Today, I rode my 1958 Triumph Tiger T110 for the first time.  This project, which began as a rolling chassis and engine cases with matching numbers kicked off nearly two years ago.  The mission was to build a Triumph of proper vintage to host my 1958 (or so) Watsonian Avon Sports sidecar that, after a five-plus year restoration, was briefly hosted by my 1962 Triumph Trophy TR6.  After driving a sidecar, you realize you don’t always want a sidecar, so another bike was the solution.  I had the derelict T110 stored away for years.  The model year and the styling of the T110 was perfect for a proper English sidecar.  The nacelle enclosed headlamp and deep mudguards give it a more elegant look in contrast to the more sporty-minded TR6.

T110 Restoration

The motor easily started for the first time several days ago.  The engine had a proper note and nice oil pressure.  I just had a few chassis details to finish up before the motorcycle was ready to ride on the street.  The sidecar adds a bit more preparation, but at least you don’t have to put your feet down at lights!

Once again, the motor easily started with two kicks.  I rolled out onto the driveway under the power of engine number T110 018770 for my first time.  The clutch, the brakes, throttle all felt great as I reached the street.  It is still a nervous feeling for me the first time I ride a fresh restoration or rebuild.  My worst fear is losing a precious British fastener or part.  The thought of even a single bolt falling off, gone forever, really bums me out.   But, by the time I reached second gear, those worries were gone, replaced with a close attention to the sound and feel of the fresh machine.  Dutifully modulating the rpm’s throughout the range, watching oil pressure, listening for signs of trouble, I felt the engine grow stronger with every acceleration.  The bike sounded and handled great.   Before I knew it I had circled the neighborhood, about a mile and a half.  I had no reason to stop, I lapped the track a couple more times, then trouble.  The engine began to stumble and cough.  I could quickly tell what the problem was.  With clear fuel lines it was easy to figure out that I hadn’t put much fuel in the tank and I was now dry.  I was having so much fun, I didn’t even think about fuel.  Despite that missed detail, the maiden ride was a complete success and I will soon be distracting drivers all over Southern California with this rare and beautiful combo.

Fuel Stop

Summer-like weather contributed to the great turnout at the 11th Annual Mods vs. Rockers hosted by Ton Up San Diego.  The event, which has evolved into a weekend extravaganza began with a meet-up at The Shakedown Bar on Friday night.   Local punk bands Personal Conflict and Social Spit played and Bull Taco served up all of the shark, chicken and carne street tacos you could eat for only $1 each!  These tacos were a great way to wash down the Mission Brewery beer, a $1 of each beer going to the Fallen Rider Foundation.  The unusually warm January night attracted pleanty of riders, filling the Shakedown parking lot with mostly motorcycles and a few scooters.

Satrurday night saw the party move to The Riviera.   A gorgeous sunset kicked off three bands, kegs and a great menu.  Getting a table was tricky, but thanks to a couple scooter girls from Orange County, we were able to take over their table without the one hour wait.  The Riviera features food you cook yourself.  Cooking your own dinner over the open grill pits is a social experience.  No need to hog the spatual or fret that someone has stollen you plate, there is pleanty of everything including UNNREAL tater-tots that you DON’T have to cook yourself!  Outside the dining room, the parking lot filled up.  Alot of  scooters and even more motorcycles, a great turn-out!

Sunday morning was grand!  The sun was shining at dawn and quickly began to disipate the cold left by the night.  Flinn Springs Inn was the start point for all three of the mornings rides of varying length.  Each ride designed to get riders to the Lyons Canyon Trading Post at around 11 AM.  The breakfast at the Flinn Springs Inn was too delicious to pass up which ended up pushing me back to the later short route.  With alot of riders opting for breakfast, the third riding group was a good size one.  The route took us through 30 miles of great roads before reaching the Trading Post.  The dirt lot of the old general store was packed, with bikes overflowing accross the road.  It was an incredibly beautiful scene!

By noon we had reached the finish line, Hooley’s Pub.  There was a huge section of the mall parking lot roped off for bikes and it really filled up by 12:30.  There were a couple of vendors and club hospitality ez-ups ther for some shade.  A full irish menu of food and beer awaited anyone dining inside Holley’s.  Outside, everyone put on their best for the bike and scooter show.  The event wrapped up with raffle loaded with some really nice stuff and the trophy presentation…another memorable Mods vs Rocks weekend thanks to Ton Up San Diego!

Fortunately, a racing fan named Ian Mackintosh documented the race over the years in living color and his footage is now available on DVD.  See over an hour of rare scenes of racing on Catalina Island plus footage of Bear Chase, DeAnza Park, The San Jose Mile and VERY rare Torry Pines all narrated by Ian.

 Check it out in the AmericanTriumph.Tv Store! 

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