Triumphrat

WhoIsHayley · 11-01-2012, 03:11 AM

This might have already floated around here but just in case...
When I first saw it, I couldn't figure out what was different other than a few incidentals and the seat, then I noticed the tank. Something I had wondered about for a while. Looks pretty cool. Shopping for an old tank again

more pics and write up here - the bike is by Roberto Rossi
http://motorivista.com/triumph-bonneville/

rmak · 11-01-2012, 11:15 AM

Dang! Just when I start forgetting the possibility of an old tank, you guys pull me back in! Someone recently talked about doing a 60's tank, but then I lost touch. I think a 60's tank might be easier than what looks in the photo to be a 70's T140 tank. The 60's tanks had spaces for the coils underneath just like the moderns. 70's Triumphs had the coils under the seat and the channel was very narrow. Also, 70's tanks were held by a screw in the middle coming up from the frame where a 60's bolted in the back, like the Hinkleys.

WhoIsHayley · 11-10-2012, 03:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmak

Dang! Just when I start forgetting the possibility of an old tank, you guys pull me back in! Someone recently talked about doing a 60's tank, but then I lost touch. I think a 60's tank might be easier than what looks in the photo to be a 70's T140 tank. The 60's tanks had spaces for the coils underneath just like the moderns. 70's Triumphs had the coils under the seat and the channel was very narrow. Also, 70's tanks were held by a screw in the middle coming up from the frame where a 60's bolted in the back, like the Hinkleys.

Heh sorry ! I was trying to forget it too!

sayonora · 11-10-2012, 06:01 AM

so yeah im sort of making a rivale replica. I bought a t150 tank, which is slithly bigger than a t140 tank.
the main problems I had were the original mounts that needed to be shortened by about 1,5cm, and the width of the tank's channel. The main wiring loom has a really annoying path over the frame going from left to over the frame to the right.

as you can see the tank is positioned slightly to the left, and is hanging quite high.
I'd love to see the rivale in person so I can see how roberto rossi did it.
making a brace to hold the tank in place isnt too hard in the front, theres a possibility with some smart thinking and a few aluminium pieces.

you know, I just dont get why exactly triumph didn't make the new bonneville's tank just like the last t140 or t150 tanks

Bron-Yr-Aur · 11-10-2012, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmak

Also, 70's tanks were held by a screw in the middle coming up from the frame

I don't know if a lot of enthusiasts liked it or not, but I thought that was a cool feature. I love the Triumph plug that conceals the bolt/stud. Looked very regal. I know a lot of guys don't care for the oil-in-frames or many of their features for that matter, but they were a well-built bike. They don't bring nearly the money the older ones do, though. I love the tank on my '76.

If you look at the pics on the link, you're right, it is one of those years' tanks. But I don't understand why he left the plug out.

jonkster · 11-10-2012, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmak

I think a 60's tank might be easier than what looks in the photo to be a 70's T140 tank. The 60's tanks had spaces for the coils underneath just like the moderns. 70's Triumphs had the coils under the seat and the channel was very narrow. Also, 70's tanks were held by a screw in the middle coming up from the frame where a 60's bolted in the back, like the Hinkleys.

the 70s tanks are oil in frame tanks and so the frame spine is wider than the 60s so while the earlier tanks have the space for the coils they narrow towards the back where the 1971+ tanks have a consistently wide channel. I seriously doubt either channel would be wide enough for the Hinkley frame though.

If you really wanted an older tank maybe you could perhaps take an older tank, cut out the bottom and remake and weld a suitable bottom to it. I think though it would have little fuel capacity but that may not be an issue if looks are the main priority.

An other alternative is to make a tank from scratch eg using techniques shown in: http://www.millerwelds.com/resources...ks-Ron-Covell/
That would be a pretty serious undertaking though but achievable. (I actually bought the DVD of tank building by Covell - maybe one day when I get the time I will have a go at building a tank)

My recommendation if you really like the old tank shape would be to do what I did, buy a complete old bike which has the tank shape you like, fix up the bike and ride that**

FWIW The 1971+ OIF tanks look like this underneath

the earlier tanks look like this:

** I actually think putting the older tank on the newer bike, from a look wise POV, may not work that well. The bikes have different sizes and lines and I have a hunch you will find it will look slightly forced rather than natural. The bike you show, to me, seems to have a slightly too small tank for the size of the bike but everyone's tastes vary - that is just the way I'd see it and it is your eye that matters on your bike. That said Sayonora's T150 tank seems to work visually. Maybe the T150/T160 tanks are physically bigger than the Bonneville ones.

Bron-Yr-Aur · 11-10-2012, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonkster

** I actually think putting the older tank on the newer bike from a look wise may not work that well. The bikes have different sizes and lines and I have a hunch you will find it will look slightly forced rather than natural. The bike you show to me seems to have a slightly too small a looking tank for the size of the bike but everyone's tastes vary - that is just the way I'd see it and it is your eye that matters on your bike.

+1. I agree completely. Nice bike, btw.

rmak · 11-10-2012, 02:11 PM

Thanks, Jonkster. Good information. And I already took your advice. I ride my 65 every time my kicking knee doesn't hurt.

rodhotter · 11-19-2012, 12:02 PM

love the older bonnie looks, had a 70 T120R, the tanks as well as the headlight had better shapes, love the kick start as well, prolly drop some serious lbs off the newer bikes, i do not miss the vibes or early drum brakes though

RickMcCl · 11-21-2012, 10:49 PM

Yeah; I had a '57 back in the day.

What with the mags, and Lucas electrics; even when kept out of the weather, whenever it rained, the damned thing wouldn't crank for three days!

Thank God for the "new" Bonnies!

Rick