My T3 and me

[TspeED3]

To further my brief intro thread I thought I would add a bit more as well as some pics.
I wanted a Speed Triple from the moment i saw the first press pictures in late 1993. I almost cried when they changed to the 509 as I was still at uni and there was no way I was going tot be able to afford one. Than in late 1997 a shop in Sydney had five they had put aside and had thrown a little bit at them (paint, carbon front guard, 3-1) and was selling them as a 'limited edition' (apparently factory sanctioned...). Luckily I was working by then so was able to go and shake the bank manager and got one delivered to me in WA (Western Australia) in April 1998. Since then it has been back and forth across the country to superbike races and GPs and even right the way around in mid 99 on the way home from Philip Island. The last time across the country was with my (now) wife (on her own bike) in 2000 when we moved to Queensland.

I spent some money on the engine in 2003 when it turned 100,000 more because I knew I wanted to keep it than it really needing it, although it was using a tiny bit of oil. At the same time I put on a MkI Guzzi fairing and some bar end mirrors and also changed it from the cheap 3-1 back to the original headers and some slip on cans...then promptly dropped it as I was moving it around the shed and put a big ding in the tank
Then awhile later there was a bit of a lay down at a track day which added to the damage

In the years in between it has spent most of its time as my daily transport with only the occasional long trip. The move to Canberra saw some heated grips added. Lately I have started finding the time for a few more longer trips and have added some extra lights for night work.

I still love this bike try and look after her with regular servicing and oil etc. but I am not really precious about it; she gets well used for everything from commuting to scratching to distance work and even some stuff that would be better suited to a Tiger... every now and then I get the urge for something lighter/faster/newer and then go for a big ride on her and fall for her all over again.

[TspeED3]

Now the one that people really wanted to know about...
The dealler that put my bike together as mentioned above actual based the 5 he was selling on one he ahd built himself. A couple of years ago when I was looking around to do a bit more work on my bike I heard on the grapevine that the original one was for sale and it only had ~13,500km on it! to cut a longish story short I ended up buying it. :hide

While it has had a heap of work done to it it is more in the nature of refinment rather than radial change. Starting on the inside working out:
- Daytona 1200 pistons machined down for 11.6:1 compression
-Adjustable cam gears dialed in
- Head ported and flowed
-38mm carbies from a GSX-R (still mikuni)
- S3 challenge engine cases
-Sebring 3-1 (custom can and black chromed headers)
- Alcon calipers
- Ohlins Rear and front internals
- fork brace
- Carbon front and rear guards
- small blinkers
- Sprint tail piece
- pillion pegs removed
- various bits drilled and polished
- Gold engine bolts

It did have trophy bars on it but I have changed back to clip-ons (after market carbon ones that I am still not sure about), I have also changed to Oberon footpags and a bar end mirror.

It has lost more than 20kg in the process and picked up a bit more power but what is most noticable is the extra torque. Feels and sounds awesome.



(this one taken be the previous owner)

[Roden]

Sweet! Have you had this baby on the dyno?

Thought about going to FCR's?

Your modded mill will get plenty of attention from the guys on this board.

That is a very sweet Speed Triple indeed, love the gold highlights, just enough! Was that the colour they both came in? It was never offered as far as I know, only black and orange.

Love your workhorse speedy too...

Cheers,

Roden

[Sydtrip]

OMG!
I, Like you I always wanted a Speed Trip since the first day I saw one but couldn't afford one till many years later. I was working in the photo studio the day when we photographed John's (now yours) original Silver Speed 3 and I drooled over it. I also saw the 5 silver 'replicas' lined up in his dealer alongside the then new T509s, but I still couldn't afford one then. I even left a message with the dealers that if John ever wanted to sell his bike to let me know & I've since kept an eye out for the other 5 bikes.
Now you have the original and one of the 5. Lucky man. John did a beatutiful job with those bikes.
Welcome to the forum. You've got a great couple of bike there.
Syd

[KitNYC]

Wow. IMHO, gold bits usually just gaudy up a bike. Sometimes it's okay, sometimes the bike would look better without it. Here, though, it really works. It looks spectacular!

You're a lucky man to have those bikes!

Cheers,
-Kit

[TspeED3]

Thanks for the comments. Yeah I know exactly what you mean about the gold bolts Kit. To be honest I think they look better in the photos...I am still not 100%sure of them myself; they get a bit gawdy in the bright sun.
Syd, I'll keep you in mind if I ever sell it...

[MotT3]

Nice one eeerrr I mean two...I'm seeing double again but in a good way !

I too have a Triumph for miles and one for Sunday best...it's the only way to be :-)

Cheers
Mot

[roonanroon]

A great story and 2 great bikes. I love to see the well used ones, and I understand when you say about almost selling it then taking it for a ride and falling in love with it all over again.

I have a 93 Trident that I've had for 12 years now, it's still in the shed and it has seen off 4 Harleys and a Buell in that time. Almost sold it again when I picked up a 99 Daytona recently but now I think they make a good pair.

[Flying Custard]

Nice !

[95speed3]

Beautiful bikes. Your second Triple is very interesting, but I enjoy seeing a high mileage example in such good shape.

I see that you have a set of extra lights on your first Triple in a couple of the photographs. It's something I was thinking of doing. How did you mount them and what kind of switch / wiring did you use? Relay? Fuse?

Thanks,

Paul