Thursday, September 29, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
'38 Speed Twin Restoration
The Wayne Hamilton blog is doing a multi-part feature documenting the restoration of a '38 Triumph Speed Twin. I'm really gonna enjoy watching it.
I was a little shocked to see how spindly (and frankly homely) the bike looks with just without the original paint. You'd almost think it was a third world knockoff of some sort.
The scarcity on early parts makes my '51 project seem laughably simple. Having the sort of restoration budget the bikes featured on Wayne's blog seem to have might soften the blow a little.
For the non-Triumph geeks among us this is about what the bike should look like finished. I honestly think it's one of the most beautiful motorcycles ever built.
I was a little shocked to see how spindly (and frankly homely) the bike looks with just without the original paint. You'd almost think it was a third world knockoff of some sort.
The scarcity on early parts makes my '51 project seem laughably simple. Having the sort of restoration budget the bikes featured on Wayne's blog seem to have might soften the blow a little.
For the non-Triumph geeks among us this is about what the bike should look like finished. I honestly think it's one of the most beautiful motorcycles ever built.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Springs & Things!
I've been chasing a few parts recently with surprisingly little success. One of the items on my list are seat springs. My preference is the barrel type pictured below.
The springs listed in the Triumph parts books are 6.5" to 7" long. I suspect the originals may be Lycett made.
I have found next to nothing spare the usual Taiwan Ted V-Twin ones. The V-Twin springs on my new Triumph are rock-hard compared to the original springs. Given my lower back problems I'm sorta hoping to find some originals with decent chrome. The longer V-Twin springs may be a little more pliable than the 3" springs I have but no one around here stocks them so I can't really check 'em out. Please let me know if you have any leads or clever ideas.
I'm also looking for a LUCAS type #31371B headlight switch as used on the pre war and post war instrument panels in the gas tank and in the 1949 to 1959 nacelles (see photos below). I'm hearing someone in New Zealand makes reproductions but I haven't chased them all the way down yet.
The springs listed in the Triumph parts books are 6.5" to 7" long. I suspect the originals may be Lycett made.
I have found next to nothing spare the usual Taiwan Ted V-Twin ones. The V-Twin springs on my new Triumph are rock-hard compared to the original springs. Given my lower back problems I'm sorta hoping to find some originals with decent chrome. The longer V-Twin springs may be a little more pliable than the 3" springs I have but no one around here stocks them so I can't really check 'em out. Please let me know if you have any leads or clever ideas.
I'm also looking for a LUCAS type #31371B headlight switch as used on the pre war and post war instrument panels in the gas tank and in the 1949 to 1959 nacelles (see photos below). I'm hearing someone in New Zealand makes reproductions but I haven't chased them all the way down yet.
Help...
Holy smokes this bike needs to be rescued. Seriously, any chance you think it's a former Seattle Cossacks team bike? Looks like it's currently in California.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Sprunghub Gift Pack
Tom A (Emma's former caretaker) emailed me last weekend to let me know he stumbled across a basket of goodies for my garage while organizing his lovely shop. Price... FREE. Some guys are just unbelievably cool. Thanks Tom!
Tom was hustling around last weekend and left the parts at Brian T's place. Any excuse to see what's cooking up at Brian's place I'm all too willing to jump on. So, '38 Velocette OHC KSS, a crazy '65 Panther 650 single, an Isolastic Featherbed Commando and a new shop under construction. No pictures... I suck.
Brian handed off the parts, endured at least 45 minutes of my stupid questions and offer to let V drive his vintage mini Farmall tractor next time we are up. Thanks Brian.
So this is the actual parts cache.
My favorite part has to be the original paint Amaranth Red Sprunghub rear brake stay, I might just have to hang that in the garage or something. There's a Thunderbird cylinder and head (insane just how much heavier they are than the T100 alloy pieces). Sprunghub parts, cam, top triple clamp, chromed timing cover, nice primary cover, 2 front brake plates, another intake, etc. Cool stuff.
I may need to do a little horse trading for a few parts I really need to finish Emma.
Tom was hustling around last weekend and left the parts at Brian T's place. Any excuse to see what's cooking up at Brian's place I'm all too willing to jump on. So, '38 Velocette OHC KSS, a crazy '65 Panther 650 single, an Isolastic Featherbed Commando and a new shop under construction. No pictures... I suck.
Brian handed off the parts, endured at least 45 minutes of my stupid questions and offer to let V drive his vintage mini Farmall tractor next time we are up. Thanks Brian.
So this is the actual parts cache.
My favorite part has to be the original paint Amaranth Red Sprunghub rear brake stay, I might just have to hang that in the garage or something. There's a Thunderbird cylinder and head (insane just how much heavier they are than the T100 alloy pieces). Sprunghub parts, cam, top triple clamp, chromed timing cover, nice primary cover, 2 front brake plates, another intake, etc. Cool stuff.
I may need to do a little horse trading for a few parts I really need to finish Emma.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Show Bike
I'm not much a fan of most of the original 60's Triumph show bikes, just not my taste. I tend to like even less "modern" 60's Triumph show bikes, so many are just kinda gimmicky & contrived. I don't wish this was in my garage but it certainly make me smile.
Vintagent at Goodwood
Nice coverage of Goodwood over at the Vintagent. He does all the coolest stuff. I couldn't resist reposting this picture... Isn't unsprung weight supposed to be undesirable?
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Classic Cycle Spares
I have been following a handful of eBay pre unit parts listed by Classic Cycle Spares. All apparently pristine NOS parts with shockingly low starting prices. I got curious and looked for a web site. What I found might be the most astounding collection of NOS Brit parts I've ever seen. I wonder if CCS bought the haul Flathead Rob posted some time ago. I guess the original origin of the parts was a shop called Cycle Hub in Portland Oregon.
"New Parts Inventory
The parts purchased include seven 40-foot truck trailers full of new parts from Tri-Cor of Baltimore, MD and Triumph motorcycles of America (formerly known as Johnson Motors) of Los Angeles, CA. There are massive quantities of Lucas, Amal and Smiths spares as well. The trailers contain: new tanks, new fenders, new wheels, new frames, new frame parts, new motor parts."
Check out the link, there's way more than I posted here. Holy crap!
"New Parts Inventory
The parts purchased include seven 40-foot truck trailers full of new parts from Tri-Cor of Baltimore, MD and Triumph motorcycles of America (formerly known as Johnson Motors) of Los Angeles, CA. There are massive quantities of Lucas, Amal and Smiths spares as well. The trailers contain: new tanks, new fenders, new wheels, new frames, new frame parts, new motor parts."
Check out the link, there's way more than I posted here. Holy crap!
Friday, September 16, 2011
Knuckle-what?
Alright... Might need Flathead Rob or Nate's help on this one. Is it an early 45 with a Knucklehead engine? Kinda cool. So is the blue one.
Porsche
My buddy Neil sold his burly Porsche racecar in order to find something a little more street-able and civilized. I'm happy to report I found that car. Neil I'll send you the owner's contact info.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Cossacks Update
My brother Flathead Rob is a rookie on the Seattle Cossacks team this year. While in the "pledge" phase rookies ride with the team without a uniform. Rob finally got his uniform this weekend. I'm more than a little jealous my Mom happened to be there for it and I wasn't.
Never heard of the Seattle Cossacks? Take a look. Now think for a minute how many people you know that have antique motorcycles that are NEVER ridden. FYI, some guys don't just stand around arguing if the original HD factory intertubes in their Knuckleheads have period correct 1936 air in them. Pretty rad.
Never heard of the Seattle Cossacks? Take a look. Now think for a minute how many people you know that have antique motorcycles that are NEVER ridden. FYI, some guys don't just stand around arguing if the original HD factory intertubes in their Knuckleheads have period correct 1936 air in them. Pretty rad.
Factory Roadracers
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
