Trident Project

Hello all, recently joined here as I'm just starting a Trident based project and hoping for some advice and suggestions as my experience with Hinckley Triumphs is basically zero....
But first, a bit of background....about 3 years ago I took early retirement after working most of my life in the motor industry, rented a little workshop (actually a converted shipping container) and now spend most of my time pottering about building/restoring bikes. Then, about a year ago, I had the urge to design a bike with a classic look/feel to it but using modernish components......my first try was a sort of 60's style clubman race bike using Honda 650 single parts, pic at the end as I haven't worked out how to stick them in with the text yet! I've since built 2 more complete ones, each a bit improved and also 5 frame/bodywork 'kits' so now I'm planning to do much the same thing but using a Trident as the base bike, eventually it should look a bit like the one also in a pic below!
I'm only thinking things through so far, as I'm presently finishing off a Triton build but have picked up a 91 Trident 900 ....and plenty of steel for the frame!
So, first question.....it will be having wire spoked wheels....how easy a fit are the wheels from a Tiger, or maybe even a twin? Mainly concerned with whether the front hub will fit Trident forks, specially in terms of width....

 

Thanks, just had a read of that thread....looks like its not going to be as straightforward as I'd hoped! Was concerned there was going to be a clearance issue between spokes and calipers....

 

Thanks for that CH....I've come across the spokes/caliper problem before and am trying to avoid that....still hopeful the easiest choice is Tiger wheels....will try to find one and have a measure before I go any further down that road.
Better news for me though is I had time to completely strip the bike today, weighed everything and now fairly sure I can cut its weight by around 40kg or maybe a little more....which should make it a fair bit more lively....shame its going to have me sitting on it eventually!
Also, have a much clearer idea in my head of how the frame is going to work.....it'll be fairly similar to the one in the pic that I made recently for a CBR400. Its also going to be possible to retain the stock airbox I think.
What I can't decide though is whether to make the frame so that the cam cover can be removed with the engine in place like the standard bike....I want the bike as compact as possible and am tempted to build the frame rails very close to the top of the motor....which would mean dropping it to check clearances etc....

 

I'd agree its something to consider certainly but I don't believe its a major worry, the original Daytona triples (which I hope this project bike will eventually vaguely resemble) were around 80hp and race bikes of a similar period, such as a TZ 750 for example probably around 110 hp....and many classic race bikes today have 90 or more hp.
I'd also think that the Tiger motor was detuned so that the its power delivery was more suitable for its intended use, ie an adventure type bike, rather than a concern about tubed tyres, surely if that was the case Triumph would either have used cast wheels or at least fitted rim locks?
I've also seen the valve ripped from the tube but as the result of a puncture ( ie the tyre turns once deflated) not the cause of it....
A previous project of mine, with a TL1000 motor also had spoked wheels and never showed any evidence of creep with around 120hp.
That said, its something I'll bear in mind (assuming I actually find some suitable wheels) I'll fit the tyres dry, possibly a rim lock and index them ....and be very pissed off....at least for the couple of seconds before I die....if it actually happens!!

 

I was meaning the original racing triples not Hinckley ones....I was working for a team competing in a support race during the Transatlantic Trophy as a teenager and some of the British team were using triples....made a huge impression on me. This project is really a sort of homage to those bikes....not being able to afford the real thing!
In truth, its never going to be used very hard....its just a try at recreating some of the feel of those bikes...leaving aside the spoked wheels I only recently talked myself out of finding some nice spindly forks and a set of drum brakes for it!!

 

I remember hearing about that but never went to one, I think the very first series all the bikes were triples but the ones I remember whatever the riders normally used, Sheene on Suzuki, Roberts Yamaha etc and a couple of guys at the back on Harleys, Cal Rayborn for one....sounded nice though!
Wheel progress today (said in Jonathan Ross voice) as I picked up a Tiger front this morning, the hub is narrower than Trident and the spindle smaller diameter but the Trident bearings, speedo drive and seals all fit meaning all that was needed to fit it was a couple of 9mm spacers either side machined and a new bearing spacer made up.
Trident discs though are a smaller pcd so will be fitting Tiger discs when I get hold of them and I'm guessing the Trident calipers will have to be moved about 4mm in for everything to line up....fairly convinced there won't be any clearance issues though....
Oh, and tyre in pic is just a rolling around workshop one....eventually to be replaced....even I draw the line at riding something fitted with a 25 year old speedmaster!!!

 

Not had much time spare recently but made a start on the frame the other day at least....
Had been hoping to retain the stock airbox but thats looking unlikely now so any info on pod filters, jetting etc would be of interest!

 

Thanks, will probably go for something like that.....got a bit further with the frame today....