1969 Triumph TT FlatTracker
The
quintessential form of American motorcycle racing is flat track. Raced on
dirt-surface oval tracks, the bikes break loose with their back tire spinning,
blasting sideways in a continuous fish-tail through each turn. With dirt
flying, the riders turn the handlebars the opposite direction just to keep the
bike adrift. It is a sight to behold at any speed, let alone the 120mph reached
on some tracks.
Triumphs
of the 1960s exemplified the “standard” motorcycle. An all-around machine, they
could be easily modified for a variety of racing with a minimum of changes. This
one is set up for a specialized form of flat track racing known as TT Steeplechase.
Unlike
other flat tracks, which all turn left, TT tracks feature one right-hand turn. They
are also unique in that they include a jump. Since flattrackers always turn and
lean on the left side, a typical flattracker would have exhaust pipes both on
the right side – to make more room on the left for leaning. But the TT machine
tucks its pipes high and tight under the middle of the bike, ready to lean either
direction in a turn.
This
Triumph flattracker is a homebuilt racer’s pride and joy, beautiful in its simplicity. “Life is pretty special, you never know
what might happen,” says Tom Young. Tom came to own this Triumph after its
prior owner, a good friend of Tom’s, died without warning while getting ready for
work on a Tuesday morning. The bike reminds Tom of his friend and the
importance of enjoying the here and now.
what tires are those?
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