1971 Firebird Sump Guard ?

[A10 JWO]

During my restoration of my box of bits A65 Thunderbolt, I was on ebay every day buying anything that fitted. I purchased a NOS sump guard because it was the right price and it is shown on Draganfly's parts list. It did not fit as the lower engine mount was about 2" out from the two rear lugs.

I have just seen an identical second hand sump guard on ebay listed for the OIF A65 for £79.99 by Vale Onslow Motorcycles. I sent them a message just to clear up the issue. They did not reply but have removed the listing.

I started looking at Firebird pictures on advert and some look like the lower engine mounting lug is further back. It could be the angle that the pictures were taken but the frame is possibly different on the scrambler ?

I revisited Dragonfly's parts list and the guard 83-3136 is no longer available but is listed as being only for the Firebird OIF.

I did a google search and British Bike Bits Parts list a sump guard 83-3136G that will fit a standard OIF A65. It is nothing like the ebay one I saw and nothing like mine.

If the Firebird frame is different someone could come unstuck if they buy a second hand frame for a rebuild of a standard OIF. If it is the same frame, Vale Onslow and myself have sump guards that don't fit. Can anyone clear this up please.

[AWJDThumper]

Sounds like a bit of a strange one. As far as I can see, the frame was the same for all models of the A65 in 1971, including the FS, and the engine lugs were definitely in the same place.  If you position the sump guard brackets on the lower engine bolt, where does the front end of the guard end up? Is the front then too high to attach to the frame via the U-bolts?

[JulianS]

Can you post photos of the sump guard - may produce some thoughts on what it is for.

[A10 JWO]

Hi Thumper. When I offer it up the S/G lugs are wider than the frame and is about 2" from the down tubes. I cannot post photo's unfortunately, however it looks identical to the one on Draganfly's parts list. If you click on the part number it states F/B only ? I am wondering if it for one of the Triumph OIF models. Thanks for replies.

[JulianS]

Below from Triumph OIF parts book.

[AWJDThumper]

The one on the British Bike Bits website (83-3136) looks identical to the one in the A65 parts book. If yours looks completely different then it must be the wrong part.

[A10 JWO]

Hi Julian. That's exactly what I have in that parts drawing. I noticed there are two cotton reel spacers for the back lugs, that is why it is only for the Firebird. The guard will foul the Thunderbolt exhaust downpipes, so it can only be fitted to a bike with high exhausts. I now think mine can be fettled to fit the scrambler, but not mine; it can go on Ebay. Learn every day. I noticed the drawing is listed as Triumph, which model and year was it please. Thanks Colin.

Update. I have found one on ebay pictured with a tape measure, exactly the same size and listed as for a TR6C, a lot cheaper than Vale-Onslow Motorcycles £79.99 Ebay 382440545139.

[JulianS]

Its the TR6C from 1971 unit 650 Triumph parts book. Same in the 1972 unit 650 book.

Shows as part E12851 which I think translates to 71 2851.

[A10 JWO]

Thanks Julian.