Topic: Triumph guys - point me at a forum

[greenjeans]

Finally going to get to start on this Triumph I've been ignoring for the last couple of years.  It's a 1974 Tiger 650.  Never had a british bike before.
Can you guys steer me to a good forum (like this sohc4 forum) ?    Was running when parked 

[Stev-o]

Nice project, GJ.  Never know what you are gonna pull out of your shed!

I've always wanted a Brit bike too...

[greenjeans]

When you gonna come grab those pipes ?   I'll have a cold beer for ya

[Stev-o]

When you gonna come grab those pipes ?   I'll have a cold beer for ya

Soon!   Been pretty busy the last couple weekends...

[Geeto67]

http://www.britbike.com/forums/ubbthreads.php

http://www.triumphrat.net/

https://www.triumphtalk.com/


I don't think you'll find one like this forum though, there just aren't as many triumphs.

Make sure you check the frame at the bottom where the oil sump is - OIF triumphs tend to crack there and then they always leak. It's because of the swingarm pivot and the rear engine mount are both putting too much stress on the OIF tube joint.

here are two threads on the subject:
http://www.triumphrat.net/classic-vintage-and-veteran/372441-oif-swinging-arm-pivot-bracing.html

http://www.britbike.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=581981

[greenjeans]

Thanks Geeto,
This one isn't an oil in frame bike (I wish it were).   But, it definitley leaks.  It's probably put 4 or 5 ounces on the drip pan over the last 3 years (it hasn't moved in that time)
Time to start reading.  I've never heard a GOOD thing about their electrics, so I'm probably addressing that first.   This will end up being my daily rider for a while.
Not gonna restore it.  Don't even want to wash it...  that's how good the patina is on this one.

[digschopper]

74 had disc brakes,different front end,wet frame,and 750/5 speed left hand shift. that looks like a 67 to me. you may want to contact my old boss,don hutchinson at hutchinson cycles. he's the almighty guru of triumph restorations. i was his painter years ago. on a positive note,you seem to have a mostly correct bike of it's year.

[digschopper]

my old bike,1960 bobber 500 5ta.

[Geeto67]

Thanks Geeto,
This one isn't an oil in frame bike (I wish it were).   But, it definitley leaks.  It's probably put 4 or 5 ounces on the drip pan over the last 3 years (it hasn't moved in that time)
Time to start reading.  I've never heard a GOOD thing about their electrics, so I'm probably addressing that first.   This will end up being my daily rider for a while.
Not gonna restore it.  Don't even want to wash it...  that's how good the patina is on this one.

That's unusual....It could be a Tiger Daytona. The regular Tiger in 74 is an OIF model, only the Daytona kept the pre-OIF frame from 1967 into 74. Still it looks like it has the giant oil tube backbone ahead of the seat. Have you lifted the seat and looked for an oil filler cap?

If it is a Daytona - you don't wish it was an OIF - trust me,  it is better. And not just because it looks better.

1974 models are rare because the triumph workers strike was in full effect from february on. The Daytona was cancelled in February 1974 - the last 14 built had disc brakes. Still a daytona would have had a 500 not a 650 and that def looks like a 650 engine.

4-5 oz is still less than my ironhead has put out in the same amount of time sitting. Vent to ground my shiny metal rear end, leaks by design - ick.

Look underneath the bike right behind the engine, is there an alloy cover at the bottom of that giant frame tube? if so that's an OIF bike.

It's entirely possible that it is a Tiger Daytona that someone swapped in a 650 engine. Or it's just an earlier bike and someone didn't get around to registering it till 1974. have you checked the vin?

[greenjeans]

To tell you the truth, I've never really gone over this thing closely.  A buddy of mine bought it about 5 years ago off of ebay, and rode it for about 2 months.  He got spooked and parked it - with gas in it!   It was sitting outside under a carport, so I offered to store it for him.  I secretly hoped I would be able to talk him down on the price he wanted too.  He overpaid for it.   He brought it to my house in a truck and we unloaded it and I covered it with a moving blanket in my garage and haven't looked at it since.  I finally rustled up some cash to buy it from him.   It may not be a 74 - that's just what I have in my head.    I'll have to do some investigating this evening and see what I really have.    I'll check the VIN and report back.
There was something about the chrome side covers...  not sure what my buddy was saying about them.  He's not really a motorcycle guy.

stay tuned.

[greenjeans]

Kinda looks like it may be a 1970 650 ?

[eigenvector]

triumphrat is a good place to hang out.  It can be a little cliqueish if you know what I mean, but overall there is a lot of passionate Triumph riders on that site.

[greenjeans]

Ok - mystery solved.  From the serial numbers, it is a Tiger 650 manufactured in August 1970.
Frame & engine numbers match.

[ken65]

As eigenvector said, triumphrat is a good site.
Nice looking bike. The two letters at the start of the vin or engine number will date it for you.
If the numbers arent the same then the motor isnt what came with it from the factory.
Heres my 72 bonne OIF. many differences to yours.

[Geeto67]

Ok - mystery solved.  From the serial numbers, it is a Tiger 650 manufactured in August 1970.
Frame & engine numbers match.

Good to know, and honestly a windfall for you. The pre-OIF bikes tend be worth more and personally I think they are nicer bikes to ride. The only thing that OIF bikes had going for them is they were cheap. I say were, because some of the later disc brake models have started to appreciate and are no longer comparable jap bike money.

[millla03]

Ive gotten decent responses to a couple questions on the Triumphrat forums. Pretty simple machines but there are frustrating areas. "Excessively loose" is a common factory service manual phrase for wear limits and its a change from what I'm used to with the well documented tolerances of our Hondas. Franz and Grubb in California sells good quality engine parts and was helpful with some questions I had rebuilding a 500cc unit engine. Good luck!

[Powderman]

Sorry I missed this thread and surprised Geeto didn't direct me here. As far as vintage Triumphs go the 70 model is the most desirable of them all. The OIF models starting in 71 handle a bit better I'm told, but just don't pull the same resale value as the pre OIF models. You can instantly tell a 70 model by the front motor mount that had the triangle plates that come off easing engine removal.
It's a shame that every forum I go to now has been obliterated by the greedy fookers at PhotoBucket. I used to take pics on my phone and send them to my email and then into my download file and then to PB to post on forums. PB has destroyed huge build threads by deleting pics. Fortunately I have most of them saved in the download file and can go back and load them to the sites using the advanced reply option for attachments.
Here's the 70 Tiger I inherited when my brother passed away 2 years ago. Converted to a Bonneville head and modified disc brakes and Kimtabs all around.
Here's a before and some after pics of where I am with it now. I'd like to see the pics of yours if you can find a way to post them. Click on the thumbnails to enlarge them for detail.
Triumphrat is my go to for Triumph advice. Many knowledgable long time owners in their 60's and 70's so expect some cantankerous replies, but very solid advice there.

[greenjeans]

here's some pics

[BPellerine]

nice bike!they do not leak if they are put together right,had 2 in my time and both did not leak,or let me down.bill

[greenjeans]

nice bike!they do not leak if they are put together right,had 2 in my time and both did not leak,or let me down.bill

That's what I tell everybody.  I hate leaks.

[Geeto67]

looks good all cleaned up.