Description
By: Roy Bacon .
Author, Roy Bacon, Softbound - 2012 Andover Norton reprint of 1985 Osprey First Edition, ISBN: 9780957066540
The essential guide to the renovation, restoration and development history of all pre-1972 production Triumph Twins. Plus how to recognize parts, improve specifications and maintain this classic motorcycle.
So you have an old Triumph that for years you've been dying to restore. Well, procrastinate no longer. Here's the book that will show you how to get it right, looking like it just rolled off the assembly line.
Roy Bacon uses extensive photography to document the details of all pre-1972 Triumph Twins.
This book is an invaluable reference for anyone wishing to return their Triumph to authentic original condition. The author includes extensive commentary on how to recognize parts, improve specifications and maintain these classic motorcycles.
This book is neither a workshop manual, nor a primer on motorcycle mechanics. It assumes that you know how your machine works and have a good idea how to maintain it, as well as some mechanical ability.
Engine, transmission, carburetors, suspension, wheels, brakes, paint, chassis repair, and renovation are some of the many areas covered. Also included are numerous appendices for parts and data of all models before 1972. A complete picture index makes it easy to find photos of any given machine.
The idea for this book came from the type of question I was receiving through the Classic Bike reader service or agony column. Over the years this changed as the simple dating data was published in the Osprey Collector's Library series and I found myself drawn more into the detailed changes from one year to the next.
The basic queries of date, colour, spares and data continued but as the 1980s rolled along so the classic movement became keener to know about the fine detail. Hence this book to deal with that problem laced with restoration information and guidance as appropriate.
The original idea was Tim Parker's and from this I compiled a report to set it out in some detail. Osprey approved and away I went on a detailed data hunt. In this my good friend Don Mitchell was very helpful indeed and was able to supply me with much that I needed from his stocks of secondhand motorcycle literature.
Specific pieces of information came from Alan Blake of Avon Tyres, Derek'Dyson of Champion Plugs and Martyn Ashwood of NGK and my thanks go to all. I must especially thank John Gregory, a local friend and fellow member of the Isle of Wight British Motorcycle Society, who read through the entire text and gave me the benefit of his experience of restoring and rebuilding many machines.
Most of the pictures and line drawings came from the EMAP archives which hold the old Motor Cycle Weekly files for which my grateful thanks. Others were from the Classic Bike files courtesy of Mike Nicks and a number were from Triumph brochures, parts lists and manuals of the era. A number of the electrical line drawings were from Lucas originally. One picture was from Mike Jackson of Andover Norton and a few I took myself at the 1000 bike rally at Brands Hatch in 1984.
Some of the pictures carried the imprint of a professional and work used came from Richard Bailey, Donald Page, P. W. and L. Thompson and P. Wordcn. As usual all the pictures were returned to their files after publication and I have tried to make contact to clear copyright. If my letter failed to reach you or I have used an unmarked print without realising this, please accept my apologies.
Finally my thanks to my editor, Tim Parker, who supported me throughout the longer than expected time it took to research and write this book. His help and guidance enabled me to keep going when the going got sticky.
Roy Bacon
Niton, Isle of Wight -July 1985
