Opinions on New Project

Went with a friend yesterday to look at a potential project. The guy we went to see is well known around here, and called my friend up, saying he would consider selling one of his projects.

We went over to his shop, and looked at 4 projects, 1 of which he would consider selling.

Project 1:
Seeley Commando. MkII frame, 850 motor, Akront rims w/ dual disc setup, Cerianis, gas tank, oil tank and seat.

Project 2:
Norbsa. Slimline F'bed, A75 motor, Bitubo forks with Guzzi cast wheels, fiberglass tanks and seat.

Project 3:
Redline Lightning. Redline frame, A65L motor, std bore, period magnesium rims, Triumph forks, seat and tanks

Project 4:
North replica. Copy of Rob North frame, all the bodywork, T150 motor, choice of aluminum rims or mag wheels, Triumph forks.

My friend wants to do a cost/benefit analysis. Owner seems least interested in the BSAs, most attached to the North project. Only one goes, and only to my friend (guy is known for not selling anything, but realized he's got 25 projects lined up, and is only cranking out about 1 a year)

Opinions?

Rob North replica, no question.

I've ridden behind one of those, on something fast, and it disappeared into the distance.
Wasn't a replica racer, it WAS a racer.
And looked it.
Quite street legal too, well behaved, no fuss just went, and not even especially noisy to go quickly.

Could throw a lot of shekels at it though....

Tough one the cost/benefit analysis in hybrid classic projects. I would be happy with any of those set ups, they sound like fun and you can do them up with a little bit of freedom of your own design. I am partial to triples, had one and like all bikes we have had to sell, still wish I had it. So if your man is really keen to keep the North rep, I would probably be happy to look at the leaned forward A75 in the slim line frame. That set up should make a great handling package, especially with the leaned forward cylinders helping weight distribution, the exhaust would work out nice with the twin down tubes. And your finished bike would be a proper Tri-Ton!

Then again the BSA 650 engines are a god looking beast as well.

Probably no help, but that's my lean!

Cheers Richard

North triple with aluminum spoked rims.

The biggest cost is the frame, and that's secure, so the rest is a piece of cake.

Rohan, For once I agree with you. The Rob North Replica does it for me, even though I despair of Triumphs. Getting the motor really fast would be expensive, but if you are content to develop it's midrange power, and get the bike handling really well, it would be a real buzz. I get an adrenalin rush just thinking about it. We have a few of those in Australia, however they are never raced. They are the sort of bike my Seeley 850 is competitive with. There is no race class to suit them.
Forget the cost/benefit analysis - buy it !

I've read a bit about A65 BSAs, and they seem OK. However the deciding factor for me is the history, and the Rob North triples have it. You can build the best A65 based bike, but what have you got then ? A Rob North Special attracts idiots like myself when you come to sell it. In fact if it was here in Australia for sale, and the price was remotely within reach, I would be selling things to get my grubby paws on it.

acotrel said:

Rohan, For once I agree with you. !

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That'd be the 1st time, for anything, wouldn't it. ?!

I seem to recall someone saying the Trident engines were a great motor, looking for a better home ?
And seem to have found it in the Rob North frames.

And even a stock motor seems not out of place in there, without even hot-rodding it.
Bang for buck, a real bit of exotica/racer without spending a fortune - depending on the deal, of course...

Do we get to see some pics of it along the way ?? Please.....

Got a text from my buddy today

He's still gathering info about the various options, but is leaning towards the Seeley Commando. Of the four, his favorite is the North replica, but it may be a budget breaker. Either BSA project would be unique - I see one BSA for every 10 Triumphs around here - but he's not that familiar with BSA motors. The Trident and the 850 are both engines he's comfortable with (he sold his Trident to finance the Triton, and he has a '74 Roadster), so it looks like he'll shoot for the North and settle for the Seeley.

Imagine that, settling for a Seeley!

If you go here http://www.specializedmotorsllc.com/workshop.php and click on picture 20, you'll see the NorBSA project. Two of the other bikes are in the same room, but can't really be picked out. The North replica is in 3 other rooms. This pic is about 2 years old, and the featherbed frame is still in that same position on the back bench.

Bill - I am probably saying things here that you already know all too well and maybe better than I. As one poster also wrote, the North Replica will absorb plenty of money, particularly the motor. I watched a friend build a very nice 850 triple over the last few years. You have to virtually re-engineer the motor to get it reliable and perform as it should. Without doubt, the best person I know of to work on one of these is Richard Peckett (P&M, in London). He has forgotten more than most other people know about these engines and he has high standards. Your friend will indeed need a shedload of money if the bike hasn't already had good work done to it but if you build them right, they are wonderful motors. I followed my friend on a more modern 1000 Japanese 4 last year down the motorway and I have never seen a road Trident go as quickly. His crank, barrels and head were extensively worked on by P&M. I threw a leg over it afterwards and there is good power everywhere.

The Seeley would also be a great project. An embarrassment of choices!

The interesting one for me is Project 3 - Redline BSA. If...and its a big if, it was used in AMA flat track racing by either Jim Rice or Dave Aldana, then they are worth every cent you can scrounge up to get it.
Can the vendor identify any history on the bike?

ML said:

The interesting one for me is Project 3 - Redline BSA. If...and its a big if, it was used in AMA flat track racing by either Jim Rice or Dave Aldana, then they are worth every cent you can scrounge up to get it.
Can the vendor identify any history on the bike?

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I don't think the Redline has any history to it. An acquaintance of mine has an old Trackmaster that used to belong to Gene Romero, though. He would have his initials welded on the gusset plate at the headstock.