Thunderbird Street Tracker.

[Tbird tracker]

Hi ladies & gents, I present to you my long awaited (by some at least) 1958 Triumph Thunderbird Street Tracker project. I hope you like what you see here and the direction I am taking with this project!!!! Thanks Tbird...

Just a couple of pics to wet the appetite, first is the bike as it is at the moment and second pic is a few months back when John Sutton of Suttons Speedy Services was working on the bike.
Sadly John has had to return to the states to look after his aging mother, so I am left to finnish the fabrication work my self.
Some of the work John has done incluides maching up a new stearing head shaft for the bottom Triple tree so I could match the Honda CB550 Four front end to the Triumph neck which runs tapered bearings.
He also rebuilding the motor, on which he incluided a new hand machined alloy oil seal holder so I can run later model Unit motor Triumph oil seals which are easier to get than the earlier ones, I needed this size seal for the front belt drive pully as well. He also machined up a rear wheel spacer from bronze for me as well.

The motor is standard 7-1 compression but is running Bonnie Cams and a morgo oil pump with new 1st over pistons and new crank bearings. It should spin nicely and have a bit more go than with the stock cams. I have fitted a new Mikuni VM32 that is jetted for this motor and a K&N pancake filter that I got from Duse here is Sydney as the standard filter wouldn't fit behind the Mic (not enough clearance).
For spark I have gone with a Pazon electronic ignition that fits in a housing that replaces the stock magneto (still to be fitted).
Primary drive is by belt which will be running dry so the outer primary cover will be swiss cheesed to create some air flow so the belt doesn't run hot.

[Tbird tracker]

Trying to add some more pics but having trouble. Ah got it.
Some more pics to peruse, ask any questions and I'll answer when I can.

[Tbird tracker]

Finally managed to get the pic of the belt drive up Cheers.

[Sprint]

That's an awesome look mate - me likey!





S.

[Roady]

i like it...that raw retro look,its the shiz

[brethren22]

great project tbird! glad you finally got around to sharing a few pics. sounds like it's well on its way with the work you've put into it

digging the sporty tank. was it much work to get to fit?

[El Skitzo]

Looks tops I love it!!

So jealous of that belt drive primary

[valvolux]

excellent, subscribed

[Tbird tracker]

great project tbird! glad you finally got around to sharing a few pics. sounds like it's well on its way with the work you've put into it

digging the sporty tank. was it much work to get to fit?

No drama at all to fit the sporty tank Breth, it slipped right on, when I had the frame straightened (I figured it would need it after 50 years) I got the guy to weld in a front tank mount under the backbone so it sits at the right angle, a bit like the crush tube on Skitzo's bike but not through the tube.

[Tbird tracker]

Looks tops I love it!!

So jealous of that belt drive primary

The jury is out on the primary drive at the moment as it is made up from a collection of parts (not usually the right move) but some research and some good buying got me basicly an early version of a Tony Hayward belt drive setup for less than the original from the UK. The clutch basket was sourced from John Sceria in Melbourne and the front pully and belt were from Jim Eads (Now Classic allparts) here in Sydney. Clutch basket was machined by John Sutton and roller bearings pressed in, in place of the loose rollers and it uses all the original inturnals. The later Hayward belt drive setups use a 6 spring Japanese style clutch and special made plates that you have to order through him.

[Lorenz]

very nice! thanks for putting some pics up, watching with interest..

[shan]

Way cool

[TheBrad]

That is awesome. Good work!

[Tbird tracker]

Just an update to put me back on page one. I am ordering a stainless hex screw kit from Stigs Stainless in the UK for the engine and gearbox for Pounds 27.44 posted, thats about $42.50 at the moment. Sure beats the $120 or so I was quoted locally. Thanks again for the heads up on that one Brendan.
Owen here is my build thread such as it is as the moment, enjoy.

[El Skitzo]

That will be a neat looking upgrade for not much $$$, sweet

[not faz]

What carby have you got on the bike?

[El Skitzo]

^ Looks like a Mikuni

[Tbird tracker]

Yep like El Skitzo said, its a new Mikuni VM32 mm. It's setup roughly for my engine but it may need some fine tuning yet.

[not faz]

Thought it was a little too shiny to be a Amal.

I was hoping that there is an Amal (or fix for an Amal) that will stop it leaking fuel when using the tickler. Its covering the crank case in dried yellow fuel.

[Tbird tracker]

Thought it was a little too shiny to be a Amal.

I was hoping that there is an Amal (or fix for an Amal) that will stop it leaking fuel when using the tickler. Its covering the crank case in dried yellow fuel.

Hi Faz, I left a post on Owens thread, could'nt think where I had seen your question.
Best option is to get a carby rebuild kit, if you cant get it localy then Classic Allparts (formerly Jim Eads) here is Sydney can supply it, they have been selling old brit iron and parts since the 1950's, lots of know how if you want to pick there brains, they can also supply new Amal for about $350.
Trojan can supply a Mikuni VM32 for about $235 jetted for your motor. Or Sudco in the states can supply new Mikuni VM32 with manifold and rubber spigon mount, hose clamps and K&N pancake filter for about $320 from memory. Modak M/C in Melbourne could also probably help with kit or new carb and info if needed, they are another old firm thats been in the brit bike biz for over 60 years. Hope this helps.