The Swamp Donkey

I came across this '51 6T motor via the Interweb a couple of years ago. The motor was in South Africa of all places - luckily, I have some 'Connections' and soon enough, the Swamp Donkey was mine. The story was that the motor was used as a swamp buggy engine for a number of years until it was retired to the rafters of a warehouse, and eventually 'rescued' by the gentleman that I bought it from.

I decided it was time to dig into it. Dean from Anvil Machine very kindly offered to walk me through the process of re-building this motor properly. Ill keep this updated with some progress reports.

Heres a couple pics of the dirty beast coming apart.

Pre Tear-Down...

Weird old spark plugs - Made in S. Africa... Crazy!

Broken fins...

Tear Down Begins....

Anyone got a 'spare' set of jugs?

Oil Pump Still seems to do its job, but I dont trust it - Luckily I have one waiting to replace this...

Weird attachment - for said Swamp Buggy perhaps...

Yup...

Riding the Rails

Vegabond, Tramp, Hobos, Wanderers - Heres a definition I kind of like... Unlike 'tramps', who work only when they are forced to, and 'bums', who do not work at all, 'hobos' are workers who wander.

This is an awesome documentary about The hobos of the Great Depression. Interviews with people who have lived incredible lives, and have REAL stories to tell.

Take the time to check it out here... RIDING THE RAILS

Rare Cyclone Stolen During Home Invasion

Some parts might roll your way... Keep an eye out...

Monday, February 06, 2012

STOLEN CYCLONE, RACING HONDA

This via British Only Motorcycles & Parts Inc

And Biker Hotline

A 1914 Cyclone, was stolen from the Bel Air home of a collector. A Cyclone currently holds the #1 spot on the global 'Top 20' of auction sales, and is a highly visible emblem of antique motorcycle value.

Feb 5, 2012:
"BEL AIR, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Police are searching for a pair of thieves who broke into a Bel Air home in the middle of the night, tied up the home owner and made off with two valuable motorcycles. That home invasion robbery took place about 4:30 a.m. in the 900 block of Linda Flora Drive. Police said the suspects kicked in the front door and tied up the man, a longtime collector of vintage cars and motorcycles. The man's wife was able to get away and went to a neighbor's house to call police. Police said the suspects knew exactly what they were after. They went straight for the two vintage motorcycles valued at more than $1.5 million. One of the motorcycles was a rare 1914 yellow Cyclone. The other was a 1952 gray and red Kawasaki. [Ed note; the TV spot shows a Honda CR93 factory production racer/roadster - which is correct?] The wife said the thieves loaded the motorcycles onto a white van, possibly a rental. "It's a quiet, residential neighborhood, but we don't think it was a random break-in," said neighbor Charles Lesser. "It looks as if whoever did it knew exactly what they were looking for and took it and left".

Home Sweet Home

Some Day...

Image stolen from the always awesome FSK

Engraved Triumph Racer on Ebay...

Would love to see this thing GO!

Heres what the posting says!

1974 Triumph FUEL RACER TRUIMPH TRIUMPH-C/FUEL DRAG BIKE-CLASSIC-VINTAGE-ANTIQUE

OWN A PIECE OF HISTORY!!..THE VERY LAST TRIUMPH C/FUEL BIKE THAT LEGENDERY RACER-BUILDER SONNY ROUTT BUILT.. NINE SECOND BIKE.!! FEATURES... CUSTOM DOUBLE TUBE 4130 CHROME MOLLY FRAME WITH 72" WHEELBASE. KOSMAN WHEELS AND BRAKES,CERRIANI FRONT END.55cu PRE-UNIT MOTOR with ROUTT,S BULLIT PROFF CASES. 1 PIECE 4130 MODLOX STROKER CRANK,CARRILLO RODS,FORGED ROUTT PISTONS,4130 ROUTT CHROME MOLLY CYLINDER,77 GRIND CAM14 BOLT SUPER FLOW HEAD,HILBORN MECH FUELL INJECTION.. CUSTOM GEARED REMOTEOIL PUMP. THREE INCH PRIMARY BELTDRIVE. REMOTE STARTER, LENCO TWO SPEED TRANSMISSION,WITH AIR SHIFTER. SLIPPER CLUTCH.. VERY OLD SCHOOL..CHECK PICTURES OUT!! ASK YOUR EXPERTS QUESTIONS? DRAG BIKES DON'T HAVE TITLES.BIKE HAS BEEN SITTING IN LIVING ROOM FOR TWENTY YEARS? A TRUE MUSEUM PIECE ..