Triumphrat

RDE · 04-13-2008

Hello, I'm new here and have recently decided to get a classic to go along side my 06 ST. I have been considering several bikes: Matchless and AJS 350's or 500 singles, BSA B31's and Triumph 350 or 500 twins. I have the opportunity to buy a 1958 Triumph Speed Twin bathtub. It is in origainal with mathing engine and frame numbers, starts easily and ticks over very nicely, the finish isn't bad and it does not look as if its been restored.

I want to use it to go back and for to work (12 miles each way) as well as the odd run in the country, question is; is this a good first classic?, what are the pitfalls? what should I expect etc? and should I hold out for an AJS mod 18 or Matchless G8. The Triumph does fall within my modest budget.

Any advice is greatfully accepted!

Thanks RDE

GrandPaulZ · 04-13-2008

I'm not sure if "Speed Twin" and "Bathtub" ever appeared on the same bike, how 'bout pix and some serial # info to confirm?

...or maybe I'm just screwy, I'm more into Bonnevilles...

RDE · 04-13-2008

Here are some pictures of said bike hope they help.

panda · 04-13-2008

I had a 1961 model, brand new. I used to go to and from 'work' with it.
At that time 'work' was the base where i was stationed in Norfolk. I lived in Cornwall, so it was 435 miles each way every friday and sunday

on A and B roads, no motorways then.
After a couple of years it got a complete engine rebuild as being young and foolish I thought I wanted more power

and I used a slight smoking of the left hand barrel as an excuse. After the rebuild it still smoked ( only slighly as before, no oil usage).

They are a lovely nimble flexible tourer, but do not expect much over 85mph, and at that speed they do tend to wriggle. (reduces if you remove the bathtub, especially if you have panniers). Over 90 and it stops wriigling, but you need more power for that. With the real petrol we had then, a good mod was to put a 20 tooth gearbox sprocket in it and 9:1 pistons but keep teh original cams. lots of low down power right up through. Cruising then would get you near 100mpg. (and add quite a bit of power). I would not recommend that course now as modern fuels are too crap.

Now heres a thing, mine came with the exact same carrier as yours, and I can vouch for them, they are very strong and will carry a wooden barrel of cider

from Somerset. I bought mine from Jim Alves of Street Somerset when I was posted to Yeovilton.
Anyone who knows me would say I paid big bucks to get that number plate, so if you decide not to buy, let me look. It literally has my number on it . <smiley> cos i exceeded my picture allowance, although I would lose the number soon as i registered it here in France

RDE · 04-14-2008

Thanks Panda very useful information, (80mph is fine if I want faster I'll jump on the ST) I'm almost convinced.

SixtySpeedTwin · 04-15-2008

Hi
as you can guess by my sign in name I've got a 1960 model.

Its a great bike and its my first and only classic bike, i had asperations of bonnies etc but stayed with my trusty 5TA.

its quick enough to be fun and nip about in modern traffic, i wouldnt be so keen on the 350 '21' which is physically exactly the same.

If you a big fella then its worth sitting on one as they are smaller than the duplex framend bikes but i'm 5 10 and if fits fine, but i ave shortish legs.

I used to commute every day 15 miles each way for years, i have even done the 56 each way a few times to another job too. i did about 9000 mile one year.

Last year i rode from Bournemouth to the ACE cafe in Wembly london. Then on to Brighton and back home in a day. I tend to stick to 70ish on motorway & dual carrageways it still has plenty of acceleration to 85, ive had an indicated 95 on mine followed by a freind on a ZXR who concurred the speed, the bike had a little more but my bottle didnt lol ( i have rebuilt the engine)

Its a great classic and fab value for money as its the least glamourous of the twins.

your one has extras - crash bars and pannier racks which make it look a bit cluttered, but hey thats just my view.

If you want any other info i've got shed loads......

Cheers
Clive

GleaminTwin · 04-15-2008

That's a very cool looking bike to me, I like it because it's very unique and also original looking. The "bathtub" bodywork from what I understand was not popular in the US as here people wanted a more sporting appearance, but in the UK I think it was more popular as due to rain issues it was quite practical. I have heard that pre unit Triumphs are considerably more complicated than unit models also they have the magneto system which from what I understand is something that may need attention if original. I would say if your willing to give it the TLC it will require, it's a beauty and I love the original patina, also the original rack/pannier supports are great, could probably do some light touring with it!!!

RDE · 04-17-2008

Thanks fellas that's got me convinced, fortunately it's a unit construction, so no worries there, and I could always remove the bathtub if I wanted to, but I have a fair idea of where I'm going. I have sat on it and at 5'7" with a 30" leg it's perfect, any other words of wisdom are always most welcome.

Thanks

panda · 04-17-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by RDE

Thanks fellas that's got me convinced, fortunately it's a unit construction, so no worries there, and I could always remove the bathtub if I wanted to, but I have a fair idea of where I'm going. I have sat on it and at 5'7" with a 30" leg it's perfect, any other words of wisdom are always most welcome.

Thanks

I have seen those bathtubs that were once so despised and thrown away change hands for £350 Note the front mudguard goes with the 'tub. That is why you see alot of USA thunderbirds and t110's with a deeply valanced front mudguard and cheap aluminium rear. ( the dealers threw out the bathtubs )

Personaly I would love to fit a bathtub ( or even better a bikini) and paint a 1970's Daytona, Speed twin maroon

quagmire · 04-18-2008

When I was getting into the Brit bike thing and I was trying to find out as much about Triumph as I could, I read a bunch of books that all said how ugly people thought the "bathtubs" were. For a while I thought I was kind of strange because I think they're pretty cool looking. I'd love to have one.