Author Topic: Read Titan Barn find, What did I buy?  (Read 3373 times)

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vtjunk

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Read Titan Barn find, What did I buy?
« on: April 27, 2010, 05:36:30 PM »
I picked up this SL350 last Friday from a guy in Vermont. Not even sure of the year, 68 or 69, bike is #SL350E1002389, engine #1023273. It has Read Titan controls, and it's supposed to be all Read Titan bodywork. The fuel tank is glass, the front fender is aluminum. The guy I bought it from says it was supposed to have been a racing bike at one time.

I was able to start the bike Saturday morning after getting some of the wiring sorted out. Took it down my street, runs very well. (it's a dead end road)

Can anyone shed any light on this bike?
I mocked up the body for the pics.






Offline Old Scrambler

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Re: Read Titan Barn find, What did I buy?
« Reply #1 on: April 27, 2010, 06:26:50 PM »
Mid-'69-70 model with electric start.  Failing memory tells me Read Titan was a kit with fittings for numerous models. Very nice find. Warning - modern fuels will turn the fiberglass to jelly. Restore or flip it?  It should be worth a few bucks to the vintage racing crowd.
Dennis in Wisconsin
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Offline Frankencake

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Re: Read Titan Barn find, What did I buy?
« Reply #2 on: April 27, 2010, 06:30:46 PM »
What part of Vermont are you in?  I'm in the Southeast near I91.  I'm always looking for other SOHC riders.
"Sure, if you don't want that bike in your backyard, I guess I'll take it."  "I'll probably just scrap it......"

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vtjunk

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Re: Read Titan Barn find, What did I buy?
« Reply #3 on: April 27, 2010, 06:43:17 PM »
What part of Vermont are you in?  I'm in the Southeast near I91.  I'm always looking for other SOHC riders.

I live in Rutland.

Offline bucky katt

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Re: Read Titan Barn find, What did I buy?
« Reply #4 on: April 27, 2010, 07:25:29 PM »
damn nice find! damn i miss the roads in vermont myself. i lived in greensboro between hardwick and craftsbury, right on lake eligo.
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Offline droopy

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vtjunk

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Re: Read Titan Barn find, What did I buy?
« Reply #6 on: April 28, 2010, 09:04:45 PM »
http://www.stephenbottcher.net/fairing/Churchgate%20Read%20Titan/index.html

That's very nice looking. I hope mine can look like that someday. I know it's a 750, but I like the paint scheme.

Offline Frankencake

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Re: Read Titan Barn find, What did I buy?
« Reply #7 on: April 29, 2010, 07:00:08 AM »
Did you get that in a Vermont barn or over in NY?  Where are all of the good barns in Vt?  ;D
"Sure, if you don't want that bike in your backyard, I guess I'll take it."  "I'll probably just scrap it......"

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Offline gene03079

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Re: Read Titan Barn find, What did I buy?
« Reply #8 on: April 29, 2010, 04:36:47 PM »
If you decide to sell that one let me know.

Gene
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vtjunk

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Re: Read Titan Barn find, What did I buy?
« Reply #9 on: April 30, 2010, 05:52:16 AM »
Did you get that in a Vermont barn or over in NY?  Where are all of the good barns in Vt?  ;D

It was in VT, near the NH border. I make a habit of asking people who I run into while buying old cars and parts if they have any old bikes. Just picked up a '66 Honda CA160 with 549 miles on it yesterday. Very nice, but very dusty bike.

Check your local salvage yards, look in those school buses they use for storage. Lots of bikes get stored in them.

And, yeah it seems there aren't many good barns anymore.  :)

Offline Hannibal Smith

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Re: Read Titan Barn find, What did I buy?
« Reply #10 on: April 30, 2010, 03:29:21 PM »
What a score!
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