Decent trade for Purple Combat

grandpaul

grandpaul

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I bought an old rolling Triumph trike project some years back, cost way too much to have it crated and shipped over here...

Decent trade for Purple Combat


I've kicked around with it, started to get it running and had better things to do, tried to sell it on e-bay, then out of the blue a guy on facebook posted with "an old Norton I'd like to trade for something interesting".

Decent trade for Purple Combat


Got it home, removed the head steady, and it's got the "C" stamp (looks legit to me). There is no "RH#" stamping, though.

Decent trade for Purple Combat


So, looks like my "investment" in the trike long ago, finally paid off. I've still got several spare parts that will help make it more complete, (it came with a good primary cover, not pictured) and it's a simple matter to pop the fork caps back on to make it look like a bike again...
 
I think you got the better deal 2 wheels are better than 3 but mine you with a keg as a fuel tank how far could you go, some of our fuel stops out our way are far between our tanks can handle and going to Perth you need to carry a 20 ltr jerry can just to make it.

Ashley
 
In my world, trading any trike for a tiny speck of rust from a Commando is a good deal.
To me, excepting those with a real need, like through a physical disability, a trike is the worst aspects of a car coupled with the worst aspects of a bike. Brrr, sent a shiver down my spine! :lol:
Cheers, Martin
 
i think the keg is just a decoy. it was used to run moonshine :D , and only had an internal capacity of a gallon or two. a real party machine...

have fun with the purple one
 
grandpaul said:
Already got a few parts installed from what I had on the shelves, looks a bit better...

Decent trade for Purple Combat
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Looks like a '74 Interstate seat. You should be able to trade for a roadster seat straight across or pick up an Interstate tank and side covers. Looks like a fiberglass roadster tank, so you will want a steel tank.
Missing a lot of parts, but you probably have stash anyway.
 
illf8ed said:
Looks like a '74 Interstate seat...Missing a lot of parts, but you probably have stash anyway.
Click to expand...
The seat is off my '75 Interstate, I might weld up new mounts to the seat pan to align with the Roadster tank.

Yes, I have SOME of the needed parts ($500 worth, at least). I've set out some feelers for some good used stuff.

I'm going to get it running and rideable, NOT titled, not finished, no steel tank. If I had more play money, I'd do more, but it will be what it will be.

The guy I traded with got it for FIFTY BUCKS!!! He traded the trike for a 16' utility trailer and a bunch of powdercoat work on 2 bikes. Talk about a steal of a deal!
 
MS850 said:
Ive got a extra quart of oil you can have
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I saved up all my oil bottles over the last year, pointed down, and just yesterday drained all the caps together and got two free cups of oil to lube stuff on assembly.
 
Handlebar swap done, looks like a normal bike again.

Decent trade for Purple Combat


Primary cover is dull but decent.

Decent trade for Purple Combat


Transmission is uncharacteristically clean, no milky mess, no rust. That's big.

Decent trade for Purple Combat


Now, let's see about that stuck piston...
 
grandpaul said:
The guy I traded with got it for FIFTY BUCKS!!! Talk about a steal of a deal!
Click to expand...

And then you stole it from him!!! See how it all comes around. That trike was VILE. Unless two chicks are naked finger blasting each other on a trike, it still sucks
 
Good luck with the bike.
I don't know the registration details in Texas but without a title can you really put much in time and parts into it?

It would be such a shame to have a matching frame/engine/gearbox Combat that could not be registered?
 
grandpaul said:
illf8ed said:
Looks like a '74 Interstate seat...Missing a lot of parts, but you probably have stash anyway.
Click to expand...
The seat is off my '75 Interstate, I might weld up new mounts to the seat pan to align with the Roadster tank.

Yes, I have SOME of the needed parts ($500 worth, at least). I've set out some feelers for some good used stuff.

I'm going to get it running and rideable, NOT titled, not finished, no steel tank. If I had more play money, I'd do more, but it will be what it will be.

The guy I traded with got it for FIFTY BUCKS!!! He traded the trike for a 16' utility trailer and a bunch of powdercoat work on 2 bikes. Talk about a steal of a deal!
Click to expand...

The Interstate seat is probably worth more than a correct roadster seat. Sell the Interstate, buy the roadster and pocket the difference and you don't mess up an original seat :)
 
Bob Z. said:
I don't know the registration details in Texas but without a title can you really put much in time and parts into it? It would be such a shame to have a matching frame/engine/gearbox Combat that could not be registered?
Click to expand...
Texas is not hard at all. Since I have time on my side with this one, I'm already starting the "Title Hearing" process. Takes about 90 days.
 
Left intake was relatively clean.

Decent trade for Purple Combat


Left exhaust somewhat junky.

Decent trade for Purple Combat


Right intake surprisingly clean.

Decent trade for Purple Combat


Skanked-out right exhaust port where the moisture got in.

Decent trade for Purple Combat
 
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