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 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!

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 - 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 - 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.