EmDee
Club Retro Rides Member
Committer of Autrocities.
Posts: 5,922
Club RR Member Number: 108
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The TriumphEmDee
@emdee
Club Retro Rides Member 108
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Oct 16, 2010 20:01:01 GMT
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No, sadly it's not a motorbike, it's a Triumph Twenty ;D I figure since I go to so many car shows and events where I wish I had something to ride around on, I should pick up something cheap and fun as a winter project. My proper bike just isn't quirky enough and would probably get nicked anyway. So I bought it on ebay a few weeks back and as soon as I got it home I went for a ride. Five minutes later I came back pushing it and holding the chain. Anyway, it was a pretty good buy even if it is knackered, I barely paid anything for it (actually £15 was probably too much). I think she's had a hard life, there are some random numbers painted on the frame and I think it used to be part of some kind of fleet. The Sturmey Archer 3 speed was a bit dodgy but started working after a bit of adjustment and a lot of the rust is just surface rust. I spent quite a while rubbing her down with Autosol and wire wool and got her looking pretty good in the end. before after The trouble was that the tyres were completely shot. They were completely threadbare and since I needed to get a new chain (the old one was toast) I started thinking about doing something a bit different. Since she is never going to be a restored classic with all that rust I decided to start modifying. Trawling the bay of E I found some cheap mags with tyres, a white BMX chain (£6) and some orange Hunt Wilde BMX grips (£1.50). I actually went a bit mad and got some chopper handlebars too, but I don't think I'll put those on as I think it'll require some welding and I quite like the standard ones. Originally I was also going to give her a lick of paint, but I've decided to keep that "patina". Anyway, the white chain was a bit long (or short depending on the number of links I removed) so I ended up spending an extortionate amount of money (£10) on a shimano chain tensioner, I then dremeled the hell out of it to get it to fit. The missus was amazed by the sparks and took a picture Anyway, heres how she's looking after a bit of graft today: and one without the new grips (I like the old ones) All she needs now is some orange BMX brakes - I'll have to extend them to fit around the new tyres - even though I replaced the 20" wheels with 20" wheels they seem to be completely different sizes! As for the chopper handlebars, I think I might sell them. Oh and I've still got the original wheels and sturmey archer set up from this if anyone's interested. Anyway, thanks for reading, more to come and hopefully some better pictures
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Last Edit: Oct 20, 2010 19:33:32 GMT by EmDee
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The Triumphretrowagen1234
@GUEST
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Looks spot on mate... I'm just starting another one myself.... There will be much pictures haha
As well as servicing a previously unused for years rswmk2 for a daily ride...
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EmDee
Club Retro Rides Member
Committer of Autrocities.
Posts: 5,922
Club RR Member Number: 108
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The TriumphEmDee
@emdee
Club Retro Rides Member 108
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Oct 17, 2010 16:17:09 GMT
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cheers bud, I know what you mean about the lack of pictures. I took her to the shops today and took one when I got back after adjusting the chain tensioner, she's running like a dream now (a dream with no brakes that is)!
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Last Edit: Oct 22, 2010 17:43:10 GMT by EmDee
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Oct 17, 2010 16:30:44 GMT
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That is pretty damned cool.
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EmDee
Club Retro Rides Member
Committer of Autrocities.
Posts: 5,922
Club RR Member Number: 108
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The TriumphEmDee
@emdee
Club Retro Rides Member 108
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Oct 19, 2010 11:41:48 GMT
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cheers grizz, she certainly draws a bit of attention.
I've had the handlebars and stem out today, not as much rot as expected, came up nice with a bit of wire wool and autosol, but I think it'll be hard to get the chopper bars on. I'm torn between three options.
1 is to leave it alone 2 is to cut the bars and weld a stem on 3 would be to try and find a new stem adaptor that fits and thus avoid welding
I'm a bit torn to be honest, I should really leave it alone but those chopper bars are sitting there staring at me.
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Oct 19, 2010 15:53:20 GMT
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Are the chopper bars of a Raleigh Chopper? Mark 1 and 2 bars should fit in the forks. Mark 3 fit in a BMX stem. Which has a slighty thinner quill tube...the bit that goes in the forks. Though you can get 22.2mm quilled stems that can hold bars that are plain 22.2mm diameter all the way along. With no centre bulge. OOh er Ive used the 22.2mm quill stems in Raleigh shopper forks. Either with the clamp. You can get away with out using the expander bolt in the stem, if the stems not too high out of the forks. Or with the expander bolt and then a spacer in the headset instead of the clamp.
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EmDee
Club Retro Rides Member
Committer of Autrocities.
Posts: 5,922
Club RR Member Number: 108
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The TriumphEmDee
@emdee
Club Retro Rides Member 108
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Are the chopper bars of a Raleigh Chopper? Mark 1 and 2 bars should fit in the forks. Mark 3 fit in a BMX stem. Which has a slighty thinner quill tube...the bit that goes in the forks. Though you can get 22.2mm quilled stems that can hold bars that are plain 22.2mm diameter all the way along. With no centre bulge. OOh er Ive used the 22.2mm quill stems in Raleigh shopper forks. Either with the clamp. You can get away with out using the expander bolt in the stem, if the stems not too high out of the forks. Or with the expander bolt and then a spacer in the headset instead of the clamp. You, Sir are a gentleman and a scholar. And yes, I have a centre bulge they go from 22.2 to 1" in the middle. No idea what mk chopper they're off though
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Last Edit: Oct 20, 2010 8:33:59 GMT by EmDee
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EmDee
Club Retro Rides Member
Committer of Autrocities.
Posts: 5,922
Club RR Member Number: 108
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The TriumphEmDee
@emdee
Club Retro Rides Member 108
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Oct 20, 2010 17:48:08 GMT
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Today I finally received these awesome white BMX brake blocks: They were a great buy, I reckon £3.99 with free shipping was a deal. When I opened the jiffy bag I got quite a shock, they are waaay bigger than I was expecting! I took this pic to show scale, but come to think of it I guess not everyone knows how big a plectrum is! doh... Anyway, these will last much longer on the mags as they are a harder compound (also won't mark the wheels). The fun part is that they will require extensive modification in order to fit (hooray). Thinking of investing in a U-brake adaptor plate so I can fit BMX brakes - like this: www.bikester.co.uk/bicycle-parts/bmx-parts/bmx-brakes/5056.htmlThing is, no matter how awful the standard brakes are £8.99 x2 plus the cost of two sets of u brakes goes against the whole point of this bike. I think I might just have to get creative. Found some cheap BMX stunt/foot pegs too, they should be here soon ;D I really need to stop spending on this, fiver here fiver there I've nearly reached £90 now
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Last Edit: Oct 20, 2010 18:31:11 GMT by EmDee
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The Triumphretrowagen1234
@GUEST
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Oct 20, 2010 19:32:16 GMT
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All looking good mate... Some of the parts for mine have started arriving, But seing as I just dropped some 700c wheels off to be built I guess I better concentrate on the frame they are destined for first haha...
That U brake thing is an interesting bit of kit... I was contemplating some cantis on mine if I braze the mounts on... but mite just make use of that U brake converter....
Depends if it drops em low enough for the rim tho I guess. R20's are known for the huge length in the brakes to actually reach the rim....
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Last Edit: Oct 20, 2010 19:32:55 GMT by retrowagen1234
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Oct 21, 2010 14:57:39 GMT
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The Mark 1 chopper bars are quite wide and are seperate from there stem. Most Mark 2 choppers have thinner bars that are welded to there stem. Only the early MK2s, that used up the Mk 1 parts have seperate bars and stem. Bratz bikes have chopper style bars that are seperate from there stem. I'll have to get to the local shop and get the advert details of a Bratz on the noticeboard. I got home at 8pm last night. Think shops shut then. Was in this morning. But had no time. :/ Ive spent loads on my white bike. it cost more than I wanted to pay. Then I got 2 spares bikes at £5 each. then a set of BMX brakes, £15. Then the sparkly cables and various wheels Ive got for it.
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EmDee
Club Retro Rides Member
Committer of Autrocities.
Posts: 5,922
Club RR Member Number: 108
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The TriumphEmDee
@emdee
Club Retro Rides Member 108
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Oct 22, 2010 19:27:37 GMT
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EmDee
Club Retro Rides Member
Committer of Autrocities.
Posts: 5,922
Club RR Member Number: 108
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The TriumphEmDee
@emdee
Club Retro Rides Member 108
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Oct 27, 2010 13:15:37 GMT
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99p ebay win showed up today - the rear is on it's way too but was £3 so deserves it's own update so here is the front light, at the moment it's just an empty shell I've got one of these waterproof osram dot-it's on it's way and according to my calculations should fit inside with a bit of trimming so I'll be able to see in the dark.
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The Triumphretrowagen1234
@GUEST
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Oct 27, 2010 21:20:09 GMT
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Cool... Nice idea... Might try it myself. Ive been trying different bulbs on my rsw but nothing realy works when the lense is allready yellow haha...
Ive also been getting on with my R20 project as my other wheels havnt been built yet. Nearly finished the fork conversion. Then I'm gonna crack on with the rear wheel.... Should be fun in itself...
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lae
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,045
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The Triumphlae
@frinkmakesyouthink
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Oct 27, 2010 22:22:52 GMT
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I've T-Cutted a yellow lens before, it works but it takes ages. And if it's yellow all the way through then you'll be wasting your time! I've been thinking about LED conversions for the vintage dynamo lights on my girlfriend's bike. The dynamo (according to science) puts out 600mA which is enough for a few LEDs, but LEDs run on DC and bottle dynamos (contrary to all other dynamos) put out AC. So you need a bridge rectifier and smoothing capacitor to stop it flickering, and you also need to insulate the LED from the metal frame. I was thinking a couple of big capacitors should also keep it illuminated for 30 seconds or so after I've stopped. And perhaps a zerner diode to stop it blowing up if I went down a hill quickly. The only real problem I've got is how to isolate the light from the frame - I suppose I could make up a plastic support but I don't think it'd be very strong, and if the case touched the frame it would probably ruin my nice circuit. I could isolate the LED from the light case, but then I might have problems with keeping it cool... anyone got any ideas? And Retrowagen, the Pug frame is all painted up. I didn't want to pay £50 for powdercoating so I bought three cans of Wilco's finest black enamel for £12 and did it myself. It's the toughest spray paint I've come across, too. And I bought some Reelights because they were half price at my LBS. Got all the parts together to start building it into my multipurpose all-weather bike!
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Currently: Mk1 Focus blandmobile
Formerly: 1969 MG Midget 1972 Avenger GT 1981 Datsun Cherry 1989 Corolla 1979 Mercedes W123 200D 1995 Ford Falcon 1996 Ford Telstar (bet you had to google that one)
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The Triumphretrowagen1234
@GUEST
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Oct 28, 2010 12:10:39 GMT
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OOh i like those relights.... might have to try some of them myself.... Glad the pug is getting built up dude. Its pretty well built so should offer reliable daily use..
As for a base for the leds , I was thinking a small piece of ply would do it. And build them into that, Not the prettyest of things but once housed inside an existing light you wouldnt see it. Sorta fit and forget...
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EmDee
Club Retro Rides Member
Committer of Autrocities.
Posts: 5,922
Club RR Member Number: 108
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The TriumphEmDee
@emdee
Club Retro Rides Member 108
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Oct 28, 2010 14:35:02 GMT
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Wow, those Reelights look nice but are about ten times what I got my waterproof osram for!
Even my fully working retro-cool rear light was only £3
I really cannot imagine spending that sort of cash on some lights for a bicycle, I wouldn't spend that on headlights for my car!
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lae
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,045
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The Triumphlae
@frinkmakesyouthink
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Oct 28, 2010 18:18:49 GMT
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^ I got 'em half price so £25 for front and rear. I wouldn't have bought them at RRP! It's a winter commuter/trainer/tourer for unlit country lanes so it needs proper good lighting, and never having the batteries run out or me forgetting to turn them on is a plus. And they've got good side visibility too. I've got a (secondhand!) Cateye Single Shot headlamp which is necessary to spot potholes and rabbits and stuff in the dark. If I'm going down a hill at 30mph I wanna see the road ahead! Runs off of a mains charger so it doesn't cripple you in battery costs. But if you think that is expensive, check out Lupine lights. £850 for the top-of-the-range Lupine Betty! --- Retrowagen, a plywood base seems like a good idea for my LED circuit too. It insulates the circuit and I can drill a load of holes in it for ventilation. Why didn't I think of that? --- I've also been thinking about getting something like this and hacking it into a smaller case and mounting it to my handlebars. I don't really understand how brightness is measured (candlepower, lumens, lux, foot candles, candelas etc all have different meanings) but I've read that a normal halogen car headlight is around 25,000 candlepower, so scientifically this light is classified as 'f*ckin bright'.
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Last Edit: Oct 28, 2010 18:21:35 GMT by lae
Currently: Mk1 Focus blandmobile
Formerly: 1969 MG Midget 1972 Avenger GT 1981 Datsun Cherry 1989 Corolla 1979 Mercedes W123 200D 1995 Ford Falcon 1996 Ford Telstar (bet you had to google that one)
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EmDee
Club Retro Rides Member
Committer of Autrocities.
Posts: 5,922
Club RR Member Number: 108
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The TriumphEmDee
@emdee
Club Retro Rides Member 108
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today the postie (an old employee of mine actually, nice guy) brought me some goodies. The nylon footpegs are much better quality than I thought they would be, they were dead cheap. The light was the real bargain though and it's my favourite bit. I should have this lot on by the end of saturday and I will also finish off the front light so I can ride to the mrs' birthday party in the dark with her and we don't have to worry about drinking too much. Would be a shame if I had to ride the sensible bike, i'd better crack on.
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The Triumphretrowagen1234
@GUEST
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Looking good... I was out on my stowaway tonight,.... Got pulled for no lights haha.. In my defence it was because it was overcast as well so got darker quicker... Got let off as long as i walked it home
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I think thats a Lyvia rear light. Made in hong kong. Ive got a boxed nos one from the charity shop for £1.50. Was gonna fit it to my blue Raleigh roadster. those footpegs. are they bmx ones? are you grinding railings on a shopper bike.
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