Bobberz's 1971 Daytona Chopper

About me, I'm a middle-aged Westie bloke. My ancestry can be traced back to Ngati-Pakeha. I am a bit of a late bloomer when it comes to the biking scene. Better late than never though, I'm hooked now and that's the main thing. I'm always on the lookout for the next project. My ultimate ride would be a Harley ( early Pan head ) Bobber, one day. I have a Trike Chopper project on the go at present, but as far as the two wheeled bike variety goes, the '71 Triumph Daytona Chopper is my latest baby.
 
I picked it up a few months back, for a song, if I may say so. VIN plate has it down as a '71 Daytona Chopper, last on the road '95. Had good compression, but no go. Was originally going to modify the rake, throw a standard front end back on & bobber it, but the raked neck was really well gusseted & finished nicely, so rake and girder front stayed.

The motor is a TR6R ( 650cc ) unit construction with 5-speed box. Now, I'm no mechanic but working on the TR was fairly straightforward. Off came the head, a new copper gasket was fitted, pushrod tube seals were replaced, and valves were reseated. On close inspection of the rocker cover boxes, there was evidence of wear from the pushrods having come off the rockers on the intake side. So, everything was lined up & correctly put back together, tappet clearances re-gapped and a new battery was fitted.

I straddled the front end to brace the bike, little did I know that charred leg was coming up on the menu. A few squirts of petrol into the carb, then my 'old man' starts jumping on the kick-start lever. "Give it a little more throttle dad, I think the fuel is getting through,"... BANG !!
Yeehaa, she's a runner!
 
A bit more info on the bike. It has a bolt on / welded hardtail that has been stretched 3", which is quite good for the long legged folk. I knocked up the solo springer seat one afternoon & its surprisingly comfy. Frame & rear guard were powdercoated ' Transformer grey,' then a custom pinstriping decal was laid on the guard.

Gas tank is mirror polished & doesn't like greasy fingerprints ! The bike is almost 3 metres long, thanks in part to the 1100mm girder front suspension & the rake. The riders seating stance is 'coolified' by the risers & apehangers, which you really have to hang on to whilst accelerating, so you don't slip off the seat. Forward controls were fabricated out of good old reinforcing steel rod & powdercoated black. Exhaust pipes have been wrapped with high temp wrap, no mufflers at present. I'm a firm believer that, 'Loud pipes save lives' !! Then the whole wiring system was given a tidy up, with the lighting circuit still to be completed. 

It rides really well and certainly gets the looks.
Next step, getting it legal.

Cheers, Bobberz