Description
Offered here is this 1957 Pre-unit Triton 750cc, built on a slim-line frame, with a fully rebuilt, never-started, engine with belt-drive conversion, and T140 head and barrels, 6T big bearing crank and twin Amals. This bike was bought by the current owner from Mathewsons in June 2021, and at the time, Mathewson’s provided the flowing information:
The previous owner got 90% of the way through building the bike but unfortunately fell ill and died, so the bike was never ran. The engine was sent away to be professionally rebuilt – the late owner’s wife doesn’t know who did the work, but she clearly remembers the engine going away to be done. The new engine has never been started, but it feels nice and tight when you turn it over and it has very good compression. Shortly after the owner died, his son drained all the fluids for storage, and the late owner’s wife kept all of her husband’s bikes (14 in all) in storage for around 4 years. Initially she planned to keep them as a memento, and to pass on her children – but later she decided to sell them, mainly because her children were not really bike enthusiasts and therefore showed little interest.
This info had been provided by the currently owner:
I’m not a British bike fan and I know very little about them, but since I was a kid, I’ve always fancied one so I bought this (along with a BSA B33) as a “job lot” during Covid, with the idea of fettling/ finishing it, and ultimately riding it. Like a few others, I thought I’d have time on my hands due to the pandemic, but that never really materialised, and mainly due to time constraints, my enthusiasm for the project has waned to the point where I have now decided to sell it to someone that can give it the attention it deserves.
I haven’t worked on the bike (I’ve only looked it over) – but I will tell you what I know…
The engine is definitely brand new and has not run since the rebuild – there’s not blueing on the exhaust, the spark plugs are clean, and through the spark plug holes you can see bright/ clean pistons that are marked “020” (i. e. 20 thou oversize). The oil/ fuel tanks (and brake reservoirs) are all dry, which again, suggests a full rebuild.
To me, the issues are:
The front forks/ brake appear to be from a Ducati Monster – and for a period look, it really needs a set of Norton Roadholder forks (I’m told that these can be bought for around £250 – and I guess the Ducati forks could then be sold for a similar amount).
The bike needs a new battery (old one is dead) and battery leads (leads are missing).
For road use, the bike needs a side-stand (currently, it has no stand).
The flat on kickstart shaft (where the cotter pin passes through) is worn, and I’m told this is a common problem. I have fitted an oversize cotter pin so the engine can be tuned over using the kickstart, but ideally, the shaft should be replaced or repaired.
In my opinion, some of the detailing (various brackets, etc.) needs tidying up – it’s functional, but it really needs fettling to make it look nice (i. e. file a radius on some corners, drill a few lightening holes, polish a few bits up – that sort of thing).
So as projects go, this should be a fairly easy/ cheap one to do because the main/ expensive bit (the engine) has been done, and the rest of it, while not perfect, doesn’t look too difficult to sort out.
If you are interested in viewing this bike, or wish to ask any questions, please get in touch with us. This bike is located in Maidstone, Kent.
