T160 Chop to Bobber Project.

I now have a new project that i really didn't expect, with a heavy heart i have taken on this bike T160 Triumph trident chop, due to recently loosing a very good friend, and his family has asked me to take it on and rebuild it/get it running, as there is nobody else that could, or ride it for that matter.

So its now been given to me as i would always ride any bike i own for as long as i am able.

Long story short he was involved in an accident 25-30 years ago and lost his nerve with bikes, but couldn't get rid of it, and always said he would ride again, but due to suffering servers depression in recent years, he has never got any further with it.

Years ago i re spayed it and despite me trying to persuade him that the colour was just wrong, he went ahead and put it together as you see it here, and then it sat in his flat until this sad time.

So to me it only fitting that i build it again and ride it as he always intended, as a kind of rolling tribute, i will be changing quite a lot of things, as there is now way i would ride that colour, and some of the styling is a little questionable, plus there are some safety aspects that need addressing.

Anyway i,ll keep this updated, but don't know just how long it will take me depending on the amount of new parts needed, but its already in my breakfast room sharing with the cat, as there is no way it will fit in either of my sheds, and still have room to work.

I have already decided that as a light hearted tribute the new tank with have BFG on the sides as to my wife he was always known as The Big Friendly Giant, as he was 6.7 ft and weighed 300lbs, and the wife is 5ft LOL!

Anyway here is a pic before it has a quick wash and came in from the cold.

 

LOL! yeah i did say my late friend was 6' 7" , and yes its going satin black, normally i would have resprayed it a nice metallic colour, but i want to get it built for the summer and i have nowhere nice an warm to spray fancy paint these days, besides i still may have to rebore the motor yet, but i want to run it to see if its just suffering with stuck rings or worn bearings.

 

Just a little update, now the bike is indoors and nice and warm, i have started to strip it down, will be changing quite a few things as i go, will keep the pictures coming for those interested.

Have made a heat shield for the high pipes as i am not going to replace them, waiting for some stainless tube to add short turn outs.

Good job i decided to just check the compression and not start it, as the oil feed and return where switched that Harley style master cylinder is going as aside from being mounted on the an extended engine mount, and being right in front of the battery box, so access was very difficult, it also weighed about 8lbs.

 

Quick update, and thanks for the welcome,got a few bits through, so far have cut down the old fat back mudguard, and fitted one of the Harley bobber type LED under the fender rear lights, also got a new brake master cylinder to fit under the gearbox, also have one of those cheap Chinese chain tensioners to make up and weld a bracket for, and see how long it lasts...not convinced so far.

Also bought a little plastic front mudguard, which should just fit with a little cutting down, so in all i recon i have shed around 30lbs off the weight in all.

Just got to cut a piece of stainless pipe for the turn outs, and then the motor can come out and i can give it a good clean and then get on with some bracket welding on the frame, and then hope for slightly warmer weather so i can get on with some spraying.

 

LOL!still have to do the cutting and welding etc in the shed....but it does make for comfortable tinkering.

However it does remind me of many years ago when i used to build my bikes in a one bedroom flat.

 

It had a tensioner, so i thought i would replace it with an alloy version...all of 1/2lb, and although its unlikely to need one, i don't like to run chains tight enough to stop a little flap on the lower run, as it can help knock out final drive bearings, besides the electrics box is quite close so i suspect it was fitted to stop the chine hitting on the overrun.
I am not trying to save weight, just mentioned all the heavy bits that where fitted, its not like its going to be a performance machine, its only ever intended to be a cruiser.

 

Engine and frame have now parted company, the engine has had a wash and the frame is now in the shed getting some brackets removed and others re positioned ready for paint,




I have been pondering on what to do about the pipes,, i like the three into two high level look but since i will be moving the passenger foot pegs, the design has to be wife friendly, i was going to make them really short, as i am also fitting a hydraulic clutch conversion, which makes the slave run right next to the pipes, but i think i will just shield the cylinder instead, and keep my fingers crossed that it doesn't over heat it.
Nifty little thing though, fits just right in place of the cable and retains the original adjustment.



Last pic is me trying out an idea with some old fork stanchions, and i have managed to find some slightly shorter turn out extensions on the net complete with baffles for £50, which should with the heat shield i made work OK for the pillion...i hope!

 

Well as you can see i have finally managed to get some paint on the frame, and now the engine is back in, and other bits will soon follow, just a case of waiting for some parts to arrive, and some haven't even been ordered yet, and i still have to re make the seats, but it wont be long now, just got to try and string it out until the warmer weather gets here, more progress pics to follow.

 

Couldn't resist a little mock up just to see how the the pipes looked, and to check just how close to the wife's leg they will be....cough!