Triumphrat

ocman · 04-14-2006

After a night of looking at stripped down 60's Triumphs on the net, I was amazed on how simple and open the engines look.You can see right through them! How do they even run like that? Next day I woke up with an uncontrollable desire to start taking stuff off my SM. First, I removed the peg hangers...looked better, then i took of the cheese graters and all plastic around them. Then I took out the tool box and all brackets from the airbox removal kit(except carb brace). Now its starting to open up. My only obstacle was the battery box, which I took out and laid the battery in front of the rear tire. Then I bound all the wiring and pulled it up under the seat. You can see straight through to the other side now. Bitchin!

But a couple of issues. First, I mounted the battery flat on its side(according to Yuasa, it should be fine)and secured it with a leather battery strap and rubber mat underneath to minimize vibration - works great and doesnt move but I think i should have a battery box in there. Just dont know what to buy or how to mount it. I also cut off the side brackets attached to the frame so i will probably have to tap the swing arm and or use the rear fender bolts(?)Also rigged the ignition switch but a need an elegant solution for that too. But all in all Im pleased. My wife however, thinks I've totally lost it.

Panthermark · 04-14-2006

Your wife is correct....you have lost it. But that started the minute you said "I do".

:knkknk:

Now show us some pics!!

:-D

ssjones · 04-14-2006

Quote:

On 2006-04-14 12:30, ocman wrote:
After a night of looking at stripped down 60's Triumphs on the net, I was amazed on how simple and open the engines look.You can see right through them! How do they even run like that? Next day I woke up with an uncontrollable desire to start taking stuff off my SM. First, I removed the peg hangers...looked better, then i took of the cheese graters and all plastic around them. Then I took out the tool box and all brackets from the airbox removal kit(except carb brace). Now its starting to open up. My only obstacle was the battery box, which I took out and laid the battery in front of the rear tire. Then I bound all the wiring and pulled it up under the seat. You can see straight through to the other side now. Bitchin!

But a couple of issues. First, I mounted the battery flat on its side(according to Yuasa, it should be fine)and secured it with a leather battery strap and rubber mat underneath to minimize vibration - works great and doesnt move but I think i should have a battery box in there. Just dont know what to buy or how to mount it. I also cut off the side brackets attached to the frame so i will probably have to tap the swing arm and or use the rear fender bolts(?)Also rigged the ignition switch but a need an elegant solution for that too. But all in all Im pleased. My wife however, thinks I've totally lost it.

Never pay any attention to females that call themselves "wives". They have their own agenda's and cannot be trusted in matters of motorcycles & cars. Sounds cool, probably a shop could make you up a custom box. Or get a gel battery and don't worry about it? (plus they are usually smaller)

ocman · 04-14-2006

She has better taste in men than in motorcycles :wink:
I dont know what a gel battery is. Wouldn't it still need to be mounted with a box or bracket?

rodburner · 04-15-2006

Check the Harley parts vendors [J&P cycles,vintage parts catalog]They would have small boxes for batteries,or try a bike wrecking yard.My old SL175 donor bike has a small battery cage [too small for Bonnie] that could be enlarged.Gel batteries work great,some even upsidedown,then painted black to blend in with the frame.A leather tool bag to match your seat with the battery inside,carve out a recess in your seat foam,get a magneto and bumpstart the bike every ride. :-D

ocman · 04-15-2006

Quote:

On 2006-04-15 04:52, rodburner wrote:
Check the Harley parts vendors [J&P cycles,vintage parts catalog]They would have small boxes for batteries,or try a bike wrecking yard.My old SL175 donor bike has a small battery cage [too small for Bonnie] that could be enlarged.Gel batteries work great,some even upsidedown,then painted black to blend in with the frame.A leather tool bag to match your seat with the battery inside,carve out a recess in your seat foam,get a magneto and bumpstart the bike every ride. :-D

Hey rodburner,
Any problem with keeping my current set-up? I just laid the battery flat on the swingarm in front of the rear tire and wrapped a leather battery strap around it attached under the swingarm with a bolt and nut. It seems stable as ive riden over potholes and rr tracks and it doesnt shift at all. Obviously, i need to check the strap from time to time, but do see any problem with just leaving it this way? it looks pretty clean.

ssjones · 04-15-2006

Quote:

On 2006-04-14 22:10, ocman wrote:
She has better taste in men than in motorcycles :wink:
I dont know what a gel battery is. Wouldn't it still need to be mounted with a box or bracket?

You can put them in any position, not as easily damaged by vibration, etc.