Triumphrat

zippythehog · 11-18-2005

I was thinking about a project bike down the road. I want to do a vintage (68-74?)650 or 750 in cafe trim. I really don't have any experience with the Triumphs made before 96.

Are there any good books or other reference material to begin with (Roy Bacon)?

Are there any years/engine/trannys that may have unique challenges that a first time restorer should avoid?
Zip

vik · 11-18-2005

If you like the project bike and it looks ok with the right price tag, just take the dive and make the link with history.

I don't find much use in reading general literature first, you will certainly need the workshop manual for your model anyway, either the original Triumph one, the Haynes or both. Don't think Baycon bothers much with Caféracers anyway, more with originals.

But the workshop manuals will learn you plenty. There are sites on the net that allow you through the VIN number to identifiy the model you have your eye on.

oilyboot · 11-19-2005

The early (71 thru 73) oil in frame models have some interesting quirks.
The dreaded shift quadrant detent leaf spring, the 'comical' conical drum brake, and the 'too high to ride frame' in 71&2.
Some of the early 5 speed gearboxes (72&3?) had mistempered gears that chipped, broke, snapped, and shattered if used hard. Or sometimes if used at all.
The styling is, well, ugly, when compared to previous years.

They're looked at like bastard stepchildren by some (many? most?) hardcore Triumph resto enthusiasts.

This makes 'em relatively cheap, readily availible, and perfect candidates for any sort of modification

Sammi · 11-21-2005

If your interested in something that is already good-to-go, take a look at mine.

Sammi

zippythehog · 11-21-2005

Oilyboot,
If/When the gears shatter, is there usually collateral damage associated with it (chuncks of metal floating through the engine) or are these non-unit?
Did Triumph get away from the oil in frame set up after a period of experimentation with it?

Sammi,
You're the original owner? What are you looking to get for it? I probably can't afford it but it would be a good reference for me.

oilyboot · 11-22-2005

The gearbox is self contained in both 'pre unit' and 'unit' construction models. No shared oil (or chunks) on either type.
The bad batch of early 5 speeds disintegrated very quickly in use. Any still on the road today has -most likely- been refitted with proper gears.

Triumph went OIF with their 'big twins' in '71. AFAIK, they never went back.

If you're actually going to ride it rather than just admire it, the OIF models are a better choice for a cafe racer, imho.

Sammi · 11-22-2005

Zippy,

I sent you a pm with the details.

Just post here if you did not receive it.

Sammi

TheBondoBandit · 11-22-2005

yeah , the early 5 speeds with that spring metal leaf spring in the transmission is triumphs little joke . i have one of the first 5 speeds , i've never had gears fly apart , but getting the transmission back in with the leaf spring was a pain in the ass .

zippythehog · 11-22-2005

Yes, Sammi, I got the pm. I am looking for something that needs more loving attention (and is correspondingly cheaper).

Oilyboot, what does unit construction mean?

quagmire · 11-22-2005

It refers to the engine. In the early triumphs the gearbax was separate from the engine. These were referred to as pre-unit construction. Sometime in the 60's (I forget when) Triumph change the engine to the unit construction model where the gearbox was incorporated into the engine case. In my opinion the pre-unit cases look prettier, but I've never worked on one.

Someone out there can tell us why they did it.