Old Bike Love

[Paul in NZ]

Hey - no doubt about it - the Trophy (1970 TR6C) is one pretty bike but most importantly - god its a peach to ride...

No doubt about it - I'm a miserable old goat - I've usually got more dogs than I have friends....

So - this week, with Vickis emergency OP and all has been - um - traumatic and today she felt a bit better so I mowed the lawns (we have a LOT of lawn) and then - it being sooo nice in Kapiti it was - wadda we gunna do tonight (apparently my first suggestion was anatomically impossible and very insensitive considering her condition) so it was back to 'I know I'll cook dinner and get in a chick flick 'cos you need a laugh' (well she IS still sicker than sick and needs a giggle)

But with child #3 due home from work any minute and - it being such a wonderfully still night why not ride the C to get a movie and a Lotto ticket.

So - out she comes and a leg glides though the kicker and second prod - we are away down the drive. 1st call is the ATM and guy #1 wants to chat re the C... Hes nice and loves the bike - first prod and off to the DVD place, the guys at the liqour store love the C and tip me the wink - 'so shes still going eh?' YUP and its off to the local shop for beer and a lotto ticket - chat to the dude on the pavement who had a 66 bonnie once and it's time for home....

This bike is hungry for the throttle and shes alive like nothing made in modern times, you feel the engine, the bearings and the tappets and you only have to think 'corner' and shes on her ear saying 'yes boss'..... Fuck me - this bloody bike was made for me.. a classic? Maybe - or maybe it's just a bloody GREAT bike... Perfect for a warm Kapiti evening - the bloody thing has more friends than I do....

[toycollector10]

Nice post Paul.

You've got the sickness.

When it came to Brit Iron V's Spaghetti-framed Japanese rubbish ....I made my choice.

[Motu]

When the choice was between power and handling,I went for handling everytime.

I was going to be grumpy and say Triumph's never won me any friends - but actually they gave me the only true friends I've ever had,and a wife.I was seeing one of my old friends from those days today,it's good to have friendships that go so deep....and all because of a Triumph.In his case a '53 T'Bird,the first to have an alternator,in the outer primary case.

Triumph's didn't handle that well - but oh boy,they were flickable,and the engines eager for a thrashing.

[Unit:Me]

Bloody good Post Paul n NZ. Takes me back to my first bike, Norton Commando, and do I miss it bigtime. Yep your right about the bike probably having more friends. No offence but people come talk when your on something so special. Dont you ever sell it, or I'll come have a jolly good talking to you.....

[Paul in NZ]

Triumph's didn't handle that well - but oh boy,they were flickable,and the engines eager for a thrashing.

Dunno - late 60's after Hele did his magic? they handled as good as anything.... The lack of rubber on the pegs indicates it can lay down OK...

Anyway - its more than that - its the bike on the right day in the right place - its a summer bike, chrome flashes under early street lights and sparkles on polished rims - hearts sigh for dreams unforfilled, dreams unrealised - it's fuckin gorgeous and I'm one lucky son of a bitch on a summer night, warm nights and rattley tappets - bliss....

[Paul in NZ]

Nice post Paul.

You've got the sickness.

When it came to Brit Iron V's Spaghetti-framed Japanese rubbish ....I made my choice.

Yeah - we all make choices....

;-)

[Bren]

Yeah - we all make choices....

;-)

What a nice looking old girl Paul...

[Bonez]

Good to see you are back Paul.

[The Baron]

Very nice bike. No wonder it has more friends than you. Thanks for a good read.

[Voltaire]

great posts guys...real Classic Bike Forum stuff.

Riding those old Triumphs sure is fun, I have a T110 I restored on my OE in a conservatory in London in the early 80's. While my flatmates were watching TV I was toiling away, even going to night school to make parts for it.
When it was finished I rode it up to the Isle of Man for TT week and my friend rode my r75/5.
Great ride and everytime I stopped someone would come over and start chatting.
As for handling, with those looks and that sound I was not too bothered.
alas it has sat along with the r75/5 in bits awaiting for the flame of enthusiasm to reignite....
the poll is gathereing momentum...

[Motu]

Dunno - late 60's after Hele did his magic? they handled as good as anything.... The lack of rubber on the pegs indicates it can lay down OK...

They didn't handle better,but they had more character.The OIF was boring...it handled so well it was like riding a Featherbed,no excitement.The pre unit frames had a nice whip that could set you up nicely exiting a corner....but by the late '60's they had honed it down to a fine art.The Norton's,BSA's and AMC's were better handling,but felt heavy and ponderous compared to a Triumph.I think the difference was that the others had better high speed handling,the Triumph had better low speed handling - and flicking through a set of twisties a Triumph was the far better bike.

Of course I've never owned a Triumph,but that doesn't stop us internet experts having opinions....

[Trumpess]

Dunno - late 60's after Hele did his magic? they handled as good as anything.... The lack of rubber on the pegs indicates it can lay down OK...

Anyway - its more than that - its the bike on the right day in the right place - its a summer bike, chrome flashes under early street lights and sparkles on polished rims - hearts sigh for dreams unforfilled, dreams unrealised - it's fuckin gorgeous and I'm one lucky son of a bitch on a summer night, warm nights and rattley tappets - bliss....

Ohhh I hear ya Paul ... especially about the rattly tappets
I have encountered the same taking my girl out for a spin, sadly alot of people pay more attention to the bike rather than me
There is something so very special about old Brits. But its all little sacrafice to endure when riding her!
She leans so well into corners and is very flickable. I am out for maximum enjoyment when we ride.
Hubby has suggested we sell her to get me an updated version, but he has been put back in his place.
I wouldnt give her up for quids. My old girl will be a family heirloom as my 12 year old boy is hanging to ride and wants her.

[Paul in NZ]

Ohhh I hear ya Paul ... especially about the rattly tappets
I have encountered the same taking my girl out for a spin, sadly alot of people pay more attention to the bike rather than me
There is something so very special about old Brits. But its all little sacrafice to endure when riding her!
She leans so well into corners and is very flickable. I am out for maximum enjoyment when we ride.
Hubby has suggested we sell her to get me an updated version, but he has been put back in his place.
I wouldnt give her up for quids. My old girl will be a family heirloom as my 12 year old boy is hanging to ride and wants her.

That looks like a 71 with a later tank on it?

To be brutally honest - the market for 71 / 72's is very flat so you really wouldn't get huge $$ for it - damn shame but they got bad press from the 'experts' when they are very good bikes - a T120V is maybe my fave triumph of all - more so in the red and gold livery. Its just the oddity of the classic market that certain bikes seem to represent an era and others don't.

I'd keep it and enjoy it for what it is - find a 71 slimline tank or a breadbox and enjoy - wonderful things...

Oh - watch out for the bearings flogging out the conical rear hub - good ones are getting very hard to find so make sure its a good tight fit and inspect regularly.

Useful mods for these bikes apart form the usual boyer are oil coolers and longer brake arms from Muts Nuts - they make all the difference now we can't get proper brake shoes.

Ah - happy memories - front wheel lock up contests with andy coming down from the summit rd in chch... Him on the T120V and me on one of the 5T chops or the Atlas or the rickman or...

[Trumpess]

That looks like a 71 with a later tank on it?

To be brutally honest - the market for 71 / 72's is very flat so you really wouldn't get huge $$ for it - damn shame but they got bad press from the 'experts' when they are very good bikes - a T120V is maybe my fave triumph of all - more so in the red and gold livery. Its just the oddity of the classic market that certain bikes seem to represent an era and others don't.

I'd keep it and enjoy it for what it is - find a 71 slimline tank or a breadbox and enjoy - wonderful things...

Oh - watch out for the bearings flogging out the conical rear hub - good ones are getting very hard to find so make sure its a good tight fit and inspect regularly.

Useful mods for these bikes apart form the usual boyer are oil coolers and longer brake arms from Muts Nuts - they make all the difference now we can't get proper brake shoes.

Ah - happy memories - front wheel lock up contests with andy coming down from the summit rd in chch... Him on the T120V and me on one of the 5T chops or the Atlas or the rickman or...

Yep it is a 71 (TR6R)
It has an 81 Electra tank on her.
We have the original gold and white breadbox for her in the garage, the seams have split and havent gotten around to getting it fixed, if it is at all fixable.
I don't care about the $$'s. Wont sell it. Its been owned for 20 years by hubby.
Your quote - "Its just the oddity of the classic market that certain bikes seem to represent an era and others don't." - as far as Im concerned they all represent the era in which they were born. Flash or not. Its all history!

P.S ... thanks for the tip re: rear hub.

[Paul in NZ]

Yep it is a 71 (TR6R)
It has an 81 Electra tank on her.
We have the original gold and white breadbox for her in the garage, the seams have split and havent gotten around to getting it fixed, if it is at all fixable.
I don't care about the $$'s. Wont sell it. Its been owned for 20 years by hubby.
Your quote - "Its just the oddity of the classic market that certain bikes seem to represent an era and others don't." - as far as Im concerned they all represent the era in which they were born. Flash or not. Its all history!

P.S ... thanks for the tip re: rear hub.

Sorry - I was being confusing... Yes - they are all historybut relevant to the era. The 71's were late to market due to problems with the engine not fitting the new frame and triumph never regained the sales numbers - because they missed the vital spring season in the USA there were a lot of unsold 71's around in 72 fueling the 'unpopular' tag... Sadly, by 71 triumphs were old news in the press and the lads of the day wanted RD350's and Honda 4's so the early OIF frame bikes compete with those bikes in the classic market.

The older bikes (pre 71) look and feel different and appeal to the 50s'60's louts - less bikes about and prices are higher at the moment.

My feeling is if you have owned it 20 years - keep it - you will regret selling it.

Of course the tank can be saved! If it's just a slight weep some POR15 will sort it or if it's a nasty one go see Andrew and Motorcycle Restorations in St Asaph st and he can probably braze it or advise accordingly.