Nice!Looks like a 1950's pre-unit triumph, possibly Bonnie in Norton featherbed frame, not sure about the carbs though, Keihin?
Hi Ducatnick.The engine is indeed a pre-unit,a 1950's 6T Thunderbird with a few modifications.It is fitted with Carillo rods and Johnson Motors camshafts.Internal parts were balanced before assembly.Competition magneto and flat side carbs fitted.Slick shift gear box.Front Roadholders rebuilt by Andy Molnar,and braking taken care of by a Grimeca 4LS brake. Many other bits make this yet another variation on the Triton theme. I am hoping at some stage to get it up and running using a roller starter I built a few years back.
Cool, I recently helped a friend with a couple of Triumph builds, set up the timing and carbs for him. Loved riding them both, I am just rebuilding a commando race rep.
Like the Triumphs very much.Commando race rep sounds brilliant.Like to see some pics sometime if possible.
There you go, I do have a bit of history with triumphs, I used to passenger on a vintage outfit, won many races and champs, very often against one Mr Andy Molnar! I ll see if I can find any pics.
Donington early 80's I think ,we are in the lead Andy in amongst the gaggle behind about 4th. Fun! I'll say, just about the most exciting thing you can do with your clothes on!
I used to have a Rickman Metisse scrambler, registered for the road. Triumph pre unit 650 motor, BSA Gold Star close ratio gearbox, Norton clutch, Ceriani forks, Matchless front wheel and brake and iirc, BSA rear wheel. The frame was nickel plated Reynolds 531 chrome moly. The cams were E3134 with lots of overlap, so it sounded fantastic with its open pipes. I kept the open pipes but slid Matchless stubby silencers over the top of them, so they actually did nothing at all. I remember a woman once putting her hands over her child's ears as I blatted past. The guy I sold it to in 76 or so still has it. Wish I did, it was a wheelie prone, fire-breathing monster! I should mention that I ran it with full on motocross tyres and had no lights, just a number plate and tax disc to make it quasi legal. I used to ride it on road and off road, across the moors, on the beach, through the dunes. It was fun with a capital F!
Enjoyed hearing about your Metisse Old rider-what my wife would call a proper motorbike.Sounds like you had a real hoot blasting it around
Your bike is beautiful Mervyn! It's been 8 weeks since my "Bonnie" went and I miss her every single day! But I pick up my Vincent just after Christmas! I'm like a child - so excited I can't sleep!!!
