a desert sled. I bobbed fender and had chrome done. I wanted to use the old style front hub and wheel but wouldn't fit the newer forks. My Uncle gave me Buds phone number and I called him and introduced myself. I went to his house and drove him to the shop which was closed up. He and I went in and after looking around pointed to a box under a work bench and I pulled it out. He said in there is a axle and it fit just right. Bud had machined it for doing just the same thing I wanted to do.

I wish to this day I hadn't sold that sled. It also had TT cams ground by Kenny Harman.

Just my little piece of history.

Have fun with your projects.

David

Dave Kirkland's 1952 T-Bird Showbike

2011-02-11T08:46:00.001-08:00

In Cycle Connections online magazine. Check it out HERE.

Dick Rios Spare Parts Collection

2011-02-08T17:03:00.000-08:00

I don't get as many parts offers as you might think from this blog, but there have been a few that have made all the effort worthwhile. I received an email recently from Rick Rios, son of Dick Rios of "Two Timer" fame and after some back and forth questions I worked out a deal with Dick to buy all the spare parts he had been holding onto since the early 1960's. I got to talk to Dick for a short time after getting the parts and he told me that after he started running nitro things tended to let go so he started buying up pre-unit basket cases when he could find them for dragbike parts. I'm hoping to get to talk to him again soon. Besides what's pictured here there were some timing covers and gearbox covers that were a little crusty like the rocker covers pictured, and it is all 1950's-60's era Triumph pre-unit stuff. I am going to be letting go of some of my parts stash in the next few weeks on ebay including a few pieces from this collection. Keep Track of the Sales HERE.

Thee actual timing disc used on the One and Two Timer.

My favorite pieces are this race kit tachometer drive and special blue lens tach.

Contrary to some opinions the gear on these drives is not the same as a generator gear. The correct gears are actually the hardest part to find and a drive without the gear is simply spare parts.

I love the custom blue glass and hand painted lines above 8 thou.

No maker markings or part numbers on the face, but obviously a Smiths Chronometric. If anyone has any info please comment. I'm hoping to get a chance to ask Dick about it in the future.

On the inside we see that it was built for Dick in 1965. Keeper.

Another keeper for my dragbike project. A slip on kicker to start engine and then remove, with original black cloth tape.

Tyler's Pre-unit Dragbike Restoration

2011-02-02T10:13:00.000-08:00

Tyler from LOWBROW got his hands on this cool old dragbike not long ago and is on the fast track to making a killer strip and land speed weapon out of it. He's been sending me updates and I'm really liking the work and the direction he's taking with it. Keep track of the progress HERE.

Bay Area Vintage Motorcycle & Art Show

2011-01-30T10:59:00.000-08:00

Bitchin' Choppers

2011-01-17T17:11:00.000-08:00

Hello, I'm sending these pics for you to post (or not)- they're a little grainy. They are a couple of bikes from my brother Jon's past. The Triumph, if I remember right, was a '57 T-bird engine in a '53 frame. He bought as a dirt bike in about '66 and sold it after getting out of the Army in '70. He did the paint- gold metal flake, made the sissy bar, added the tall bars, a squeeze bulb horn and all the other street necessities. Jon was 17 when he bought it, I was 10. I can't remember the year of the Royal Enfield, but I do remember it had the Indian logo cast into the timing side cover. This picture was taken in '73 and that is his brand new GMC van across the street. The motor seized a day or two after this picture, supposedly due to an incorrect bore. The shop he bought it from repaired it and he sold it as soon as he could. We thought those were a couple of bitchin' choppers back in the day. I still like the Triumph and today is the first time in at least 35 years I've seen either picture - Kevin Haggard

Totally bitchin'. Thanks Kevin!

Triumph Parts Trading

2011-01-10T09:09:00.001-08:00

I'm getting ready to let go of some stuff on ebay, but decided to do something different this year and offer parts for trade here first. If you see something your interested in I have a list below of parts I'm looking for. If you have something interesting for sale or trade let me know.

PARTS THAT HAVE BEEN TRADED SO FAR HAVE BEEN DELETED

Vintage 1960's type 5" Sport Headlight. As seen on many early choppers and custom show bikes back in the day. I'm surprised that these have not been used much by modern builders.

Now that the big NOS parts supplies have been cleared out I don't know of anyone selling these anymore. Here's one of the last.

Sport light comes with two NOS 12v bulbs that are dual fillament for high and low beam. Head light is wired to suit.

Rigid frame up for trade. Not raked or stretched and has all original lugs. Want a Duplex frame in trade for it. See details below.

Front section is nice, has all original lugs including rare side stand lug and no damage or mods. Front, bottom bolt holes don't match up perfect so the front section may need to be breathed on a bit to line things up.

Rear section is good in that it looks straight and it actually has all the original lugs. No welding or old nasty repairs. It does have a couple areas to be addressed as shown below.

Lower section has middle lugs shortened by moron, probably working towards modifiying frame for unit construction. Easy fix.

The top surface of each axle slot opened up a bit by said moron, but easy to build back up with weld and finish to original condition.

Duplex frame wanted in trade for the early factory rigid I have. Will consider trading the complete rigid frame for just a duplex front section if in good condition. Some missing lugs OK.

Looking for a nice pair of period rigid struts used to replace the shocks on a swingarm Triumph. Prefer the type made from round tubing similar to the picture above. Cash or Trade.

Also looking for:

Factory rear fender braces for rigid frame

Factory chain guard for rigid frame

Factory battery carrier for rigid frame

1-1/4" racing carbs: GP TT Dellorto etc.

Desert Sled Stuff

Nicely Done

2010-12-30T09:51:00.000-08:00

Perfect Balance.

And one of the best ways to set up the rear half of your Triumph.

Check it out HERE.

2010 State of the Shop Address

2010-12-14T13:58:00.001-08:00

As 2010 draws to a close I thought I would post up some random pics of the recent goings on in my garage. I slowed down big time on the blog the later half of this year because of my regular day job becoming more time consuming, my scanner taking a dump and getting this cycle shop to a point where I have everything where I can actually work on things properly. I have plenty of old printed material to bring the blog content back to its original format. Maybe someday I will, until then...

The 1961 TR6C disassembled in preparation to get the frame ready for restoration. All in a days work with the help of a six pack of Coors.

A fresh batch of four Triumph Traveler tubes made by Frank's from an original I sent them. Still need to have new bushings made and come up with some 30" long internal springs. The springs are proving really difficult to source. If anyone can help please let me know. Yes that's rain water creeping in across the floor during a heavy storm.

No, I don't have a vendetta against spool hub wheels, UNLESS the hub has big cracks between the spoke holes like this one did. Certain death if not found in time. The old rule is that straight lacing is not OK with any kind of brake hub, well the straight lace can also be bad with some of the smaller alloy spools, leading to cracks and eventual failure. The Borrani rim was sold for good money. A lot of the time I have in the garage is spent screwing around with this type of stuff so I can sell to fund my projects, because the regular job barely pays the bills.

The top of the project list frames putting their heads together.

One burner propane tank heater lit up.

Been test fitting parts on the bike table for the last couple weeks for a true show & go project.

I did manage to rack up some good miles and make some killer runs on the Bloody Nose this past Summer. The bike is broken in to perfection at this point. I would love to keep it forever and wish I could. I have a lot of history and great memories with this machine, but I just can't afford to keep it if I want to continue building bikes so it is going to go up on the auction block in a couple months when the time is right.

'Tis the season for a 1966 Sno-Go

2010-12-10T08:35:00.001-08:00

I found this modern day picture on flickr recently. I can't believe someone actually owns a pristine restored example. Lucky man!

Mark Drews "Solitary Confinement" Pre-unit Showbike

2010-12-09T00:18:00.000-08:00

Although I loved it at first sight, I have to admit that I didn't fully understand this bike at first. From the first pictures I saw I thought the gas tank was just the tiny scallops at the back and did not see that it is actually see-thru with the front portion being made of lucite, matching the hand made primary cover and motor mounts. The more images of the bike I've seen the more I get it and after looking at these latest pics from Kaz I realize how totally out of site this Triumph showbike really is. I think this custom is one of those builds that has to be seen first hand to be fully appreciated and I hope I get to see it up close someday. Stretch has been covering this sweet machine with links to more pics and it's connections to other custom cycles of the past. Absolutely traditional, yet a ground breaker that takes the California show bike style one step beyond...

2010 Mooneyes Yokohama HRCS

2010-12-08T22:59:00.000-08:00

A big thanks to Kaz for sending me the link to all the photos he took at the show!

Speaking of seats

2010-12-08T11:44:00.000-08:00

I have a really cool 1960's Metalflake Triumph seat cover on ebay now as well with some other cool vintage items. Take a look HERE.

Bates Seat Restoration

2010-12-07T09:25:00.000-08:00

Bought this 1960's vintage Bates seat on ebay a few months ago. Pretty worn, stained and scratched, some small holes around the back edge and the original blue color sucks. That was the bad. The good points I liked about it is that the shape of the pan fits a Triumph swingarm frame perfectly, the seat strap is kinda neat, the leather is still soft and not dried out at all and the overall shape & design is exactly what I was looking for to use on my 1970 T100C Trail Bike project. I've never seen this exact type of Bates seat before and probably will never see another one again. RARE.

So I did some net searching and found some outfits doing leather restoration. Some of the before and after pictures were quite impressive. I contacted Advanced Leather Solutions that sells DIY kits as well as doing restoration work. After sending some pictures I was quoted a price for restoration and dying the seat black and I got the seat on a UPS truck. A couple weeks later I had my seat back looking almost new. I couldn't be happier with the results. The original cost of the seat from ebay was a little over $100, the restoration cost was $300. Maybe a little pricey, but $400 is what a guy has to pay for a decent seat for a late model Harley and this is a vintage piece of history that has been given a second life. There is no substitution for genuine Bates leather.

CT Steve's "TRUTH" Kustom Chopper

2010-12-03T09:31:00.000-08:00

Steve sent me a email earlier this year. He was asking for some advice on building a show & go style kustom out of his 1966 TR6 Cafe Racer that someone had built years ago. I've never been able to buy a complete Triumph in any kind of good running condition and having always been stuck working with bent, broken, rusted parts and basket cases I have a natural aversion to breaking down good working motorcycles. My advice to him was don't F-with it!

Well, if he had listened to me this wouldn't be much of a story would it? The story is that he didn't take my advice and tore into the Cafe Racer big time. The result speaks for itself. Anyone out there that is about to molest yet another surviving swingarm frame and use one of those peice of crap bolt on hardtails please DO take this advise. DON'T DO IT! Swingarm customs rule.

the details:

frame mildly molded and peaked in the front by the head tube and the down tube
rear section of the frame has cut off and capped off molded to finish (cap) off the rails
custom seat mounts
custom made battery box, lid and mounts ( gotta keep what i used for the box a trade secret, so please do not disclose)
late 60's NOS Wassell style tank (made in Japan) made mounts
original NOS Wassell rear fender decked the peak so the tail light sits flush on the fender.
Custom mounted fender with no visible rear fender brackets
NOS Sparto tail light
2 1/2 lowered rear shocks re-chromed (donated)
new leather solo seat
NOS Selle Giuliari pillion pad
chrome rear triumph hub laced to a 16" Harley rim built by me
tire is a goodyear double e copy
Shortened forks 2 1/2" sanction tubes from by Forking By Frank
Front wheel is a 1968 Honda sl350 hub high polished laced to a chrome steal 21" DID wheel laced built by me
front tire is a Avon Speedmaster 21x3.00
chrome triple clamp pull back style risers with Gibson Les Paul volume knob to block off lock hole
custom retro fitted triumph brake cable to work with metric hub
chrome levers
Smith gauges (painted)
Chromed external oil filter custom mounted
NOS gran turismo grips
Stock BSA style bars
white rubbers from Barons speed
bates style headlight
custom mounted and polished coils
gas tank, oil tank, gauges and rear fender are purple base with 8 coats of purple metalflake and 18 coats of clear i think? I lost track after 16
frame is painted PPG Carrara white with purple pearl (paint by me) obviously..
chrome plating by Bar Plating Meriden CT
lettering by kenji
hole drilled in Wassell fender by nigger rigger
155 hours from start to finish not including dis-assembly

The majority of the work was done by Steves bud Harley Carrara while Steve was doing some touring with his punker band. Harley provided the details above and has a blog going with some neat stuff to check out HERE.

1957 Triumph T100RR Oil Tank Pics

2010-11-23T09:14:00.000-08:00

This oil tank is original as supplied on the T100RR. One of the rarest and most desirable parts for a rigid frame Triumph. Pictures courtesy of Dave Quinn.

Big question. Did the Webco sticker on the right side come on all these tanks, or does Dave own the actual tank used on this T100RR rode by Johnny Allen???

Dave Quinn Motorcycles

2010-11-23T08:58:00.000-08:00

A huge thanks to Dave for hooking me up with these spiffy Hagon long travel trail shocks for my 1970 T100C project. Newly acquired trick parts always a good motivator. If you need shocks he is definitely the man to CONTACT.

Triumph going's on's in Florida

2010-11-17T09:44:00.000-08:00

Scott Thompson sends in this encouraging report from the Florida cross country crew.

As usual I continue to enjoy the hell outta the blog. Great stuff as always. A year or so ago I sent some pics of us beating a couple Triumphs to death off road, and I'm happy to report we continued to do so this year. In fact, its been a pretty good year for our woods tanks in AHRMA Cross Country. Max (Tr5t #M50 in the following pics) won classic expert and I (T100 #S50) won classic intermediate, while our other teammate (George Tr5t #G50) finished 3rd in classic int. I've included some pics from the last race, the ISDT Reunion Ride in Combs, AR, where we collectively got beat to death by a swarm of Hodakas.

First pic, the three of us on the line waiting for our start minute. Me in front, Max next, George on end.

On the grass track at the end of day one

You can beat the ever living snot outta these 500 motors. Even after a couple seasons of hard racing I'm still amazed at the amount of abuse they can take and keep going. Earlier this season I had an oil pump failure while screwing around the friday before a two day race. I got it cleared on saturday, missing that day's racing, but it sounded horrid (I would describe it as sounding like sticking a dozen hammers in the dryer). I knew it was gonna need a teardown when I got it home so decided to get whatever points I could on sunday. I managed enough laps to win my class before it stopped, and I mean it just STOPPED operating. When I took it apart there was nothing left of the big ends (shells were extruded out between the rods and flywheels), timing side bush, and crankpins but it had just kept on going. I had torn down, parts tracked down and reassembled in a week an a half. It was together in the shop and started but not ridden by 5pm on thursday, loaded in the van at 6pm, we drove to West Virginia and raced the next day around noon and it won its class. Incredible engines, simply incredible.

Also, a while back you posted this pic on your site:

Along with a couple others I found around the same time:

Which was perfect timing because I had just picked up this thing in a parts auction:

Which was a bit of a horror (in this pic I've already removed the Schwinn handlebars), but pretty interesting below the surface. There were to distinct layers to it, the last involving some honda parts, but the first was much much earlier, involving swapping out some of the Red Hunter parts for a good bit of work, and it was generally stripped pretty well down. Not sure who did all the work or for what purpose, but it was pretty neat stuff. So, thanks to the pic you posted and a couple other shots of what people had done to the weird batch of twin port Red Hunters that were sent to California immediately post war, I built mine like this:

Which is a pretty fun pile. I'm not sure what it is exactly, but it runs great and I'm just enjoying it for the mongrel it is.

2010 Hansen Dam Run

2010-11-13T07:27:00.000-08:00

Submitted by JON RISPANTE

Here are some photos from the Hansen Dam ride over the weekend. Good time as always. Lots of bikes. Spent all day Saturday riding around the Pasadena area, then Sunday was the actual ride.

Johnson Motors

Jonnie Green's Triton

Homer Knapp's Noriel with reversed cylinder head and long distance fuel tank.

Nice T-Bird or Speed Twin. On his way to the laundry mat?

Cool Street or Trail T100C survivor.

Dan Druff's sweet pre-unit show and go bike on the road.

Barry Sulkin's BSA A10

Love it.

This one is my favorite. Obviously a survivor. Mustang gas tank, 4"? cocktail shakers, perfectly executed rear fender bob. Either it's a '59 Bonneville fitted with tach kit or it was fitted with the dual carb head later. I would love to hear the story on this one.

Hagon Triumph Pre-unit Drag Bike For Sale

2010-11-10T08:51:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Steven Phillips for sending me this LINK. What a beautiful example and a really fair price for a Sprinter of this quality in ready to race condition.

Desert Sled Cross Country Enduro Parts WANTED

2010-11-08T09:30:00.000-08:00

I know there's plenty of guys out there looking for old custom parts. My problem is finding the old cross country stuff. I will give high trade in value for anything pictured here. I have a Triumph pre-unit factory rigid frame, twisted rail springer forks and many more aftermarket goodies to trade for the right stuff. Anything I list on ebay HERE is game for trade as well.

In desperate need of a skid plate for 1960-62 Triumph Duplex frame. Factory TR6 plates considered too.

Looking for more examples of the Q air filter. Especially with the stamped Q cover.

Anyone seen one of these rifle carriers in a dark spiderweb infested corner of the local M/C shop or wrecking yard?

I am really looking for one of these VDO Speedometers with the little Triumph logo above the M.P.H. The logo is blacked out on the picture above. Everything else on the Webco catalog page above WANTED.

Will trade NOS MCM exhaust parts or other for one of these FREFLO spark arrestors.

Desert Sled Q Filter Mysteries Revealed

2010-11-06T11:25:00.000-07:00

I believe they were originally made in New Mexico, if anyone has a catalog listing, magazine ad or any further info please contact me: kustomhut13@yahoo.com Old sled components like this stuff and anything related WANTED!

Same manufacturer, some had the Q stamping some did not. These two are the only examples I've been able to find in over a year of searching.

Here you can see the original method of attaching to carburetor. Good old suede leather. Rubber sheet from a old inner tube or similar was another method used.

Orange filter still has the original intake set up. Part rock sifter, part snorkel.

Although they may appear a little crude the quality is very nice. The covers have a perfect fit that is dirt proof and water resistant.

Both examples have the exact same filter mounting arrangement. There is a hole near the front and a wire hook to keep a fabricated filter element in place with single spring. Because the old filter foam is badly deteriorated you can see that the filter is shaped around a wire mesh. Not sure why the holes were drilled in the example on the right, but I have seen other cross country filters with the same design.

I plan on using this one for my 1961 TR6C Desert Sled. Here it is fitted to the duplex frame. It has a little relief area in back to clear the frame boss and the front mount (that may have been added later) lines right up with the sidecar attachment lug.

The cut part of the snorkel may have been done to the piece originally to deflect big stuff, and helps clear the cross strap on the seat loop part of the frame.

It looks like someone may have cut the part of the leather that attaches to the carb, but I won't know until I get it assembled and test fit. I love small bits of originality like this.

Original Q Filter as fitted on Jonnie Green's untouched SoCal Sled.

As fitted to Ted's Triumphs "Competition Special"

This nice example of a modern era built Cross Country bike has and original Q filter and what looks to be a stamped sheet metal intake manifold. Don't know if that is a original piece or one off.

Here is Gene Smiths bike from the Travelers article. The Q Filter on his bike did not have the Q stamping. I exchanged a couple emails with Gene recently after he found the Show & Go site. He's still living in SoCal and still has this bike!

From an unknown bike show years ago this survivor is the real deal. By the length and details I'm betting that's a set of Travelers on the front. Same fork brace as the one on Gene's bike too.

Van Nuys Cycle 1970 Triumph Chopper

2010-10-30T10:13:00.000-07:00

Got a NOS set of these pipes going up for bid this weekend,

along some other stuff I had to dig deep to find...

The horror...

2010-10-26T15:59:00.000-07:00

Viewing Discretion Advised! Not to be viewed by children, those in bad health, or the easily offended!

Submitted by a loyal Companero. I remember seeing this bike for sale earlier this year. What a neat little survivor in such good condition. I fantasized a bit about buying it but like most guys can't afford to buy every pretty thing that catches my eye. I think it actually sold pretty cheap. Maybe that was the problem. For what it is, it has neat lines and some really cool parts. Most of the time these old customs are abused and neglected creatures in need of large amounts of funding and labor to be restored back to former glory. Here we have a near pristine survivor in perfect, putt around town condition utterly f-ct up for no good reason. The one and only reason to do something like this would be if society had completely collapsed and you needed a low visual impact to get the hell outta Dodge. I doubt this would be your first choice in transportation and truthfully I would rather go out in style, i.e. like the customs in the original Mad Max film, than commit this kind of atrocity. To keep it simple, to the person responsible for this. Sir, you are truly an ass of the highest order, and probably a daily poster on the Jockey Journal. Way cool the way he took off the original mini disc front wheel and replaced it with a 21" spool, because that's what's sick! Sweet bobber.

Don Cates MORT !! Found !!

2010-10-25T13:49:00.000-07:00

Not long after doing the post on Don Cates MORT Triumph Trike, I got this email, and over the weekend the link to the photos below. As of now this is all the info I have. Enjoy,

"I saw the magazine article you posted on your web site and I just wanted to let you know that I worked for Don Cates while he was showing this motorcycle.

I have recently gotten in touch with Don and have acquired Mort After 40 years of being stored in a trailer.

It is my intention to perform a full restoration and show this work of art once again. I thought that you might like to know that this bike is still around and that Don will be there to support my efforts, as well as many of the original people that participated in the original build."

Big D

Note special biohazard gear used while removing the artifact from its tomb.

Original paint still on the primary cover.

Too cool. Looks to be absolutely 100% complete and original. Unbelievably untouched for being over 40 years old.

MORT wasn't alone in that trailer...

Looks like the rats ate much of the roof!

Shop vac in place of a formaldehyde machine

and the work begins...

ASSASIN * FOR SALE *

2010-09-27T05:07:00.000-07:00

Jon made it up my way a week ago and picked up the BSA parts lot from my garage. We had a good time talking bikes and moving old parts around. He had to unload the Assasin out of the van at one point and he let me take it for a spin. This bike starts easily, sounds killer, and runs strong! Looking down at the super skinny front hoop spinning round it felt like the bike was on the prowl for the nearest drag strip. I blew it and didn't take the opportunity to get a picture of me riding it! Well, it's up for grabs now to fund the next build. Check it HERE.

Hardcore Chopper Magazine Japan

2010-09-17T11:37:00.001-07:00

Wanted to give a big thanks to Moto and the guys at Hardcore Chopper for the Bloody Nose bike feature, the DTMC club story and the package full of issues I got in the mail yesterday. Very Cool!

Dick Rios Two Timer For Sale

2010-09-15T07:55:00.000-07:00

Hello Paul,

"Just a short note to let you know; I just posted a nice video of Dick Rios signing his Helmut and Tank on the un-restored original bike. If you know anyone who may be interested, please pass along. Owner reasonably motivated with serious offers considered… call 208-890-0337 for discussion."

The Two Timer is still for sale and the seller is ready to deal!

Check it our HERE. If ever a vintage race bike needed a good home

this is it.

Mark Moriarty's Roth Style Glass Body Trike

2010-09-11T08:34:00.000-07:00

Talked to Mark on the phone yesterday about the Mega Cycle. He's made a little progress on getting it back to the correct early version and is still looking for parts. If anyone has a matched pair of remote float AMAL carbs to sell the Mega Cycle is in need. He's built some really neat stuff. These pics are of his Roth inspired Trike.

Mikes Speed Tuning Magneto Timing Cover

2010-09-09T07:52:00.000-07:00

PAUL
THOUGHT YOU MIGHT KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT THIS TIMING COVER MAGNETO SETUP I PICKED UP YESTERDAY. ITS A VERY NICELY CAST PIECE. I'M ASSUMING IT WORKS SIMILAR TO THE ARD MAGNETOS, BUT WITH A STANDARD PRE UNIT LUCAS MAGNETO. IT IS ALOT WIDER IN THE BELT DRIVE AREA THAN AN ARD MAG(SEE PIC). I WILL MOUNT IT LATER ON IN THE WEEK AND SEE WHAT I CAN FIGURE OUT. WONDERING IF YOU HAVE EVER HEARD OF THE COMPANY OR HAVE ANY INFO ON IT AT ALL. I WOULD GUESS IT WAS BUILT FOR FLAT TRACK RACING. ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED. THANKS TODD
SMALLCITYCYCLES.COM

Never seen one of these before. Anyone have any info on them?

Don Cates MORT 1947 Triumph Trike

2010-09-01T07:44:00.000-07:00

Floor shift, foot clutch & brake, so many neat details. Too Cool.

1970 Cycle Illustrated

John Moore's 1953 Bedroom Triumph

2010-08-30T09:17:00.000-07:00

1970 Motorcycle World

1960 Triumph TR6 Survivor

2010-08-19T10:03:00.000-07:00

Hey Paul,
attached are some general pictures of the 1960 tr6 I picked up. What I now so far is:

1. All 3 owners knew each other. The bike has resided in the same county in Oregon since it was shipped to the US new in 1960
2. Only first owner rode it
3. Been stored and occasionally started for 31 years
4. Pipes are old street racing type pipes. I was told there were from the sixties and they were the thing to do. 1st owner was reportedly a road racing guy and not off road
5. Headlight is a GE sealed light so I will replace it
6. Break light red plastic lens doesn't say lucas
7. Magneto is dated 1960 , but this bike would have mostly come with manually advance.
8. 1st owner bent up both drivers foot pegs for corning reasons (this is according to the previous owner.)
9. Starts no problem!
10. Drives ok but sounds/feels like it needs a tune up
11. A restoration person in Portland by teh name of Dave Wedlake looked the bike over. He noted that these bikes could come configured differently from the factory. A or B and the bikes were not marked in this year. He noted to go to a business in England that can run an authenticity check of what how it was configured leaving the factory and where it got shipped to. I think I will do that.
12. I don't have any plans to strip and restore the bike since the paint is in resepctable condition.
13. I will mostly likely disassemble the bike and rebuild it to mechanically sound condition
14. teh worst cosmetic item is the headlight housing. there as an agressive rusting/deterioration pattern on it that is very distracting. I may look for a used one. A new one would stick out like a soar thumb with teh aged appearance of the bike.
15. I can send whatever detailed photos you are interested in, just drop me a line.

Ron

The Assasin Close Up Shots

2010-08-14T07:59:00.000-07:00

Love the details

Hot Rod Trailer w/Dragbike

2010-08-05T10:28:00.001-07:00

I think this was snagged off of the JJ awhile back. Pretty damn cool. Owner???

MOON - Motorcycle Trailer - FOUND

2010-08-04T08:00:00.000-07:00

Original Post Circa 1966

As found. Totally original as manufactured, WITH a one off accessory four gallon MOON fuel tank!

And after a large investment in elbow grease, sand blasting and a as original metalic blue sprayjob.

"So we basically steel wooled all the chrome and polished it, and I sandblasted the trailer and re sprayed it a metallic blue. Its got a 4 gallon Moon tank that even Moon does NOT have documentation for! We do have the orig. paperwork to the trailer from Vic Hickey(offroad legend),and he Actually used the trailer quite a bit, Its has Hallcraft spindlemount wheels that are bitchin, all i need now are some 19" speedmaster tires to finish it off to be 100% back to orig."

http://jordan-graham.blogspot.com

Anyone else out there have a neat old vintage motorcycle trailer? Let's see them.

AND IF YOU HAVE ONE OF THESE MOON TRAILERS FOR SALE, EMAIL ME!

Old Paint

2010-08-02T11:54:00.000-07:00

I found this old Triumph chopper in the back hills of Sonora almost 10 years ago. Unfortunately the guy that built it got killed on it. The springer forks that were on the bike were twisted like a pretzel. The steering head of the frame was pushed over quite a bit so rebuilding the bike as is was not a option. The gas tank and fender paint was amazing to me, but at the time I thought it was too far gone to use. The paint on the frame did not seem to be by the same artist. Slightly different colors and ovbiously not as well planned out. Maybe, maybe not, but the frame just wasn't that impressive. So I pulled the tank fender to keep and parted the rest of the bike. Lots of old paint tanks are being bought these days expressly for the purpose of wall hanging and that's a good thing. These old painted peices are works of art and should be treated as such. If they can be mounted up to another cycle and used again that's even better.

Fast forward some years and after some back and forth emails with Stretch the set is sold by me through Stretch to Mark Drews. Back on the road and arguably on a way better bike. A happy ending!

Turning back the pages...

2010-07-30T17:16:00.000-07:00

Jon Rispante found a pic of this bike on a page of mine located on a website that will remain unnamed and recognised it as a bike he had seen before having been rebuilt by a local to him custom bike builder. He emailed me to enquire and after seeing the pictures of it again I thought the back round story on this bike would fit into the blog mindset perfectly, so here's the tale.

About three or four? years ago I found this bike on ebay with no reserve and to my benefit it was located near-by my location of Central California in the Bay Area. The bike had been found in a San Jose shed where it had been stored for the last 40 or so years. It was one of those chopper projects that had been built by a local motorcycle shop to about 50% completion and then abandoned. Obviously "those" projects are far and few between. The description included some not so good pictures where I could see a swazi tailight that turned out to be NOS, a leather bates seat and other goodies that sweetened the deal substantially, but were not so obvious to whoever may have looked at the listing. From what I remember I paid about $1200 for it. Some of the really cool details of this bike were that the gas tank and matching fender were custom painted items from the Fiberglass Works in Santa Cruz CA. For comparison, I recently saw a similar custom painted set of tank and fender from this outfit go for $1200 on ebay. The acetylene and flame paint job on these pieces was close to flawless and the fender was undrilled! The frame had been painted way back when these items were new and done to match the fender/tank as close as possible. The paint on the frame was far from perfect and had some chips to the tubing here and there, but was still very acceptable in my opinion. I built an internal rear fender mounting brace that used three mounting points with the sides having chrome dome nuts strategically placed between seaweed flames. I also made rigid mounts for the seat and installed a set of stock exhaust pipes with turnout extensions. The early 1970's period NOS rear struts were added by myself as well as it had some jap shocks, and with no fender mounting arrangement, that was one of multiple problems for finishing this custom. The rear frame had been slightly modified and one of the struts needed to be bent to fit and mounts were added to it for the license plate bracket that came with the bike. The girder was a very rare NOS period chopper fork that as far as I could find out was a early Wayne Engineering piece. I took it apart and found that some fussing with it in the area of machine work would be necessary for it to fit the BSA frame properly and make me happy. The struts were the same small diameter tubing of the girder and I was real pleased with how the rear section turned out and matched the front so well, but I was having problems deciding on what to do for an oil tank due to lack of room. About the time I sold it I realized that the fender just needed to be bobbed in the front to solve that problem. I was building this bike in the early days of the DTMC shop to be my club bike, but came to the conclusion that the bike was more of a showbike than something I could thrash around the country on with the club. The cost of rebuilding the engine and figuring out all the details was going to be unrealistic for me at the time so I resold it on ebay. From what I remember I sold it for about $1200. Since I had made money on the other parts that came with it I had pretty much broke even considering the time I had in it. The guy I sold it to was nice enough, but not quite receptive to my advice and opinions about this particular piece of history. He could just not get past those chips in the paint on the frame. If he built it, it had to be "perfect". Despite my arguments the entire machine was repainted. From what I know of what he had to invest in it he was lucky to break even when he finished it and sold it on ebay for its third go around. To his credit he did finish it, and the other bikes he's built are of high build quality and style, but was losing that original artistry worth getting a "perfect" finish? What is more important, originality or no visible flaws? New paint almost NEVER reaches the level of the period paint when the period stuff is good. This is something many guys have a problem with when they find a old bike. Seeing how the bike turned out makes me wish I would have stuck with it and saved something that is now lost. Instead I built the Bloody Nose, because it was a lot more straight forward for me and I did not have to backwards engineer it like this cool old abandoned project that had been painted too soon. Confirmation of a commandment most custom bike builders know. Build first, then paint!

As far as what to do when you find a funky and cool as hell old painted piece from the day that may have moderate to heavy damage. Look no farther than Jon's "Assasin" rebuild!

More Jon Rispante & His Latest Build

2010-07-28T10:19:00.000-07:00

The Trio

Jon's latest. Looks like very high build quality, with nice lines and superb detailing. Listed on ebay NOW. Check it out!

On The Road

2010-07-20T07:39:00.000-07:00

Sweet pre-unit BSA pics from Alberto.

No posts for the next week, I'm hitting the road with my Dad for a family reunion in North Dakota. Anyone interested in the BSA lot send me a email or it's going on Craig's list when I get back.

Time keeps on slippin'

2010-07-11T18:23:00.000-07:00

Did a interview for Hardcore Chopper Japan magazine last weekend to go with a Bloody Nose photo shoot that happened months ago. My second magazine feature and the thing that has been the same about both of them so far is that by the time they get printed my bike has changed quite a bit and the pictures seem like ancient history. Last time I checked, Hardcore Chopper was next to impossible to buy in the US. For that reason I am planning on posting the feature here when I get my copy. Here's a pic of how she sits today. Such a pain in the ass, so much fun to ride the ragged edge on...

Blow Your Mind

2010-07-09T09:58:00.000-07:00

on this photoset!

The Enchanted Parrot in COLOR

1955 Triumph T110 Bob

2010-07-07T09:00:00.000-07:00

Yes, this is what a real Triumph bobber looks like. Quite a bit different than the main stream idea what a triumph bobber is, isn't it? Pete found this original survivor in the California Bay Area recently that looks to be mostly untouched since the last registration of 1969. If it were mine I think I would change out those funky mufflers, do a complete maintenance check, and then get those wheels spinning down the road. Looks like a fun one to me!

1961 Hot Rod Magazine Triumph Dragbike Update

2010-07-06T09:48:00.000-07:00

Yeah, I know it doesn't look like much yet, but it is one of many side projects I have going (excuses, excuses). OK, so most of the time I have into it to this point besides digging up all the parts long distance and having them shipped to me, and some elbow grease to various pieces, is in bringing the frame back to early 1960's drag bike specification. After shaving the front frame of the front seat mount lug and modifying the fuel tank area, the rear frame was more work because it had been de-stretched back to stock specs. They did not slug the tubes, it was simply butt welded back together, so I just cut the tubes where the splice was, right behind the gearbox mounts and added a 2" extension slug. I then heated and bent the tubes right behind the slugs to get the top tubes back in line with the front frame mount. It was then necessary to remove 1/2" from the top tubes so the mounting holes would be in alignment. This worked out good because that was the other area where this frame had been modified. I am just waiting on the slugs for these top tubes to finish the frame up and it will be ready for paint & assembly. These changes bring this frame back to exactly how a drag bike frame would have been modified in the 1950's & early 60's. Lowered and slightly lengthened. The forks will also be shortened about 1.5". This way of doing the frame made for some nice lines and also brought the rear fender mount slightly closer to the tire. It will also have more steering head rake at this angle.

I have some really neat parts for this bike and they are all genuine (as used) dragbike parts from the same area and period. I probably have about 90% of the parts needed to complete it, but one vital piece I do not have is the oil tank. Interestingly enough the bike in the 1961 Hot Rod feature does not have a tank either. A stock tank will not fit because of the carbs, and I am really trying to avoid fabricating anything for it because I want the bike to be all original period components for authenticity. So if anyone has a center mount oil tank that was originally used in a Triumph pre-unit rigid frame, I am looking and in desperate need. CASH OR TRADE!

Pete, you know what I'm talking about...

The Little One * Found *

2010-07-03T08:41:00.000-07:00

As some of you may have seen, there was a thread on the Jockey Journal recently simply titled as a '50 preunit find. I was given the heads up first by Rene and then some others as the information spread. I appreciate these tips, as I just don't get to scour the web like I used to. I was pleasantly surprised by the general consensus of the jj users replies to the new owner to not mess with a good thing, and then it was identified and that pretty much made it clear that this piece of custom Triumph history needed to be saved. Stretch gave me the email of Casey the new owner and some messages back and forth to exchange information with myself and others in the scene ensued. Multiple offers were made. At one point it was almost had for $7500, but Casey had second thoughts and decided to restore it himself. My recommendation was to not even take it apart. From close up pictures, the chrome on the frame looks to be in amazing condition for the age. Casey plans on rechroming some other parts such as the covers etc. It is such a shame that the original owners grandson changed it, because it would be an amazing survivor if it had been left as is. That said a paint restoration, saving the seat, and the proper front end components is about all it's needing. I am sending him the little steel spool hub discussed in the previous post. I think he may have a line on the fork parts, but it will probably take some looking to find the correct 19" Borrani shouldered rim. If you can help please comment or email.

Street Chopper 1972

This is a later pic that I cut out many years ago from a bike show story. Probably only a year or two later than the Street Chopper feature, the only difference looks to be the funky bars.

Pre 1970's era Spool Wheel Hubs

2010-06-29T17:11:00.001-07:00

There are people in the custom motorcycle world today who would talk trash about the effort to build "period correct" custom motorcycles. They tend to be the highly praised on the Internet type made into heroes for doubtful reasons and the type of guys that wear their T-shirts, the sawsall & black spray paint builder, and the sky's no limit master fabricators. I have no respect for those people. My focus (when I can focus) is about carrying on the tradition of the early custom bike scene in a faithful way while working on the effort to perfect those original street/strip/show & race bike styles using the correct period parts. IF a bike is to be truly considered period correct, a guy that knows his stuff should be able to give it the once over and not be able to tell if it is a newly restored period build or just built from scratch.

Case in point, the spool front wheel hub. The custom bike scene has come a long way in the past 20 years or so. Traditional customs were almost completely lost at one point, but now things have come back full circle where a motorcycle show like the recent Born Free 2 was made up almost entirely of newly built period styled masterpieces. It is a beautiful thing, but one detail I've noticed to be pretty common is the use of tiny alloy spool hubs with fins, ribs and such used on bikes that are supposed to be styled in a pre 1970's fashion. Sorry to burst anyone's bubble, but a 1950's era bob job or a early 1960's era chop job, shouldn't be running one of these little alloy spools. This post contains some of what I know about pre 1970's spool wheel hubs. Comments and additional info welcomed and encouraged.

The motivation for this post came from this little steel hub that I am providing to the current owner of the newly discovered "Little One" Triumph Pre-unit Showbike that was originally built in the 1960's. Stay tuned for a story on that in the next few days. From the pictures I have of the Little One, I believe this to be the same hub as used on the original build. This one has a custom made axle that I think may have been designed to go with two right side Triumph pre-unit fork sliders. Very cool, and I hate to part with it, but obviously it's going towards a worthy cause. Ive only seen this type of hub a handful of times and do not know the maker or story behind them.

Here is the exact same type of hub with a different style of grease zirk that came with my early 1960's Triumph Pre-unit Dragbike project that was originally featured in the August 1961 Issue of Hot Rod Magazine. As you can see these hubs are distinctive in that they have a steel face plate that covers the bearings intended as a grease retainer for early open bearings. This detail in itself would date these as a early period hub. The one above is sized precisely for a early 1950's Triumph slip through axle.

I'm guessing these hubs are American made, just because I'm 99% sure they are not British. If anyone knows the real dirt on them please illuminate.

I could have spent a bunch of time scouring the saved picture files for more examples of the early small steel hub, but by coincidence this pic popped up on Max's blog last week. Most easily identified by that round steel grease retainer. The bike itself is a super bitchin' late 1960's chopper style Panhead. The forks are 1960's era Sportster. Check his blog for full picture. Of course the other pre 1970's type of spool hub that was probably used more than any other would be the stripped down HD Star Hub. Being a Triumph guy, I don't have any of those!

This Triumph factory spool hub is probably my favorite type. Dating back to sometime in the early 1950's they were used on factory models such as the 1955 T100R, the hubs were also sold through the JoMo Accessory catalogs and dealerships for flat track racing. They found their way onto many custom bikes back then, including Harley's. Somewhere I have a late 1960's article from Cycle Guide magazine that Tom McMullen did on how to buy one of these from the Triumph dealer and set it up on your Harley chop. I like them because they have a clean Triumph look to them and can be used with the early slide through or clamp-on type axles. As far as I know they were available for a period of almost 20 years.

Here is another Triumph example, although I do not think it is factory made. I'm guessing it was made from the parts from two rear wheel hubs. It is brazed together and the work is so good that it does look factory made. The clamp-on type axle arrangement that came with it is not designed as well as the factory type hub previously mentioned, but I love the looks of it and it will make a great Showbike hub.

Comparison pic. The known factory version on the right has a threaded race for the bearing retainer disc, but the home brew? job on the left does not. The hub on the left is just slightly wider too.

The Webco spool wheel hub. Beautifully spun from from a large billet of alloy that would have been extremely high quality for the time which I believe to be originally offered from 1955-56.

I would really like to own one of these if anyone has a nice example for sale or trade.

Webco ad from 1956.

Desert Trippin'

2010-06-24T07:39:00.001-07:00

"Hi there
I thought this might interest you. 2 triumphs in the desert , taken 1964. The guy in the middle with the funny hat , Is "seldom seen slim " Who lived in the (all alone) ghost town of ballerat for 50 years. Part of Easy Rider was shot in Ballerat. And i believe that they actually met this guy when they shot the film in the spring off 68 .He died in August 1968"

Best regards
Niels Bjørn Christensen

I wanna do this so bad. Set up a old Triumph just for exploring and camping out in nowhere'sville. Forgot who sent me this pic, sorry!

More Born Free pics

2010-06-23T09:37:00.000-07:00

From Jon Rispante

This one's been on the road a long time. I remember seeing it at a SoCal swap meet about 10+ years ago. A sweet strutted Triumph.

The Classic Cycles Inc. early 60's style showbike restoration. Loved seeing this one first hand. I got to meet Andy from Classic Cycles too. I was having some troubles with my chopper's oiling system and Andy offered me the use of his shop the night before the show and Sunday as well telling me that anyone from the club could come up and use his facilities that needed to wrench on their bikes. Very cool! http://www.classiccyclesinc.com/ There was some super neat Triumphs in the Classic Cycles line up.

I took the lazy option and worked on the bike in the Super 8 parking lot, drinking beers before the after show party at Alex's bar. The fix lasted for about 150 miles on the way back and then wet sumped again and back into the chase rig she went!

Mike Carr's Barons Speed Shop Special

2010-06-21T11:42:00.000-07:00

"Hi Paul -

I was just on your web space, more by accident actually as I was looking at Dicks' stuff (the Baron). Thought you might be interested in the bike he just built me - I am using her in Mallorca which is perfect - gets TOO much attention though! She's suitably loud, handles like an old hound but I could sit and stare at her all day. Started life as a 650 1951 Thunderbird."

Mike Carr

Jason Vorhese South City Lowrider UPDATE

2010-06-18T10:38:00.000-07:00

This is a couple weeks old because I'm too preoccupied these days, but was too good not to post. I was sending some messages back and forth with Jason concerning what type of oil tank to use on his preunit lowrider. I suggested that the Cub tank had better lines than the factory rigid version when used with the swingarm type front frame section like he has on his bike, but that they should be modified for extra capacity as well as replacing the oil feed lines with 650 type angled forward like the rigid frame tank.

Within a few days he busted out this. Check out the full story HERE and have a look at his blog HERE.

Jon Rispante's Bikes at Born Free

2010-06-17T09:52:00.000-07:00

The Assasin is DONE and is a beauty to behold. I met Jon for the first time as he pulled up to the show in the morning and was getting his bikes unloaded. As I was taking in the coolness of the Assasin and impressive build quality of this lightly restored masterpeice, I asked if it was in running condition. Without hesitation Jon got on, fired her up, and blasted away with no helmet, riding up and down the street, looking like he might just ride away. Sounded killer, looked killer.

Jon did very little cosmetically besides cleaning. He did add the neat spot lights because the bike was missing headlights to go on the super funky, yet super cool double light mounts. I can't imagine better lights to use. He also replaced the orginal bars with drags. The Born Free gal in the picture above looks like she's edging up to the lights! The majority of Jon's work was in the mechanical resto. The old flaky and rusted chrome, missing paint and other patina take nothing away from this bike and in some ways add to it. The Michigan license plate is the final touch alluding to the possible history of this one of a kind period survivor. Jon deserves the Knights Cross for this one.

Jon had his Trio of Triumphs there with a nicely done show card to go with them. The Grasshopper has a newly painted gas tank that is the perfect finishing touch for his Street / Trail custom. What a fine collection of Triumph motorcycles.

And he got the attention of Dawn Rosa Cole from the Horse magazine. Keep an eye on the magazine stands for a feature on The Grasshopper in the future!

The Born Free Show

2010-06-14T08:54:00.000-07:00

was impressive to say the least. Great turnout, tons of spectacular machines, free admission, free food, all the free beer you can drink !?! I didn't bring a camera, but I'm sure it will be covered in depth by other sites. A huge thanks to the guys that did all the work to put on the best bike show of the modern era. Keep an eye on the DTMC blog for a peek at our slice of the pie.

Born Free Bound

2010-06-10T16:24:00.001-07:00

Splitting to the BORN FREE show in the morning. If you dig the blog and want to talk bikes, don't be shy, come over and say hi!

Sonny Routt Double Dragbike

2010-06-08T07:56:00.000-07:00

"A photo of my dad Warren Afflick on an ex Sonny bike in Australia late 70's"

Thanks to J-P Afflick for this great pic. A lot of people wonder what happened to the Routt Double Engine drag bikes. I've heard from multiple sources that one was sold to Austrailia. Here's more proof.

Stolen

2010-06-08T07:46:00.000-07:00

picture from Max.

Interesting dragbike build using a swingarm front frame and fabricated rigid rear section.

Hagon - Kosman Triumph Dragbike FOR SALE

2010-06-04T09:50:00.000-07:00

Well, after getting my garage pretty well lined out, and getting a feel for what kind of progress I can make month to month I've come to the conclusion that I have enough projects for more than one lifetime. Not being a true hoarder (I've got to do a hoarder vs. collector vs. builder post one of these days) Ive decided that one vintage drag bike restoration project for me is enough. I still have the remains of the Triumph dragbike that was featured in the August 1961 issue of Hot Rod that has also become a thread on the jockey journal, and am happy to say I have been making some progress with it lately. I will to do a sneak peek post on it soon.

Long story short, I've decided to sell the Hagon - Kosman Triumph Dragster kit as posted HERE, HERE & HERE previously in the blog. This type of dragbike is about as rare as they come and it will probably not go for big money. In fact it will probably sell for less than some Bates seats go for these days so if you ever wanted a real deal Triumph dragbike project take a look HERE. Only one other time have I seen a Hagon dragster frame for sale and it was bare, missing all the associated parts. This collection has all the hard to find parts...

SOLD FOR $1625.00

New Vintage Style Motorcycle Drag Slick

2010-06-02T09:51:00.001-07:00

Hurst Racing Tires has some vintage style drag slicks in the works that are due to come out late this summer. Thanks for the tip from Chip Quinn, the page can be viewed HERE.

From a financial success standpoint the choice to make them in the 19" rim size appears to be a poor one. I'm assuming it's a matter of the tooling they have. Obviously a 18" slick would have a much larger customer base. As far as the cool factor goes I love the fact that they are doing these in the 19" size. Some of the original Cadet retread drag slicks from the early 1960's were in the 19" size that was much more common at that time as used on various British makes. The pie crust sidewall design is super cool too and I do believe there was a period motorcycle drag slick at some point with that type of sidewall, but I do not have any proof at this point. I remember seeing them though many years ago. The value of old 19" Triumph rear rims is about to go up!

A sample of Cadet retreaded slicks circa 1962.

Baron's Speed Shop

2010-05-29T07:07:00.000-07:00

The Delinquent has remained a favorite of mine since I first saw it about six years ago. I still go back to it often in my dreams of building the ultimate Triumph Pre-unit show bike. Pure early '60s elements of Candy, Chrome and vintage Speed Equipment.

I have talked to Dick a handfull of times on the telephone and he is a helluva nice guy that really knows his stuff. His custom Triumph's have made it into a stack of magazines now and the number of builds along with the attention to detail and quality while remaining true to the style of early 1960's California Customs is unequaled. Some of his work can be seen on his website HERE, but I've heard rumor of a new site in the works.

Dick moved shop not too long ago and sent over these pics of his latest masterpieces.

I especially like this duplex framed chop. Unique lines & nice proportions. Chromed Cub hubs laced to 21" rims are sweet!

Edwards V-8 Indian

2010-05-26T09:19:00.000-07:00

Being a Triumph guy I'm not too excited by most motorcycles that weigh in at over 500 pounds, and in my, not always so humble opinion, some of the absolute worst of the behemoth category are the Boss Hoss type v-8 monstrosities. The other week at the DTMC chopper campout party there was a V-8 trike that looked like it probably had a top speed of about 160 mph or more. Looking at this high dollar piece of modern three wheel engineering I thought, I guess some people fail to learn from history or even investigate it. Ed Roth built a very similar machine in the late 60's called the California Cruiser. Now I love to haul ass down the asphalt as much as the next guy, but I also like to take the turns as they come and come out if them in one piece. The CA Cruiser design proved to be fatal to at least one owner due to the narrow wheel base in back and a tendency to flip over going into corners at any kind of speed. The modern version witnessed at the party had nearly identical dimensions as the CA Cruiser. Good luck bud!

But I digress, David Edwards was kind enough to send me some pics with short story of a Ford Flathead V-8 powered cycle that I can really dig. The fact that it was featured in a 1954 CYCLE magazine helps, but as I got a closer look and see the detail changes that are in the works I think this relic is going to be a true road rocket with old time Hot Rod class. Another labor of love from our prolific custom motorcycle survivor saviour, David Edwards:

"Paul, Bates fender arrived safe & sound, thanks very much. I think it will rechrome very nicely and looks like a dead-ringer for the fender in the old B&W. Again, appreciate your contributions and enthusiastic interest in the LVD project.

In my update I mentioned a Ford V8-60 Indian. What started as an innocent, "Hey, what's that?" when I saw an "Indian V-8!" cover blurb on the front of a 1954 Cycle magazine turned into an investigation as to the bike's whereabouts and then into a full-blown quest to purchase and restore the thing. I write about in the foreword to Tom Cotter's new book The Vincent in the Barn: Great Stories of Motorcycle Archeology about tracking down barn-find bikes. Long story short, Bill Drabek, a West Texas car mechanic, had a 1940 Indian 4 with a bad motor and a Ford V8-60, the little 2200cc flathead. He combined the two in a stretched frame that spans 9 feet from fender tip to fender tip. A 90-degree angle drive (oil field surplus?) moves power from the motor to a flipped Harley tranny.

Drabek put about 40,000 miles on the bike. Besides Cycle, it made Mechanix Illustrated and the Ford Times. Sadly, Drabek dropped dead of a heart attack in 1968. His grieving widow would not hear of selling the beloved V-8, so it was wheeled into a shed, where time, several generations of rodents, the occasional flood and, finally, stick-wielding juvenile delinquents had their way with the old bike. When elderly Mrs. Drabek was put into a home in the 1990s, it was in very rough shape. The bike apparently went to tax auction soon after, about the same time I started my sleuthing. As the story goes the new owner contacted Jay Leno, who declined interest, so he was primed to deal when I got in touch. Haggling done, I flew to Corpus Christi with every tie-down strap I owned, rented a truck and hauled the big white beast back home. That was 13 years ago.

After several years on the back-burner, I've turned up the heat again on the V-8 restoration. John Bivens at Indian Engineering in Stanton is doing the heavy lifting on this one. He does some of the very best Indian restoration jobs I've ever seen, but this project is definitely above and beyond the call. As shown in the snapshots, frame and engine are now reunited, radiator has been mocked up, Duo-Glide fork rebuilt and attached. Much still to do, but maybe it and the Von Dutch Triumph will be finished at the same time, making for a very odd set of custom-bike bookends."

David

Justin Kell Vincent Drag Bike

2010-05-23T09:34:00.000-07:00

Way back when Dave Kirkland first sent me those original 1960's pics from his Dad's collection of old Triumph's included in his email there was this B&W pic of a Vincent Drag / Show bike that I did not include in the original Kirkland POST.

Dave sent me these pics recently with the backround story:

"Richard Slavens was the owner and my dad, Ernie Kirkland, made the intake manifolds and what used to be the gas tank on top of the oil tank. In '62 or '63, the two of them went to Marysville, OH and purchased the extremely rare road race heads from Harry Bellville and also bought a complete Lightening lower end which I would assume is still in this bike.

Richard sold the bike to a guy in Las Vegas. The guy in Vegas had called and said he wanted to buy the bike, "but I'm getting my leg amputated tomorrow, I'll call you after it's done." He called back the day after the amputation and said, "I want to buy your bike," so Richard sold it to him.

I have no idea, what year he sold it. The pictures that I got off of Facebook that I just sent, came from Richard's nephew who said, that these were the only pictures that his uncle Dick had left of the bike."

The updated story as of May 28th.

"I spoke with Justin on the phone yesterday about the Vincent. He is very interested in the original history of the bike and is actually in the process of putting the bike back together like it was originally and running it a Bonneville this year."
Dave Kirkland

The same bike today.The Bikernet story HERE.

Gotta say I love the road racer gas tank. The tank relief is the coolest!

Speaking of Custom Seats

2010-05-19T07:42:00.000-07:00

I did a full post on this bike awhile back but did not include this picture I pasted together later from two pages before the scanner set up revolted on me. Click for large version.

Jason "Vor" South City Pre-unit Lowrider

2010-05-17T11:28:00.000-07:00

The way it was before he bought it from world renowned internet know it all and all around expert on every subject known to man, "Hackasaw".

To me getting a custom chopper right takes a combination of things in proper balance with each other. Rear frame stretch, rake, gas tank mounting height, fork length etc. are things that can be done a million different ways. The original build by Hackasaw doesn't quite get it does it? Many things to pick on that I won't bother with, but the plate seat style is something that was especially bad in my book.

Some choppers beg for longer forks. I started with stock length on mine, then 4" over, and finally the latest version that's 8" over and I'm really happy with it now. This bike wasn't working with stock length and going longer would have made things worse. Jason lowered the stock Triumph forks and machined an axle to mount the small brake front wheel with 21" rim and now she's sitting pretty.
In the email he sent me this morning he said "I've got to tweak the front end a bit, mount the rear fender, tail light, and some misc, then I should be able to dig into the motor. I'm looking for a rigid preunit tank so I can move on. It's running a bultaco front brake, 21" akront, unit front end and rear wheel, some modified BSA foot pegs and brake pedal. "

There are a bunch of pics of the progress of this build HERE.

I want to thank Jason for making it to the DeathTraps MC Copperopolis party this weekend and everyone else that came out and made it a success. More to come!

Forget Everything Else,

2010-05-14T08:01:00.000-07:00

and hit the road tomorrow!

Chip Quinn's '53 6T Showbike Project

2010-05-08T07:47:00.000-07:00

I recently worked out a trade with Chip to swap the T120 head I posted for a TR6 head he has. He also sent me these pics of this super cool start he has to a rigid frame Triumph showbike project. I gave him my thoughts, and he's asking, so read his story and don't be shy about any comments you might have.

I like this work in progress stuff and as I've stated I'm a supporter of the long term project so feel no shame. Anyone else have a project or a mock-up they'd like to contribute email me some pics to kustomhut13@yahoo.com.

"I am enclosing some pictures of my '53 6T "show bike" project that I am slowly working on. This is the one that I was talking about back at Christmas that I stretched 13/4" in the rear lower rails. Your writing on your dads long term project made me think that it is about time to send some pictures and show what I am up to. This is the definition of "long term"project in it's most extreme. As I slowly find and am able to buy the various parts I want, I add them to the mix. Right now I'm trying to decide two things about it and soliciting opinions - should I run an aluminum front 19" rim and my Avon 2.75 x 19, or should I go with my 21" Akront aluminum rim with a 3.00 x 21? Either way, the hub and brake drum will get chromed, as well as the lowers, (just found some '56 - '57 types this weekend, they'll get shaved and go on soon) triple trees, covers, the whole works. The other big question mark at this time is what about the seat? I have a large rounded, sprung base type, (not sure of brand type) or should I go ahead and make the banana type that is mocked up from chipboard on the frame now? As I said, opinions are being solicited, and my skin is pretty thick, so use these photos as you will. They're not of super quality, but if you want use them on your sight, please do. The others are just kind of a look around my little slice of all consuming hell. I punch louvers for most of the hot rod shops around my part of the country, plus build chassis, wire, and trouble shoot hot rods for my living. Customer stuff always comes first, so my stuff always goes together slow. The background behind my bike is my '29 Ford roadster pick up, and getting it up and functional is next on the list of things to do. The view of the truck and bike is what I see from my press as I work everyday - not too bad! The last picture is of my humble '48 Plymouth, which is my daily driver. Hopped 360 Chrysler, Tremac 5 speed, revised geometry Mustang 11 front end and a bunch of other trick stuff topped with a body easily worth upwards of 500.00 dollars on the open market! Fast and fun, and has been driven the equivalent of to the moon and back in the last fifteen years as a hot rod. Oh, threw a picture of my '61 6T project in here too. It was going to be a Bonneville clone until you ran the pictures of Kepaloa - crap, more stuff to think about! Super long term on that though. One last thing on my '53, a friend said he would love to paint it for me ( his car is on the upper left cover of WORLD OF RODS) so now I have to think about paint schemes Any ideas?"

Long Term Success

2010-04-30T08:00:00.000-07:00

Within a year or two of myself getting the Triumph bug about 20 yrs ago, my Dad Duane Gion, found himself a local Triumph parts stash for sale. A lifelong gearhead that had owned multiple 1950's & 60's Corvettes and other cool Chevy powered machines in his younger days, he had originally tried to talk me out of getting one of these backwards motorcycles with their horrible electric components and funny hardware sizes that required special tools. So much for listening to your parents. As soon as I took the plunge and bought my first Triumph basket case sight unseen knowing absolutely nothing about the motorcycles, I talked him into helping me rebuild it. In his garage we worked together, him teaching me how to figure certain things out by wear marks and other tricks any good wrench knows, and I learned some lessons myself by breaking perfectly good parts being too ham fisted when he walked away!

Well, the Triumph did start to grow on him (the disease we've all caught) and one day when I showed up to his garage, on the floor was three to four dismantled Triumph 650's that he had bought for a couple hundred bucks. The early 90's were a good time for buying old Brit bikes! Needless to say I was stoked. He let me pick a few bits out to add to what was the beginning of my parts stash and he started to pick pieces for his own bike project. Some pieces went to swap meets over the years and as the pile grew smaller there was a regret that spare parts were sold off. In the pre-ebay days you pretty much gave Triumph parts away. The parts that were held onto made up the custom Triumph you see here. Looking back on it I'm impressed with what he chose to use. The sexy slimline gas tank with top chrome detail strip and Triumph badges, a 1969 Bonneville engine and the super rare English made Metal Profiles forks.

But the list of as found parts is not long because the majority of this bike was custom designed and made by himself and it did not happen over night. You are looking at a 15+ year project that was just fired up for the first time this year. A partial list of fabricated items is as follows: Alloy front fender bracket / brace for a Harley front fender of unknown year, Alloy headlight brackets that are nylon sleeve mounted, vintage Miller headlight modified to carry a aftermarket speedo and ignition key switch, custom made oil tank made with screw on oil filter mount built in, alloy rear fender mounts to a pattern alloy fender and the tail light that looks aftermarket was actually custom made to fit perfectly to it. The list goes on and on. Not built to any specific style, the concept started by modifying the frame to get rid of the stock seat loop and lower and lengthen the bike. The swingarm was extended by lengthening the axle mount plates, a harder way to do it, but it looks cool with lightening holes drilled in them. He built what he thought would look good and work good and came up with something completely unique. Most all of the work was done himself with the exception of some of the welding.

Personally I'm a believer in the long term project. Long term projects have the potential to turn out the best due to extra time to find better parts and come up with better ideas. But we probably all know a guy with a "long term project" that without a doubt will never actually be finished. The key is to always have some bit of it that you are working on or have in the car to give someone to do work to. If your mind stays with it, you keep some level of progress going no matter how small, and you live long enough, it will get done.

Future plans include a new set of Hagon shocks, a alloy front rim to match the rear, and a high output alternator to make the Boyer ignition work better. But for now it's rolling and making his partial retirement so much sweeter!

Special thanks to our custom Harley riding neighbor Denny for taking my Dad on a Sunday putt last weekend and snapping these awesome pictures.

David Edwards Lost Von Dutch * UPDATE *

2010-04-26T08:39:00.000-07:00

I'm very pleased to bring you an up to date report from David Edwards of his Lost Von Dutch custom Triumph. Originally covered on the Cycle World website HERE, David has been kind enough to write up the details of the progress that has been made since the last Cycle World post and provide them to the Show & Go faithful here.

The bike as found. Things looked even worse on the inside.

The plan: Take it back via restoration to this earlier form. The story in David's words:

"Work on the "Lost Von Dutch" continues, albeit at a slower pace, funded by eBay sales––who knew some cat in Austria would gladly fork over $500 for an oily old BSA A10 cylinder head? Motor is complete thanks to Bill Getty at JRC Engineering, who left as many Dutch'd parts as possible and replaced with new or used only as a last resort. Even kept the corroded timing cover with the owner's name, "Johnny," hand-engraved by Von Dutch. Polished up nicely and the after-effects of the corrosion are part of the bike's story. Motor and gearbox had seen some heavy use, more proof that the '57 T110 had been desert-raced before Von Dutch gussied it up for sale at Bud Ekins' Triumph shop.

As you may know, Bill Getty is in the business of selling Britbike parts to shops; he doesn't build engines for customers. I was honored that he spun wrenches on the "LVD" as a personal favor. JRC Engineering also had most of the chassis parts we needed.

Speaking of which, we have a roller! Denny Berg has been doing restoration work worthy of the Smithsonian. As you'll remember, the bike was originally built as a bob-job by Von Dutch in the late '50s/early '60s. Los Angeles sportscaster Gil Stratton owned it for awhile, traded it back to Ekins, after which young L.A. County lifeguard Johnny Suggs bought it. Suggs was a fan/friend of Von Dutch and would sometimes fetch him "breakfast," a fifth of vodka and a six-pack of beer! In 1968, to celebrate Suggs' safe return from a tour of duty in Vietnam, Dutch treated the bike to a new paint job, a brilliant yellow/orange with gold pinstripes. A couple of years later, at the height of the Easy Rider craze, Dutch chopped the Triumph for Suggs.

Perhaps because now it wasn't very rideable––or maybe it had something to do with Suggs' new career in federal law enforcement––the Triumph was parked sometime in the '70s. It remained outside baking in the Southern California sun, and at one point was half-buried in a mud slide after a particularly rainy spring. During the clean-up it was actually loaded onto a garbage skip. Much to Mrs. Suggs' dismay, John rescued the bike, but sold it a few years later to a car collector who soon thought better of restoring the rusty, muddy relic and put it on eBay, which is where I enter the picture. All mine for $3350 and the gas to get to Oakland to pick it up.

What looked bad in photos was worse in person. Without the Von Dutch provenance, it probably should have been in the city dump! Denny set about a restoration that kept as many "touched by Dutch" parts as was humanly possible, even when replacing with a like component would have been far easier and cheaper. He's welded up corroded parts and filed/sanded them back down. Painted the frame himself because he wanted a just-right finish. Modified the few replacement parts we've needed to exactly replicate the way they were customized. I've restored many a bike over the years but nothing has been as epic as bringing this one back from the dead––well, except for my Ford V8-60 powered Indian 4, but that's another (and ongoing) story...

Paint has been a sticking point. Originally, I wanted to restore the frame, engine and running gear but leave the Dutch paintwork as-found. But I ride my bikes and the original paint was so damaged and so fragile from its 40 years of outside exposure that riding wouldn't have been possible. Paint was flaking off in the wind as I hauled the Triumph home in my pickup! A second set of tinware was found (JRC for the oil tank and battery box, my friend Stan van Amburgh for the NOS Wassell peanut tank) and along with the originals was taken to Buck Wild Designs for a replica paint job. To call Buck a painter isn't quite accurate; the man is an artist who happens to work with motorcycles. He got right down to the molecular level with the original paint, channeled Von Dutch, and laid on an absolutely spectacular scheme, with fogging, pinstripes and a touch of pearl in the orange. This is what Dutch's handiwork looked like when new. And purists save yer hate mail, it's signed "Von Dutch '68 by Buck Wild '10" so we're not trying to fool anybody. At shows, we'll display the original bodywork alongside.

Still lots of work to do. The rusty rear fender, a Von Dutch original, swiss-cheesed and weld-repaired almost beyond redemption, will be a bitch to rehab but Denny will somehow pull it off. And we're still looking for the right mufflers, using your catalog research as our guide, thanks for that."

The original sheet metal next to the new. Von Dutch said that he preferred to work in solid materials such as metal & wood because they were more permanent and that paint was only temporary. When a bike is as beat up and neglected as this one I'm for the saving of original painted parts for display and new parts for the resto. The cool thing about doing it this way is that the bike can be ridden and used again when done without worry of further damaging of the painters original work, and the original body parts could be remounted for display, show or museum duty any time in the future.

A Bates P-pad in any condition is needed, if you can help please let us know. It's gonna be neat to see that Von Dutch rear fender grab rail redone and back on this bike. I'm sending a Bates front fender to David today to help with the project. David now has a part-time gig with the Bonhams auction house as they expand their U.S. sales. He's helping with strategic planning plus vehicle/collection acquisition for auction. People with cars or bikes they would like to consign can reach him at his business e-mail, david.edwards.media@gmail.com.

Kaz's Triumph

2010-04-19T17:30:00.000-07:00

Out & About

Triumph Desert Sled Skid Plate up for TRADE

2010-04-16T09:10:00.000-07:00

Well, after owning this "as used" piece of finely formed American steel for many months, I finally got around to squeezing under the 1961 TR6C to really get a good check of fitment. Thinking everything was fine since it was sold to me as a duplex frame part imagine my surprise when I found that it's not right, and that it is actually the pre-59 version for the earlier pre-unit swing are frames as described in the Bast Bros. ad above.

So I'm back in the market for an original aftermarket skid plate made specifically for the double loop pre-unit frames. Realizing that I may not find one I will settle for the original factory skid plate. I will trade straight across for this plate here or may also part with one of my Q air filters or even a nifty original Bates leather Srambles seat that I have as an extra now that I scored,

this sweet Cross-Country number that fits the TR6C like a glove! These came with a C shaped bracket at the back with some P clamps to the frame that I would like to find if anyone has some.

Steven Phillips 3T / T100 Conversion

2010-04-14T09:32:00.000-07:00

Steve sent me one of those emails recently that I love getting. First telling me how fantastic this blog of mine is, but better yet sending me some pictures of the cool bikes he's been collecting. This green T-Bird was especially neat with the early MCM high pipes for rigid frames.

This rigid T100C project with square generator top end isn't too shabby either,

but this sweet little 3T / T100 conversion really caught my interest. There was a totally complete and original rigid frame 3T on ebay a few years back that was beautifully done up with Flanders & MCM goodies with sport fenders and all the factory body parts that are impossible to find that I had thought long and hard about bidding on. It looked like the bike had not been touched since the 1950's. Well I didn't bid or save the pictures of it unfortunately. After seeing Steve's bike I know what could have been done. David Edwards classic 3T / 500 period bob can be found on this blog with a search to see another example. Here is the story of one mans path to a well excecuted special.

"Hey Paul,

Well, truth be told i never did my homework prior to chasing/buying the 3T.
my incorrect asssumption was that it was the same rigid frame as the 5T/T100 etc, it isnt.
But 'it/she' was such a cute bike when i went to see her, all original .... and running! and my first Triumph was a 1958 basket case Twenty-one .... that i went ahead and bought her.
She ran okay, needed a bit of carb fettling and tappet adjustment but i got her through the Govt. inspection and used her for bimbling around when i was back in England. Luckily for me, by this time i'd been introduced, through a mutual friend, to Ian. Triumph fanatic and all round number one engineer/turner/fitter/welder/restorer ..... when i first met him he had the finest collection of rigid 500cc Triumphs i had and have ever laid eyes on, including a genuine 49' GP 500, a 53' complete with race kit, numerous twin carb versions ........ 22 bikes in all and a garage full of spares. As you may have gathered i spend most of my time in australia and get back to the uk inbetween work contracts, sadly, whilst i away, Ian's partner of 26years walked out on him and in a state of panic over not wanting to lose his house (his grandfather built for him) he panicked and sold everything!! Needless to say he now regrets his decision.
Anyway, whilst talking to him i mentioned the 3T and admitted my initial error, he just laughed and advised that he'd converted one decades before for a friend. The shopping list was pretty short.
TR5 Trophy engine/gearbox plates ... not too bad, he could get his hands on some to use as a template.
A 5T/T100/6T rigid gearbox ... luckily i had one from my other rigid project.
An engine ... mmmmm ... this had me scratching my head, i didnt want to rob too much from my other project.
And inner and outer chaincases from a rigid TR5 Trophy ... Eek!! Now i dont know about the States but these are like hens teeth over here, the far side of rare and are usually snapped up at a premium price.
Anyway, whilst trying to source parts I started messing about with the bike. Changed the handlebars first and ran her like that.
I had to strip the front end to grease the headstock bearings so whilst she was stripped down I took the Superior fork shrouds/headlamp mount off the 6T and fitted it to the 3T (stage 1 photo), at the same time i swapped out the silencers to the MCM? cocktail shakers.
Definite improvement in the looks department, IMHO!! lol
We cant run without fenders over in the UK so i just carried on stripping her, asked around and a friend of a friend who rebuilds/restores Vincents (owns about 9) pitched in with some alu fenders that he wasnt using. Again, they kinda fitted with the look i had in mind. (stage 2 photo).
Meanwhile i was getting in touch with my old brit bike mates and trying to hunt down an engine, Ian was busy on the engine plates and trying to source the elusive chain cases. I came up trumps first with a 5T engine that luckily had been fitted with a T100 alloy top end (photo attached).

Whilst putting word around back in manchester, uk, that i was after an engine or any spares one of my old mates got in touch to say that he'd got wind of a basement find, a late 50's swinging arm Thunderbird and two spare engines!!
It seems an old guy had passed away and whilst the family was clearing the house they found Dad's old Triumph in the cellar where it had languished for decades ... anyway, my friend Colin got back to me to say that funnily enough another friend of ours had beaten us to the Triumphs and had got the lot for just a thousand pounds .... Now I hadnt seen John for .... 10 - 12 years, I'd dropped out of the bike scene after a messy-ish divorce and the selling of my bikes .... anyway, i tracked John down, helped him sort out exactly what he had, 2 650 engiines and a 500 with an alloy top end!!
Yup, i bought the 500 for two hundred quid ... a fair price i thought, but i would have paid that for the alloy top end alone.
It was an early crank, no big end shell, low comp pistons but standard bores and look how clean the head is, thats as i lifted it off the ... jugs/barrels.
I think the engine had been put together with the view of transplanting into the chassis but never actually done, it certainly wasnt run.

Luckily, Ian still had some spares lying around at his place, so he supplied a replacement crank, rods etc The crank, rods and low comp pistons out of the engine went in trade, to Alan, ( he wanted them for a pre-war speed twin project, also has a pre-war T100 with bronze head) for various bits and pieces.
Ian put the engine back together, he has an excellent workshop and sadly my time in the uk is limited these days.
Nothing too fancy in the engine, T110 cams and 8.5/1 comp ratio pistons. Reused the mag from the 3T as it was a good spark.
Ian normally replaces worn engine/frame nuts and bolts in stainless, its easier for him to turn down items on the lathe than shop around for stuff.
Ian also tracked down, eventually, NOS TR5 Trophy chain cases ..... ouch!!! I had to pay 500 pounds for the privilege!!
Inside is a single chain lightweight anodised clutch supplied by LP Williams in the UK.
I took the standard gearbox from another project.

Ian put the exhaust system together from bits he had lying around .... still unsure as to what i want, fancied high level one each side, just missed a set on ebay sadly ..... then again, a Trophy setup siamese high level above the chaincase would look pretty neat .... lol .... undecided ......."

Thanks Steve!

Ryan Martin's 1959 Triumph Bonneville Chopper

2010-04-13T08:35:00.000-07:00

Here's one to drive the purists mad. Ryan's 1959 Bonneville with a factory rigid frame rear section stretched 2" and a 2" extended neck on the front. Stock factory "Q" cams and advanced 39 degrees from TDC. Theres a Barnett clutch and a Mothers Choppers springer front end. Looks good to me man. Only thing it's needing is lots 'o' flake.

Regular progamming is still f-d up until I get the pc doing what it used to do. Contributions welcome! Large format pics that will fill the screen when clicked are preferred. All traditional builds considered from dragsters to sleds to choppers to show & go customs...

I'm still here,

2010-04-09T10:37:00.000-07:00

just been downloading some really heavy stuff into what's left of my fragile mind. A person could get lost in youtube for years... Need to reschedule my routine and figure out why my scanner isn't working. I've got some people contributing pics and stories of their bikes and TONS of old material so content is not a problem. Time and focus is. Hope to get back to normal next week.

More Clubman's 2010 photo's

2010-04-05T08:48:00.000-07:00

Are HERE.

And HERE.