1948 Triumph Thunderbird

The time has come to let it go. Need to fund other projects. This bike is in great running condition. I took it out the day before creating this listing to wash it and take my last ride on it and had a blast. It's running fantastic and everything is sorted. Contrary to what some people might think about a bike set up like this, it handles great. The over stock lower sliders allow the fork tubes to be set deeper inside the sliders giving greater strength and eliminating the flip flop some extended glide forks have. The forks also have a special early 1950's competition lower triple tree to provide additional stability. The forks are a total of 8" over stock. The front frame is NOT raked. The rear frame was stretched 3" by somone that knew what they were doing including internal slugs and brazed joints. The footpegs have been moved 3.5" forward from stock. I am 6'2" tall and this chopper fits me like a glove. The bike was built a few years ago by myself around the frame and gas tank/fender set for use as my club bike. The tank and fender are original early 70's fiberglass silver Metal Flake gelcoat pieces that I bought NOS. The tank was internally sealed with Caswells gas tank coating that worked perfectly and it is rubber mounted and has proven itself to be bullet proof under hard riding conditions. The fender did crack early on so I glassed in a steel strap underneath and it has been fine since. The paint was done by a old guy named Joe the Painter that painted many bitchin outlaw club bikes in the 1960's and custom vans in the 70's. The sissy bar tips unscrew and the top sleeves that they fit into are a standard pipe thread size, so other tips could be made and installed for a different look. This bike has been featured in The Horse and more recently Hardcore Chopper Japan. I will include the issue of the Hardcore Chopper Magazine to the buyer. During the build and afterward this chopper was filmed for an upcoming dvd on the DeathTraps Motorcycle Club. I was going to wait to sell it until that film came out, but can't wait any longer. More details: 1957 650 Thunderbird engine Newer pistons with about 1500 miles break in Sleeved 1-1/8" Monobloc 389 carbs tuned and synched Webco dual manifolds with crossover for smooth idle Webco early 60's first type finned rocker oil manifold Bonneville sized valves, Black Diamond exhaust 3134 intake & exhaust camshafts Rebuilt 60's era cast body Joe Hunt magneto Timing cover crank seal conversion by Routt's Cycle Morgo oil pump 1964 crankshaft balanced by MAP Finned sump plate Dual row primary w/12 volt alternator & Sebring battery eliminator New front tire, hub cap & wheel bearings Chromed Superior sidestand All the cables, gas/oil lines, wiring etc. are in great shape. Seats and hand grips show some wear, but add to its bad ass attitude. Both chains are adjusted just right and bedded in, so no adjustment needed for awhile. The gearbox works great and I have not had any problems with it. From the way it runs and rides today I believe that it has many miles of riding in it before any major maintenance would be necessary. Keep the oil level topped up and be prepared to do the usual Brit bike maintenance that anyone should be aware of before owning one of these machines. It does weep, seep and breath some oil here and there which has been good for the open chains. Neat for the guy that likes to live life as a Dirty Buzzard. I was running a beer can catch tank under the oil tank breather line and the one thing I would suggest would be a purpose built catch tank behind the gearbox where there is a tab that could be used for one. The spray bomb paint on the frame has a fair amount of chips and scratches that would be expected after racking up some miles. Current CA title registered as a 1948 model. Will sell to anyone worldwide. Buyer to arrange shipping, but I will assist however I can. I have modified it as it has gone through it's evolution the past few years and the next owner can enjoy it as is or change it up for your own style. Bid to win. Check my website address on the last pic for some backround history and more pictures.