Utter, utter, barrstards...

So, this summer I finally got around to buying a nicely restored 850 MKIIA Roadster.

I thinks to myself; it's a nice, fun bike for blasting around on and just having some fun.

It's not a 'project' and not something I want to take too seriously.

Then I started reading and researching on this web site, and thinking, and re-reading, and thinking some more...

This resulted in me buying a 34mm flat slide carb kit from Jim Schmidt...

And now I've just ordered Jim's cam / follower kit and lightweight piston / conrod kit to go in it too...

A few bits from Matt at CNW will follow shortly.

This web site should come with a "public wealth warning" !!

Ha! Yes your right. I already have $1200+ in my forks alone...craziness for sure. But it's fun as hell and I could be spending it on something stupid

Youll be needing some decent leathers and a racing liscence now , too .

dennisgb said:

Ha! Yes your right. I already have $1200+ in my forks alone...craziness for sure. But it's fun as hell and I could be spending it on something stupid

Click to expand...

All my adult life I've spent most of my money on motorbikes, beer and women. I have however wasted the rest :wink: .

PS Fast Eddie, you'll be well used to having yer hand in yer wallet !

sam

AND then you need to further crazy-ize yourself worrying about what oil to use, which ignition system, wet-sumping corrections, "improving" the iso system, etc, etc, etc…

You know, the stuff that nobody worried about when they actually rode these bikes all the time.

mike996 said:

AND then you need to further crazy-ize yourself worrying about what oil to use, which ignition system, wet-sumping corrections, "improving" the iso system, etc, etc, etc…

You know, the stuff that nobody worried about when they actually rode these bikes all the time.

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One step ahead of you Mike... Ign = Tri-spark, coil = Accel from CNW, oil = Redline, ISOs = Norvil head steady, wet sumping = leave it be!

Fast Eddy I have a big folder stuffed full of receipts I just put them in an go spend more all my family think am mad an only one of my friends understands fully why I do it but he likes Triumphs so is clearly mad himself.
But if his website was closed down how would we be able to get intouch with other sane people like ourselves as it is clear that the rest of the world is clear mad an we are the only sane people left. :lol:

What good is money if you can't spend it?

Wealth warning' ? I built my Seeley 850 from a collection of parts in about 1976. Back then it cost about $2300 total (a Ford Falcon GT cost $4000). I was lucky and found a rolling chassis with both tanks. The motor and gearbox were bought second hand at current market prices from a dealer. You can probably buy something like my Seeley for about $20,000 these days. I would never sell mine. I suggest you need to look at the intrinsic value in your bikes. Old farts like myself only own enviable bikes because we had them years ago and kept them.
You might believe you are spending too much on your bikes, I suggest you should think about the value you are adding and whether the bike is actually worth it. However you can also look at the expenditures as an investment. My Seeley 850 keeps me very happy, it appeals to my sense of humour - 'some things are so bad that they are good'. I always get a bit of a laugh when I ride it - compared to a modern superbike, it is really awful, and those guys get really upset when you start to get near them and start to ride around them in corners. I'm so glad I spent the money and I wish I had been smart enough to spend more. I was offered a very original 500cc Manx for $1300 in 1973 - did not buy it - DERRR !

trident sam said:

dennisgb said:

Ha! Yes your right. I already have $1200+ in my forks alone...craziness for sure. But it's fun as hell and I could be spending it on something stupid

Click to expand...

All my adult life I've spent most of my money on motorbikes, beer and women. I have however wasted the rest :wink: .

PS Fast Eddie, you'll be well used to having yer hand in yer wallet !

sam

Click to expand...

Tis true Sam, I guess I've spent my 'fair share' over the years. Trouble is, this Norton wasn't meant to be that kinda job!

Mind you, when its done, it'll be a crackin' Trident Hunter...

Ha

Go on Eddie

Post a picture of your Trident

Not going to have much of a chance of catching that on your roadbike Commando.

Got to ask for Matt, "do you still fit in your race leathers? :lol:

o' and for Acrotel, you might tell him how much "value" you put into your bikes (triple this time)

We are only here for a short while & keeping the seat warm for the next owner after all. Do it while you can.

all the best Chris

Chris said:

Ha

Go on Eddie

Post a picture of your Trident

Not going to have much of a chance of catching that on your roadbike Commando.

Got to ask for Matt, "do you still fit in your race leathers? :lol:

o' and for Acrotel, you might tell him how much "value" you put into your bikes (triple this time)

We are only here for a short while & keeping the seat warm for the next owner after all. Do it while you can.

all the best Chris

Click to expand...

You're gonna be shocked Chris... but if you're referring to my Harrier... I sold it. Its funny really, but by the time I'd finished, it went, stopped, handled and generally felt just like a mids 90s GSXR... a great engineering result perhaps... but not the kinda bike I actually wanted to ride.
I couldn't possibly post pictures of that on here... it would frighten all these good Norton folk...!

I am shocked :shock:

Must admit, I have improved a couple of my projects by tacking them back ie earlier time period. My triple had Astralites , 38mm marzocchis It looks right with wire wheels. Must try & get on with the road triple this year,

Chris

Fast Eddie said:

Chris said:

Ha

Go on Eddie

Post a picture of your Trident

Not going to have much of a chance of catching that on your roadbike Commando.

Got to ask for Matt, "do you still fit in your race leathers? :lol:

o' and for Acrotel, you might tell him how much "value" you put into your bikes (triple this time)

We are only here for a short while & keeping the seat warm for the next owner after all. Do it while you can.

all the best Chris

Click to expand...

You're gonna be shocked Chris... but if you're referring to my Harrier... I sold it. Its funny really, but by the time I'd finished, it went, stopped, handled and generally felt just like a mids 90s GSXR... a great engineering result perhaps... but not the kinda bike I actually wanted to ride.
I couldn't possibly post pictures of that on here... it would frighten all these good Norton folk...!

Click to expand...

If Steve hasn't scared us with stories of hanging off on dirt roads while bisecting goats you have nothing that would frighten us. :mrgreen:

Matt Spencer said:

Youll be needing some decent leathers and a racing liscence now , too .

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Still got me ole leathers Matt... and... they still fit (well, kinda). Race license has expired tho. Thankfully!

What about the tyres,suspension,isolastics and swing arm pivot ?

Time Warp said:

What about the tyres,suspension,isolastics and swing arm pivot ?

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Tyres, Avon Roadriders. Rear suspension, Koni dial-a-rides. Vernier ISOs with PR style head steady. I'm happy with these parts.
Forks may get Lansdowne internals (they do look a bargain compared to other stuff).
I'm just learning about the swinging arm pivot 'weakness' no plans here yet, so very open to suggestions...

and then you simple MUST HAVE

blessedly dry belt primary

CNW hydraulic clutch, ooh I love mine

CNW rod linkage head steady

CNW complete Brembo front brake system

Pair of new Hagon Classic Shocks

have Buchanan's in California build you new wheels, just send them your hubs, 19 front and 18 rear

Swing Arm rings of course

just for starters

Another thread on those endless upgrades...or is it an endless thread on those upgrades? :wink:

I saw a man hitting himself in the head with a hammer.
I asked, "doesn't that hurt?".
"Yes", he replied.
"Then, why do you do it?" I asked.
He replied, "Because it feels so good when I stop".