My 1955 Triumph T100

[Cubber]

This is my T100 in monochrome in March 1967.


And this is it again in technicolour in May 2004


And it's still in regular use, although I'm not as fit.
Martyn

[Welsh Wizard]

Sweet

[Tman]

Can you revert it back to it's first incarnation.....

[Cubber]

Yes, it could be reverted to the "as it left the factory" incarnation.
BUT, why?
I bought it as a non runner after it had been under a tarpaulin for at least three years. The oil seal had gone on the magneto and the sparks had expired. It was in a very sad, sorry state.
The guy I bought it off asked £20 for it. I offered £15 and we settled on £17 10/- (£17.50)
I was towed home on it by a mate with a unit 5TA. Within a week of getting it home I had the magneto off, seal replaced and mag. refitted. The bike ran and has been running ever since that day in August 1966.
Whilst I have had it she's never been original. In the mid-late 60s it was normal to throw the standard mudguards, saddle, lights, handlebars away and create a cafe racer. So that's the way she developed.
I fitted a twin carb. Delta head, a proper 500 version. Only trouble is that the valves were seriously pocketed from too much use! The carbs were a pig to adjust satisfactorily too.
Throughout the 60s - 70s she was my main transport and we've done over 70,00 miles together in total.
Since 1970 I've acquired a few more machines so the T100 doesn't get used much nowadays.
I've no intention of reverting to the original 1955 state. Today's rubber, oils and electrics are much better than 1955 equipment I would have to fit.

It's only taken me 47 years to reach this stage of destruction. Not much longer to go........
Martyn

[Tman]

Only joking mate...it's a nice bike.

[Cubber]

No need to apologise Tman.
It could have been a serious question - an all-alloy pre-unit T100 in original condition with tin mudguards, nacelle, proper bars, saddle and tank would be worth three times or more than my specimen.
In their days they were sought after as a "super bike". Pre Bonneville and as fast as a Thunderbird.
Racing kits were sold by Mr Triumph and they were raced on the island and elsewhere in Britain and abroad.
The forerunner won the Manx ridden by Ernie Lyons in 1946 so it had serious potential but admittedly poor handling.
Martyn

[Graham B]

Very nice bike Martyn

and you beat me. I've only had my 3TA since 1980 and only done 52,000 miles on it. I had to regrind the crank timing side main after 50K a couple of years ago.

Graham

[Paul in NZ]

I'm just glad to see people clocking up real miles on old Triumphs. For some odd reason some folk seem to expect you to do a full engine strip after every ride when in actual fact a sound Triumph twin should roll on for ages if looked after. I just don't get it... Even when presented by the evidence they all but accuse us of fakery when Vicki and I tell them how long we have had our TR6C and how far its taken us with minimal fuss... Its very odd....

Oh well - ride on guys.

[Graham B]

I've even had fellow VMCC members question the 85K on the 3TA's speedo (it did at least 33K before I got it). My Daytona gave 34K of trouble free miles but eventually I had to strip it because of end play on the crank. The timing side bearing was sliding in the crankcase when the engine got hot. I think maybe a previous owner had replaced the bearing without getting the crankcase hot enough.

So yes, put together properly they go for ages. How long/how many miles for your TR6C Paul?

[Paul in NZ]

So yes, put together properly they go for ages. How long/how many miles for your TR6C Paul?

Wewll we have had it 24 years (longer maybe - not sure) and for most of that time its been our only motorcycle. For a while I was riding it to jobs away from home as the company would pay mileage and time so I was being paid to ride it ;-) (typically I would work 8 x 10 hour days and ride home) It clocked up a lot of miles then...

Its been to nearly everywhere in NZ at one time or other and its done 120,000 miles with us. Cranks been on the bench twice but is still std. Bore is now 80+ which is a worry...

We rallied it a lot for a while as well doing 15,000 a year for a short while. (generally rings last about 25K, rebore at 50K)

Its in semi retirement now ;-)