Friday, November 25, 2011

71 Triumph Cafe Trans


Finally got time and the bearing I needed to get the trans back into the 71.  71-72 are not known as being the best Triumph produced.  There is a few reasons for this most have to do with the trans.  In 71 Triumph developed the 5 speed trans for the 650.  When doing this the 4 speed also got a major change too, the removal of the cam plate plunger.  Using a design from BSA, Triumph decided to place a piece of spring steel as the cam plunger.  Not very smart.  Not only is it a bitch to time, it becomes weak allowing the bike to pop out of gear.  In 73 it was changed back to the pre71 cam plunger.  The new O.I.F frame design, also came from BSA.  71-72 has a higher ride height which also was lowered in 73.   The good thing about 71-72 Triumphs is the price.  

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Craig's Sportster hard tail


Craig's sportster! Finally grabbed some shots with it in mock up.  This frame was some work!  I had this guy working with me doing most of my fab and welding.  At first everything was going good.  We told Craig we would build a hard tail for his bike.  No problem Right! Well next thing I know dude is going off acting like a idiot and starts eating acid again.  Now mind you dude is 40 something years old.   Next thing you know he's blowing me off and disappearing.  Great! I've lined up this frame job plus others and all we're my friends.  So with working 40+ hours a week swinging the hammer, then coming home to wrench on  bikes.  I was getting worried.  I'm a man of my word I don't screw people over.  After hunting down this asshole I had it.  My friends wanted their frames! I flipped I told the dude never to show his face around here again in a few choice words.  Then I do what I do get shit done!  I worked day and night to get caught up which hmmm. 6 months or so later I feel like I'm still behind.   I think the frame turned out great though.  I love the look of the single hoop frames.

Honda Cafe

Started building this over the summer.  Its on hold right now until the Indian and Triumph chopper are done.  The tank is off a 74 550.  The stock Honda tank is so huge, making the bike so wide.  I had a scrap 550 laying around and with a little work to the tunnel it was on.  The petcock has to be  relocated.  The tail section is half of gas tank from a 70's Honda enduro.    It worked out rather well and save a hell of alot of time compared to making one from scratch.  Still lots of work to do.

Got Rubber

Decided on the Firestone Deluxe! When I got the Indian it had a Goodyear Grasshopper.  I really wanted to run one again but no ones repops them for a 18".  I can't figure out way such a cool tire.I'm happy with the Firestone!  Its just good to see it getting to this point!