Post by rmak on Dec 31, 2009 10:17:17 GMT -5
I started to document my rebuild on a few classic sites. Wanted it here also for my BIIRA brothers:
A 1965 Triumph motorcycle has been my dream bike for as long as I've been riding (some 40 years) I used to go to the next town over, Oberlin, Ohio when I was in high school to watch the rich college students from the east ride around on their beautiful English bikes. There were a few local guys who owned and rode Triumphs and BSAs through our little town as well. Graduating from high school in 65, I loved to look at that year Triumphs with the parcel racks and big garden gate tank badges. That was the ultimate bike to me. When I got out of the Army I got into the dirt bike scene due to another local guy, John Penton, and my riding experiences, and my life, took many twists and turns from that point on. When I began facing retirement age I knew it was now or never in getting and restoring my 65 Dream. One came up for sale not super far away. Not having the cash on hand to buy it, I made the ultimate sacrifice by selling my 74 Norton Commando for the funds. I paid heavily for a bike that was just OK, but needing much TLC.
Here's how it came to me. Doesn't look too bad, but the closer you get the shabbier it looked
Since I wanted this to be a keeper, it was off with the body parts. Every sheetmetal part was flawed. The tank was fixable, but all the treads were rusted and needed to be retapped. I bought the correct English treaded taps to do the job. I ordered the correct Burnished gold, Alaskan white and robin's egg blue from Huthinson for the new paintjob. The old paint was close, but poorly done, and had black pin striping tape instead of the robin's egg blue pinstripes on the original bike. Brent Budgor from the Vintage Vendor paint shop did another bike for me and is a great and reasonable painter. The paintable parts will go off to him this week.
Next, I took out the engine. The bike's speedo shows 11,000, but the speedo wasn't working, so I wanted the cases split and the bottom end checked. A local restorer is doing this since I don't have the space, tools or inclination to take on this task. He will be doing a mild hop up of the engine at the same time.
Just got the new fenders today and started to fit them to the frame.
Speedo and tach being sent back rebuilt from Don Hutchinson. Next step is to rebuild the forks and get new rims and spokes.
Thanks for looking. All and every suggestion or comment welcome !
Update as of 12/31, Got my Christmas present from my wife. Rebuilt instruments, cables and lights.
A 1965 Triumph motorcycle has been my dream bike for as long as I've been riding (some 40 years) I used to go to the next town over, Oberlin, Ohio when I was in high school to watch the rich college students from the east ride around on their beautiful English bikes. There were a few local guys who owned and rode Triumphs and BSAs through our little town as well. Graduating from high school in 65, I loved to look at that year Triumphs with the parcel racks and big garden gate tank badges. That was the ultimate bike to me. When I got out of the Army I got into the dirt bike scene due to another local guy, John Penton, and my riding experiences, and my life, took many twists and turns from that point on. When I began facing retirement age I knew it was now or never in getting and restoring my 65 Dream. One came up for sale not super far away. Not having the cash on hand to buy it, I made the ultimate sacrifice by selling my 74 Norton Commando for the funds. I paid heavily for a bike that was just OK, but needing much TLC.
Here's how it came to me. Doesn't look too bad, but the closer you get the shabbier it looked
Since I wanted this to be a keeper, it was off with the body parts. Every sheetmetal part was flawed. The tank was fixable, but all the treads were rusted and needed to be retapped. I bought the correct English treaded taps to do the job. I ordered the correct Burnished gold, Alaskan white and robin's egg blue from Huthinson for the new paintjob. The old paint was close, but poorly done, and had black pin striping tape instead of the robin's egg blue pinstripes on the original bike. Brent Budgor from the Vintage Vendor paint shop did another bike for me and is a great and reasonable painter. The paintable parts will go off to him this week.
Next, I took out the engine. The bike's speedo shows 11,000, but the speedo wasn't working, so I wanted the cases split and the bottom end checked. A local restorer is doing this since I don't have the space, tools or inclination to take on this task. He will be doing a mild hop up of the engine at the same time.
Just got the new fenders today and started to fit them to the frame.
Speedo and tach being sent back rebuilt from Don Hutchinson. Next step is to rebuild the forks and get new rims and spokes.
Thanks for looking. All and every suggestion or comment welcome !
Update as of 12/31, Got my Christmas present from my wife. Rebuilt instruments, cables and lights.
