One good thing about being in business for a while is “what goes around comes around.”
If you do it right, what comes around is not a pie in the face, but new business based upon appreciation and trust from old business.
Enter Brian D. from Seattle. A few years back he sent us a Commando motor to rebuild. Then, we shipped the finished product back and he finished the bike. He’s been enjoying it ever since. Brian called late last year to say it was time to “build the bike of my dreams,” and would we be keen on working with him on a Triton. Well, first time for everything, so sure… let’s dive in.
First, we spent a lot of time looking at various builds, bits, and specs. In the end, the closest we could come to a similar bike was one that sold recently on Bring A Trailer (pictured).
However, what we are starting with is a 1962 Slimline frame, a ‘67 650 motor that is not good enough to rebuild, and Roadholder forks, wheels, and rims that have seen better days.
Talk about a blank sheet of paper. A quick consultation with our Andover pals got us in touch with Kevin at Norton Racing Parts in the UK, who is all things Triton and Norton Cafe. You name it: tanks, engine mounts, motor stuff, controls, exhaust… the list is kind of endless, and all top-shelf.
We have since scored a ‘73 T140 motor from Steve Job in CT and the game is afoot. After many iterations of specs and pictures, the objective bike is coming into focus. Now, it will mostly be time and “cubic dollars” as my late partner Nick Woodbury used to quip. But who are we to yuck this guy’s yum?
Brian is wonderful to work with and very knowledgeable about what he wants and the trade-offs needed to get there. Toward the end of the spec process, we said he needs to give this bike a proper name.
“Well, Miss Moneypenny of course.”
Game on.