Ask most people to visualize a ‘classic motorcycle’ and the image that springs to mind will probably be a Triton. It’s a simple and elegant style, and although dozens have been submitted to Bike EXIF over the years, they still catch my eye. This one is owned by Australian Colin Cox, who bought it on eBay in 2007. It’s a 1961 Norton Featherbed frame with a 1967 Triumph T120R motor; up front are Norton Roadholder front forks with Manx springs, and Suzuki GT750 brakes. It was restored in 1990 but Colin, however, had no end of problems.
“After 18 months I could not get it to run smoothly,” he says. “It was hard to ride for an old guy like me, with clipons and oil leaks.” After taking the head off, problems became evident—so Colin and his mechanic Graham Hoskens decided to rebuild the motor. The bottom end was reground and balanced, and the head—already ported and polished—was given new valve guides and seats and fitted with 30mm Mikunis. Capacity was bumped up to 750cc with a Morgo big bore kit, assisted by Carrillo rods and sportier E3134-spec cams. A high-pressure oil pump (also from Morgo) helps to keep the engine cool. Other upgrades include a Dresda boxed swingarm and a BHR belt drive and a 6-stud racing clutch. (“One of the best investments was the Tri-Spark ignition,” says Colin, “which gives one-kick starting almost every time.”) Russell Giles of King Body Works treated the bike to a pearl white finish for the tank, seat and oil tank, with a pearl grey providing contrast for the frame and black for the guards. “After 12 months of sorting the bugs, the bike now runs sweetly with sensational torque and handling,” says Colin. [Images by Barry Mitchell.]
