Triumph pre unit advice

[JEZGUZ]

I've had Triumphs in the past , 3TA, TR6R, 5speed T120 and a T150, all now well out of the reach of my wallet. If you are going to buy a P/U Triumph it's going to be expensive and be prepared to throw a lot of cash at any work that needs doing or spares you might need as they're getting rare now. A late oil in frame T140 would be a better bet, or as jerrytug noted a Commando. If you still want something from the 50's, AJS's and Matchless's and BSA's are a cheaper option, anything with performance is going to be pricey as a lot have been bought for their "investment potential".

 

[8ob]

The last Triumph I owned was an oil in the frame T120r yank export, loads of crossover bits on it that could also be seen on the last of the BSA`s and all factory fitted. Before that on the Triumph front it was 3ta`s 5ta`s t100`s, T110`s, a White Saint and a 6TA.

Harley now

Bob

 

[mechman]

The early 650 triumphs with the alloy head could suffer from a crack between the cylinders, think the 9 stud head cured that( you will need to change the barrels to suit the 9 stud head), then I believe they went to a 10 stud head.

 

[nickk]

The great improvement with the AMC twins was that centre crank bearing,why oh why didn’t the others do that in the fifties.
There’s an excellent book by Bert hopwood,WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE BRITISH MOTOR CYCLE INDUSTRY,does explain some of the problems designers like him ,getting mods accepted by management,by then too late as the japs had arrived.

 

[Seadog]

The great improvement with the AMC twins was that centre crank bearing,why oh why didn’t the others do that in the fifties.

There was also a fairly high incidence of cranks snapping on that centre journal. When they went for the tuned 650cc, the CSR, the Nodular crankshaft was introduced. It would have been easier if they'd line bored the cases and the centre web as a set since the failures were later attributed to mislaignment of the centre bearing. And cast iron, as we all know, doesn't like being bent

 

[Rannsachair]

Get a Norton! Trumpets are absurdly over valued.
Also, Nortons are better

I would be looking at one of the less desirable Commando models. Commandos, in my humble, are more likely to be sorted because they get used and ridden, while Triumphs are used by posers or tarted up by wheeler-dealers to make a quick buck.

In 43 years of Triumph ownership I have never been called a poser before , certainly not as a 6 foot 3 youth on a Tiger Cub. Though I agree there is a Triumph Premium, an Ariel twin is another option to consider. certainly a later oil in frame T120V / T140V or a Commando can offer better value.

 

[nickk]

He’s generalising.

 

[addjunkie]

I’d finish one project before moving on to others. I doubt that s2a is going to go without causing you some hassle for starters. You’re just going to end up with loads of knackered wrecks hanging around that you can’t devote your time to

edit to add- if it’s for bumbling about and looking old, get a royal Enfield. At least there’s a fair chance you’ll finish the journey that you started

I concur with this, doing up old bikes can be expensive. In reality its cheaper to buy one someone else has done, than do it your self.

If you just want to bimble about with the look while reliable and holding its value quite well buy a w650.

Decent triumphs are silly money. Ive a tatty complete T140 and a 64 500, both projects.

 

[Domdom]

Most Triumphs are a decent enough investment. Better than the lesser regarded machinery such as Stevens, Matchless or BSA.

For real investment stuff look at Vincent or if you’re loaded, a Brough. Those are only going one way.

For the fun of riding an old girl there are loads, Norton, Aeriel, etc. A mk3 Commando is a civilised ride with leccy start for the lazy. I seem to recall it also had the modern arrangement for rear brake and gear lever whereas the mk2 was British, gears on the right.

Don’t ignore Japanese stuff though. An early Kawasaki Z1300 is an awesome machine and going up in value. Honda also made a big six. I’m also a fan of old Italian stuff as well. A vintage Ducati is a thing of beauty.

Me? I’d look for a Matchless G12. 650 twin Norton engine, Norton forks, AJS frame, tank and seat, easy to fit electronic ignition, very useable as a daily ride.

 

[Greeves246]

Bit of history first. Worked as a mechanic on bikes early 60s ended up owning the shop as it was the only way to get the time off for racing. 30 years on road as sales manager calling on bike shops from 1979. Still working on and riding in my 70s, spending too much time at shows and auctions.
So, some bikes are seen as investment potential but will generally be out of your price bracket unless you have deep pockets. Many big Brit bikes are actually dropping in price, eg Vincent Comets were £30k now 15/20k, Shadows 80/100 now 50/60k. Some big BSA, Triumph etc can be seen for sale in OBM etc "sale due to bad knees, back, unable to start, too heavy to put on stand, ill health " , and so on as most of the generation who grew up with them get older. A lot buy smaller electric start more manageable bikes me included, a Honda 400/4 being perfect compared to a VMax. Scan the ads and go to Classic Bike shows and you will soon find a bike to suit YOUR needs there are plenty out there, just focus on whether you need a sunny Sunday ride, a restoration project or a daily user.
By the way, 50s/60s bikes will generally have been taken apart a lot by now not always by competent mechanics and will have suffered for it, one reason I only do my own bikes and will not do " favour for a mate" ! Last one I did I made him sign a receipt stating that it was not to be started and was for show purposes only. If he sold it I expect it wasn't passed on.

 

[Greeves246]

Depending on your skill, ability and patience this might be worth a punt
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1963-Tri...3588771289?hash=item4dab70b1d9:i:333588771289

 

[winchman]

I sit here hoping he will part with one of the "Fleet" so I can have some space back!
I have no idea where he get his interest in vehicles.

 

[Stueeee]

Depending on your skill, ability and patience this might be worth a punt
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1963-Tri...3588771289?hash=item4dab70b1d9:i:333588771289

Wow! £1600+ bid and it has a seized motor as well as numerous bits missing; and no US title documentation to send to DVLA either.

By contrast, I came across this T120R at a US show last year. The owner was asking $8000 for it.

It was every bit as good as looked. Sounded nice too, allegedly had 10.5:1 pistons and e3134 cams.

 

[Rannsachair]

Wow! £1600+ bid and it has a seized motor as well as numerous bits missing; and no US title documentation to send to DVLA either.

By contrast, I came across this T120R at a US show last year. The owner was asking $8000 for it.

It was every bit as good as looked. Sounded nice too, allegedly had 10.5:1 pistons and e3134 cams.

Looks like a nice 68 T120R, the 68 to 70 bikes with TLS brakes and the pre-unit T120's do seem to attract a premium.

 

[Shox Dr]

The value of bikes and cars is a strange animal. Mk1 escorts are mega money here, yet got to south africa and not only are the cheap, but rot free and rhd. Same goes for alot of Brit bikes in the states, and Harley stuff, shovelhead flh over there peanuts to them here.

 

[mechman]

Wow! £1600+ bid and it has a seized motor as well as numerous bits missing; and no US title documentation to send to DVLA either.
It should have 3134s in it anyway and if that motors (stuck) think about grand at least to sort the engine properly.
By contrast, I came across this T120R at a US show last year. The owner was asking $8000 for it.

It was every bit as good as looked. Sounded nice too, allegedly had 10.5:1 pistons and e3134 cams.