|
'63 Thunderbird History - Help?
I have a California plated '63 Thunderbird...I think!
Am new to the forum & classic Triumphs. One successful post so far =)
My 'Thunderbird' has a 6T-DUXXXX engine & frame number that checks out as a '63 model and that's about where it's Thunderbird-ness ends!
I did some research by getting a copy of the '63 catalogue, and the '63 650 twin parts lists...
- It has the original '63 stamped black & yellow plate that matches the registration for at least the last 20 years.
- Has a 19" front wheel like a Trophy- not the 18" shown in the '63 catalogue.
- Does not have the Nacelle headlight arrangement shown in the catalogue with key switch/lightswitch etc. Has the side panel with switches like the '63 Trophy
- Does not have the faired-in rear wheel like the '63 Thunderbird in the catalogue
- Does not have the front fender (mudguard to us Brits) with the flaring at the rear like the '63 catalogue Thunderbird
- I checked the part numbers of the rear-shocks, as an example, and they are '63 Trophy
- The tank and fenders are light blue/white and having looked at the few scratches it has, looks like the original paintwork (though they might not be original to this bike?)
I'm going to continue checking parts but can anyone help me with any Triumph history here? As the '63 was the first 'unit' engine year, did Triumph export some hybrids from leftover parts in '63? Was the US or CA Thunderbird different from the '63 catalogue - which I assume was issued in the UK?
It seems like someone would have had to go through lots of money and hassle to convert a 6T to a TR6...no?
FYI - It's been a CA bike for at least 20 years.
Any help appreciated!
|
Linear Mode
