SpeedBird Update

A little bird told me the SpeedBird is still moving along. That bike is going to be simply amazing when it's done. How's this for detail?

Return of the Speedbird

I haven't been exactly shy about how nice English Stephen's "SpeedBird" will be once he gets beyond a couple of third-party dependencies and is able to make progress at his own pace. These tank badges he is getting ready to cast in bronze are the perfect example.

Last I heard Stephen had unseated Flathead Rob as the World's most anal retentive bike builder, no easy feat as some of you well know. This search will not show you all the SpeedBird posts I've done but it's certainly representative. I heard one of the guys he's been waiting on just gave him a delivery date. I sure hope that stays the case. All bike builds have some frustrating delays beyond the builder's control but Stephen has been especially unlucky in that department.  I think it will be well worth the wait one day.

Speedbird Fork

Word has it Jake Robbins is finally ready to ship his first batch of recreation Triumph girder forks. The entire first batch is sold and bound for Finland, USA Scotland and the UK. English Stephen has been waiting a long time for his but thus far they seem worth the wait.

People that don't actually build bikes don't realize the agony involved in the waiting and false starts often involved with whatever portions you outsource. Particularly if you expect perfection (I expect that's most of us). Knowing what you SHOULD outsource rather than doing it yourself is a real challenge.  Building or restoring a motorcycle can be an exhausting and super frustrating process. Eventually it does all comes together but I can certainly remember phases where I was pretty f$%king confident I'd never do another one. Not unlike childbirth time heals. Sometimes I have to remind myself that at least for me the reward is getting to ride them.

Speedbird Update

As you may have previously noticed, my pal English Stephen is incredibly (obsessively perhaps) detail oriented. He has been working on a custom dimensioned rigid rear frame section for quite a while now. He requires both non-standard length and angles to obtain the desired stance he is going for. He is also insistent the frame section look as much as the original factory piece as possible. Custom angles mean he cannot just "reuse" the stock dropout castings.

He spent considerable time creating molds to cast the one-off piece. He then spent significant time and money having the castings poured. After a fairly long wait he received the castings and ultimately decided the quality would not meet his standards. He opted to start over from scratch.

He started by designing the new casting in Solidworks, itself not a trivial feat. He then took that design and printed it on a 3D printer. What a stunning part.

Stephen made some subtle changes to the part and asked me if the new design was loyal enough to the stock casting. I assured him it was. The following is the "printed" part. Simply stunning. Next comes the finished product in steel.

So, what would Edwin Turner himself think about all this newfangled technology from a purely craftsmanship perspective? I think this paragraph from Clew, Jeff (2012-01-19). Edward Turner – The man behind the motorcycles might help to form an opinion:

One of the younger staff who had interviewed for employment with the new Triumph company was Jack Wickes, aged 21. His job began as print boy, which involved delivering blueprints to all the different departments. Jack later transitioned into a new role turning Edward’s sketches into general schemes and sometimes into full colour illustrations. He also submitted his own ideas for approval which, if completed in the office and accepted, could be seen on future production models. His design of the now familiar Triumph headlamp nacelle is just one example. A very good working relationship developed between the pair; Jack had a high regard for his boss who, although not a qualified engineer, was a very shrewd person. Edward would often refer affectionately to Jack as “my pencil”, an understatement if ever there was one!

In my opinion Edward would have been just fine with applying the technology.

Speedbird Update

More Speedbird spy photos. That head was "acquiring patina" in a milk crate in my garage not so long ago. So cool to see it loved. Rumor has it engine assembly might start before long. Flathead Rob recommends measuring everything you can think of - twice.

Swanky Big-Valve Ceramic Coated Thunderbird Head

Dry Primary - seal side of the crank case

Forged Fork Lower Porn

Balanced Crank & Rods

"Cussenworks"

Speedbird Bits

Lovely.

SpeedBird Update

More SpeedBird spy photos...

Hand formed chainstays

Lost wax cast 4130 Chromoly castings, just like Edward Turner never made

When English Stephen takes something on it's 100% committed. Clearly his attention to detail might well rival Flathead Rob's (I actually heard Rob admit defeat one day but he's in denial so it doesn't really count).

I now however have reason to believe Stephen's extreme motivation may be a result of a Draconian manager.

Finish that damn thing and get it up here will ya. There's a fresh Salmon bonus in it as a management incentive.
SpeedBird.

Speedbird

My buddy English Stephen is building a Pre-Unit Triumph based on a mid-50's Speed Twin. Stephen is also building the Speed Twin 500cc engine as 650cc. When Triumph first offered the Trophy model as a 650 the press and others fondly referred to it as a "TrophyBird." In other words the fusion of a 500cc Trophy and a 650cc Thunderbird. Somewhere along the way I began calling Stephen's bike the "SpeedBird" as somewhat of a tribute to that legacy.

I been reading and very much enjoying Edward Turner - The Man Behind the Motorcycles. I was very much amused by the following excerpt:

An unexpected spin-off to the Thunderbird was that, on overseas flights, factory employees wearing ties sporting the Thunderbird logo found, to their surprise and delight, that they received priority treatment when on a British Overseas Airways flight. Amongst other things, they were offered a visit to the flight deck when the aircraft was airborne. The Thunderbird logo was very similar to that of BOAC’s Speedbird motif and it had been mistakenly assumed that they were BOAC staff. Few bothered to explain!

Given Stephen's fondness of both motorcycle and aviation history I suspect he'll also enjoy the reference.

Triumph Speed Twin Girder

I stumbled across a couple more Jake Robbins Triumph girder photos.

SpeedBird.

Speed Twin Girder Replica

Secret spy photos of the Jake Robbins Triumph Speed Twin replica forks.

SpeedBird.

SpeedBird

A few Skunkworks spy photos smuggled out of SpeedBird development.

Custom Ratio Transmission Parts

Highly Nerdy & Ultra-Cool "Factory" Rigid Design

Speed-Bird Update

English Stephen's project is coming along nicely. These photos of his head should give some indication of how cool this bike is going to be. I suspect Lurker Tom might recognize that head.




That twin carb intake manifold is too rad. Below is an original catalog listing. Something tells me Stephen's intake was more than $12.15.



All he needs is a pair of 175/041 Amal TT's and he's good to go.




One of my favorite aspects of Stephen's approach to things is how meticulously he plans everything. The following is just an example. He and Flathead Rob share some personality traits in a serious way.



I can't wait to see more.
SpeedBird.

Speed Twin Progress

Based on recent conversations it sounds like both Flathead Rob and English Stephen are starting to get a little frustrated with stalled progress beyond their control as it relates to their projects. Stephen has shared a few photos of his progress so far. I felt like I had to post some of it just because the photos have so much character.



Stephen and Rob certainly share attention to detail focus. Sort artist creativity fused with engineer sensibilities.




Tank "gills" sans makeup and mascara.



Tank post gill-ectomy.
SpeedBird.

Speed Bird

Fresh from soda blasting. SpeedBird.

House Guest

My shop has seen some pretty cool guests so far this year.




SpeedBird

Patina

SpeedBird

Road Report 2.0

SpeedBird