It is a mixture of a Triumph and Norton, Normally a Featherbed frame and a Triumph engine.
The term Triton comes from TRIumph-norTON.
Why bother?
To quote GeorgeA455@aol.com "if you have to ask you shouldn't even be looking at this page"
Who knows? There are a number of theories about why someone first put a Triumph engine
into a Norton frame. The one consistent point about all the theories is that the Featherbed
is the best handling frame of the era. There is nothing actually wrong with the Norton engines,
so why go to the hassle of changing the engine for another of similar size? The theory I go with
is that the Triumph engines top end is easier to strip down for repairs between races. People then
copy their favourite racer.
What does one look like?
Well, thats down to the owner! . The "Traditional" triton is Clip-ons, rearsets, Alloy tanks,
with styling closely liked to the Manx Norton, like this one.
Some people use straight bars to make the riding position less extreme,
some tritons look little different to the original Dominator that sourced the frame.
Why do I want one?
I love classic bikes, but I don't want to be tied by the "oh, that's the wrong brake lever"
brigade. Tritons are specials. It's up to the owner what tank/bars/brakes etc he uses. I
want a bike that can be USED rather than polished. Incidentally, the bike TRITON is where the name
for my system came from.
How far have I got?
I have almost completed the rolling chassis - the frame is powder coated,
the wheels are built, with new wheel bearings, the swing arm is converted to
Manx Norton Bushes, the forks are re-built.....
So it is time for the Mechanical stuff. I have a set of 1960 crank cases (6T) later lightweight crank,
New Conrods, New Pistons and block (from Morgo)
1965 9-stud head, all nice and shiny after a visit to the
Cylinder head people at London, including hardened valve seats so I am ready for the demise of leaded.
Things have giot a little silly at work, so I doubt I will get much done before the end of May.
It is now october, and Still have made little progress (Other than buying a new BMW!). I am part way through
making a blast cabinet. Once that is done, I can think about getting my parts cleaned, and some of the engine together.
What bits am I looking for?
Anyone know of any pre-unit alternator primary drive cases? these are the rarest thing I am looking for at the moment.
After that, it is a gearbox, primary drive innards, alternator, ignition, carbs tanks and a bagful of wire. Rare Spares now
re-make the Primary drive cases, but they are just short of £300.
While you are here looking at the old stuff, why not call in on
this page in the states?
If you feel so inclined, why not drop me a line
and tell me what you think of my pages.
Back to my home page
Last updated 26th October 98
