Triumphrat

burnhamt · 12-19-2009, 11:53 PM

Gonna make me a Bobber! Been looking for parts and it has been a challenge to say the least! However, i am staying positive. Just got the bike this week. The work has began!

RidingDonkeys · 12-20-2009, 01:19 AM

Looks like $400 well spent! Any major issues with the bike before purchase, or is she a runner?

You'll find the guys on here are extremely helpful and knowledgeable. Make sure you keep us posted on your build.

burnhamt · 12-20-2009, 01:46 AM

Well Lets see!

It sat outside for about the last 10years and was not started at all! It has a bit of rust on it that will need to be tended to. I have put in in neutral and attempted to kick it over to no avail, it wont budge! Therefore, I believe the pistons to be stuck. The gas tank is full of rust. I ordered a POR-15 restoration kit in hopes to get that cleaned up. Other than that everything's just peachy!

It ran when he parked it never had any problems with it! It has 12,268 original miles on it. He gave me all the documentation to verify everything, it was a 2 owner!

Here are a few things i am looking for:

1. Carb rebuild kits
2. Gasket kits Upper/lower
3. Throttle cable

These items will get me started so if anyone out there can get me in the right direction please send me some links. I have found a few things needed but any help state side would be great!

Thanks

Tim

henryanthony · 12-20-2009, 09:10 AM

Hi burnhamt,

You have made a very good deal. If you want a bobber, that's good, but that bike looks nice and complete. If it was mine, I'd keep it stock. Get it running, clean it up and ride. Then work on restoration. Makes me sad to think of it all cut up – which was the unfortunate fate of so many 60s and 70s Triumphs. Unfinished Bobbers are a dime a dozen on Craig's list. You've got a beauty there. Preserve it.

Actually you could probably sell it for more than you paid, pick up a bobber and have extra money for parts.

Henry

GrandPaulZ · 12-20-2009, 11:15 AM

May not be stuck pistons, but (hopefully) just a rusted primary chain (quite likely).

Not the best candidate for a bobber, but that would make it fairly rare!

Nobody will argue with the fact that you got a great deal, that's for sure.

burnhamt · 12-20-2009, 11:39 AM

GrandPaulZ, lets hope that is it! I will find out soon enough. So, what would make this bike a bad Bobber? Just curious..

Tim

headtube · 12-20-2009, 11:57 AM

Hi Tim. Congrats on your purchase. Considering a new tank would cost $400 +... you got a steal.

This link will get the carbs done for you, and the following you will find helpful getting the parts you need.

Northern Eagle, Ontario

Walridge, Ontario

British Cycle Supply, NS.

I see that you're in Mississauga. I'm in Brampton. I'd have to agree with henryanthony. Keep her original. Again - way to go!

GrandPaulZ · 12-20-2009, 07:35 PM

Best advice is to FIRST GET IT RUNNING, and rideable. Ride it around a while, sort out what you like and don't like about it, then plan a strategy to do whatever you want to do with it long-term.

"Bobbers", by definition, have stuff removed that aren't required for the bike to ru, and other stuff bobbed (chopped / trimmed), like fenders, sidecovers, seat, handlebars, etc.

Most typical is a bolt-on hardtail rear subframe, drag bars and solo seat. bestr thing about a BOLT-on (instead of weld-up) subframe is, you can always return it to original condition. Same with bobbing fenders, covers, seat, etc, buy a rough set to chop and put away the originals (although your seat isn't worth a lot as original).

Most of all: HAVE FUN WITH IT, however YOU see fit.

erikmustride · 12-20-2009, 07:39 PM

I just bought a 1972 Bonneville for $500! I'm going for more of a hooligan/mior cafe look personally. Look at www.lowbrowcustoms.com for bobber parts. Tyler and his crew are awesome. Congrats on the find and good luck on the build!

lsettle · 12-20-2009, 07:42 PM

I really hope that you don't bob it, how many T160's do you see going down the street? If you do have a hard on to do it, please don't cut up the frame.

not saying anything against you, Tim, but around where I live there is always some young guy with very little experience trying to do up a bobber or a chooper, and 90% never turn out or ran, and all that is left is a cut up worthless motorcycle that no one wants. And also unless you "invest" a great deal of money, a bobber will turn out just ok, and will end up un-driven, unused, and worth a 10th of what the motorcycle was worth before was bobbed. I have noticed over the years that all of the bobbers I have seen in person have next to no mileage on them?

I do believe that an unrestored motorcycle such as the T160 that Tim owns will be be sought after in a few years. You can't replace Maiden paint and parts!

If its not a T160, sorry what is the model?

Lawrence