Which pipes for my '57 6T?

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Rob Barker
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Which pipes for my '57 6T? #776639 06/17/19 5:17 am
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 6,596 Maui Hawaii HawaiianTiger OP BritBike Forum member
OP HawaiianTiger BritBike Forum member Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 6,596 Maui Hawaii	I've been studying the pipes available for my 6T but I can't seem to find out if I can get a set of 1 1/2 inch pipes for it. The Bonnie and T110 pipes for 58-59 are 1 1/2 but those bikes are generator equipped bikes and the alternator bikes need a bigger dip on the left to clear the larger primary cases. Also, I've seen 58-59 6T's with 1 1/2 pipes but I don't know whether they are stock or are from another model. Any info on this would be greatly appreciated. I'm tempted to get a set for 60-62 bikes on the hope that they will fit.....but it's kind of risky... Cheers, Bill Bikes 1974 Commando 1985 Honda Nighthawk 650 1957 Thunderbird/T110 "Black Tiger" Antique Fans: Loads of Emersons (Two six wingers) plus gyros and orbiters.

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Re: Which pipes for my '57 6T? [Re: HawaiianTiger] #776649 06/17/19 10:06 am
Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 824 Central Otago,NZ G Ginge BritBike Forum member
Ginge BritBike Forum member G Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 824 Central Otago,NZ	'57 wasn't the first alternator bike was it? ..... and yours would still be pre-unit. Anything from an earlier Thunderbird available? Otherwise eBay a ratty set of dynamo bike pipes and bend them to suit. Then get then fabricated in stainless perhaps. '51 C11 in a '54 C10L frame..."The Bantam Eater" '70 Triumph Trophy 500. Bottom end rumble awaiting diagnosis '72 Triumph Tiger 650. Back on the road...

Re: Which pipes for my '57 6T? [Re: HawaiianTiger] #776656 06/17/19 12:32 pm
Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 3,279 Elburn, Ill. USA I Irish Swede BritBike Forum member
Irish Swede BritBike Forum member I Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 3,279 Elburn, Ill. USA	Thunderbirds had alternators beginning in 1952. Exhaust pipes on 1950s Triumphs were all 1-3/4" size until the necked-down 'performance' pipes were added to T110 models in 1958. Those pipes were 1-3/4" at the exhaust port and muffler, but 1-1/2" between those two points. This was intended to have a "venturi effect" to speed the exhaust flow. I guess it works, because all Triumph pipes since then have been made this way.

Re: Which pipes for my '57 6T? [Re: Irish Swede] #776665 06/17/19 2:11 pm
Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 8,001 scotland triton thrasher BritBike Forum member
triton thrasher BritBike Forum member Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 8,001 scotland	Originally Posted by Irish Swede Thunderbirds had alternators beginning in 1952. Exhaust pipes on 1950s Triumphs were all 1-3/4" size until the necked-down 'performance' pipes were added to T110 models in 1958. Those pipes were 1-3/4" at the exhaust port and muffler, but 1-1/2" between those two points. This was intended to have a "venturi effect" to speed the exhaust flow. I guess it works, because all Triumph pipes since then have been made this way. The narrower pipes would (approximately) continue the inside diameter of the head stubs. Amateur Loctite enthusiast.

Re: Which pipes for my '57 6T? [Re: HawaiianTiger] #776681 06/17/19 6:48 pm
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 6,596 Maui Hawaii HawaiianTiger OP BritBike Forum member
OP HawaiianTiger BritBike Forum member Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 6,596 Maui Hawaii	Yes, that this is why I would like to switch to 1 1/2 pipes. However, I can't seem to find out if the T110/T120 pipes would fit. I suspect not, which leaves me to experimentation and possible waste of money. Cheers, Bill Bikes 1974 Commando 1985 Honda Nighthawk 650 1957 Thunderbird/T110 "Black Tiger" Antique Fans: Loads of Emersons (Two six wingers) plus gyros and orbiters.

Re: Which pipes for my '57 6T? [Re: HawaiianTiger] #776683 06/17/19 7:40 pm
Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 8,001 scotland triton thrasher BritBike Forum member
triton thrasher BritBike Forum member Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 8,001 scotland	Part of your problem is there are suppliers who will sell you pipes for an alternator Bonneville that don’t even fit an alternator Bonneville, never mind an older Thunderbird. Amateur Loctite enthusiast.

Re: Which pipes for my '57 6T? [Re: triton thrasher] #776697 06/17/19 9:39 pm
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 6,596 Maui Hawaii HawaiianTiger OP BritBike Forum member
OP HawaiianTiger BritBike Forum member Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 6,596 Maui Hawaii	Originally Posted by triton thrasher Part of your problem is there are suppliers who will sell you pipes for an alternator Bonneville that don’t even fit an alternator Bonneville, never mind an older Thunderbird. Bikes 1974 Commando 1985 Honda Nighthawk 650 1957 Thunderbird/T110 "Black Tiger" Antique Fans: Loads of Emersons (Two six wingers) plus gyros and orbiters.

Re: Which pipes for my '57 6T? [Re: HawaiianTiger] #776711 06/17/19 11:59 pm
Joined: Feb 2011 Posts: 3,307 Orygone Boomer BritBike Forum member
Boomer BritBike Forum member Joined: Feb 2011 Posts: 3,307 Orygone	Who is the go to Triumph exhaust pipe supplier? I need a set of the 1 1/2" pipes for my '59 T110. Bill B... Boomer

Re: Which pipes for my '57 6T? [Re: HawaiianTiger] #776715 06/18/19 12:27 am
Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 6,204 Vermont Jon W. Whitley BritBike Forum member
Jon W. Whitley BritBike Forum member Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 6,204 Vermont	Bill, I'm running later Unit pipes on my '57 6T and I didn't notice any problems in clearance and fit. Jon W. 1957 6T Thunderbird 650 1968 T100R Daytona 500 1971 TR6R Tiger 650 1970 BSA A65F 650 1955 Tiger 100 - Project 1971 BSA A65 650 - Project 1972 Norton Commando 750 "Combat"

Re: Which pipes for my '57 6T? [Re: Jon W. Whitley] #776724 06/18/19 2:01 am
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 6,596 Maui Hawaii HawaiianTiger OP BritBike Forum member
OP HawaiianTiger BritBike Forum member Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 6,596 Maui Hawaii	Yes! Thanks Jon! Cheers, Bill Bikes 1974 Commando 1985 Honda Nighthawk 650 1957 Thunderbird/T110 "Black Tiger" Antique Fans: Loads of Emersons (Two six wingers) plus gyros and orbiters.

Re: Which pipes for my '57 6T? [Re: HawaiianTiger] #776805 06/19/19 12:06 am
Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 6,204 Vermont Jon W. Whitley BritBike Forum member
Jon W. Whitley BritBike Forum member Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 6,204 Vermont	Originally Posted by HawaiianTiger Yes! Thanks Jon! Cheers, Bill You are welcome Bill ! I'll wheel it out in the next day or two and snap some pics for you. Jon W. 1957 6T Thunderbird 650 1968 T100R Daytona 500 1971 TR6R Tiger 650 1970 BSA A65F 650 1955 Tiger 100 - Project 1971 BSA A65 650 - Project 1972 Norton Commando 750 "Combat"

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