Triumph & Sidecar

[5030]

Well guy's. If you remember my post about 2 years ago about me wanting a Triumph Bonneville, Well, I got it and then a whole lot more.

Tractors are nice but this is beyond nice. It's a driveway jewel. I bought the bike soon after my original post and then proceeded to add the sidecar which, by the way, is finally done. I'm going to have to buy another Triumph to ride. This is for show and a Sunday drive. Yes, it wasn't cheap. Everything is top shelf from the Performance Machine disc brakes to the Jet Hot Ceramic coated custom mandrel bent headers and '68 Triumph peashooter mufflers to the exact factory matched paint to the hand pinstriped sidecar (pinstriped by yours truly by the way).

Besides the exhaust system, the bike has a polished intake tract, reworked carbs and it's re-geared.

It's a hoot. If I was a young buck, it would be a "chick magnet". Being as I'm an old you know what, it's a reincarnation of my eighteen year old days with my '68 T120 Bonneville with all the modern updates and yes, the bike runs. I've run the outfit at over 70 and it's stable as a rock. The bike alone will pull an honest-in-the-wind 118 in top gear.

I much prefer just crusing along. The outfit is a looker, not a cooker.

 

[5030]

Another picture:

Plenty of drool factor...

 

[5030]

Another:

Notice the custom machined master brake and lever mount in this picture. That is 6016T4 Billet Aluminum, clear anodized with 18-8 stainless fasteners, socket hex head of course. The tail light is a custom Sparton unit. The sidecar wheel is Buchannan of California. The driveway is mine....gravel.

 

[5030]

Another:

Ignore my old bailer. It's a spare. The M9 is in the barn, under a blanket. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[5030]

Another:

Here is a nice view from the rear showing the pinstriping (I about committed hari-cari over that). The custom compound angle machined puck that carries the turnsignal in a level and perpendicular plane in relation to the sidecar and the tail light, soon to have a vanity plate attached.

I do get bored viewing tractors so how about a change for a short. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[5030]

Another:

Frontal shot here. I just adore the British lines. When I show it this summer, I have to think of a way to keep peoples fingers off the paint. Everyone want to carress it. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[5030]

Another:

Business side here. Nice view of the custom, one off exhaust system, '68 Meriden Triumph peashooter mufflers and the classic lines....what a Triumph is all about.

 

[5030]

Another:

Final shot in the driveway. You will note the steering damper and the fact that the bike seems to lean away from the sidecar. It does. That's about steering geometry and the damper controls headshake inherent in a staggered 3 wheel vehicle.

Hope you enjoyed this set. I just added some shelves in my shop for the anticipated trophies. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

As usual, in all my many posts, comments are always welcome.

No, I won't loan it to anyone. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[hunterridgefarm]

Daryl,
That is one nice looking machine, you should be proud /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif.

I guess it has taken some of your tractor time away...it would mine.

I noticed the hinges on the back of the sidecar. Does that lift up for ease of getting in the sidecar, a back rest, or a little storage place?

Congrats on you fine new addition!!

 

[shvl73]

Looks real nice! How's the weather there?
Mine hasn't been out of the barn yet and the way the projects are piling up, it doesn't look good /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif.

 

[Egon]

Now if that was a BSA 550 I could relate! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Remember parting company with one at about 65mph on a gravel road back in my illspent youth. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Two weeks in the hospital and still got the scars to prove it! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Egon

 

[5030]

hunterridgefarm:

No tractor time lost. In my case the tractor is for farm work, not play unless play can be considered tearing up my neighbors yard popping stumps. When the R1's and the FWA got done on the soft grass, it looked like a battlefield.

The back of the sidecar (tub) is a trunk. I have a 5 gallon fuel cell and tranfer pump for it but I doubt I'll install it. After 100 miles or so I'm ready to get off anyway so a filling station does double duty as a rest and break stop. The bike holds just under 5 gallons and gets right around 40 with the tub attached. The trunk is good for a spare helmet and the covers for the bike and tub.

Actually, the sidecar is roomy inside. I can get my 6'2" old body in and out without too much problem. Sitting in it, your feet don't touch the front end at all. The floor is all carpeted with indoor/outdoor carpet and the sides as well as the seat and seatback are perforated leather. There are little pockets on each side and a switch for the headlight

I'd like to ride in the sidecar and have some other person drive to experience the "feel" of it. A white silk scarf, leather bomber hat and aviation goggles would be appropriate. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[5030]

Torin:

We have had a couple of rideable days. Other than that, unpredictable Marc/April weather.

 

[5030]

Egon:

You ARE getting old and your memory is getting hazy. It's a BSA 650. A 65T Lightning or a Thunderbolt. Beezer never made a 550. They did make a Gold Star 500 single though. Beezers were vibrators. So were old Meriden Triumphs.

I've had the dreaded gravel rash before. I always wear leathers and a good helmet to protect my melon. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

You need to get back to your youth. I prescribe a new Triumph. Better than Viagra and longer lasting. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[Egon]

Ahh yes 650 is the correct number. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Last time I rode a powered bike.

Funny thing is the next day a friend comming to vist me got to occupy the other bed in my room. Seems his Indian developed a wobble and he ended up sliding down a grassed ditch on his backside. He spent a lot of time on his stomach! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Egon /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[5030]

Egon:

My intent was to have this (real toy) for retirement. If you want one, I can get you an A65T Lightning, 1968, completely professionally restored. You could leave that old Polish weed wacker leaning against the shed and have some fun. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Bluecheck546]

What it is a Polish weed wacker? Never heard that one before... By the way "5030", nice looking ride you have there. to bad the the snow will lay on the ground for 2 more month /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif. My ride is Harley (electra ultraglide) /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[Bird]

It sure is pretty. I've never ridden one with a sidecar. There were times when I thought I wanted one, but they were just too expensive and then I heard bad things about the handling, especially if you got on the brakes hard, the sidecar would try to get ahead and turn you left. Does yours have a brake set up that will prevent that?

 

[Egon]

5030:

Them motorized two wheel machines just have no attraction for me anymore.

But it's not that I do not like two wheeled methods of conveyance. I have three very nice bicycles sitting in my basement. One of them may just get a chance to tour Europe in the very near future. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Egon /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[5030]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( What it is a Polish weed wacker? Never heard that one before... By the way "5030", nice looking ride you have there. to bad the the snow will lay on the ground for 2 more month /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif. My ride is Harley (electra ultraglide) /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif )</font>

A "Polish Weedwacker" is what Egon is holding in his signature picture. In so much as the snow, well, we never had much this winter. I used my 78" (widened to 80") Lucknow rear mount 1 time and took it off. It's been in the low 60's here, but raining and I need a dry dirt road to take the rig out. It's way too hard to clean and it gets muddy no matter how slow you go.....I live 1.5 miles from the pavement.

I always have a few cans of Honda pro polish and rags around. Don't you Harley guys use pro polish with a strip of black electrical tape of the word "Honda"? /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif