Back By Unpopular Request.

**Paul in NZ** · 13th August 2006, 20:12

Originally Posted by mangell6

My wife and I are honoured to be the first visited by said machine. Sounds so sweet, and ticks over like a new Triumph does, a few more MILES and it will be sounding proper.

It glistens, it does.

Thank you.

Mike

No worries Mike - I figured I could 'just about' push here home from your place.... ;-) Thanks for being excited about it as well - made my weekend...

**riffer** · 13th August 2006, 21:30

Hmmm. Very tasty Paul. Glad to see its finally rideable.

Will you be undergoing the same treatment for the Guzzi?

**Paul in NZ** · 14th August 2006, 14:42

Originally Posted by riffer

Hmmm. Very tasty Paul. Glad to see its finally rideable.

Will you be undergoing the same treatment for the Guzzi?

Lord no! However, the Mk2 is in for a bit of a gussy up here and there...

**Paul in NZ** · 14th August 2006, 14:55

Originally Posted by Blackbird

Here's some more nostalgia - was just looking through some of my books. A TR6 variant with no luggage grid. No info available but this might be a US tank. Also has chunky tyres.

The exploded view drawing of the GP motor was the 1947 version. There's also a photo of a 1948 ISDT model in my book and as Paul correctly says, it has the lug for the heat shield. Only one carb too.

Those pictures of the TR6 'varient' are interesting. They appear in at least one book I have and it is actually a picture of a prototype of my model (1970 TR6C). You can always pick a 1970 year 650 because it has the little triangular 3 bolt plate on the from motor mount, a good thing IMHO. The production colour was 'Spring Gold' which is actually a metallic green and more of an exciting army drap (ie not very exciting at all) but I've always thought the bike in that picture (more of a gold colour) was way nicer.

Also note the rear grab rail is different. I just prefer the style of the one I fitted to mine even though it does not work as well.

I'm restoring the original tank (US shape as per the picture) but it has a few issues retaining fluid at the moment so I'f fitted a tank off a 1967 bike and a luggage rack to boot, just because I think it looks snazzy... No other reason but I have bought a very cool little 'Triumph' tank bag that clips onto it and I reckon it's even cooler....

I'd forgotten about that picture - I was never sure if it was just a badly coloued one or a pre production 'colour sample' model. Either way, if you look closely, it's a brand new bike and never started and I think the gold suits it. Personally, I think it was a mock up to test the colour scheme, it has the UK market bars on it which was a no no for street scramblers.....

Paul N

**Blackbird** · 14th August 2006, 14:59

Paul, you are coming dangerously close to tempting me to get a Triumph restoration project going on semi-retirement in 18 months

Don't think I could measure up to your magnificence though.

**Paul in NZ** · 14th August 2006, 15:47

Originally Posted by Blackbird

Paul, you are coming dangerously close to tempting me to get a Triumph restoration project going on semi-retirement in 18 months

Don't think I could measure up to your magnificence though.

Yes you could - erm - or at least what I mean is things always look great with a digital camera.

This is definately NOT a super restoration by the standards of such things. I know, I've seen a fair few. It's a nice old bike built to ride that looks nice because everything is fresh and clean. They get plenty dirty.

Restoration is a dangerous word. I know guys that can pick a genuine 'Triumph' bolt from an equivalent at 10 paces and distainfully discard the non factory equivalent. I'm not that fussy, I'm happy to modify, mix and match to get the result I'm after at the right price.

There are a lot of cheap 71 / 72 Triumph 650's around because they are pretty well unloved by everyone but they can be made into neat bikes if you are prepared to think outside the square. It's getting the catalogue quality 100pt restoration that costs the big $$. If you are prepared to do all the running around and be happy with a cheaper paint job you are not scared to use the bike and thats where the fun is....

There is an amazing 'Classic' scene out there and it's a lotta fun!

**Mooch** · 14th August 2006, 18:40

Shit Paul , you don't do things by half measures , Fantastic ground up rebuild many years in the making. Look forward in seeing it in the flesh.

I could certianly picture this sitting outside Ace Cafe London on a sunny Sunday afternoon.

Awesome job !

**Motu** · 14th August 2006, 20:07

I've got enough bikes I could do a nice number on....but I really can't be bothered restoring a bike.I'd like to have a go at a D2,or a Ruston Bucyrus.But I'd need a warehouse and 5 acres to fit it.I've seen a few Onions abandoned on farms,they'd go well behind a D2.

**Brian d marge** · 14th August 2006, 20:30

Why restore ?
Can understand Paul , as that girl will be his for life... Mine to

This is my ole girl , half way up fuji and somewhere near Nagano , bought new

Stephen

**limbimtimwim** · 14th August 2006, 21:19

Originally Posted by MD

Oh yeah and who can guess the scenery? The ... ... pub.

Don't know the name of the pub, but it is on the road to Akaroa. I have a similar photo from this year.

Anyway, on topic.

Paul, that bike is awesome. See, this makes me want to hang on to my old bikes even more. I got a bit of a thrill starting my old friend only a month after it had run last, you must have just about cried in joy.

**et al** · 14th August 2006, 22:13

Originally Posted by limbimtimwim

Paul, that bike is awesome. See, this makes me want to hang on to my old bikes even more. I got a bit of a thrill starting my old friend only a month after it had run last, you must have just about cried in joy.

Paul's post about his restoration project has obviously stirred up a lot of old memories - great to see all those old photos and nice to know there are a lot of other good old buggers on this site who started out on the old Brit bikes. Also pleasing to see some of the younger ones are showing respect and can maybe translate the feeling we had for the old bikes into the modern context.

**Paul in NZ** · 15th August 2006, 08:45

Originally Posted by et al

Paul's post about his restoration project has obviously stirred up a lot of old memories - great to see all those old photos and nice to know there are a lot of other good old buggers on this site who started out on the old Brit bikes. Also pleasing to see some of the younger ones are showing respect and can maybe translate the feeling we had for the old bikes into the modern context.

What is pleasing to me is that the old triumphs etc have lost the stigma they once had in the brit vs jap days. You rode one or the other and didn't question it. Now you can appreciate them a little more for what the really are. Far from perfect but a bloody good ride all the same.

Thanks for all the positive comments folks. Look for us on a road near you this summer....

**vifferman** · 15th August 2006, 08:56

Very nice, Paul.
Good work mate!

**eliot-ness** · 15th August 2006, 09:19

Here's a pic of the 1946 Manx GP winning Triumph with the ex generator motor. Ernie Lyons was the rider. If you look closely you can see the break in the front dowtube between the forks

**Paul in NZ** · 15th August 2006, 09:27

Originally Posted by eliot-ness

Here's a pic of the 1946 Manx GP winning Triumph with the ex generator motor. Ernie Lyons was the rider. If you look closely you can see the break in the front dowtube between the forks

That would have made for an even more exciting ride than usual...

Paul N

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