More Triumph Progress

I wasn't happy with the lines of my first set of pipes, so I set out to redesign them. Much better now. While I was in the mood, I also tackled a new sissy bar since the first one was a bit wonky. 

Triumph Progress

Been making some slow progress on the chop. Trying out a new pipe design. Think I like it so far. Pretty damn close to getting this thing ready for tear down and paint.

Triumph Chop - Mock Up

Latest mock up. Picking up my motor this week so I really need to get the sissy bar and tail light mount done this weekend.

Also, it's never to early to exposing the kids to metal fab!

Set of Rabbit Ears for a Chop Cult Buddy

A guy from Chicago saw my build on Chopcult and wanted a set of 1" bars in the same style. 

Triumph Chop - Rabbit Ear Bars

Work on the bike has been pretty stagnant lately so I decided I would try and get some bars done this weekend to kick it back into gear. 

Started out making some aluminum inserts for the top clamp since I had a 7/8" hole to fill. Then bent up some 7/8" DOM and made some bungs that got welded into the bottom and threaded for 1/2-13. I haven't welded in the brace yet, but you get the idea. Will post some pics of the finished product when I get it done. 

Triumph Chop - Microphone Tail Light

You can turn pretty much anything into a tail light. This is the method that I've used before but never taken pictures of. Bought a vintage microphone and removed the mic from it. I always have to draw out what I want to do so I don't screw it up. Bought an 1157 Red LED light and an 1157 socket. From there, it's just working with what you've got. My mic body has a little lip on the inside so I turned a washer down to fit snug on that lip. Welded a 2" pipe to it and then used another washer for the light socket. A couple really basic tabs with some bolts and there you have it. I like using the Red LED cause I don't have to use a lens. Hope you all find this info helpful. Before I had a lathe I always did the exact same thing with my bench grinder and hand files. 

Triumph Chop - Headlight Perch

Worked on the headlight perch yesterday. First got the triple tree all cleaned up and bored out the hole where I'd be mounting the headlight. Cut off a section of hex leaded steel and turned down the end to fit the hole then drilled and tapped it. Cut off half the upper section lengthwise and drilled it to accept the headlight.

Triumph Chop - Fender and Oil Tanks Mounts

Bungs! Feels like I've just been making bungs the past couple days but I did get my oil tank and fender mounted. The tank is an old Santee horseshoe tank. Thank god for my JD2 notcher because it made the coped angles super easy. After spending a few hours on the lathe drilling and threading all the bungs, I got them all tacked in place. 

Triumph Chop - Finishing Seat Mount

Put some final touches on the seat mount. Threaded a piece of 3/8 rod for 2 1/4" socket head bolts. Made it look real clean. Also got the spring perches done. Just need to burn it all in and move on to the next project.

Triumph Chop - Seat Mount

Finally got to work on the seat mount since it seems like nothing else is happening on the bike right now. Pretty simple concept and not too fancy but I think it'll work well.

Triumph Chop - Speedo Drive Cover

Since I'm still a beginner on the lathe still, I can use all the practice I can get. I know that I can buy a speedometer drive cover for like $40 but decided I would just go ahead and make one since I had the aluminum on hand anyway. My little lathe isn't up to the job of parting so I just had to cut it with a hacksaw and face it after the cut. Turned out pretty well after I made a couple HSS tool for the inside cuts. 

More Triumph Chopper

Set the tank, fender, oil tank and seat on to see how it'll look. The seat is pretty goofy right now. I've already stripped the cover and foam off. I'll trim the seat pan so the back is thinner and fits the fender. The new foam will be low profile and won't have the humps. Imagine narrow T bars and a sissy bar and I think I'm on the right track. 

Triumph Chopper in the Works

I've been out of pocket for the past 3 months with another educational pursuit, but now that I'm back in town, it's time to hit the projects again. My last post was looking for inspiration for my Triumph and I'd said that I didn't want to do a full blown chop, but I changed my mind and I've got a kick ass little project started. Here's a pic of where it's at. The front loop is from a 1970 Triumph. The hardtail is a Factory Metal Works creation. My 73 motor will bolt right up and is out being rebuilt by Lucas at Union Motorcycles here locally. The front end is an idea from Todd at Small City Cycles in Boise. The front end is from a 69 Honda CB350. It picks up that vintage Triumph front end look without the cost of one. Todd spun up a spacer on his lathe for me to make the whole thing work together. The front wheel is also from an old Honda.

I've got a tank, seat, oil bag, and some other goodies I'll post up pretty soon.

Triumph Candy

Cruising through Jockey Journal and just thought I would share this piece of art. Check out the build thread HERE.

Triumph 750 OIF

Little Triumph Progress

Made a few changes to the trump. Removed all the crap off the front end. Still got to lower the bike and get rid of that stupid 16" rear wheel. Guess I just need to cruise ebay to find an 18". Need to make a set of bars and pipes and I think she'll be sitting pretty.