Triumphrat

hells hammer

Recently purchased my first triumph. basketcase 1973'ish model OIF

I really like the look of the late 40's early 50's models and want to know where to start with restoring it to look like these models having full fenders and a lowered stance with struts on rear and 2in lowered front forks. While I wish i could afford an earlier model I have the realistic approach that if wrecked it would cost much for repair and want to keep overall cost below 3000$. Can my motorcycle be restored to look like a vintage model? I want to replace the current electrical system with possibly a morris magneto and can this be used to run the entire motorcycles electrical needs?

DaveDone

I like the idea h. hammer; although I got some flack from a "traditionalist" saying I should not molest the bike!
I am working on a 76 T140 that I am leaning to the vintage look. I have lowered it, removed the air box and put some old style mufflers on so far. I am hoping to locate a girder fork and a large diameter headlamp setup that will match up.
I am also building a tool boxes resembling the oil bag on the older speed twins for both sides.
Mechanically the 76 is probably one of the best classics -imho - so I like the performance but the vintage look is where I am going.
Please post your progress and any ideas you find.
When I paint this it will be the same on the sheet metal as the frame.

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Dave

GrandPaulZ

There are bound to be at least a half-dozen folks on this forum these days that will gravitate to this style of finish work. It's somewhat like a bobber, but maybe more traditional in appearance to an older stocker. I like the look.

There isn't very much difference between a 73 and a 76, so you guys have a lot to talk about.

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GrandPaulZ
Author of "Old Bikes"
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hells hammer

[QUOTE=DaveDone;1411392]I like the idea h. hammer

Thanks for the response DaveDone. Your pic is almost exacally what I had in mind for my bike. Where did you get the fenders or are they the originals? My rims are not in as good a shape as yours so I will be painting them but polishing out the spokes and drums. What electric system does your bike use. What size rear shocks did you use and how much did they lower the rear and what fork spring lowering technique did you incorporate to give your bike the stance. I also want ultra reliability both electric and mechanical, I am not looking for more performance than what my bike had originally. BTW your bike is awesome vern nice work.

hells hammer

DaveDone

Thanks for the complement. The front fender is from an old sportser and the rear is stock, I just hammered out some of the factory indents. I am running a boyer ignition and it is tucked up in the fork neck, I use a small 12 volt battery and as long as it is full charged I have never had a problem. I am only running tail/break and headlight. The boyer has a lot of advantages.
It looks like the stock shocks on a 73 are the same as the 76. I just used lowering arms I found at a swap. The forks are stock also. I just do not have fork covers/headlight brackets or gauges. I do have plans to fix that if I can find a suitable girder.
Good luck on yer project. I have to say these folks here has helped me out with lot questions – even some I didn’t know I should have been asking. It is an invaluable resource!

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Dave

jimmy bush

Dang Dave, I'm building a street tracker ("The next Bitsa") and you seem to have beat me to some of the ideas I have incorporated i.e. seat, tail light, small tank w/badges, painted fenders, no side covers. I have bars more suited to flat tracking, instruments, and a 19" rear wheel but the bikes are quite similar.

Rathlindri

DaveDone, love the look of your custom T140!! beautiful job!