Pete and Laz

Pete and Laz
Yeah, Pete it's rough...but it's a runner.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Triumph 650 projects...Words, no pics

Have decided to start in with a 1957 single carb Pre-unit 650, and a 1966 single-carb  unit construction 650. Two different takes of a similar type. The 1966 bike was bought as a "running" nearly complete bike. The 57 will be a conglomeration of two basket cases, and a lot of other parts thrown into the mix. Bought the '66 in the  late seventies. One of the basket pre-units... I traded a running Honda 90 for in the early 70's. The second was purchased about 8 or 9 years ago...and was horribly "chopped.". The '66 had the rear frame loop chopped and a rediculously heavy and long "sissy-bar" welded in. The tank had a blue candy colored Lace over pearl base...shorty mufflers...hmmmm..just lovely. I wish I'd snapped a pic of it for posterity, but alas. It was promptly dismantled and has sat boxed up since. The engine did run, but the cams and followers had seen better days. The '57 was a full weld-on hardtail, peanut tanked, cobra seat...chromed this and that "beauty"...   Both of these bikes were like ones I worked on when I was earning my keep as a mechanic. We usually refered to them as "Sloppers". In case I've offended any chopper fans, I still have a soft spot in my heart for the style and era. I've kept all the takeoffs and may some day put together a little "chop". Being a tall feller, I never fit most of the chops I worked on. I think it will be interesting to compare and contrast both bikes.
    So, the '66 will probably be built stock. The '57 mostly stock, with maybe a touch "custom".  When these two are done, I have a couple of other 650 projects in mind. A Desert Sled, and a Flattrack bike., but that will be another story. Now I have some research and part sorting to do.

8 comments:

  1. Tis like Christmas...going through the boxes and seeing what you've got, what you've misplaced and what you need to put on your next Xmas list!

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  2. The hard bits getting started, once thats done you'll get them done in no time....
    An idea, we could have a Trans Atlantic Triumph 650 build off over the next year or so, you with the 66 and my 69 T120(in boxes), what do you think?

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  3. I like that idea Kawa, a "Blogger-build-off". It would probably get me going. I've probably accumulated enough stuff for 5-6 Triumph projects. I'll need to really get the shed organized, and tools back the way they were once upon a time. It is like Christmas GBC, and I get all the gifts!!

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  4. A Blogger build-off sounds like a good idea. See who can get a bike built up and on the road...great form of motivation

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  5. I think we need to see piccies of the boxes of bits - so that later on we can compare them to the finished results.....that'll be in a couple of months time, won't it? ;-)

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  6. Possibly sooner than that SFB. Been going through old computer drives searching up pics. I have some pics of the 57 frame taken during an earlier attempt to start that project. I really am going to try and document the steps as I go here. Meantime I'll post odds and ends from my "archives".

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  7. Look forward to it.
    Struggling to keep up to date with my blog(s) at the mo - but have managed to add you to my favorites!!

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  8. Thanks for that SFB, when I get brave enough I'll try to figure out how to link you and others on the main blog page. You'all show up on the Profile view...so simple a child can do it...guess I'm just not childish enuff...

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