75' Trident "Barn" Find

Lineslinger

Lineslinger

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I have located/secured a 1975 Trident that has been sitting for 9 years.
If I get it out of his storage shed its mine and looks to be a good restoration offering. I am considering getting it running and sell it through a trusted bike shop locally for someone else to restore.
I have the tools and skills to get it running.
I wanted to get the opinion of Triumph owners as to how they would handle it. I am getting too far down the road to own more than one motorcycle and my Commando will be with me until I qualify for the pine box.

If I pull the trigger on this lots of questions will be forthcoming...all opinions please + or - and yes it turns over.

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If it were MINE, I wouldn't sell it for less than $5,500 IF RUNNING (and rideable), with title.

Adjust accordingly...
 
It has 74 side cover emblems and a 73 tank. But nothing is written in stone with that era 3x.
Problem is if you run it and it isnt happy inside you will do it no favours. Why not clean it up
real carefully and sell it as is?
 
Lineslinger said:
I have located/secured a 1975 Trident that has been sitting for 9 years.
Click to expand...

The '1975' Trident was the T160.

As it's a T150V then even if it does have a 1975 'K' model year letter it's basically a 1974 model.

Lineslinger said:
I wanted to get the opinion of Triumph owners as to how they would handle it.
Click to expand...
=

Triples website and forum.

Triples Online

A comprehensive resource for the BSA Rocket3 and the Triumph Trident Triples - classic British motorcycles that were built from 1968 to 1975
www.triplesonline.com
 
Wow, that's beautiful. I'd keep it because I'm a little OCD. I'd get it running, then fall in love with it. I'd have a double barrel motorcycle time capsule,... Commando and Trident...
 
Be fair: they are not so complicated although they have a lot of pieces. Like a Norton there are ins and outs that one must know about.
If it is well set up it is a very nice ride. More than the Norton it does feel dated. And yes it can be spendy.
 
Smooth and fun to ride (when functioning), clever clutch design... the middle piston has a habit of seizing, and double the number of pushrod tubes that will inevitably leak...

I say go for it!
 
If you do go for it, Google "waking the sleeping beast" and "Phil Pick". Phil ran a triples based repair business for over 30 years and his advice on recommissioning them after a long lay up is highly regarded. For more specific advice go to the triples online forum.
I have owned every production variant including a Hurricane and currently own a Rocket 3 and a T150v very similar to the one in question. My favourite to actually ride is the T150v, but as an investment to do up and sell I'd definitely choose none of them! On the other hand, if you just enjoy the learning process, getting another old war horse back on the road and into the hands of someone who will ride it, then good luck to your
 
wavey_davey said:
If you do go for it, Google "waking the sleeping beast" and "Phil Pick". Phil ran a triples based repair business for over 30 years and his advice on recommissioning them after a long lay up is highly regarded. For more specific advice go to the triples online forum.
I have owned every production variant including a Hurricane and currently own a Rocket 3 and a T150v very similar to the one in question. My favourite to actually ride is the T150v, but as an investment to do up and sell I'd definitely choose none of them! On the other hand, if you just enjoy the learning process, getting another old war horse back on the road and into the hands of someone who will ride it, then good luck to your
Click to expand...

Just read it. Good info. Easily apply most of it to any engine, especially a flat tappet one.
 
Thank you to all for taking the time to read and respond.

I am again taking a hard look when considering the opinions and insight offered.

As Swoosh noted the heavy layer of kitty litter does ring the "uh oh" bell.
This type of project almost always seems to catch up to one with the trickle down effect.
There is always just one more little thing to address. Next thing you know you are too far into it to walk away, ask me how I know.

There is a gearhead out there somewhere looking for such a project. I was one of those types seeking out a specific Commando.

A non running complete Trident for restoration. What do you guys think would be a fair asking price?
 
I have no idea what prices are like on your side of the pond. Earlier this year we nearly brought a Rob North project for a to me stunning price from California. If that bike in that condition was in the UK I could not walk away.
 
First thing i would do is get a hold of the previous owner to find out why it was sitting for 9 years. What happened to it 9 years ago that bad he had to take it off of the road. if not to serious run though carbs, fluid and brakes to get it road worthy.
I bought a 1975 Trident years ago that was well cared for and in mint shape except for a damn hole in a piston.. I bought it for $3000 cdn and sold it for $4500 cdn.
I would have loved to keep it but i have toooooooo many projects on the go all the time.. I love my British Iron :)
 

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