I built this Triumph when I was 16 years old. My dad and Jim Puglisi got into buying and repairing wrecked bikes from the local State Farm Ins. office – to support their racing habits. This 500 twin had too much front end damage to make repairs worthwhile – but the frame was OK! I took the project on as a replica of what guys rode in the 60s when you “made” your own trailbike from a road machine. We found Rickman forks and front wheel, a Tri-Cor fiberglass tank, Bates seat and pillion pad, alloy fenders (later changed to plastic), and knobby tires. Ted Rivard of the Triumph Corporation built the engine – still runs good!
Rob Meadows built one also. We used to ride the fire roads around Liberty Reservoir – one pass so the DNR didn’t catch us! Rob and I also rode the Sandy Lane Enduro on their 50th and 75th anniversaries – vintage class! We have the T-shirts and roll charts displayed in our collection.
Still flying the flag!
Mike
