Catalina Grand Prix Footage from the 50's!

I just found out about this from Geoff Patrick that does the American Triumph tech videos. I'm pretty excited about it and I just bought the first available copy and can't wait for it to show up. This is the real deal- an hour of pre-unit racers hauling ass across Catalina island as well as Torrey Pines here in San Diego and other races. Here's the link- http://www.americantriumph.tv/store/

It's been a good week...

As my ol lady always says, "Yes...they're real." I've been looking for a nice Bates seat for a while, but I refuse to pay thousands of dollars for an old seat, or $500 for a repop. Even if it is the last piece of the puzzle for a bike that's absolutely screaming for an old leather seat. It looks like my patience paid off. I worked out a sweet trade for the pleated one, and a really good cash deal on the smooth one. I wasn't looking for 2, but that's how things go. Kinda funny- the same thing just happened with a pair of 1959 Bonneville gas tanks. I've been looking for one for a few years, then found two nice ones the same week. When it rains it pours I guess.

Anyone know the origins of this oil tank?

I've been looking for one of these center-mount oil tanks for a while, and finally found one. It's at least 20 years older than any of the chopper tanks. It's undoubtedly the same kind of tank as Rich Richards was running on his record breaking Thunderbird in 1954. It fits the profile of a rigid Triumph perfectly, and the plumbing, cap, and mounts are right where they should be. The real question is, was this a one-off tank that came off Rich Richards bike, or were these manufactured and sold by an early shop- JOMO? Any info is highly appreciated.

A hobby or a sickness?

Here's the tip of the iceberg- some of the parts that aren't on bikes yet. No, they aren't for sale, but we may be able to work out a trade if you have any of the parts listed below-



•20" Borrani shouldered rim
•4.00x18" 5.00x16" or 21" Firestone Grasshopper tires
•1957-1959 3 gallon Triumph tank side trim (I have 4 gallon tank trim to trade)
•1940's 2 1/4 or 2 1/2 gallon Triumph tank w/hinged cap (T90, 3T?)
•Lucas Racing magneto or BTH TT magneto for Triumph
•Pre-unit 500 Delta head with dual screw-in intakes
•RC109, RC1307, or ATRC Smiths tachometers
•GP/Race Kit tach. drive (mounts in place of generator)
•Stock Triumph rigid rear frame with rearset footpeg mounts
•Folding pre-unit footpegs
•BTH KC2-S4 Magneto brush holder/pickups and rubber boots
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Parts you'll probably never see again-

I'm taking it easy in the garage for a while due to a nasty bike accident (punctured/collapsed lung, lacerated liver, 4 broken ribs, etc.) so instead of bike pics, I'll post some parts.

Here's an Avon High Speed tire, made in the 50's for land speed racing at Bonneville, etc. They could be run on a front or rear wheel. It's a 3.50x20, so the outer diameter is the same as a 3.00x21. It was refered to as the "200 MPH tire" but with the cracks in the sidewall, I don't have the desire to take it over 50 mph. There were some very important world records set on these tires, so it would be really interesting to find out more about it. Thanks to Paul at Show and Go for the info here.





This is a dual carb manifold for a 650 Triumph. It's similar to the one sold by Unity Equipe but without the fins, and it's a little smaller. Much better looking than the Webco 2 piece adapter, and it has a crossover/balance tube. I've never seen another, so any info is appreciated.

Webco spool hub and AJ Lewis intake...FINALLY!

Here's a few parts that Ive been hunting for for a long time. Finally found them for cheap on the Jockey Journal. First, is a Webco racing spool hub from the mid 50's. The ad is from 1956- waaaay before the Choppers were around, so this thing was made for one thing- flat out racing. I've talked to a few other Triumph guys that specialize in rare aftermarket stuff, and nobody has seen one of these before. Still has the old-style sealed USA made bearings. Both ads are courtesy of Paul at Show and Go.





Here's the A.J. Lewis dual carb adapter manifold for 650 Triumphs. AJ Lewis was a legendary tuner. Check out this link to learn more about him. I had never even seen one of these adapters in person- only heard of them, and seen them in the old ads, but this one kind of found me. Anyone know anything else about this part?

My old BSA gets a new look-

I just got an email from a guy asking if his bike looked familiar to me. I was shocked to see my old 1970 BSA Lightning that I brought back from the dead a few years ago, then sold to a friend, that sold it to someone else. Apparently, the new owner like it enough to keep lots of the stuff the same, but added a few of his own touches that appear to be nicely done. He removed the side covers, stretched the swingarm a few inches, and replaced the stock seat with a much nicer and smaller one. He also added the exhaust wrap and shorty mufflers, which I normally wouldn't be a big fan of, but the bike looks good with them. The bottom pic is when I brought the bike home, the middle one is when I sold it, and obviously, the top pic is the current state of the bike. Nice work Rudy! Let me know if you ever decide to part with it...