Triumphrat

Thrux-ton-up · 02-07-2008

Nice project Johnny, can't wait to see the tank and the finished bike.

sweatmachine · 02-07-2008

I like that you cut the back of the frame, I want to do that but it will have to wait until I get another bike for 2up duties.

TBSstunta · 02-07-2008

Are the clip-on indents low enough in case you lower the bars some?

You might not think that you will, but never say never.

johnny6035 · 02-07-2008

I thought I'd have to cut the seat rails to get the look I was after - short skinny seat and big 'hunched up' tank - sort of a bulldog look. Okay, I've sacrificed a pillion but my missus rides her own Honda and passengers just make your bike handle like a wheelbarrow. Might need to do some lateral thinking to allow me to carry panniers though! Maybe a QD rack. I spent a lot of time working out the clip on indents to suit the bars I've got on order. They're Italian chrome clip ons that are actually about an inch lower than the standard bars! Most people seem to go for higher bars but to get a true cafe racer stance you need to have your bars somewhere near the front wheel spindle

. Plus, I'm using Beston grips that are a lot more forgiving than the standard Trump ones. Actually, I tried the position and it is more comfy than the stock Thrux position. Because you're laid out across the tank it supports your chest. I've built quite a few Brit & Italian cafe racers before that put you in the same position. I reckon I might need to shift the footrests back about an inch or 2 to complete the picture. We'll see when she's back together. Hmmm, could be some interesting CNC work coming up with the footrest hangers. BTW I got the seat base plug started today. I'll post pics in a day or 2 when I've got the mould done and begin glassing.

Cheers Johnny

johnny6035 · 02-08-2008

Okay, step 1 of my seat base.

Pic 1. - I cut a sheet of 18mm MDF to closely hug the frame rails and screwed it to another sheet of MDF that acts as a base for my 'plug'. Then I laminated 3 sheets of 2" expanded polystyrene to it to form the hump. I used a PVA based builders adhesive that doesn't attack the foam and left it overnight to cure..

Pic 2. - I cut the foam to match the plan view of the base.

Pic 3. - I then cut the profile.

Pics 4 & 5. - I sanded the whole lot to shape - then I spent 2 hours cleaning all the cr*p out of my garage.

The whole lot'll be given a few coats of PVA to act as a release agent, then 'boxed in' with more MDF and I'll pour a plaster mould. More pics soon but for now I'm off to buy my fibreglass.

Cheers Johnny

blackstar1965 · 02-08-2008

Nice!
That's going to be a good lookin tail section!

johnny6035 · 02-17-2008

Okay, slight change of plan. When I made my master I made it exactly the right size to clear the seat rails but if I'd made a mould from that and then made the fibreglass seat base from the mould it'd have been too small. Make sense?

Sooo, I simply covered the master with a thin layer of household filler (Polyfilla), coated it with a couple of coats of shellac and then polished it with traffic wax. Then I simply glassed straight onto the master. Here's the result. I may cut the back end a litlle higher but I need my rear mudguard to judge how high to cut it. Now all it needs is sanding smooth, quick release brackets fixing to it and then upholstery. I also need to cut out the frame section that contains the CDi unit and lower it a little so it clears the underside of the seat.

johnny6035 · 02-27-2008

Mini mock up today to see what fits and what don't! I may make another seat buck with a slimmer hump or butcher this one a little, any opinions?

More promises from John Williams on the tank. I think a personal visit is in order! Due to the delays involved I'm gonna make the dummy oil tank myself and have a mate weld it.

Lot's of polished bits on the front end - the only jobs left in that area are the ignition switch mounting (in front of the top yoke), the clock brackets & buckets and the 'Y' brackets for the front mudguard. A mate of mine has kindly offered to plasma cut them at work for the price of a six pack. He's also gonna make me a tank strap. The front and rear alloy mudguard blanks arrived today so I can get on with cutting and polishing them. I've also got to sort out the warning lights in the headlight shell.

At the rear I need to make a bracket for the lovely Lucas 675 taillight and completely cut out the frame pice that holds the CDI unit etc. I'll replace this with some round tube and mount the electrics in the seat hump.

Anyway, I'm off to the pub now for a retirement do. Can't wait to hear those peashooters!!

Cheers Johnny

dochanson · 02-27-2008

Hi Johnny etal! I finally got my tank from John Williams. Here are some quick photos of my project in the works. Doing it a bit at a time. My current question is what to do for a seat. I will probably have inter-changable dual and solo seats as my wife likes to ride with from time to time. So I am cutting down the old seat to fit. A main consideration is that I would not like to disturb the line of the rear mud guard, so I am thinking about mounting the tail light at the end of the seat/or at least at the same height.

I wanted to first see how the tank and fenders looked before I change too many other things. I do like the riding position with M-bars and rear-sets. Any ideas? (particularly regarding the seats).

Cheers, Bruce

johnny6035 · 02-27-2008

Cool, that's one of the tanks John offered me for mine but I wanted something lower profile. Like I say, I'm a masochist! Nice to see you've got it fitted - but there's litlle point asking me for advice on asthetics. I'd only suggest mega low clip ons and a plank for a seat - your missus would not like me

.

How about ace bars or LSLs with one of those 'dual' cafe seats?? And a shortened stock rear mudguard?

Cheers Johnny