Looks like it's time to TIME

After heating one pipe to the point where it glows, I've been informed that it may be a timing issue where the spark is firing while the exhaust port is still open, causing the combustion to fire into the header pipe.

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Putting it all back together

Getting close to having the Beeza back together. I decided the paint on the foot pegs was beyond repair so I stripped the paint. The two posts that stabilize the pegs from twisting, had fallen off long ago. I bought a length of 1/4 steel rod and cut new ones. No need to worry about the pegs slipping out from under me now.



I'll probably hit these up with a little Cosmoline to prevent them from rusting.



When I purchased the bike, I noticed the gearshift lever was welded in place. I needed to get it off in order to get the timing cover off. However, there isn't much left for the new lever to grab onto. Not sure what I'm going to do about this yet. I don't feel like getting into the inner timing cover, or messing with the gear change mechanism. Maybe some shims will tighten the fit. As of right now, the shift lever isn't tight enough to get the bike in gear.



The rear brake is in place. I bead blasted the chain guard, but the section which holds the guard to the frame is broken, so I'll have to rig something up. I actually like the way the guards looks in bare metal. Maybe I'll do a plain metal finish.



Its starting to look like a ridable bike!

Ball bearing mystery SOLVED!!!

A few posts back I mentioned finding loose bearings around the bike. Not good. I looked everywhere for the source, even pulled the back wheel off. Anyway I found another one today and noticed my shop chair didn't roll very well. Yup, Craftsman casters...

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Robert "Snuffy" Smith's custom racer aka My dad's Triton

For nearly 20 years my father had been collecting triumph and Norton motorcycle bits and pieces here and there to build the mother of all cafe-racers: the TRITON. Half Norton (Norton Featherbed Frame) and half Triumph (59 Pre Unit Triumph engine). His good friend and personal engineer, Don West had the bike in his shop and was putting the final touches on the engine when my father was diagnosed with terminal cancer. The bike was completed and auctioned off, but my dad (and I) never got a chance to see it.
After stumbling across these old photos from American Motorcyclist magazine, I started googling my dad to see what else I could find. I was shocked and disappointed to learn that his triton had been sold on ebay once again. Shocked that it was available and disappointed that I wasn't able to purchase it. I would have snatched that up in a heartbeat. However, I googled the bike and found some cool pictures of his custom racer. I was thrilled to see that the bike has been dedicated with a plaque honoring my father. I hope whoever has the bike keeps it the way it is and if it ever goes back on the market, I hope I get a chance to make an offer.

And yet another picture from AM magazine

Oh my, heres another one from American Motorcyclist (This is the AMA magazine you get with membership). Here my sister and I pose with my Dad after he won the 87 grand national Championship of the sportsman 750 class.

Yours truely pictured in Jan 1988 issue of American Motorcyclist (uncredited of course)

I was searching for a friend of my dad's online and I came across an old article in American Motorcyclist Magazine (Jan 1988) with a picture of said friend (Dick Miles) as well as My dad, our friend Nick Phillips and ME (at 12 years of age!). The article covers the popularity of vintage motorcycle racing. My dads Triumph 750 special is also pictured.

Side panels painted

I matched the side panels as close to the tanks Cole as possible. I think they're ok for now, but next winter the whole bike is getting paint, frame and all, so this is just for one season. The bike is just about ready for her maiden voyage; damn snow...

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