1968 Triumph Daytona

H57794

This 1968 T100R , Daytona motorcycle is a rare find. Frame-off restoration, set up as a street-tracker. This is the bike that ruled professional motorcycle racing in the U.S. during the mid 60s. Light weight and powerful, the Daytona would regularly blow the doors off its chief rival, the Harley-Davidson KR. Everything has been gone through on this beautiful bike. Restored by an ex-Triumph mechanic.This is his report:"1968 Triumph Daytona, T100R Frame and engine #: H57794 This bike was last licensed in Illinois in 1987. When I bought the bike it had not run in years but had been stored indoors. The engine was removed and the frame stripped. The frame, swingarm, fork stanchions, motor mount plates, front brake drum, rear brake pedal and a number of other small pieces were media blasted and powder-coated gloss black with a clear coat. New reproduction main and reserve fuel taps were obtained along with a set of stock tank badges. The engine cases and cylinder head were all cleaned by hand with a soft brush and solvent rather than bead blasted. A stock seat was found on ebay. A slightly used 4.00x19Pirelli MT-53 front tire was located, the same type used by flat track racers in the late 60s. A new Dunlop 4.00x18 K70 was installed on the rear, also in keeping with the dirt tracker theme.New old stock folding foot pegs and new foot peg rubbers were found and installed. The swingarm bushings were in good condition, but new swing arm rubber gaiters were located and installed. New rear brake shoes were installed. The front brake shoes showed little wear and were retained. The rear brake drum mounting bolts were found to have excessive wear and were replaced with modern case hardened bolts and self locking nuts. The stock loose ball steering head bearings were replaced with new tapered roller bearings. The wheel bearings were replaced with sealed roller bearings.A used 7" chrome Lucas headlamp was located as were stock headlight mounting ears. Factory rebuilt speedometer with zero miles and rebuilt tach were used. New throttle, clutch, front brake, speedometer, and tach cables were installed.A bobbed rear fender was reworked and painted black. An aftermarket LED tail / brake light was installed using a custom fabricated bracket.New reproduction handlebars in the bend of a stock '67-'70 Triumph Bonneville were installedUpon examining the engine, I found that the main bearings and rod bearings were in good condition. The pistons were found to be standard bore. Piston clearance was within factory limits. New rings were installed and the cylinders honed. All four valve guides showed significant wear and were replaced with new reproduction standard guides. Both exhaust valves and the left intake showed wear and were replaced. Valve seats were ground and lapped. Mild porting work was done with a die grinder to eliminate rough spots in the intake ports. The valve spring measurements were within normal limits. Camshafts, tappets, pushrods, and rocker arms showed no significant wear. The rocker shaft oil seals and pushrod tower oil seals were replaced.The four speed gearbox shifted normally and no excess wear was found. It appeared that the gearbox had been gone through at some point.The clutch was disassembled and found to have no significant wear. The primary chain likewise was in good shape.The primary cover, timing cover, and outer gearbox cover were sanded with fine paper to remove some imperfections and then polished by hand.The oil lines were cleaned and inspected. Virtually every nut and bolt was cleaned and polished or replaced. Some bolts were replaced with NOS bolts, a few others such as the rear brake drum bolts were replaced with hardened modern substitutes.The stock Amal 626 carburetors were thoroughly cleaned, the exteriors polished, and new gaskets installed. Air filter housings were cleaned and the backing plates repainted. New reproduction dirt racing high exhaust pipes were used and new mufflers installed. I have not installed a horn, although there is a horn button on the dipper switch that could be used.The new owner should put on about 200 easy miles to seat the rings and then re-torque the cylinder head bolts, set the valves and change the oil.I worked as a mechanic in a Triumph shop for about four years while I was in college in the late '60s and early '70s. I wanted the bike to look like the ones I used to ride during the week and race at TT and flat track on the weekends. I am pretty pleased with the way it turned out!"