In the Shed....

I started this blog three years ago to bring together and share all the pictures and information on modified Hinckley twins I had gathered while planning my own custom Triumph Scrambler project. A project that started with good intentions but fell flat on its face as I never liked the final result. The bike just looked.... Boring, or maybe a better word would be unoriginal or another could be unimaginative!. When I first started the build the best of the modified Bonneville was the 'Street Tracker' by Deus Ex Machina of Australia. Since then there has been some equally fine machines by companies such as MrMartini, So-Cal/Streetmaster, CRD and Wrenchmonkees. Most of these builders did something I didn't have courage to do... cut!

After putting my own bike back together I rode it for a summer, the bike received plenty of admiring glances, positive comments and few offers to buy the bike where it stood, but I never considered the bike finished. Winter came and I decided to change the Bonneville seat for something a little more 'Flat-Track' a seat which never really grew on me after it had been fitted.... don't get me wrong it's a great seat, well-made, looked good, but one thing kept nagging me. It made what I already considered a long bike, longer!.

I considered changing the offending seat, but this was criticised by some blog readers, criticism I should have simply ignored, remember I am just a bloke in a shed with limited resources, which I admitted too two years ago. I'm allowed to make mistakes, it is my money after all. 

Winter came and so did a girlfriend, a hectic social life and being put on a four day week by my employer (better than no job I suppose). The bike with its new and unused seat remained in the shed gathering dust and a little rust.  A year later the bike saw the light of day once more, but the British weather hadn't been kind to the new paintwork on the frame or the many nuts and bolts, as its seems Triumph didn't feel its necessary to protect their bikes from the salty UK roads (built for the California weather I imagine, then again aren't we all). The bike looked great from a far but close up it looked a bloody mess. As something had to be done to combat the rust another rebuild was on the cards.

Left- Just after the first rebuild, loved they way it looked from this angle.

Right- A year later and a new seat- bike not so good close up.

McQueen and friends c1963

The Desert Sled Build 

This time I'm going for the 'Tracker' look this time, more along the lines if a sixties desert racer like those ridden by Bud Ekins and Steve McQueen. This time the bike will be shorter and more in keeping with its heritage.

Go... nads 

So while my lovely girlfriend is busy writing a novel, Ive been keeping out of her way stripping down the bike. A frame loop has been fabricated and will be welded in position making the frame 2-3 inches shorter. The rear footrest mounts are for the bin as are the side-cover mounts.

The new back end will end approximately where the current rear mudguard mount begins. A little further back from where the loop is located in the pic.

Loopy

Received a call from Ged Shorten (ironic second name) of CGS Motorcycles Three legged cross this afternoon saying that the frame was finished being... Shortened, so I popped over to take a look. Bike looked fantastic now that the rear peg mounts and side panel mounts are gone. The new loop was striking making the frame so much shorter. Collecting the frame on Friday using Rachel's car as the Fiat 500 isn't really suited to carrying large bike parts.  There is also a 6" Alloy rear mudguard reserved for me at Brit Bits in Christchurch, that will need picking up and then offering up to see if any extra holes are needed. Then the frame is off again to be painted or powder coated...hmmmmm choices choices.

Fettle

Rubbed down the rear of the frame and any rust I could see. Sprayed on a little paint to see how smooth the areas that had been worked on were, looks smooth enough but will spend a little more time on it before its sent of to be painted. Put the bike on its wheels so I can line-up the rear mudguard.

Mudguard

Hello....anybody there?

Spent an afternoon emailing engineering companies asking if they can make a bracket for me - not keen on making it myself as I want it to look professionally made as it will be visible. It's amazing how few replies I have received, it's the same story when enquiring about zinc plating and gold passivating... do people want to do business!

God is in the detail

Bi-Jazzel! Re-Zinced nuts and bolts

Shopping 

New rear bounce is needed along with some new rear swing arm bearings and the re-blinged engine, then all the bits can get together and become a rolling chassis.

36009TTSA- 2810 ADJUSTABLE SHOCKS, BLACK DAMPER WITH BLACK SPRING 

Frame

Well here it is, back from Airy Arts Airbrush Studio, Wimborne - Love that colour

This is the worst part for me, Im a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to things like this, anything else disappoints me.  There are a few tiny bits of the paint job Im not happy with, but they can be sorted or ignored when the bikes is together, so marks out of 10 for painting is ....8. I very much doubt anybody could get a 10 unless I learned to paint. Cant do much now until the engine is painted and the bearing are fitted. 

NARK Battery box in place which will need a degree modifying, the idea will be to fill in the sides so it's not so open, relocate the solenoid and fuse box. The mudguard fitted is the beta version, which is being used to get the right length, angle and mounting holes which will then be transferred to the final mudguard. Tank will need finishing or painting, see how I feel when it actually needs doing. Just need to paint the engine crankcase, polished the side covers, refit the swing-arm bearing and it will be rolling again. Then off to Co-Built for a new exhaust.

Back end

New Bounce arrived as did the rear swing-arm bearings... now where is that engine

Return to Go>

Unfortunately the frame and all the other painted parts had to go back to the painters. When I was in the process of bolting items back on, it became apparent the paint wasn't adhering. As a firm believer in 'Shit Happens...deal with it' I simply contacted the painter who collected the frame this afternoon. No point getting funny about it, which is something you learn when working within a creative industry, things go wrong, its how it's dealt with from there on that matters. So the frame is off to the blasters to be cleaned of every scrap of paint and the process begins again. 

 Top mount - Airy Arts Airbrush Studio, Wimborne

 front upper mount - Airy Arts Airbrush Studio, Wimborne

All that aside, the frame still looks bloody gorgeous in Triumph Trophy Red!

Off road...what really?

Great little mod for relocating the brake calliper above the swing-arm - As the Scram is meant to be an 'off roader'  and don't even think about disagreeing with that! I was thinking of getting one - 

Available from Triumph Twin Power 

Looks good... maybe in polished alloy with the logo in red.... 

Work with what you got...

For the last few years my project has taken, lost and retaken shape in a small 5ft x 6ft wooden shed.

But due to a recent move I am now occupying a rather nice Garage, which is gradually taken shape into what I hope to be the perfect workspace for finishing the bike. Amongst other thing to be added will be a beer fridge, workbench, more lighting and sockets....oh a rug and heater!

Wireless internet and a comfy chair for when the girlfriend has chums over

Engine back so the rebuild begins....

well sort of, this is the biggest bit of the bike I have right now

Side covers and cam cover are at the polishers

Bit on the Side....Have it covered

enough of the puns...side covers are back from being blinged.... Powder coat is so last year!

Thoughts

You learn a few thing when dealing with people who are doing work for you, one thing is don't give anybody a third chance, another is get prices set in stone before you get them to do the work. You get what you pay for, shit money often means shit workmanship, no point bitching if you don't like the results. Big money never guarantees good workmanship just an empty wallet, bitch if you think its shit...never pay up front.

Christmas comes early

At last, Frame, Engine back together. Doubt there will be any updates now until the new year, Im far too busy to work on the bike.

 

Trying Times

The paint is coming off again! The slightest tap will chip and then you can just scrape the paint off with a finger!- Time to give up on getting the frame repainted me thinks. Also it will be interesting what the painter does about it...watch this space!

The rot begins! - I think this image makes it clear enough...SHIT PAINTWORK!

Déjà Bloody Vu

Its week before Christmas so it's very unlikely any progress will be made until the new year. Emails and text messages have been sent to the painter who I don't particularly want to speak to right now. Fat chance I will hear from him I bet. All the issues aside I cant just sit on my hands so I'm arranging for the frame to be powder-coated in the new year....see what drama that has in store for me..... Im going to give up on Red and just go for Black!... which will suit my mood.

Airy Arts Airbrush Studio, Wimborne, A Review

A picture is worth a thousand words.... So here is a couple of thousand words.

 

Paint by AiryArts Airbrush Studio, Wimborne

  *****************************************************************************

2012  - The rethink

Off to Bordon Hampshire in the morning a round trip of 2 and a half hours to drop the frame off to Goldburn finishers, who will be Powder coating the frame that Airyarts couldn't seem to do properly. Going for black this time to celebrate it being the end of the world this year... that and the fact Im sick of seeing RED.
Back to Black
Picked up the frame this morning and started another dry build..... who the hell would do this for a living. Black just isn't as exciting....needs some colour on that tank now.

Inspiration

Real Desert Sleds

Im liking the gold and white colour scheme which is to replace the stripped metal look.

Inspiration to Concept

Oh I like this!.... I like this a lot!

Bracket

Now I just need someone to make me one

Oye Vey

After my brief.... very brief look at what the costs are for completing this project I thought it might be time for a little in-house.... OK....a lot of in-house work. So I'm  painting the tank, for now, myself. As I'm not capable of painting the tank in the fashion I originally wanted, I'm going for something I can do myself. ( I really don't have three grand!!!!!.... welding course next year so that will be another thing I can do in the garage) .anyway this is what ive done so far, (so in the Style of Rolf Harris).... See what im doing yet? 

No....it's not going to be white!

This might scare a few blokes, but my girlfriend allowed me to sand this down in-house....in the kitchen to be exact..... well it is cold outside!

Out of the Darkness...

...and back on two wheels, at last!.... even after two lots of shit painting by Airy Arts who also fucked up my rear brake bracket by blasting this shit out of it... It now looks like the surface of Mars...what a total tosser! I will be adding the cost of replacing that to my demand for my money back, which I doubt I will ever see, but Im sure Airy Arts' reputation for painting bikes like a 10 year old paints her toe nails will soon get around the Bournemouth area, that that will make me feel better. Im still in process of painting the tank myself, what can go wrong!.....nothing that wouldn't happen to a pro anyway!

Tank in primer

This is a rough concept I knocked-up to demonstrate I want the Tank to look like, colour wise anyway. Once done Im going to distress the paint slightly in the areas where the riders knees would grip and maybe a few other areas depending how creative I feel. Masking off the two tone might be a challenge, but it should be worth a go. The finish doesn't have to be great so its right up my street....  maybe I should of got the frame painter to paint the tank after-all!

Next step is to get the Yokes Powdered and the engine reunited with the carbs , etc.

Gold!

Ford 'Arizona Gold' to be exact... seemed appropriate. Next step...to distress the paintwork. The dark line is fine line tape which really helps get the right(ish) shape for the white panel.

Tarnished Gold!

Now I do rather like that!

Spare five mins

Removed al the paint from the throttle body and then gave it a polish. Looks far better. Next in the firing line are the clutch and Rear brake mounts.

I have some thick card in the back of the car to make a template for the seat pan. Also looking at making an air-box similar to the NOS Q box which was a common mod back in the day. The other option is  knock together something like the air-filters on the MrMartini 'Shorty

NOS Q (Above)

'Shorty' MrMartini (Above)

Randon Pic

Ive been busy doing a head gasket on Rachel Pug 106 Diesel, damn thing is finally running again so it back to working on the Scram. End of the moths so cash is short so not much can be done apart from a bit of recondition of parts. A bit of a clean and polish will sort things out. and I now need to plan for the electrician

Weekend

New cam cover gasket and seals are just a few things done today. I did have five mins to conceptualise the air filters using the original bits. I really hate pissy little airfilters.

Front mudguard! shock! and I like it

While staring at the pic of my won bike it kinda reminded me of this one

Im running out of free things to do on the project

A few low cost things to do are; Clear lacer the tank, paint the rear mudguard. Expensive items include a rewire and relocate a few things, bespoke 'Bud Ekins, Desert Sled' style exhaust, new more rugged off-road tires, new foot rests, chain and sprocket, handlebar clamps, custom (oversized) air filters, modified battery tray, plug Leeds, oil cooler.....

My new PC Wallpaper

Cheers Dael

Dael who often contributes to Bonnefication sent me his tank badges which completes the classic look Im after.... Cheers mate

temp bolts hold the badges in place

(above) About as complicated as the front of the bike will get

(below) Pipes will go on the other side

Few Details

There has not been a lot of action in the shed of late, but things are on the move again. The electrician is booked, new ignition leads and brake parts are ordered. New handlebar clamps from the new scrambler model are on.

New style Scrambler Clamps

New bolts for Starter motor

  New exhaust bolts and nuts

  New Carb hose clamps

  Painted front sprocket bolt and locking tab

 And at last it's sunny outside

 Final mudguard which now needs painting white.

 Beston style grips

Little things

When rebuilding the Sled there are a lot of items being replaced that are taken for granted. I have had to source a replacement rear calliper as the original item was fucked (new one £60 on eBay) A big problem with the original rear calliper is its position and the crap retaining pins, which should be replaced at the first opportunity!(£15) due to them rusting, resulting with the rear callipers sticking and wearing, which is the case here..... so that's another £15 on brake pads. The list of unmentionable parts goes on and on but the end effect it a very empty wallet. As the brakes are rather important, its not an area that I will skimp on.... that custom seat is put back another month then, but who needs a seat eh!. The UpNOver bracket from Triumph Twin Power is next on the cards as relocating the rear calliper helps maintain braking performance by keeping it away from all the grime, it also makes the Scrambler a little more feasible as an off-road bike ( if you brave enough) as who want to knock seven bells of shit out of their brakes when riding off-road.
Having a limited budget does cut back on all the 'Custom' or 'Bespoke' items that I want to add, but a project is never really finished so I can add them as some point. Time like this I wish I had the budget of Hammarhead or Deus.....that would open up the flood gates of 'Bespoke' so until then I will just have to do what I can afford and hope I have something that is a little bit original...... One thing that I'm not compromising on is the exhaust....that has to be bespoke!

Brakers

£83 of unmentionables...not all pictured

On the move again...... we're on the move again

Due to having a cat my landlord has informed me that I can no longer live at my current abode!!!!....oh arse!!! - So I found a new place to live. But this new property doesn't have a garage!!!!!!!! Shit I know, but it does have the beach 25 feet away, so every cloud and all that. So Im now on the lookout for a Garage...here's hoping!..... and Im so fucking close to getting the bike finished!!!!!

Rubber

Time to re-shoe the Sled with Continental TwinDuros

Chaos

Back from a weeks holiday in sunny hot North Africa and its time to take a look at what can be done on the Sled. Im waiting for the new brake bracket and prices for the tyres. By the time they are fitted it will time to pack the lot away ready for the move. Still no garage to go to, so I will have to find a temporary alternative. I suppose I could take the bike apart again and rebuild it in the lounge.

Intentionally Tatty

Rear mudguard painted and distressed.

 Etch primed and painted white, distressed and then clear coated.....who needs a deep shine finish!

Not the straightest or does it have a show winning paint job...... but this mudguard is perfect!

New Tyres in the week....

Illuminating Chat
While dropping the wheels off today to get new Continental Twin Duros fitted, I had a good chat with the MOT tester as I had no real clear definitive information on what I could get away with. It seems there is a lot of miss information out there on the matter. The result of the chat is a rethink.... as perhaps it would be easier to install lights after all. then take them off after the MOT, Having lights would also make the bike more attractive when I come to sell it. It would seem a daytime MOT has a shit load of pitfalls. So now I might just purchase a new complete Harness, which would also be cheaper as it happens.

Time to start distressing the light mounts in keeping with the rest of the tatty paintwork

Gnarly
Oh I think so!!!

UpNOver

Had a visit from Mike of Triumph Twin Power this afternoon who was brandishing my new UpNOver bracket.

 Plated

What Im going to do with this you might ask.....

Original 1963 California Motorcycle Plate... if anybody wants the dealer frame let me know.

 Wired

Or soon will be!

When I come to sell this project, whom ever buys it will be getting a bike better than new!!!

 I got a feelin...
Ignition!

  Hands up if you know what a great sight that is!

I think I need a rethink as to where to put all the wire..... its really not going to work where it is!

 Starter Motor fecked...

Seems it buggered :( More on this when I've had it tested.

Get the chain and sprocket on next, going for something like a 18, 46. I will also need an exhaust and seat lights and....an MOT! Then this baby is up FOR SALE! Well I need to fund the next project!

48t

48 tooth rear standard front with DID chain....

Neighbours

Had a few complaints about the noise of the sled from neighbours..... Loud Harley's are fine, just not loud Triumphs. It would seem even making the slightest noise on a midweek afternoon is unreasonable, even if its for a very short period..... I wonder what McQueen would of said....

Two Finger salute perhaps!

Rear Light

This arrived today Shin-Yo Bates style rear light

Random McQueen

Found this pic of Mac that I hadn't seen before

Getting there

Quick spin up the road and back.... well it runs anyway

Relocation, Relocation, Reloaction
Found a place for the igniter - need to fab some sort of cover

Bargain!!

Won a genuine service manual on eBay.... its a little late in the build for such a thing,
but perhaps for the next build

Superstar....not

Fat knacker!

Little Bits for 2013

I now need to find the smallest indicators possible, a nicer way to mount the rear number plate.
Plus some random bits of bling

Kinda Legal

Working rear light brake light and turn signals - time to locate the number plate and light

Keep those cables tidy - indicator leeds

'Reports of a noisy Motorcycle officer?....that will be that Harley up the road....his just gone out'

I need to make a brake reservoir cover rather than buy one for the 'home made look'

On this side of the bike I need to fab up a side cover in the style of a 'Q' air filter box

Seat pan fab is also needed.....

Bits

The things you forget - when removing the discs from the hubs the hex on the bolts got a little chewed up and have have gone a little rusty. so just ordered some nice new ones from Pro-Bolt.

a few things to do...
✖ LH switch needs to be repaired
✖ 'Q' Style Left hand side cover
✖ Rear reservoir cover (homemade )
✖ Seat- custom (homemade base)
✖ �� Front light (needs side light fixing) 5 min job
✖ �� 2 rubber headlight bracket seals 5 min job
✖ Rear refelctor ( use origibal item cut down) 5 min job
✖ Side stand switch 5 min job
✖ Numberplate mount
✖ Numberplate light
✖ Sump guard wrinkle painted
✖ Exhaust-Co-Built or Mass - close to Bud Ekins style THE BIGE ONE

Old Skool Triumph
The crap side of Triumph is aways close at hand, the Starter Relay for example is not fit for purpose....


Deigned to be used in cars in warm, dry, low humidity countries, these little babies get full of water causing starting issues, good job you can open them up to empty them of water.