Triumphrat

GrandPaulZ · 08-28-2007, 01:47 AM

Time is getting tight, and I had to make several key decisions.

1. I MUST get my license at Texas World Speedway on the 10th (my birthday), or none of this year's AHRMA racing plans can follow. Since there is NO WAY the Beemer (72 BMW R60/5) will be ready in time, I will run my '99 ZRX 1100 (I know, it ain't Brit Iron, but it's fast and probably the better thing to do for a 1st timer to be able to make a lap worth a darn)

2. I got to thinking about the Beemer being ready and reliable by Sandia, it's not do-able. Then I got to thinking how good a race bike it would end up being by Barber's in October, and started looking at all the options. I've got my '69 Street Tracker bonnie with the Hunt magneto, and my '70 Bonny with the scrambler pipes; I could strip either of them down in no time at all, and pretty much be ready to ride. When I got to thinking about that scenario, I thought, why not put the 'glass street tracker seat & tank on it? Then it hit me!

3. I've got a fresh TR6 engine with a Bonnie head pulled from a really nice running bike, sitting on the workbench! I'm going to pull the rough incomplete engine out of the street tracker and paint the frame (rattle can), get nice new tires on the aluminum rims, all new cables, drop the engine in, install a set of M bars, new shocks and a few other bits, and I'll be ready to race with a trusty Triumph (my long suit).

So, wish me luck. I've got to have this bike sorted and ready to race in just under TWO MONTHS.

...Oh, yeah, I also have to stay on the ZRX long enough to get my license...

...OH SHOOT! I also have to put together our 8th annual bike show in just over ONE month!

GrandPaulZ · 08-29-2007, 11:59 PM

Got bad news, can't use the street tracker; the frame has been modified, the tank & seat are not allowed, aluminum rims are not allowed, etc.
Oh well...
I pulled a '69 rolling basket case out of the back shed, stripped it down, washed it up, installed some nice Hagon shocks, rebuild the forks, welded the tail loop back on the frame, bodged up a seat, installed a set of "M" bars, and popped the engine in the frame with the footpeg/engine mount brackets all done up nice.
I might just have this beasie running by next week.
Never can tell, I might just make the Sandia race!

retrobiker · 08-30-2007, 01:05 PM

Those 'M' bars sure look race ready.Good luck.

GrandPaulZ · 09-02-2007, 11:03 AM

Top end complete, torqued, valves roughly set. EXCELENT compression!

I cleaned about 5 pounds of red dirt caked with oil from a nice stainless rear fender that came on a Norton chopper I bought 2 years ago from a guy in Oklahoma City; removed the 3 pound 1/4" thick steel bracket & honda tail light. Those 2 Nortons and the BSA were 3 of the filthies choppers I have seen in all my life. Mounted it up and chopped about 10" off it, then turned down about 1/8" of the edge.

Found a workable clutch cable an got that installed along with a lever that has a ball; it's required by the rules! Also dropped the good tank in place loosely.

Pulled the primary, yanked all the clutch plates, scuffed the steel plates on the concrete shop floor, and installed a new set of Barnett plates. Adjusted the primary chain while I was in there, and tossed up the option of installing a nice used 3-phase Sparx alternator I've got on the shelf, decided the Lucas unit was in excellent shape, left it alone.

Then I rounded up the best set of big-bore headers I had from 3 different sets, a pair of newbonneville muffler adapters, and some almost new Emgo old-style straight-through Bonnie mufflers. Next, I heated up the two rear peg/muffler mount brackets and turned the ends out about 1/2". Lastly, I installed the whole kit and snapped a photo of the days work.

GrandPaulZ · 09-02-2007, 11:04 AM

Installed the Boyer Black box, wired it in, installed the Tympanium regulator/rectifier and wired it in, Installed the coils and wired them in. All that remains of the electrical system is the kill button, on/off switch and battery.

Fabricated two brackets to make an older style sidecover work on the newer frame and brazed them in place, also brazed a big crack in the sidecover, bolted it up.

Pulled a real nice pair of concentrics off the shelf along with the best used set of original style air filters that I had; just need to sort through the cables and install the throttle pair.

New tires haven't arrived, but these are in good enough shape to do a shake-down run after the startup which may happen Sunday or Monday.

GrandPaulZ · 09-04-2007, 12:57 AM

After doing a quick diagnostic with my battery jumper, I determined the Boyer is AWOL (Absent With Out 'Lectricity). Pulled a brand new Sparx setup off the shelf and did the swap in about an hour flat. Sparks like a son of a gun! Wiring is now finished, including power on indicator light.

Got the best of several throttles and a dozen cabes off the shelf, cleaned them up and installed them, definitely need to order new throttle cables. also came up a couple of rubber bits short for the fuel tank mounting, so they'll get ordered, too. Rounding out that order will be the actuator arm lug with the drilling for the rear brake rod.

With another robbery from the stash set aside for my '68 Bonnie restoration, I came away with a brand new in-the-box drive chain and installed it.

Picked up some Castrol GTX 4-stroke oil and hooked up the main oil lines, need to do the vent lines tomorrow.

Not a bad day, all in all.

GrandPaulZ · 09-04-2007, 08:52 PM

Ordered up the rear brake part, throttle cables, battery, OEM style toggle switch and a few other bits.

Cleaned up a decent set of instruments and fabbed up two extensions for the mounting lugs, because the aftermarket handlebar clamps are a bit too big.

Completed all the electrical wiring, rigged up all the fuel lines, mounted the gas tank, finished the oil lines (except the main breather), dumped in the oil, adjusted the valves and fired it up.

Found out the Sparx needed the nub for the ignition cam knocked out to let the rotor seat fully, still need to re-set the timing.

Ran out of time, had to work on my bike show. I believe I'll ride that bike tomorrow.

GrandPaulZ · 09-06-2007, 11:39 PM

FINALLY!
Rear brakes done, new tires on, rims cleaned up, new throttle cables & choke cable done, number plates done, crankcase vent piping & catch bottle done, new battery serviced & installed, alternator rotor swapped for one with timing mark, and timing properly set.
It starts with half a kick and has a nice steady 1,000 RPM tickover; revs like a son of a gun and sounds fantastic (maybe not so fantastic to my sister next door).
It feels very nicely planted and stable, although I've only had it up to about 50 (no speedo cable yet). I'll get it out on the open road tomorrow with the speedo cable and run it up past 80 and see how it feels. the cops around here just LOVE me.
At this rate, I just might go ahead and use the bike for the track day on Monday to get my license. It's also looking better to get to Sandia and do my rookie race there instead of Barber's.
This scruffy old beast is lookin' pretty cool!

whoa · 09-07-2007, 01:37 AM

Man, I'd have spent a month thinking about it, planning etc. That was doggone quick. Can't wait to see how well it serves you on the track. Enjoy.

triumphtimes · 09-07-2007, 08:47 AM

Excellent job GrandPaulZ, love the upswept exhaust