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'72 tiger 650 basket case

3K views 19 replies 6 participants last post by  pbkid694 
#1 ·
I've been a member here for a while but never really posted anything and haven't been on here since I sold my '99 daytona 955i about 5-6 years ago. That was the bike that started my love affair with triumphs. I've had multiple jap bikes since then then last year came back to triumph with a leftover 2014 Daytona 675r.

I've wanted a classic triumph since that 955i and finally pulled the trigger on a '72 tr6r basket case. This thread will chronicle my journey to restore this bike to glory.

Since the frame is stripped beside the swingarm, I plan on powder coating it black along with the swingarm, triple clamps brake stays and both stands.

Tank will be stripped of current rattlecan paint and done right. Looking for ideas for colors and schemes. Feel free to post any ideas you have.

The fenders have layers and layers of spray paint on them. Will strip and see what's underneath 40+ years of layering to decide which direction to go with these.

Motor is solid, previous owner was going to freshen up with new gaskets and loosened the rocker boxes but never finished. Gaskets on them look original. Will check valves and replace gaskets and leave it alone. If odometer is correct there are only 4xxx miles on the bike. Compression test will give more details but haven't gotten around to it yet as I just picked it up yesterday. Was told clutch basket was worn and have replacement but will open up the primary to check myself and check chain.

Pics will be taken when I get some time this week. It was raining when I picked it up so I just wanted to get it home and into the trailer before it got poured on.

Any and all input/help/info is very much appreciated. Looking forward to documenting what one dummy from the internet can do with some time, effort and a little bit of money.

James
 
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#16 ·
Anyone can shoot powder, fewer know how to do it properly. Just remember, you get what you pay for and a cheap price is usually the last thing you should look for when finding a competent coater. The ones that know their stuff get a bit more money because it's worth it. In most cases a cheap powder coating price means some corners have been cut somewhere.
 
#6 ·
If you get into the gear box you'll likely find a leaf spring which locates the cam plate when shifting. I have a kit which makes it easy to replace the spring with the plunger setup. Befor anyone gets the wrong idea. from here onward the use of the kit will not include rental fee. Shipping and cost of any tool damage will be the only cost.
 
#7 ·
Is it an OIF tiger? If so, DO NOT SANDBLAST YOUR FRAME!!!!!! I bought a basket case and discovered blasting grit in the oil tube.

Get a parts fische and shop manual as well.
 
#8 ·
It is oif. The frame needs to be cleaned out anyway. 40 years of sludge in it. Precautions will be taken to keep as much out as I can then it will be flushed when finished. There's really no other way to clean the metal to get a good surface for powder coat.
 
#9 ·
Just search this forum for 'blasting grit in oil tube' Before you make your final decision. I went through this nightmare myself and would strongly suggest you consider stripping the frame using something other than sandblasting, but that's just me.

I stripped everything off of the frame and alternated between hot soapy water, pressure washer, and kerosine flushes. When I thought I had all of it, I flushed it 5 more times. And then to be doubly sure, I put a Charlie's filter from motao in the bottom tube (do a search on this forum for Charlie's filter and you'll see the controversy).

Good luck! Can't wait to see some pics of your progress.
 
#13 ·
Either way, I just have one side and no airbox. I found some carbon fiber side covers that bolt right on. They are expensive but by the time I get fiberglass ones and paint them I think it would even out. Then I'd fit a pancake filter on the carb.

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#20 ·
So I got at it with the stripper today. Main goal was to see if the metal was chrome or not before sending them to be blasted. As you can see it is not. But it took a whole quart size can of stripper to get to this point.

It appears the original color was metallic blue. No idea if that is factory or not. But I like it and think I'll go with that for the fenders and tank. Another reason is i hate polishing chrome. Thinking of doing a crystal white base with the blue scallop on top. Blue fenders with white stripes. Black powdercoat frame and frame parts. What do you all think of that?


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