TriBSA classic racer

unclerob

Been Around the Block
Hello all, have just bought this bike and not sure wether to start this thread here or in the café racer section?
Its a 1957 Gold Star and I bought it from a guy who purchased it in 1961, fitted all the Taylor Dow bits and then a little later the triumph engine, since then its been raced on and off until a year or so ago but not been on the road since he first bought it!
I was thinking at first I'd re fit a Gold star motor but it seems a shame to part an engine and frame that's been together so long...
My plan now is to do any rebuilding needed, keep it in the same style but add mudguards, maybe lights....and definitely a kickstart...so it can be used on the road again...I think, for now at least its racing days are over!
 

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one pic? really man? you're killin us! loks sweet, and a nice story to go with it. u should ride the shit outta that bike, but do a track day or two. u cant own a super cool vintage race bike and not say how she is on the track!
 
Got it running today...definitely keeping that motor in it!!
So, plans for it, a pair of mudguards, a speedo, a bit more comfortable seat...and a kickstart!
Get it registered for road use...and then think about trying it on a track...
A couple more pics...
 

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Awesome. Thanks for sharing. Having had Triumph twins and a Goldie I'd hate to have to make that Sophie's choice too, but I think I'd make it into a Goldie and make a Triton for more fun
 
I'm smitten too....keep on going into the garage to just look at it!
That was my original plan to put a Goldie motor back in but the Triumph was fitted in 1962 by the father of the guy I bought it from....thinking it has to stay that way!
Just found this clip as well....its last outing....parade lap Manx GP 2012.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJuZ-w2egrQ
 
Just finished the first job...front mudguard....trying to keep the old race bike look...so no need for lots of polishing (planning on using that excuse a lot!)
 

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Yup, I'm onboard.

That fuel line setup - with each carb fed from each side of the tank and a crossover fuel line between - was that a racing modification, or something that was standard on the street bike versions?
 
I think the fuel line arrangement is fairly standard really....I'm just concerned how close the lines are to the exhausts....will probably end up going back to low pipes I think.
Have been trying to improve the seat...got a replica GS racing seat from Unity the other day....which I think looks better....definitely more comfortable!
But 2 problems, too much space between it and the wheel which should be sorted when I get a mudguard and fit shorter suspension units (current ones are 11/2" longer than std)....but the oil tank filler cap is now under it and inaccessible!
The oil tank is brazed into the frame ( a common period mod to strengthen it I'm told!) so I can either re-locate the filler cap or make a whole new one....
 

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comfy is good! what about getting an elbow piece for the gas line? it could sweep up? I think it'd look alright, maybe have to get two (one for each side)
 
Yea, you might even be able to get a right angle exit petcock to keep the hose high. I'd think vapor lock would be a real concern, but then again it didn't seem to have much trouble moving around in that video ;D
 
I have been looking at the pics of the carbs again and it may just be the perspective, but they look really close to the pipes. I don't recall that problem on bikes I have built or raced and I wonder if there's something "odd" about the manifold. That looks like a T110 or 6T head so the manifold is probably aftermarket. Is it possible to flip it the other way up to get more downdraft or is the apparent slight updraft an optical illusion?

Another alternative is to get a new set of parallel inlets fabricated and that would pull the carbs in away from the pipes
 
You're right Teazer, even if I get the fuel lines out of the way the carbs are still very close to the pipes....but like you say CB it obviously worked OK on a track but using it on the road its going to be too much of a worry....
Good thought about the manifold thank you, but yes its just looks that way in the picture, even making a new one is only going to give maybe another 1/2" clearance at most....low pipes are the only real solution I think!
Before I get to that though I'm planning on fitting a kick start.....bumping it is getting a bit exhausting!! It has a 5 speed cluster (don't know the make though) and in the next day or two I will be taking it apart to see if I can fit the ratchet mechanism to the mainshaft....have a nasty feeling there won't be anything to fit it onto!!!
 

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On teh track there's enough airflow to keep the carbs cool. Around town, not so much. I never had much time for those pseudo T120 splayed carb manifolds. On my T100 I managed to get my hands on a GP parallel manifold and used one chopped monoblock.

A mate of mine in Australia had a T110 when I was racing a 62 T120 and he had a pair of home made parallel manifolds - much like the unit T100 that Percy Tait used to race. That's what I would fit and keep the high pipes, but it isn't my bike is it? Or go with classic swept back pipe and goldies for a totally period look

5 speed is either Quaife if it was bought back in the day or T140V if it was fitted after 73/4 or whenever they came out.
 
You can't really see from the pics but the pipes are 'necked' in behind the barrel and only just over 71/2" apart so I think even with a straight manifold the left float bowl will still be too close....concentrics might be ok but I don't think they're allowed under the pre 63 race regs I want it to comply with.....
But good news for me about the gearbox.....had been told that some 5 speed conversions had no provision to fit a kickstart....up til yesterday I'd only peered in through the inspection cover and it looked like there were no splines to take the ratchet gear.....but took it apart and it turned out only to be a thin steel tube over the splines....so much easier to sort than I was expecting!
I hope it is a Quaife conversion though Teazer (I live about a mile from their factory!) or maybe a Nova? Can't think of any way to find out except count the teeth when I strip it and hope to find some specs it matches up with....
 
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