Big D Cycle Blog

Started up the new Bonneville LSR bike up today. Uploaded some video footage of it running. The crew will be loading up the bike and heading for the salt next Wednesday. Shooting for 151MPH to take the class record home.

I found this bike on craigslist in Memphis recently. I contacted the owner to inquire about lending a hand in finding a good resting place for this piece of Texas Triumph history. This is a real deal Jack 900cc Trident. It has a Vesco ignition, custom Big D Cycle 3 into 1 exhaust, and various other trick and period parts. The guy that has it now is the second owner. The bike runs, but I have not seen the bike in person. We have seen too may Jack bikes fall into the wrong hands before, and get mutilated by people who don’t know any better. Riding this bike regularly could end in agony and heartbreak since the pistons and other internals for stokers are no longer available. Jack was well known for building them to go fast until they wouldn’t go anymore, so it would be best to just let this one retire some place nice. The bike looks like it has the petina and aging to make it stink of authenticity. I would consider this a un-restorable bike since it just looks the part so well. We are hoping to find someone who would like to have this special Triumph on display at their place. Link to the ad is below, perhaps you would like to rescue this one? It would be tragic to see someone bob it or worse. Asking price is $6000.

http://memphis.craigslist.org/mcy/1857668882.html

This is the newest bike in the Big D racing fleet. It is going to be a 750cc motor in a T-120 frame. It is being purpose built to compete in the Euro American Twins and novice GP classes at Mid-Ohio this year. It will also qualify for the BEARS class in AHRMA, as well as clubman in the CMRA. Jerrett Martin will be riding the bike. Keith has put a lot of time and thought into the setup of the bike, and its been tricked out all the way. One of the coolest things about it, is that the motor will be left hand shift. So, the rear drum has had the sprocket teeth machined off, and the brake has been located to the right side. A dirt track quick change rear wheel setup has been used, for easy gearing changes. This bike is a collaboration of Big D fabricated parts, and left over spares from the Les edwards collection we recently acquired. It also has a hand made aluminum catch pan that is really neat, although it is not pictured mounted on the bike. We will keep posting photos of the progress.

Recently, we have been working on a former Les Edwards Triumph Trackmaster to compete in the dirt track events at Mid-Ohio. This bike is being built for a customer, who is going to let Ryan compete on the bike in hopes of obtaining the grand national number one plate that is up for grabs. This bike is being put back together more or less as it was, when Les Edwards was tuning the bike. Some components are being updated like the rear brake, etc. Keith is building the motor to Big D Racing specs, and we have a dirt track aficionado assisting us with setup and providing more information on Triumph dirt trackers then anyone person should know. We will keep you updated with the bikes progress, and the results from Ohio. Included in the photos, is a picture of Dave Hansen making a move on the same bike back in the day.

This is Steve’s latest handy work. It is a 1975 Norton 850 Commando. This bike turned out extremely nice. The electric start works well with the Tri-Spark ignition that is installed. It was road tested today, and is ready to go. Another Norton by Steve.