Most common engines

Joined
Oct 14, 2019
Messages
35
Country flag
Alas, Tig welding were not around when, I think, the last F/Bed was made-
Very true. But this is on a RD350lc Hybrid not a Norton frame ;) and if you have ever seem Factory Jap welding from 30+ Years ago...NOT GOOD at all.. Hopefully the Brazing on Norton fames look nice..
 
Joined
Apr 20, 2011
Messages
5,771
Country flag
Brazing on Norton F/bed fames ALLWAYS look nicer!
They were done by professionals!
 
Joined
Oct 14, 2019
Messages
35
Country flag
I’m not aware of many Japanese frames failing at the welds though boys...
But they Look S*!T :confused:

Has the brazing on Norton frames been known to fail? If so any common areas to look out for? Common areas for Rot.
 
Joined
Apr 20, 2011
Messages
5,771
Country flag
Being metal ALL frame tubes will eventually rot, and this is why most of the British motorcycle industry went to great trouble to getting their frames stove enamelled so they still looked good 50+ years on if the frame was taken care of.
 

Fast Eddie

VIP MEMBER
Joined
Oct 4, 2013
Messages
19,287
Country flag
Like TT says, the road bike featherbed frames were all welded mild steel. Race frames were brazed.

No, their welds don’t fail either.

But they’re all bloody old and probably abused by now.

Areas to watch for include:

Rotten bottom rails

Rot and fatigue on the exhaust mounts welded to the bottom rear bend

Bent front down tubes caused by a frontal and / or being ridden without a proper structural head steady (an integral / structural part of the frame design)

Damaged bottom rail from a poorly fitted side stand lug and / or endless kick starting whilst on the side stand.

Cracked / bent / damaged engine mounts

Cracked / damaged lower cross tube.
 
Last edited:

t ingermanson

VIP MEMBER
Joined
Oct 17, 2018
Messages
441
Country flag
Don't forget the cracks on the front down tubes, propagating from the bottom of the trouser gusset.
 

Fast Eddie

VIP MEMBER
Joined
Oct 4, 2013
Messages
19,287
Country flag
A lot of decisions really depend on what your vision is for your finished product, how fussy you are, how much you can do yourself, and how much hard cash you’re prepared to spend.

But I’d caveat the above by also adding that we all ALWAYS under estimate the work, time and money it’s gonna take!

You gotta be honest with yourself though, no matter what BS folk try and feed you, the ain’t no such thing as a cheap way to build a nice Triton.

If you want a really good end result, and are prepared to spend, you could do a lot worse than speak to Mr Triton himself, Dave Degens, he still does new frames, engine plates, forks, pipes tanks, seats, etc and usually has a few used engines and gearboxes to sell.

It’s and old cliche, but he really has forgotten more about Tritons than the rest of us will ever know!

Dresda Triton vintage race bike. 650cc, pre unit, slimline frame:
Most common engines



Degens much prefers the strength of the unit engine, but, as some have said, they can look too small for the frame. This one doesn’t cos it was a new frame built for a unit motor. Which was 840cc and indecently quick:
Most common engines
 
Joined
Oct 14, 2019
Messages
35
Country flag
Thanks Eddie..

I can do most of it myself "hopefully" Major Mechanical like a full bottom end rebuild will be left to the pro's. Any fabrication, welding, Prep, Polishing, wiring I can handle.... :eek: I know all to well about budgets,timescales.. My rd350 was 6-12 months project and i am now 24 months + in but now on the home straight.. Dave degens isn't that far from me so may give him a visit in the near future...
 

Fast Eddie

VIP MEMBER
Joined
Oct 4, 2013
Messages
19,287
Country flag
If he’s not that far you should go and speak to him BEFORE you start, or buy anything, etc...
 
Joined
Oct 14, 2019
Messages
35
Country flag
@Morgy if you don't get this, I might! That's a great place to start, if it doesn't get raised too much.
A little digging on the www. looks like it sold for £8600 Feb 2019.. Now on with different seller but with the same description and photos. Could be first sale fell through, so why different Account? or the new buyer found something up with it..
 
Top