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Triton!

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58K views 233 replies 38 participants last post by  gatornapper  
#1 ·
Now that I've got my hands on a Featherbed frame, I'm checking my inventory spreadsheets to see what I can toss together to give me inspiration.
On hand:
Featherbed chassis
Ceriani forks, Arces yokes, SLS brake
Commando rear wheel assembly, drum brake
Commando rear shocks
'69 T120R Bonneville lump
750 big bore kit w/ aluminum cylinders
5-speed T140V cluster conversion
Lytedrive belt drive primary system
Finned primary cover
Amal 930 carbs w/ velocity stacks
Bonnie tank w/ parcel grid (67 Euro paint scheme
Featherbed "bum stop" cafe seat with cutout
Upswept TR6C scrambler pipes with stock muffs
Early central-mount Norton oil tank
Simple clip-ons, levers & controls
Tympanium regulator/rectifier
Smiths speedo & tach with early 70s mounting setup
Needed:
Home-made rearsets
Home-made engine mounting plates
Sparx ignition, hand-made wiring harness (I have wire & connectors)
Retro lighting
Cables, chain, bits & bobs
I figure I'll toss it together loosely and park it between my garage door and shop door, so I can look at it a dozen times a day and get inspiration. I like Bones' latest mods, I figure I can aim in that direction...
Frame (also have the swingarm)-
Image

Engine (probably not this head, I have several good ones to choose from)-
Image

Front end (it's been cleaned up since this photo when I first got it)-
Image

That's the basics of the project; now let's see when I can squeeze in some TIME!
 
#5 ·
GPZ -

Hey GrandPaul - if you ever need a Trumpy frame you can't find on your own, let me know. My old lifelong Triumph mechanic far out in the country (I live in the country - and he's 45 min. from me!) has a whole graveyard of old Triumph frames. He doesn't do internet/computers - all paper - but I can call him and see if he has what you want.

Add me to the list of those looking forward to seeing the results of your master hand and mind.

gn
 
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#9 ·
gatornapper said:
Hey GrandPaul - if you ever need a Trumpy frame you can't find on your own, let me know. My old lifelong Triumph mechanic far out in the country (I live in the country - and he's 45 min. from me!) has a whole graveyard of old Triumph frames.
Click to expand...
Ask him if perchance, he has a Norton Commando swingarm? I need one!
 
#10 ·
ARCES = Ceriani

I know what you mean when you say "look at it a dozen times a day and get inspiration..." I spent more time looking at my project than wrenching on it - turned out exactly as I visualized.

Your new project sounds fantastic - you are livin' the life, as they say. Keep us up on the progress, please.

I did a little research on my Ceriani fork and found the following:

Wikipedia says the ARCES yokes are Ceriani "From 1964 the company was known within the industry as ACRES (an acronym of ARturo CEriani Samarate) but the brand identity was maintained and the company continued to be known as Ceriani by consumers."
 
#12 ·
While 750 and even 850 Nortons didn't proiduce the increases in HP over the 650s that you might expect, they added GOBS of torque.

I'm doing this strictly as a personal wish-list project that finally caught a break on a frame source. It ain't a Triton without the "Tri" in it!
 
#15 ·
Mockup done; now it'll just sit there for a few months and get ideas while the play money gets replenished.

Suspension & wheels-

Image


Hollow engine block & oil tank-

Image


Mostly mocked up. For lack of any other tank that was even close, I set the High Rider tank in place for the photo-

Image
 
C
#16 ·
Looking good Paul! The Las Vegas Harley shop off Sahara has a couple Tritons on display - without a doubt the most beautiful bikes on the floor (though a '57 Bonnie TT came close!). I took a handful of photos of those show bikes if you are looking for any ideas. Personally I like the direction you're headed - Have Fun!
 
#17 · (Edited)
When I was building my own Featherbed cafe racer I found that Commando suspension units (13") are too long. I ended up with Hagon gas shocks that are 12". With a 19" rear wheel that still makes for a fairly tall seat height. I suspect those forks will also need shortening. I used late (ish) Bonneville forks with twin discs and shortened them by taking 1" off the springs. The shape of the yokes etc etc has resulted in a very poor turning circle, only matched by that of my old Hinckley 900 Trident.
 
W
#24 ·
Nice one GPZ :)
I look forward to seeing the progress on this one!........One things for sure, you'll be finished long before me :)

I'm planning a slightly different route, I'll stick with the 650 cylinder with maybe some mild porting on the head, belt drive (I was thinking QPD), Dresda lightweight frame complete with box section swingarm, Conical rear hub (drilled and powercoated black), Grimeca front hub, Triumph OIF forks with external spring conversion, manx 3 gallon short circuit tank (left as bare aluminium), fiberglass fenders (in black), clip ons fitted below the upper yoke and a pair of Goldie silencers (mufflers)

That's all in my head (and one rough sketch) at the moment :) The rest, I'm not sure at the moment, it will take shape funds permitting :)

Webby
 
#27 ·
Some resellers and distributors also refer to those as "Clubman" handlebars.

Different manufacturers use different angles on thier bends, and different lengths on the "drop" distance, for what it's worth.

Some fit better than others, when used with certain quarter fairings...
 
D
#30 ·
the Triton was a child of the late 50's and early 60's

So although modern replicas(?) can have 750 engines, the originals were made on the basis of the old Norton engines not being up to the job of a cafe racer.

There were also apparently lots of Norton frames about because the Manx engine was used in a car class of motorsport, but Norton would only sell complete bikes. So the car guys would buy a bike,remove the engine and sell the rolling chassis on to a biker who stuck a Triumph lump in it
 
#31 ·
Always loved Tritons.

Mainly because of the owner involvement required to get one on the road, and of course the look of the machine. I've featured a few in our magazine, despite it being a chopper rag, our readers know what's involved and can appreciate it.

Anyone who has ever rode an Atlas will realize the benefit of going to the Triumph engine. At least it won't shake your fillings out.

If I trip over an über good featherbed deal, I'll start collecting parts myself.

Can't wait to see how this comes out.
 
W
#36 ·
Let's see some pics GPZ! :D
I've nothing to report on my build, I've had no time but I haven't forgotten about the engine plates, I might not get them to you till mid - late January, I'm snowed under with work, I'm also planning to change jobs and move 600 miles north! So I hope you're not in a rush.

Webby
 
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