Ridden not Hidden: A 1970’s Triumph Trackmaster Race Bike
Many antique motorbikes recovered things often end up as showpieces—rarely taken away, if at all, for fear that something might be damaged. But if you already have a classic Triumph Tracking Admin in your garage, can you really leave it parked? Gareth Howes said “no.”
He is the owner of this 1970 Triumph Trackmaster and believes that bikes should be “ridden, not hidden”. So this fully restored racing bike gets regular hits from the most stylish man in the world. flat road race: Dimitri Coste.
Gareth has been involved in flat road racing through the UK Dirt Quake events. He was an enthusiast of classic race bikes and their history, so he ended up starting a company, Double Six, to supply and import rare flat track parts. from the United States. That’s how he stumbled across the sponsor’s bike for this project.
“I bought the Triumph from a bicycle auction in the US, while at a racetrack in the UK spawned by my partner,” he told us. “When it arrived, I really fell in love with the bike. After speaking with a few riders from the late 60s and early 70s, I was able to tell that it was made for and owned by a former Trackmaster employee, Gene Hartline. ”
Gene died suddenly 4 years ago, but left behind a legacy as a very successful Hollywood stuntman. With the Triumph’s rudder still bearing his name, Gareth knew the bike had to be restored – and raced.
So he asked his good friend and former DTRA Classics champion, Rick Bearcroft, and got to work.
Gareth discovered that the frame was an original model, built by the original owner of the Trackmaster company, Ray Hensley. The setup includes stock Ceriani GP forks and Akront rims, which makes this just about as long as you can get it.
The engine is a 750 Triumph twin, but its exact provenance is unknown. “The engine was never stamped,” says Gareth, “so it means it was just a race bike. It is rumored to be one of those Triumph 750s built to be similar, so that the Triumph can race in 1970.”
Gareth and Rick went deep into the Triumph factory, re-sharpening the cylinders and replacing the valves and valve guides. They then replaced the seals and bearings, rebuilt the double Mikuni carbs, fitted new filters, and restored the ARD magnet. The engine is also fitted with a Carl’s Speed Shop case.
Although the internal work is extensive, the boys do not go too far into the outside. They obviously cleaned the engine somewhat — but they also left many layers of rust intact, including a stain in the exhaust.
The Ceriani forks look a bit newer, because they have to be completely rebuilt with new stanchions. The trackmaster still rolls on the Akront rim, but the rear has been reattached with a quick-change hub. Periodically right Dunlop tires keep things classic.
There’s a sneaky modern part on the car: Brembo rear brake calipers. But otherwise, this Triumph is a real time capsule. “We kept everything as original as possible, including the original plating from 1970,” says Gareth.
Keeping that theme, Gareth picked up an original 1970s Cycle Works fiberglass fuel tank. Still, the paintwork is new – and gorgeous. It was handled by Paint By Matt, who usually specializes in chopper paint jobs.
Right behind the crate are Bates seats and passenger cushions, mounted on a traditional rear fender.
But other than that, and the classic flat handlebars, there’s little else vying for attention. No front fenders or brakes, no lights and no speedo. “This bike is a keeper who doesn’t go anywhere off-road to race,” confirmed Gareth.
That’s exactly why he contacted talented photographer and vintage flat road racer, Dimitri Coste, to drive the Trackmaster. “If you’ve ever watched Dimitri ride a horse, you’ll remember him. He has a great style, with spaciousness and wildness being his hallmarks on the track. Even with the clutch slipping during starting and shifting, we had a third of our first start. ”
So what’s next for Double Six? Apparently there was a 1930s Harley-Davidson Model V already on the bench. And yes, it will be racing.
Built by Double Six | Sorted by Dimitri Coste | Photo of Alex Shore