T150 Triton

Leonc · Apr 17, 2020

Has anybody had any experience with obtaining engine plates for a T150 into a Slimline?
I am overdue installing a triple motor that I have, into my Triton, and I see that Unity Equipe are no more, so I am consequently on the look out to purchase plates or copy a set?
Any clues will be greatly appreciated, and I don't believe I have the skills to start from scratch.

grandpaul · Apr 17, 2020

All you have to do is buy a 4'x4' piece of 1/4" material (plastic sheet, paneling, or the like) to use as pattern material.

Set the engine in the chassis, in proper chain alignment, as far back as possible, then brace it in place with "whatever" wedged underneath as required.

Now sketch what you see, and measure the various point-to-point legs from every available frame lug to every available engine mount hole.

Now, transfer the sketch to your pattern media and cut with jigsaw or other appropriate tool. Drill the appropriate holes, and test-fit. Here is the point where you may need to trim excess media to clean the swingarm, or whatever.

Now, look up "Speedy Metals" and order 6061 alloy plate in 12"x12" sections (you should be able to cut 1 major and one minor piece from each sheet).

You can also order a 12" length of 3/4" alloy round stock to chop into spacers, which you can then drill as required.

Almost any hardware store can sell you Grade 8 fasteners, or you can order online.

An inexpensive bandsaw from Harbor Freight will be your biggest investment (if you don't already have one)

Done.

(Plan B: order twice as much materials as you need, and sell the 2nd set of plates to recoup 75-100% of your total investment). You could also have an ongoing play money factory making sets of TidenTon mounting plates for resale...

Leonc · Apr 17, 2020

Thanks grandpaul, that is definitely and option, I think like many jobs eg. wheel building, the first time is going to have the most challenges.

Fast Eddie · Apr 18, 2020

Or, you could speak to Mr Triton himself, Dave Degens, and get yourself a set of pucka Dresda engine plates...

DRESDA Autos

Howells, Friday Street

Horsham

West Sussex

RH12 4QA

Tel +44 1293 871-887

info@dresda.co.uk

Leonc · Apr 18, 2020

Thanks Fast Eddie, email sent, now lets see what he says!

Fast Eddie · Apr 18, 2020

Dave is rather ‘traditional’ ... I suspect you’ll get a better response if you phone him. It’ll probably be Russel who answers the phone, and he’ll know whether or not they can help you.

grandpaul · Apr 18, 2020

What he's going to say is "$500" (maybe higher now with the worldwide issues) IF they are making them. The were doing mostly pre-unit plates, and some unit twin stuff, not sure about triples...

Fast Eddie · Apr 18, 2020

They have definitely made triple Triton plates, I’m just not sure if they sell them ‘off the shelf’.

ashman · Apr 18, 2020

You could also go with 5mm plate steel take the patten to a metal shop and with a plasma cutter cut them out be the cheapest and quickest way to go, nothing wrong in using steel engine plates.

Ashley

Chris · Apr 20, 2020

Hi Leon
I will have a look in my bin (metal) I had one many years ago, so must still have the engine plates somewhere!
I have seen some good ones & raced against one. Lots looked good but where not good to ride.
Some people spread the bottom rails to try & set the engine down as low as possible. Running roadholders I found two up the exhaust a 3 into 1 bounced on the tarmac. I also had a bit of a mess in that it had two oil tanks to get the capacity up as the carbs took up the normal tank position. Hand made oil tank, Triumph front end & rear, (triple disc) & much longer rear shocks sorted it out. Never looked right as a dual seat pillion carrying bike because of the footrest mounting plates.
Good luck with your project.

Leonc · Apr 20, 2020

Thanks Chris,
Yes I have heard that spreading the bottom rails is a common way of lowering the engine.
I do expect there to be issues with fitting all the other bits, but that is part of the challenge of creating something different!
This will in fact be more of a Dominator looking road machine, that will take advantage of the T150's addition of an electric start.
So far I have not heard back from form Dresda, so if something turns up in your metal bin, that would be great.
Regards Leon

Chris · Apr 20, 2020

I will ask a contact I have. He makes loads of different engine plates but don't know if he does triples.
Chris

grandpaul · Apr 20, 2020

Leonc said:
... that will take advantage of the T150's addition of an electric start.

Only the T160 has e-start, unless it's a custom built engine...

Leonc · Apr 20, 2020

Only the T160 has e-start, unless it's a custom built engine...

Yes my T150V has a T160 electric start installed, a conversion I did a few years ago and not hard to do with the appropriate T160 bits.
I run it in a 69 beauty kit Trident, but am rebuilding the original numbers matching engine, so when that comes out it destined for the Triton.
This conversion is getting to be more an more popular with the Triple community, as we all are getting older.

grandpaul · Apr 21, 2020

Leonc said:
Yes my T150V has a T160 electric start installed, a conversion I did a few years ago and not hard to do with the appropriate T160 bits...

Aren't the main cases different? Or only the intermediate drive side case?

L.A.B. · Apr 21, 2020

grandpaul said:
Aren't the main cases different? Or only the intermediate drive side case?

https://www.motorcycleclassics.com/tech-corner/1971-triumph-t150-electric-star-zmfz20jfzhur

Chris · Apr 21, 2020

Hi Leonc

My two contacts don't have patterns for a T150 into a slimline. However One of our racers/paraders built a T150 into a wide line. Front mounts are different depending on the engine your frame was built for. But I can ask if he has a drawing/pattern, as he made the engine plates himself.
Chris

Leonc · Apr 21, 2020

grandpaul said:
Aren't the main cases different? Or only the intermediate drive side case?

It is only the clutch housing, which is a totally separate unit from the cases and primary that gets swapped out. Any triple T150 and A75 , using a T160 clutch housing can be converted.

Leonc · Apr 21, 2020

Chris said:
Hi Leonc

My two contacts don't have patterns for a T150 into a slimline. However One of our racers/paraders built a T150 into a wide line. Front mounts are different depending on the engine your frame was built for. But I can ask if he has a drawing/pattern, as he made the engine plates himself.
Chris

Great thanks for following up, it currently has a Triumph unit 650, so I am not sure what the implications are for the front mounts?

Chris · Apr 25, 2020

Hi Leonc

I had a reply

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you on this, I have spoken to my son who thinks he still has the CAD files but need to look back on some hard drives if you can bear with us he will look

The reason we built out own was because no one had plates that put the engine in the right place, and to get the weight balance right you need to lower the engine in the frame which means widening the lower loops to allow it to drop by about 40mm you also then have to put a strengthen centre bolt fixing in the frame for the bottom engine bolt

I said we would wait. Nothing else to do at the moment!

Chris

T150 Triton

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