Triumphrat

Big Daddy · 09-11-2009, 03:56 PM

Big question from a guy who's about to order a four-figure paint job restoration: On the 1968 TR6C 650, what decals should be on the top of the gas tank and the side cover?

I've been told authoritively that the tank should say "Trophy Sports", and I've also been told authoritatively it should say "Trophy Special".

The Trophy Sports guy has one with original paint, and the Trophy Special guy displayed an ad from 1968 showing the high-piped TR6C Trophy Special. Just to make it more confusing, some of the online lists of Triumph models list a TR6C Trophy Sports as a street model, while they list a TR6R Tropy Special as a scrambler - when I know good and well the '68 with the scrambler pipes was the TR6C.

And of course there are pictures of many restored bikes out there on the web that don't have any decals.

I guess, knowing Triumph, they could have just slapped whatever decals they had on the tanks. But I have it in my craw that there are specific models.

NOt to mention what goes on the left side cover! "Trophy 650", "Trophy Sports", Trophy Special", or just plain Trophy?

What's a decal-accuracy geek to do?

Thanks,

Bill

GrandPaulZ · 09-11-2009, 04:06 PM

In several specific cases, there are so many conflicting "facts" in restoration books, copies of promotional brochures, and photographs of "original" bikes, that you have to gather all the evidence, attempt to detect a majority view or somewhat consistent agreement, and decide which way YOU want to go.

If you are worried about fractions of points that might be deducted on your next concours showing, contact AMCA and request a judgement for your records and promenance binder.

Big Daddy · 09-11-2009, 04:27 PM

Thanks - and what you say sounds so right. A baffling variety of answers and all of them possibly right.

All I am looking for now is confirmation at least one TR6C rolled out of the factory wearing the decal I will use, whichever that one will be! I have both the Sports and Special decals, but in the absence of such proof, I'll probably make the decision using one of the following highly scientific methods:

1. Apply whichever decal is left when the first one gets torn during application; or,

2. Drink a few beers and pick one at random, surprising myself the next day when I see which one it is.

This bike is a rider, and so I'm not too worried about concours!

rousseau · 09-12-2009, 01:30 AM

Hello Big
Acording to my original 1968 Triumph full line factory brochure, the TR6C was called the Trophy Special. (The TR6R was Trophy Sports.) The decal on the left side cover reads "Trophy 650" in script letters. I can see a decal on the left top of the tank ,but cannot tell what it is. It says the color is Hi-FI Riviera Blue with center silver stripe .Polished stainless steel fenders.

rousseau · 09-12-2009, 01:44 AM

I found these pictures. I have also seen the "Made in England" on the tanks. I think this tr6 is a 1967 But these are the same decals shown in the 68 brochure.

Big Daddy · 09-12-2009, 02:23 PM

Thanks so much. That brochure information is all I need to make up my mind.

The 1967 didn't to my knowledge have the model name on the tank, so the speed record holder sticker on the tank in your photo doesn't worry me. Much.

I had a '67 just like that one... it was my first Triumph, and I bought it while I was still a senior in high school. It was a full eight years old at the time, so it seemed like a real antique!

Big Daddy · 09-17-2009, 11:05 AM

By the way, this bike has folding footpegs, factory installed! Hard to believe Triumph had developed such advanced technology as early as 1968! ;^)

thirdbike · 09-18-2009, 12:09 AM

You know you have the real deal when you have the folding foot pegs that came only with the "Special." Congrats, there ain't many of them left around.

GrandPaulZ · 09-18-2009, 10:30 AM

All of the "C" models had folding footpegs.

Some of the folding pegs were also installed on a few odd TR6R models.

I've got a pair of folding pegs on my 70 Bonnie that I installed TR6C scrambler pipes on.

Big Daddy · 09-18-2009, 01:46 PM

Thanks! All this reminds me I have a lot to learn after 35 years of owning Triumphs!