Triumphrat

Foggy7 · 05-10-2008

Hi - My name's Foggy, and I'm a bike-a-holic.

I posted a little hand-shake over in the Biker Hang Out thread, but I thought I'd say hi over here too. Probably makes sense, my addiction has led me into strange and forbidding territory.

I have M.A.D., you see - Motorcycle Acquisition Disorder. Thankfully, I have a tolerant and wonderful girlfriend, so thus far, the only impact has been on my wallet.

But I think I went a step too far this time. A friend once wiscracked "Triumph - Turning riders into mechanics since 1909". I heard him. He was most likely right. I shouldn't have done it. I knew better. I knew it was a bad idea the minute I had it. But, I didn't listen to my own good advice.

So, now this is in my life:

And I really am feeling overwhelmed. I'm an OK wrench. Nothing special.
I'm not completely incompetent. I take good care of all of my other babies. But this one's gonna be trouble, isn't it?

What I know of it's history is limited. I know it sat where I found it for around ten years. It's been sitting in a dry garage, and under a cover, so the surface seems OK. Brakes work. Tires go round and round. Engine sounds 'normal" as I kick it through a few revolutions. Tranny shifts into first and back to neutral. Battery is dead as it should be after a decade. Tank is empty and dry. Throttle seems stuck, and I don't think it's the cables.

Well? Tell me the truth. I'm screwed, aren't I? This is gonna turn into an obsession, isn't it? My retirement just got pushed back ten years, didn't it?
Go ahead and tell me - I'm thick-skinned.

GrandPaulZ · 05-10-2008

Nice Special.

Wait till you have 4 garage bays crowded with bikes before you can START to decide if you actually have a problem.

OzBloke · 05-11-2008

The first stage of curing any illness is recognition of it's existence. Congratulations - you've reached the end of Stage 1.

I see in your future:

Late nights in the garage/shed/workshop.
Skinned knuckles, greasey hands, and the stench of gearbox oil in your nostrils
Many choices being made between buying beer and that part you just have to have.
Elation, frustration, dreams, schemes, and pride in your own work.
True happiness.

Great project bike. best of luck with it.
Pete

jimballard · 05-11-2008

Actually, Triumph's been turning ordinary folks into mechanics since 1902....but, it's a labor of love.

Then again........it's a fine line that differentiates love and hate, now isn't it? Jim

dirtyharry · 05-12-2008

I've just come through doing the same thing with a 79 Bonnie. I keep hearing this tune going on inside my head "they're coming to take me away haha"
It's still not done and probably will never be. But i'm loving every minute of it.
Dirty Harry.

Foggy7 · 05-12-2008

And, just to prove how much I know...

Turns out it's a '79... In fact, had I bothered to READ anything at all, I probably could've sorted that out before I posted. Oh well, I guess there's no harm, and maybe a valuable lesson - - attention to detail...