Triumphrat

Mancha · 05-03-2007

Hey All,

I recently put the engine--not rebuilt, but hella cleaned up--back into the frame and it's starting to really come together:

Still have some painting to finish up (including the rear fender), waiting on the muffler from the chromers, have to figure out what's up with the carb, obviously have to send out the seat for upholstering, and need to sort out the headlight, with its rat's nest of wiring. All in all, however, I may actually have it done by the one-year anniversary of picking it up.

sweatmachine · 05-04-2007

that's crazy cool. where do you plan on riding this?

Mancha · 05-04-2007

Quote:

On 2007-05-04 10:34, sweatmachine wrote:
that's crazy cool. where do you plan on riding this?

I plan on riding it into my den and leaving it there. :-D My wife has other plans, however.

Seriously, I don't see myself riding it much. I don't feel like paying a lot for tags and insurance when, realistically, I won't be on it very often. Still, it'll look fun at car shows next to all the Tuners and Streetrods.

RaceDweeb · 05-04-2007

Betcha my Sears is faster than your Wards. :-D

/Mike

Mancha · 05-04-2007

That Sears looks great. Or rather, it has a cool seat and tank and COULD look great. Are you doing anything with it? Is it running?

That looks like a 250, yes? The Wards is a 125.

oregonthruxton · 05-04-2007

Quote:

On 2007-05-03 22:45, Mancha wrote:
Hey All,

I recently put the engine--not rebuilt, but hella cleaned up--back into the frame and it's starting to really come together:

Still have some painting to finish up (including the rear fender), waiting on the muffler from the chromers, have to figure out what's up with the carb, obviously have to send out the seat for upholstering, and need to sort out the headlight, with its rat's nest of wiring. All in all, however, I may actually have it done by the one-year anniversary of picking it up.

Mancha, that is Sick! How many cc's? do you know who manufactured the engine?

RaceDweeb, same questions.

Did'nt know Wards and Sears built motocycles.

g

Mancha · 05-04-2007

Quote:

Mancha, that is Sick! How many cc's? do you know who manufactured the engine?

It's a 125cc Benelli, imported into the US by Montgomery Wards, and rebadged "Wards Riverside". They also sold larger Benellis. I can't remember what the Sears is, but it's probably also an Italian make. Although it might be a Puch. RaceDweeb?

RaceDweeb · 05-04-2007

Mine is a 1968 Gilera SR124 5V sold in the Sears & Roebuck catalog up to 1971 I believe. 124cc 4 stroke, a jewel of an engine. I bought it from a guy who acquired it an estate sale. The original owner in his 70's back in 68 dropped the bike on broke his ankle. He parked the bike with under 300 miles on it.

It sat in a barn for 30+ years until his wife passed and the guy I bought it from got it at auction with a batch of vintage bicycles. It's complete and runs... errr, ran, until I completely dismantled it. I want to do a resto like Mancha is doing, but leave off all the street lighting for a race bike look.

I hope to be toolin' around Mid-Ohio on this thing in late July.

/Mike

RaceDweeb · 05-04-2007

BTW... check out what looks like a big roofing nail with a loop bent into it sticking out of the headlight shell. That's the ignition key... and yes, it's a big roofing nail with a loop bent into it. Ahhh, the simpler days.

/Mike

A2WheelCpl · 05-04-2007

My God that takes me back!, I had a honda sl 70 and my dad brought home this wards bike, we got it running, and since it seemed so much heavier then the honda we called it the hog. I rode the day lights out of ours I remember it was so heavy when i wanted to jump it, I squezed the tank with my knees and jumped, (LOL). We sold our place and the bike went with it, I sure wish I still had it. Today i'm looking at maybe getting an Aermacchi, though, just seemed like the right thing to do. THanks for the memory of that!