Triumphrat

rmak · 09-11-2009, 08:30 PM

I was reading another British Bike forum today and someone commented that it's a well known fact that the headlight socket burns out on later 70's Triumphs. Well, I didn't know it!

It sure would be nice if someone collected and organized this kind of word-of-mouth knowledge into a book of combined wisdom for reference. Maybe that should be Paul's second book. Or Plewsy, or one of you other smart guys.

I know there's the tips and tricks forum here with a wealth of information but the search function is not the most user friendly system (sorry). Plus who can search for some classic bike related issue if they don't even know about it, like in the example above. I think a lot of old school Triumph guys knew a lot and It would be nice to capture it all somehow before they start dying off.

Anyhow, just a thought. I know I'd buy something like that.

Webby · 09-11-2009, 08:42 PM

Nice Idea rmak,

I've probably got 6 or 7 books on triumphs and it's true not one covers all you need to know. However, I guess if you had a book listing all the shortcomings of Triumph twins you would never of bought your bike in the first place

Webby

shrugger · 09-12-2009, 12:32 AM

Would be Super. Like Pete Snidel has done for Royal Enfield's.

And to be honest. Most of the problems originate from the Lord of Darkness. (Pronounced "Lucas")

GrandPaulZ · 09-12-2009, 12:36 AM

I almost always use modern 3-prong sockets and H4 headlights on all my restorations (with client approval first).

Caulky · 09-12-2009, 06:47 AM

I agree rmak.
The last forum I used (classic bike) collapsed and a wealth of info was lost forever.
Luckily, I found this one.
Trouble is, it would be a mammoth task to collate all of the info.

Kev_England · 09-12-2009, 11:16 AM

Thats a good idea.
But really, all the information is here in this forum. It just needs mining and organizing.

I'm in another forum for my BMW X-Challenge and they have an index for the bike with links to all kind of data: specs, mods, problems, must-dos, ride reports. Adventure rider forums have similar indexes for most bikes.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=335086

GPZ has done a fantastic job here. But to have a full index with links to all the different fixes/issues would take someone a massive amount of time, im sure. This is a great forum and has saved my hide numberous times--but I do think theres even more potential in terms of a comprehensive index.

I wish I had more time on my hands, else I'd really like to help out.

Again, not trying to be negative here -- I really appreciate this fourm.

Cheers.

GrandPaulZ · 09-12-2009, 12:29 PM

I appreciate constructive criticism, and wish I could do more, but I don't have upper-level administrative clearance, so there are many things I can't do in the way of organization.

One of the biggest hindrances is that TriumphRat.Net is basically geared to HINKLEY (modern) Triumphs, and our entire "Classic Vintage and Veteran" section is really just a small sub-section of the forum. So, to properly categorize, sub-categorize, catalog and segregate the forum is impossible.

At present, we've been able to create "sub-sub-sub" sections for photos, tech tips and restoration threads; but, as you see, compartmentalizing them beyond that is very difficult (photos threads are shared by type, instead of individual threads for each user's bike photos). As there are relatively fewer restoration threads, having one each is not as cumbersome.

On Delphi, where I own or moderate a dozen vintage bike forums, I ALWAYS have separate sections for general discussion, user photos, refurbs & restorations, tech questions, events & ride notices, for sale/wanted, "off topic" and other categories. We just can't do that here.

I don't really mind sharing the TriumphRat.Net "Club Cafe" with 100:1 ratio of Thruxtons to classic cafe racers, we seem to get along. The "For Sale / Wanted" section is more like 1000:1 ratio Hinkley to Meriden, virtually useless for classic bike-specific stuff, no problem for riding gear. Events Calendar is only as good as people submitting event notices.

Personally, I don't venture out of our section, except to Club Cafe.

rmak · 09-12-2009, 12:48 PM

Paul,
I'm not sure to whom you were referencing, but mine was not criticism by any stretch.
I even wanted you to put it in book form. Books are a lot easier to sneak a read at work than computers, ha, ha. It would be destined for the NY Times best seller list.

DerryUK · 09-12-2009, 04:01 PM

<Well, I didn't know it>
Rmak I know what you mean. In a previous non-Triumph biking life and forum I did create such a tomb and enjoyed it. But, it is a labour of love.

I have considered doing something similar for Triumphs but decided it would be too difficult for two reasons. The structure of the forum is wrong (to extract the information) and the wrong type of person often posts (to be sure you have the right answer).

I hasten to add this is not a slight on the forum or the posters it was just the conclusion I came to when thinking about the above.

Perhaps it is in the nature of things but I do collect some Triumph information and there are a couple of websites dedicated to Brit bikes which carry a lot of good useful information.

Derry.

daveforty · 09-13-2009, 05:40 AM

Wasnt aware that headlight sockets were a weak point in the electrical system - everything else though..........

The NOC do a booklet entitled 'Commando Service Notes', which is very informative. I suspect that if there was to be a 'Bonneville Service Notes' book, it would be a much bigger; it occurs to me that there are more variations of Triumph twin than Norton twin. Perhaps a project for the TOMCC? they could then sell copies on a commercial basis.