08-28-2007
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Senior Member
Powerbike
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 334
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Project Straight-Line: The Drag Bike
In the search for enjoyment, I have acquired yet another project—and another Triumph at that. Yesterday I picked up a 2000 TT600 that has been, sadly, wrecked. My intentions are to build a strictly drag race bike. Sear’s Point raceway in Sonoma, CA, has Wednesday night drags for a good part of the year. I used to race cars there, but I’d like to have a go on two wheels.
I got a superb deal on the bike, and it is not too badly mangled—although it looks horrendous. The fellow who had the misfortune of going for the ride (not dead) seems to have had some trouble keeping her vertical. It was a low-side wreck on the left side. As far as I can tell, this is the damage report:
Alternator cover warn down
Gas tank is dented on the left side with a small pin-hole
Left foot rest missing
Chassis subframe mounting ear cracked/broken, but has been repaired
Left tail fairing smashed
Other than the above, the chassis, suspension, wheels, seat, and etc, all appear and measure out to be fine. Oh, there is one thing that could be major, or minor. The transmission is stuck in 3rd gear. Upon close inspection, I found that the 'C' clip that holds the shifter lever shaft out from the tranny popped loose. This allows the shift shaft to slide in and out about 1/2 inch. I replaced the 'C' clip, but still no luck. The shifter doesn't feel jammed, as it moves freely, but it's like there is nothing touching the shift shaft mechanisms in the tranny. The bike rolls well when the clutch is pulled in, so the clutch isn't at fault. The engine turns over manually with good compression. The electronics all work and the odometer is showing 18k miles.
Now for the plan—at least the plan for now: I have had the luck of stumbling across some good deals on parts, and I have collected a complete 2002 Speed Triple headlight assembly (including bracket,) a set of cherry Speed Four intake snorkels and tubes, and a Speed Four coolant overflow tank. As you might have guessed, I'll convert her into a S4TT (names are negotiable). Removed will be all that isn't needed to make her run and look good. A hotter ECU map will be installed, either aftermarket or modified muffler will be added, lower final drive gearing, so on and so forth. I also have the idea of possibly running the engine on methanol, as the 12.5:1 compression ratio is high enough—although 15:1 would be great (probably some expensive pistons!) I'll have to see if the fuel system seals will be compatible; and it will also take some major map-tuning. Gas will work for now though.
That's it for now. Allow me to introduce you to this poor derelict... oh, and colors lie.
Last edited by BombFactory : 08-28-2007 at 08:05 PM.
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