Triumphrat

Mancha · 04-14-2006

Hey All,

Well, after weeks of phone calls to a disconnected number, after several scouting trips to a dimly remembered address, and after a couple of visits to friends and neighbors, I finally found my fabricator again.

"Hey, there he is" he shouted in apparent happiness as I marched purposely up to his door, completely deflating me. "Where have you been?" he continued. My mouth gaped open.

He showed me to my tank, which was in pretty much the same state it was in a month ago when last I saw it. The tunnel is somewhat more completed, and the gaping seams are somewhat more closed, but it's not spectacularly more finished. Indeed, I didn't expect it to be.

But at least it's in my grubby hands, and I spent some time today stripping it of paint and checking its fit on the bike. Mind you, I've done this before (indeed, checking its fit is ALL I've been able to do), but it looks somewhat more impressive with the paint stripped off, and I hope you have some feedback for me. Here it is:

The tunnel is almost done, and I imagine that a day's work would complete it:

This thing is HEAVY. While I may be gaining some fuel capacity, I sure am not shedding weight with this tank. I hope the appearance makes up for it. As one of you recently said, one can only see so many black Thruxtons with Predators before it becomes a little old. I hope this new tank is pleasing.

The rider's-eye-view shows just how narrow this tank is:

And here's the Suzuki tank next to the Triumph tank:

Finally, while I like the way the stock seat looks with this tank, the seat cowl looks out of place. I've been fooling around with alternatives. Here's a KZ seat cowl. What do you think?

I like the shape of it but I think the rear end needs to be somewhat closer to the tire, making a continuing line from the bottom of the tank through the bottom of the seat cowl.

Anyway, your feedback is appreciated. I've been looking at this tank for so long now that I can't decide if I love it or hate it. What do you think?

By the way, more pics are in my gallery here.

Mancha

6449 · 04-15-2006

OK...here's my opinion Mancha;

I think the tank, regardless of weight, is gong to look fantastic. I get the strong sense of individual character and the true feeling of cafe when I look at it.

As far as seat packages that would or should go with the Tank..I'm still undesided...I must have looked at your pics for close to an hour, switching back and forth, I can't make up my mind and or commit enough to say I 'like this one'. To me, if it were mine, I would be looking/shopping for something different than what you have now..the Stock seat & the Custom seat.

rodburner · 04-15-2006

Mancha,Its gonna look great.If a stock seat will still fit,maybe try to get a K&Q.The front nose area is quite a bit wider than the Thrux seat,to better match the wide tank tail.It also drapes down over the rails more to continue the tank lines back. You would have to shave the foam down on the sides, as the bucket seat is quite wide,and I`m guessing your after a narrower look.Then sculpt the rear portion of the seat to any shape you find pleasing.If you change your mind,just glue the foam [any foam]back on and try another shape. Then make a fiberglass cowl for the tail section,remove the foam,flushmount your new tailight into the cowl with quick disconnect plug,and get a nice leather upholstery job on the seat.The K&Q is thicker than the Thrux but softer,so your knees won`t be so bent and the ride will be nicer.

rodburner · 04-15-2006

A quick pic for seat fit.

Thrux-ton-up · 04-15-2006

Mancha - Tank, I think will look great when finished and painted, seems to have good form in the rough. I think once it's painted up you'll really like it, plus it will be one of a kind. Seat doesn't look quite right - may just be the way it is fitted. But the over all effect takes you right back to the cafe racers of the 70's. I think you should keep going with the project. JCW

Sheepdog · 04-15-2006

Mancha,
Whatever tailpiece you select, it will be important that it continues the line established by the bottom of the tank. Otherwise, it has the effect of making the bike look bent in the middle.

Spyder94 · 04-15-2006

Mancha I like the tank. Neither seat is right. What did the stock Suzi seat look like? Look for a picture of a 1974-75 Ducati yellow bird sport, or a Ducati SS. I Think the tail section might flow with the Suzi tank. Just a thought.

Steve.

Mancha · 04-15-2006

Thanks for the good feedback. I really hope to continue with this project, although the constant excuses of the fabricator do not make me optimistic.

As for the seat: Well, I don't think the stock one, sans the cowl, looks bad. I agree, however, that the tank is a good bit wider, which looks kind of strange. What I would really like is a wider-at-the-front, narrower-everywhere-else, shorter seat with a fastback cowl. This guy did it good:

I agree, however, that the bottom of the tank and the bottom of the seat have to be much closer to one line than they are in my preview picture. Realistically, I just don't think they can be made to have a ruler flat line. Rather, the line of the tank and seat will be somewhat bent. If this were the case, it would be pretty similar to the way the stock tank and seat meet.

I'm going to start working on the KZ cowl to see what I can do with it.

PolockJoe · 04-15-2006

Seat still needs some work ....but the tank is the awesome. Chrome it and find some little cafe seat/ cowl and your in business.

curefan · 04-15-2006

That tank is going to be really cool.

Tell me about those mirrors. They look cool. How are they mounted?