1961 Triumph Thunderbird

D9457

Clear

1961 Triumph Thunderbird 6T chopper that I believe was originally built in the early to mid 70's, but I don't know for sure. Whoever originally built the bike did a very good job as can be seen from the photos showing the nice parts used. This bike is an on going project. However, when I bought the bike about 8 weeks ago the owner then or maybe before him had done a lot of things that were crude and some of them still are. I had to wait on a title so during that time I corrected some of the "extra long bolts, square nut, etc" that were used to keep it together. There are still some of those "too long bolts" holding the headlight bracket & front fender on. I put a carburetor together with the Triumph specified parts, a 12v automotive coil with resistor, spark plug wires, hooked a battery to it and it started on the 3rd kick. The primary cover was missing and the stator was held in by a "home made" piece of steel spaced out with washers. I replaced those parts with what was supposed to be there, installed a new Podtronics 3 phase rectifier, a new Yuasa battery, wired it very simply and rode it about a mile or so. It runs fine, back brake doesn't slow you like I think it should, but the front works OK. I installed the switch with a pilot light above the transmission that when turned on supplies the ignition, the rear light and headlight power. The headlight switch is in the headlight and in the middle position is off, down is low beam, up is high beam. The tail light comes on when the ignition switch is turned on along with the pilot light and the brake light wire is powered by the single wire running to the tail light. Very simple and with the tail light coming on with the ignition switch you won't be leaving it on mistakenly ........well at least it's a good reminder. The primary case is not sealed as the original foot peg holes are still open and there is no oil in the primary case. I sprayed the primary chain with chain lube before I put the cover on, but what ever is done from here on is up to the auction winner. I don't think the motor has any miles on it as I can read the numbers on the pistons through the spark plug holes and you can also see that the pistons are .020 OS. The motor is very quite (except for the straight pipes) and doesn't smoke. The iron head is proper for the 6T Thunderbird which also reduces any valve noise. NICE! There's some rust on both rims, but the front isn't bad and the 16" rear isn't too good. Someone was too rough on the 16" rim changing a tire in the past too as you can see where a tire iron was. It has Arces Ceriani 35mm forks which are probably worth $600 or so by themselves. Imagine how this thing would shine if you polished all the alloy on it ! The rear rocker box has been polished as I dropped a push rod when replacing an adjusting lock nut and had to take the danged thing off to get things back together. There are lots of possibilities with this bike as I don't think any of the mounts have been cut off of the front section and the frame #'s match the engine # 's so it could be put back original with the right rear section and other parts. It would make a great cafe racer which would be my choice as I don't like my feet out in front of me in the chopper style or ride it like it is although new tires and a sealed chain case with oil would be nice. Pick up at my residence would work best, but I will take it to a commercial business for shipping . NOTE: THE 1961 VIRGINIA LICENSE PLATE DOES NOT GO WITH THE BIKE. It is on the bike only for display. I have another 1961 bike that it goes on. The stainless piece that the plate is bolted to does go with the bike as it now covers a mess in the Harley fender as seen in one of the pictures. Title is clear and in my name ready for transfer. I will accept full payment by PayPal IF YOU PAY THE COST CHARGED BY PAYPAL. Full payment in 3 days, but the bike can remain here a couple of weeks as long as full payment has been made. I'll be happy to answer & post any questions I receive. There's also a repop parts manual & an owners manual that go with the bike. Thanks I will be away October 3rd & 4th so I'll not have computer response when auction ends, but will respond on October 5th. (Hershey AACA meet) Thanks