Blue Triton

Here's another Triton to look at. Again it's a Slimline Featherbed and Pre-Unit Triumph but with several interesting design choices.

I'm having a hard time identifying the front brake. It does appear to be a 4LS, but doesn't have the holes of the Suzuki. Might be a Grimeca from something like a Moto Guzzi. The rear wheel seems to be a standard Norton. It also looks to have a Hyde-type fork brace.

The frame has been painted grey/silver which is departure from most Tritons. The tank is a nice Lyta-style and partially polished and partially painted. It's a nice pattern and a tasteful logo too. The blue from the tank is carried to the front and rear fenders, chain guard and oddly, the foot pegs (which appear to be anodized aluminum. Leaving the foot pegs alone probably would have been a better option.

Where things really go bad is at the seat, which appears to be a Corbin seat for a Norton Commando. While it's going to be more comfortable than the type Triton seat it is far too long and complete the wrong style for the bike. This seat was meant to be used with the much shorter Commando Roadster tank. On the Triton the Corbin hangs uncomfortably over the back of the rear fender. The overhang makes a good place to tuck the tail light and turn signals.

Overall a well built bike and just swapping the seat would make for a stunning example of a Triton. The non-black frame adds some uniqueness and the blue a bit of color, which you typically may not see on a Triton.

More Parts

Since a Triton is usually an attempt to mimic the great Manx racer, the same or similar parts are often used.

For example the Manx rear hub was a conical design. Of course you can purchase used or replica Manx hubs but they are not cheap. Replicas can easy cost $2000.

Fortunately the rear hub on OIF (Oil In Frame) Triumphs and BSAs from the early 70s are also conical. And a lot cheaper and more plentiful than an original Manx hub. And they work just fine. If you're lucky it might cost you $50.

Other alternatives are to use Norton hub from a Featherbed model, or even a later Commando hub.

Another area that you have some freedom is with the exhaust. Apparently the most popular style is the swept-back exhaust that I first recall seeing on the original Triumph Thruxtons.

Swept Back Exhaust

Another option is a 2 into 1 exhausts such as this one.

2 into 1 Exhaust

And just as uncommon are high pipes probably sources from the off-road Triumph models like the TR6C.

High Pipes

AccessNorton.com

At this point I have to mention AccessNorton.com, a site by Jerry Doe with the most active Commando forum ever. I could have never gotten where I did without their help and patience putting up with my thousands (and some there would propose, millions) of questions.

Having the ability to quickly post an issue with pictures and get a rapid response is something that the internet and forum allowed. While you might get a few different opinions, you have the ability to filter out and make your own decision.

In addition you have access to some of the best minds in the Norton world, unlike the old days were you were limited to your geography.

AccessNorton.com Forum

Jerry Doe's Hompage

That is where I have been documenting my Commando build prior to the start of this blog.

You can read about it in much more details here:

72 Combat Proddy Build

Final Proddy Build

It's kind of a misnomer as I'll never really be done but it's the latest info.

My choice, for now.

What is your Ultimate Cafe Racer? For me it was always the Norton Production Racer.

Now one can argue that the Production Racer isn't a true cafe racer but rather the first racer replica. Perhaps, but really, cafe racers (the real ones, you know, that had actually been to a cafe) wished for nothing more to have than a real racer. Just look at their bikes, if they aren't an attempt to replicate the look and performance of a racer what is?

So you see my point.

Right, where was I? Ah, yes, my lust for a Norton Production Racer. Some 20 years ago I found a Commando basket case. The gearbox was actually in a bucket. So maybe it was more like a bucket case. The rear wheel was off and there was some damage, especially to the brake lever and master cylinder cover.

Of course at the time I couldn't afford to actually rebuild this bike, especially into a Production Racer. In the meantime I fed my need with pictures and, believe it or not a model of a Production Racer.

Keep in mind this is before this whole internet thing, so there wasn't a lot of information about Production Racers. You would be lucky to even find a picture of one in a book (for you kids a book is something that contained information and was made from paper, you know sort of like an iPad but analog) so the model has to suffice. While I pondered the whole Production Racer thing I fed my Norton lust I got another Commando, an Interstate.

To be continued...