we get asked quite often , "Is a Triton a Triton only when it is in a Norton Manx frame or any Norton frame"
A triton is a triumph engine in any norton frame. The manx frame is lighter than the old featherbeds so there is a slight performance gain.
Many prefer the Norton slime line frame, mainly because it's more comfortable on the inner thighs, being narrower in that area than a wideline (manx). not getting into how in certain areas the slimlime is wider than a wideline. (Nortons lol)
most of the older hybrids are named by engine first fame second.
triton
tribsa
but just to confuse the issue it's not always the case.
norbsa
norvin
our own Norley.
when doing a Norbsa such as goldstar into a Norton frame (manx in this case) provision has to be made for the bsa oil pump.
other than that just adaptor plates are required to fit.
A norvin is a little more involved. fitting a complete Vincent engine into a manx frame is tighter than a very tight thing. the front downtubes get in the way of the front exhaust. most people cut the frame and alter it to get it to fit (but remember that any original frame that this work is carried out on will be at least 50 years old)
the engine also looks high in the frame without drastic frame reworking.
using a cut Vincent engine makes things a little easier. allowing a one off manx lookalike frame to be wrapped around it. the drain plug needs repositioning but otherwise it still looks like a Norton frame.
or the frame below which is a manx lookalike for the cut Vincent engine but with oil in the frame.
As many of us know anything can be made to fit anything, within reason ;D
never be put off by purists who will say you can't do that, you can't do this etc etc.
of course build with thought. if you stick a 150 bhp engine into a chassis which coped very well with 50 bhp. then yes you could experience some drastic buttock clenching moments, and brake fade will be something you become very much aware of. don't think twice about using modern components on your 60's look cafe racer. a big gimeca front drum brake is very good and looks the business, but costs a lot and takes quite a bit of setting up to get the most out of it.
have fun ;D
A triton is a triumph engine in any norton frame. The manx frame is lighter than the old featherbeds so there is a slight performance gain.
Many prefer the Norton slime line frame, mainly because it's more comfortable on the inner thighs, being narrower in that area than a wideline (manx). not getting into how in certain areas the slimlime is wider than a wideline. (Nortons lol)
most of the older hybrids are named by engine first fame second.
triton
tribsa
but just to confuse the issue it's not always the case.
norbsa
norvin
our own Norley.
when doing a Norbsa such as goldstar into a Norton frame (manx in this case) provision has to be made for the bsa oil pump.
other than that just adaptor plates are required to fit.
A norvin is a little more involved. fitting a complete Vincent engine into a manx frame is tighter than a very tight thing. the front downtubes get in the way of the front exhaust. most people cut the frame and alter it to get it to fit (but remember that any original frame that this work is carried out on will be at least 50 years old)
the engine also looks high in the frame without drastic frame reworking.
using a cut Vincent engine makes things a little easier. allowing a one off manx lookalike frame to be wrapped around it. the drain plug needs repositioning but otherwise it still looks like a Norton frame.
or the frame below which is a manx lookalike for the cut Vincent engine but with oil in the frame.
As many of us know anything can be made to fit anything, within reason ;D
never be put off by purists who will say you can't do that, you can't do this etc etc.
of course build with thought. if you stick a 150 bhp engine into a chassis which coped very well with 50 bhp. then yes you could experience some drastic buttock clenching moments, and brake fade will be something you become very much aware of. don't think twice about using modern components on your 60's look cafe racer. a big gimeca front drum brake is very good and looks the business, but costs a lot and takes quite a bit of setting up to get the most out of it.
have fun ;D
