After a mid-winter marathon, the fire is in the frame. Tried to give this one it's own character compared to the first one which was rather a smooth and mellow tourer. This one is more along the lines of stripped down to bare bones. The 'pipe and muffler on both sides' caused quite a bit of agony particularly as the curved downtube left limited room between the front wheel and itself for the front pipe to cross over. The classically beautiful symmetrical exhaust of machines such as the 1939 Triumph Speed Twin is very dear to many and was a worthy cause to strive for, in spite of the
challenge posed by this V twin as opposed to an inherently symmetrical parallel twin. The slim rear mudguard is actually a stock front one. Custom stays were made to mount it to the swingarm which allow it to hug the tire closely and move with it over bumps. The custom downtube was curved to allow room for the front cylinder without increasing the wheelbase too much- only 2.5", which brings it to 56.5", only 1" more than a Vincent.
The left-shifting gearbox was converted to right side shift by fabricating a custom gearshift lever and a simple linkage, avoiding replacement of the inner and outer covers and shift mechanisms.
The clutch has also been beefed up to handle the extra power and didn't exhibit signs of slippage.
It was taken for a brief yet *truly exhilarating* ride - she goes, solid punchy torque available right from idle. Tying up random loose ends while it's still below freezing and snowed up. Wiring, re-routing cables, new tank emblems done this weekend, couple of other things next and then waiting for warm weather.
Do check out more pics in the GALLERY page.
Once again, THANK you for your support!
challenge posed by this V twin as opposed to an inherently symmetrical parallel twin. The slim rear mudguard is actually a stock front one. Custom stays were made to mount it to the swingarm which allow it to hug the tire closely and move with it over bumps. The custom downtube was curved to allow room for the front cylinder without increasing the wheelbase too much- only 2.5", which brings it to 56.5", only 1" more than a Vincent.
The left-shifting gearbox was converted to right side shift by fabricating a custom gearshift lever and a simple linkage, avoiding replacement of the inner and outer covers and shift mechanisms.
The clutch has also been beefed up to handle the extra power and didn't exhibit signs of slippage.
It was taken for a brief yet *truly exhilarating* ride - she goes, solid punchy torque available right from idle. Tying up random loose ends while it's still below freezing and snowed up. Wiring, re-routing cables, new tank emblems done this weekend, couple of other things next and then waiting for warm weather.
Do check out more pics in the GALLERY page.
Once again, THANK you for your support!
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