Al Rieske's 1955 Triumph Showbike

Al Rieske's Michigan Showbike found at the 2012 San Jose Clubman's Show. Some not so cool modifications, but still showing a lot of the key original elements and it is a solid looking rebuild. With all the chrome and detailing done it wouldn't be hard to bring it back to 1960's spec if the missing pieces didn't get tossed in a dumpster. Going by memory I think the show card said that it was from Nevada. If anyone knows the current owner get him schooled on the history and let's hope the original parts are still sitting on a shelf somewhere!

Sneak Peak of the MORT Restoration

I had been getting some new comments on the old Don Cates Mort post and since it had been about a year and a half since any updates, I decided to contact Big D and see if there was anything new. He got right back to me and sent me some pics of the progress. Noticing that there was a little less chrome than the original build I asked him what the plan was. He sent the reply included below the photos. It's great that Don is involved in this rebuild and I love the family pride and memories the people involved have for this one of a kind machine.

During its time being shown it sported three different paint schemes, my plan is to have Don actually take part in the new paint job. I have actually changed the wheels and have gone with black wheels with custom stainless steal spokes and have gone to adjure black dot headlights.Don was very pleased with the progress this far. We actually made a ride together last September to big pine, he can still roll with the best of them. I will stay in touch and will forward additional photos.This bike will never be for sale it will stay In the family. Long Beach swap meet tomorrow looking for additional parts. Thank you for your continued interest and support.


 Big D

The Little One - Up For Grabs -

THE LITTLE ONE is UP FOR SALE NOW.

I helped the guy that found it a couple years ago locate some of the parts needed to bring it back to how it was. As far as I know he hasn't messed with it. Lets see it go to a good home.

Q Air Filter available for '54-'59 Triumph's

For the first time I found a Q air filter at a swap meet. Only two came my way a couple years ago when I did the first post on Q filters, but no more until this years Clubmans's swap. By test fitting it on various Triumph frames I have, I discovered that it is a bolt on for 1954-'59 Triumph 650 & 500 frames. I've got it listed for guys out there that might be desperate for one HERE or let me know if you have something neat for trade. Sorry Dave, another one with a plain cover!

BSA "Goldigger" Show & Go Custom

The 1966 BSA Lightning "Gold Digger"

Email Jon directly for details: Kruzin62@aol.com

Featured in DICE Magazine.

San Jose Clubman's Show & Swap 2012

Another kick ass Clubman's Show & Swap. Here's some of the bikes I saw that I liked.


The modern, light weight disc brakes are right at home on this beast.

Trackmaster

Streetracer

1955 TR5

Showbike

1957 TR6

Almost got it right. Ditch that huge headlight, shorten the rear fender, and remove those godawfull stick on tank badges. Other than that a solid build :-)

Street Tracker

Might have been an old desert racer with that Lucas magneto case conversion. Nicely done street bike, the crap on and around the bike didn't make for a good show display tho.

Superbly built TriBsa.

This was the best deal of the day I saw. If I had a little money to burn I would have scooped it up. Kickass period paint on a clean trail bike that looks like it could be running for not much $$$ for only $1600 is a sweet deal in my book. The 24oz Sierra Nevada Pale Ale bottles for $5 was a good deal too.

Sorry, No bolt on bobbers worthy of consideration.

There was a survivor showbike there too that I will do a seperate post on soon...

It was good meeting some of you guys for the first time and seeing old friends too. Thanks for the words of support. For the rest of the people that couldn't make it to the swap I have some of the neat parts I found up for bid now HERE.

The One Off, Finned Rigid Frame Intake Manifold

Made in the mid 1950's or earlier by a old Triumph speed freak. Never completely finished so obviously, never ran. A shame for a piece of speed equipment that is so unique and so nicely made, but how cool! The holes running up the center are for cooling and the two larger holes at the bottom are threaded to carry spare spark plugs. The tube intakes come together nicely and looking inside it does look like it would flow extremely well. Fitting it up to a Triumph 650 cylinder head it seems to me that it was not meant for iron heads as the the rocker oil return tubes hit the manifold, but then again, some of the late 1940's Iron Tigers did not have these lines so maybe it is actually built for a late '40's Triumph? It came from the collection of the guy that is pictured on page #22 of Lindsay Brookes "Triumph Motorcycles In America" that is dated 1948.

It sure fits nicely on a alloy head and the fin spacing matches too. Besides the great finned aspect of the piece, the placement of the carb really makes it. I tried to picture it the best I could with this quick mock up, trying to show the tight fitment that could not be any better in a factory rigid frame with the angle and minimum clearance, tucking into the area that the battery box would normally be. Imagine it finished and detailed with CHROMED intake tubes! A one of a kind show and go piece, up for bid now. *HERE*