Oil in Frame reinforcement

Oil in Frame twins were introduced in 1971.  The oil was now carried inside the frame and early models were prone to fractures where the swingarm bush tubes were welded to the downtube:

Everything I've read indicates that the problems were solved in later models such as 1973 bikes with front disk brake.  However, mud sticks and OIF bikes still have a reputation for cracks.  I tested mine by filling the tube with parafin/kerosene which will seep through any cracks.  After 24 hours, no seepage, so I'm quite sure I don't have any cracks.

However, since the frame is about to be sent off for stripping and powder coating, now seems to be a good time to add some reinforcement, just to be extra sure of no future problems.

So I've made a couple of brackets which I'll get welded in place prior to powder coating.  These should provide additional support for the swingarm tube, and I'm hoping won't be visible.

We'll see ...

Matching Engine and Frame numbers

The Engine Number is pretty clear:

The Frame Number less so. 

But they do in fact match.  The challenge will be ensuring the frame number is still visible after powder coating the frame. 

TR7RVNH16183. 

TR7RV - Triumph 750cc Tiger (5 speed)
N - Manufactured in October
H - Manufactured in 1973

Restoration of a 1973 Triumph TR7 750 Twin

Well I went and bought a 1973 Triumph TR7 750 Twin.  Here's a photo:

Oh wait, that's the wrong photo.  Here's  mine:

She needs a little work.  I bought her from Jaye Strait at Britech New England.  He's just up the road (about 40 miles), from me in Manchester CT.  As you can see from his Facebook page, he builds absolutely beautiful classic bikes, is passionate about classic bikes and has already given me some excellent advice on what I'm facing with this project.  My brother-in-law Mike who has 2 bikes, (a 1970 Bonnie and a 500 twin) is also proving very knowledgeable, so it looks like I'm not going to be short of help.

Here are Mike's bikes:

Between the two of them, the bar's been set pretty high!

Anyway, back to my bike ...  The frame is already pretty much stripped down.  The first part of the plan is to strip it down completely, and send it and most other black parts off to be powder coated.  Then the forks, swinging arms and shocks with be refurbished and assembled to form a very good basis on which to build everything else.

I'm hoping to rebuild the engine to Jaye's specs and with his help.  Typically his engines vibrate less, leak oil less and perform better than the original factory engines, thanks largely to modern technology, and his and others experience over the past 40 years.  See some of the videos at the bottom of his Britech page for more details if you're interested.

For phase 1, I'll try to re-use whatever I can from the rest of the parts.  This may not result in a show quality bike, but it should produce a very solid, reliable and high performing bike for the least $$$.  And this strategy should allow the bike to be restored to factory (show) condition in the future if $$$ and time permit.

Well, that's the plan.  Stay tuned for progress reports.