Triumphrat

GrandPaulZ

Okay, here we have the bike I just picked up, and still am questioning the ACTUAL year model and accuracy.

Supposedly, the late owner was the original owner, and imported the bike himself (2 of them to qualify as a "dealer").

His widow is still working on the title, but the matching number stamps are: T110 D10865 which is a 1961 model from everything I can find. It's DEFINITELY not a re-stamp.

It has a component construction engine (pre-unit), duplex frame with stiffener tube just below the bottom of the tank, and an alternator in the primary (not generator in front of the engine).

It looks to be completely original (except the cat's face tail light lens and windscreen frame), but that deeply valanced front fender seems out of place.

I've found pix on the web (mostly British websites) showing the '61 T110 as being a "bathtub" rear enclosure model.

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GrandPaulZ
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KADUTZ

bike looks to be a stock T110 mising the bathtub with TR6 oil tank, battery box, rear fender assy. Front end is correct as is front fender (only missing the number plate). I suspect
the bath tub was removed as it was not popular in the states
nice find

ooobaby

Sweet. If it wouldn't be prying, I'm curious what you had to give for it? Very well done!

GrandPaulZ

KADUTZ:
Some of the info I've read in a couple of places refers to the ones in the 'States being fitted in the TR6/Bonnie trim, that's what I'm suspecting; but, were they done that way before or after importing?

I guess it might be best to find a bathtub kit and a TR6/Bonnie front fender of '61 vintage so I can offer it "fully" either way, as that front fender looks out of place.

OOO:
e-mail for price info, please.

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KADUTZ

GPZ
I do not know for a fact when you bike was changed.
It is my opinion any change would have been done after the bike came to the US. This would have been done by the dealer or distributor. I suspect the dealer (after the bike was sold) If the bike has T110 VIN Numbers (and the numbers you quote are '61 numbers) I am sure it was built with a bathtub enclosure.
Why?
It has the correct LARGE tank for a T110 with the correct COMPLETE front end for a T110. I sincerely doubt the factory would put a bike together as the one you have and call it a T110.
It would not be the proper way.
What you have is more or less the prototype of the later TR6R done by the dealer
The US rider (of the time) didn't like the bath tub and removed same. The US was a major market for Triumph at the time and listened to what the rider wanted and adapted.
In my opinion you have a TRUE period piece of machinery.
If it were mine I would ONLY clean polish and get running
like a NICKEY or YENKO CHEVY.
just my opinion

GrandPaulZ

I'm not polishing anything, and might not even clean it (other than the clean spot on the seat from my butt).

I am goiing to get it running (today, I hope), and I'll report on running condition.

I aired up the tires and they are holding, but not roadworthy.

The bike has virtually no rolling resistance, feels like pushing a bicycle around the carport.

The toolkit has every original tool shown in the parts book, and the pouch is still in reasonably good shape.

I've got an e-mail in to the AMCA guys to see whether I should wash the bike or not; I think not...


[ This message was edited by: GrandPaulZ on 2007-03-02 08:18 ]

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GrandPaulZ
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DAGAD

Hi GPZ, You have a nice one there and no mistake Check the gearbox number, it was dispatched with 123932, December 1960 as a 1961 model. Kadutz is on the money there, it has been altered AFTER leaving the factory.
It is part of a batch of 208, T110 models sent to Baltimore and would have had the bathtub. The correct colours are Kingfisher blue and Silver sheen. PLEASE, PLEASE wash it and then look at the blue in the sun light........... it's an AMAZING COLOUR :clap:
The rear frame is not the original one, from the photos you posted, there are two distinctions for the bathtub bikes. The seat should be hinged and have the plunger on the r/h side and secondly it should have welded lugs on the rear loop to fix a craven carrier to. The T120, TR6, TR7/A, TR7/B do not have these, nor the hinges and plunger.
This was the last (best?) year of the T110. Great looking bike, great engine but AWFUL frame and brakes. If you get the opportunity or luck to find a bathtub, wouldn't it be GREAT to restore it to how it was shipped from the factory?
Roy.

KADUTZ

gpz
next time you talk to the widow ask her if she has any old pictures of her hubby with the bike?
jus a thought

IrishSwede

The bike is a 1962 T110, USA specifications. The blue/silver paint job is correct (only year of the three with it). The 1962 T110 did have the big front fender, but did NOT have "bathtubs" as they were not popular over here at that time. Dealers removed them from many of the '60 and '61
T-Birds and T110s., to get those bikes sold. The bag mounted on the tank rack is a rare item too, and efforts should be made to preserve it.
A lucky find, this bike, and a rare one, too.

GrandPaulZ

I'm quite certain it's a '61 by all the serial number info I've ever seen, which all concur.

IrishSwede: Where do you find anything that relates that serial number to a '62?

DAGAD: You are correct, it has a bolted-on seat (no hinges, no plunger), which pretty much corresponds with the apparent practice of swapping out the bathtub for the "standard" TR6 rear end.

I'm already looking for a bathtub, and I'M NOT WASHING IT (yet).

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GrandPaulZ
Author of "Old Bikes"
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