First Start in 28 Years: Bringing My Grandfather's Triton Motorbike Back to Life

Today, JayEmm is not talking about cars. Instead, I am talking about a very special motorbike. This is my Grandfather's "Triton" - a combination of Triumph engine in a Norton chassis, and today for the first time since the 1990s it is going to be started.
A huge thankyou to Simon of The Hangar Motorcylce Company for conducting this restoration with the utmost sympathy, respect and professionalism. Such a delicate job required an understanding person and he was that!
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[@thehangarmotorcycleco]

Thanks for the trust, James. Was an absolute pleasure to work on this wonderful machine for you and especially with such a precious story behind it all. Your reaction at the end makes it all worth while 🙏🏼

[@simonelliott5956]

You did a fabulous job, exactly what was needed on a machine like this.

[@Phuc_Yhou]

The clean/lacquer/rebuild route was the perfect choice for this type of restoration and a top quality build all round, nice work Hanger 😎

[@Grumpy-Goblin]

Well done to you for a superb job of renovating but keeping the character.

[@BuzzLOLOL]

Who got the better bike? The leftover Norton engine in the leftover Triumph frame?

[@chrisnic8894]

Cracking job, thanks for appearing in the video 👍

[@AndyfromSurrey]

What a lovely sympathetic restoration 👍🏻

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Thanks Andy

[@shamuso1596]

Totally agree, it would have been too tempting to restore as good as to pristine, but it's kept its character and soul. The bike will live on.

[@BibtheBoulder]

As a 'biker' first and foremost this has been the video I have enjoyed the most. Much respect to you for what you did with this lovely machine....

[@richardharrold9736]

Much respect also for what he DIDN'T do. It would have been so easy to just say "full bare metal resto"... and completely destroyed its patina and personality.

[@Jw20000]

When the bike started and he's just there with no words while it's idling taking it all in, I was getting emotional watching someone I've never met relish in this moment. Amazing how a machine with a story can grab you. He'd be so proud of your success and the sympathetic restoration on the bike.

[@ianhindmarsh882]

I do love my cars (you even tested one!) But as a biker first and foremost, I absolutely loved this video. The fact that it has such enormous sentimental value makes it particularly special. I envy you those upcoming summer Sunday morning rides; just you, the bike and those memories of your grandad.

[@TheImprobableIronman]

Superb. Thanks for sharing the story and so nice to see you saving your grandad's bike - what a fantastic memory of him to keep.

[@saxon-mt5by]

This reminds me of when my brother completed the restoration of our grandfather's 1922 ABC which hadn't run for over sixty years. The incredible thing was that I recognised the sound of the exhaust as soon as it fired up - I can't have been more than two years old when I last heard it! That brought tears to my eyes.

[@rogerdee.926]

Where all aware of how quickly valuable items of loved ones disappear after (or even before) their passing, but having that bike that he rode as a young man and seeing it lovingly restored is a real treasure and link to your family's history, well done.

[@Nafeels]

And by this we’re definitely getting a segment of an old school British motorbike in a few months. Just reading that sentence alone gave me a huge grin. Thanks for sharing this magical and touching moment with us!

[@ramishrambarran3998]

This story is a bit emotional for me. In 1999, I would have been 44 years-old, riding since I was 17, until today, I have a baby grandson at 13 months, and he is quite familiar with the Indian-manufactured Yamaha FZ25. Those who put their hands on the hybrid did well. When I was a boy, the police had the single-carb. Tiger. Triumph never came back to our shores, though there are a few owner-imported modern models. Good going. Thanks for the video. Trinidad & Tobago. West Indies.

[@theomarshall6047]

Amazing story. My stepdad has restored a couple of Norton 850 Commandos and a couple of other bikes from that era along with a Royal Enfield Interceptor so can fully appreciate the sentiment and feeling if getting it started.

[@MalteseMafia]

Lovely Restoration of your Grandads bike. It is a great tribute to your Grandad. 👍

[@lightweightiseverything5068]

I’m a Lotus Elise SC guy and live in Southern California. I have enjoyed watching your channel for years. I must say that was your best video ever - straight from the ❤ You guys totally nailed the sympathetic resto on the bike. Grandad would be quite happy and proud!

[@daniels.2720]

Good on you Jayemm. So delightful to see + the Triton is now priceless in sentimental value to you & your family...

[@goldfever4570]

Congratulations and kudos for doing it the right way, the resto and the reveal. Fantastic

[@ichiban8558]

Had a tear in my eye at the end. You can certainly tell a story James.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Thanks for listening to it :)

[@jakublulek3261]

I am still running my great-grandfather's Cortina Mk.V, which he bought in 1981, worked on it through autumn of his life and passed it on to me in 2014, year before he passed away, 98 years old. I always adored the car, as I adored him, who was the greatest influence in my life when I was growing up. And I also did to the car, what great-grandfather would do, tune it up, keep it rust-free, keep it on the road, using it as car like that should be used. It is part of my family's legacy now.

[@TheDirkdams]

I am happy for you James . Granddad will be whit you for all the ride's save journeys from Spain

[@obiwan8393]

I’m happy for you James. Go out and enjoy your grandads bike.

[@AW8UK]

👍👍Typing this from post hernia op hospital bed today. Looking forward to to return to bike when able.Watching this soon..TY 👍🏍

[@darrenhill4022]

So glad you did a preservation rather than a restoration and kept the natural patina. Good work. Lovely story too. I'm sure Grandad would be chuffed.

[@Fraser-369]

I gifted my son my 2001 Triumph Legend TT, with the hopes that he can work some mechanical magic on it and give it new life. A lot of memories wrapped up in that bike. It would be a bucket list line item crossed off…riding next to my son.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Sounds like a fantastic idea

[@TBiker000]

Can’t wait for the test ride. Love the fact you have your grandads bike, what a great way to remind you of him.

[@NICKBYN]

What a lovely machine with oodles of character and it certainly does purr.....

[@plunder1956]

It has now been almost 50 years since I started riding bikes and about 12 years since I stopped. That was a lovely bit of personal history from James. Now you go careful dude.

[@Defrag1978]

Brilliant! Am surprised you managed to get through that ending without wiping a tear away. Looking forward to the updates. Keep giving us some of the 'real' James, very watchable.

[@deaks25]

That’s really awesome, I love the decision to keep it looking like an old bike rather than do a full concourse restoration. It makes me sad when I hear about cars but especially bikes that get ridden only a few miles each year and are kept hermetically sealed. A bike is a machine that was built to be used and it always make me smile to see an old bike that shows a bit of use. Can’t wait to see the first ride video.

[@johnscarsandstuff]

That was a lovely video. I hope it's not too weird to say that I wanted to give you a massive hug at the end of the video, because we could see how happy you were. I'm so sorry for you and your family that your grandfather was taken from you at such a young age (only two years older than I am as I write this), especially in such a senseless and sudden way. Please can we have more bike related content?

[@Ninakoklahombi]

Well done Lads! What a special occasion. Thank you for allowing us to join you. Keep the shinny side up !

[@timothyabraham13]

What a lovely heart warming story.

[@paulelverstone8677]

Beautiful. Beautiful story and beautiful bike. Only those who have recommissioned a motorcycle will really know the joy of it firing up again imho. Sometimes these things are more than just nuts and bolts. You makes stories with them...

[@mozdickson]

Lovely work. I have a 1967 Triumph Daytona T100 --- over the years it has taught me a lot. First time you tried starting I could tell you wouldn't get it started (and fuel feed is so simple that that is unlikely to be a problem if your spigot is open!) ---- low or no spark symptoms. I use the horn on my bike as a 'voltmeter' no horn blast or weak horn blast, no way it will start. Charge the battery. One other tip, never leave these kind of bikes running standing for more than a few minutes. It will get hot as hell in no time. Could be damaging. Cheers and enjoy that thing. Maybe I should keep mine and hand it on to my grandson, or granddaughter, but which one!

[@danwedderburn5550]

Probably one of your only videos ive ever watched all the way through. Great stuff on this one. Thanks for posting this. That engine runs so well for an old English bike.

[@kingsleysmith994]

This is nothing short of tremendous guys. Thank you so much.

[@johnsuffill6520]

Great restoration job. Not concours but definitely what this bike wanted. Nice car in the background too 👍

[@superstring101]

VERY cool, James! I look forward to seeing it on the road! I'm sure your grandad is smiling 🙂 - John from Canada

[@graemegaw5536]

Wonderful to see you geting this back on the road and keeping it original. I hope it brings back a lot of happy memories and makes some new ones

[@Mike40M]

Congrats. A day for you to remember. Only two things that surprised me. I never gets idling right on a cold engine. And that there was no checking on oil returning to the tank. And don´t forget to drain the crankcase before next start.

[@Coldpies]

Touching watch, thank you for sharing.

[@paulcharlton2353]

Great to see you keep it as your Granddad would have enjoyed it. Have fun and take care riding it, the Superdream brakes would have been much better than the Triton so don't push it.

[@dockerandy]

That was an emotional moment eh ! well done ! coincidently my grandfather rode a pure bred norton and is the reason i ride bikes, alas i would love my grandads bike but its lost in time as we have no details of it to trace, dead chuffed for you 👍 thanks for sharing with us.

[@gregshamieh6339]

There's nothing in the world like that 'kid at Christmas' smile when an old motorbike comes back to life. Seeing that never gets old.

[@iancharlton678]

Joy 🥳 Love the Super Dream team shot……. ridden a few, owned a couple. Love the “stock” look of the Triton…… most have had the full on Cafe treatment, rare to see a sleeper 🙂 Get out there on it…….😎 I keep a stable of old nags for the occasional blast, in my 60th year…….. never without, since my FS1E DX, riding to school, yellow with speed blocks…… through icy rides to work in the eighties to occasional trips out to a tea hut now…….🏁😎🇬🇧 Ride it till you have to pass it on………

[@black8art]

Emotive subject, bikes! ...I've had several cars and can get a bit misty eyed over one or two. I've also had several bikes, but each and every one makes my heart ache, mainly because they are a VERY visceral experience, and you "become one" with each and every one, regardless of whether you like them or not. It is so much MORE, of every experience you get with cars! I hope "JayEmm" expands his channels into bikes, as this would compliment his automotive content perfectly! Take a trip down to Henry Cole in Oxfordshire/Cotswolds and have a chat and a mug or two of his finest tea, and he'll enthuse for hours over his love of all things "petrolhead"! Take cake and he'll be your friend for life! Henry has some excellent contacts, and you are both from a photographic/filmographic background, so I'm very sure you have a lot in common!

[@jamesroseby3823]

What wonderful thing to be able to do and a touching, personal moment to be able to have her start. Looking forward to seeing you ride her, James. A lovely video.

[@sputumtube]

I actually punched the air when it fired up (good job I was on my own). Looking forward to the ride/review. Really happy for you. :)

[@gerrywatson261]

James, you are a bloody good bloke! Love the sympathetic restoration - I hope you have many happy years riding it! Hats off to Simon too and wish him every success in his venture.

[@2loudspeakers]

Beautiful bike and great family history to keep!

[@MGMan-ce7sf]

Excellent James. Thank you for sharing this special, personal moment with all of us, your fans and viewers. Congratulations!

[@mrflippant]

The smile on your face at the end of the video says it all, man. Congrats on getting the old girl running again, and here's hoping the summer is less British than usual so you can get out and enjoy it as your granddad intended!

[@davidganning8699]

Love the sound of that engine

[@Andy-pu2iv]

Absolutely beautiful story, James. I know from experience that bikes are such personal things, so to have that running and looking like it did when your Grandad had it must be a great feeling. Grandad would be proud.

[@bm7760]

Made me smile when it fired-up. Perhaps that's because I have an old Bonnie in the garage. Bring it over to the Isle of Man for the Manx later this year. Regardless, congratulations. That's a lovely bike.

[@MarkBeezBlogs]

Awesome vid! Not a big motorcycle guy; but, I love old bikes! My Grandfather had a DKW during WW2 and shortly after. I get the connection love the story! Congrats can’t wait for the first ride!

[@frenchenstein]

🌟Wow, probably my favourite episode Jay. A Triton with a Tiger in; easily the best combination. Please: more bike videos by your good self. Many thanks-Paul 🌟

[@ianhoyle8459]

That was great James, fantastic that the machine just ticked over so wonderfully from the very first opportunity. I’m looking forward to seeing the first shake down 👍

[@davidnimmo5115]

Fantastic episode it is great you keeled the bike in the original condition in the way it looks.I am looking forward to seeing the next episode all the best it got me thinking I need a motorbike in my life again🤞

[@michaelcole3998]

That was a great video, thank you for sharing as the story behind it is fantastic

[@joecrnich688]

Just loved this! Well done Mate!

[@ianmuir7746]

Brillant and we could see how much it meant to you.

[@manuelhaug4053]

Great video James ! I‘d love more bike related stuff on your channel !!

[@iaincorser7079]

Brilliant video, fabulous story!

[@PenryMMJ]

Nice one James. Your Grandad will be looking down and smiling.

[@davidbates7920]

I’ve been lucky enough to have 3 650 pre unit triumphs an one featherbed framed 650 Norton ss, If you ever have the same problem with not knowing if the mag switch is of or on just unscrew the end of the mag. That removes the earth wire. All my mag ignition bikes were easer to start than the early alternator bikes which is why they are used on drag car engines.The oldest mag ignition bike I ran was a 1939 Ariel and when I pulled the mag apart it looked original,this was between 1967 and 1975.One tip that might help is the triumphs mag switch was a push button. Hope you enjoyed the bike I can say the Norton feather bed frame was far superior to the triumph one.

[@jeffdoell5064]

Congratulations James. Great result and I love the resto. Don’t know how you resisted the temptation to take it for a quick spin. I would’ve been onto it like a kid on a donut!

[@stevelacombe5291]

Sounds marvelous! I want to see it on the road.

[@gerrypowell2748]

Grandad will be loving it❤️

[@billmago7991]

Nice story..... sorry news about your grandfather...bike sounds nice.

[@outdoorfreedom9778]

In the past, I'm a bit older than your grandad, I have gotten bit when starting these old bikes. I made it a habit to wear stiff boots when starting them.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

When it actually comes time to ride I will don some proper footwear

[@09juliancarr]

I’ve got to say James, turning up in an Aston Vantage to get a vintage Triton started…. ‘Pretty cool’ doesn’t quite cover it!!!

[@daveco1270]

Great bike. It's amazing what a difference a good magneto will make.

[@richardwigley4942]

❤Thanks grandad nice THANKS 🇬🇧

[@coreydoody1806]

Cannot wait to see the next instalment in this series! 😃

[@Birkebeinar]

Congratulations Mr.

[@5ebra1]

Would love to see more Triton content. Great video.

[@AntoniusTyas]

Finally, the motorbike restoration video. Really interesting to see a not-car content here.

[@BikeFromTheBrink]

Good on ya! I like to keep things original. You've done him proud. If you're ever Yorkshire direction then give me a shout, I have a 1986 Ford Cortina P100 pick up and a 2012 Audi S8 you might fancy reviewing. As well as many bikes of course.

[@quentinsjames]

Great video. Can't wait to see you ride it!

[@graemetaylor629]

brilliant content, thank you

[@sverremoe4087]

Lovely ❤❤

[@karmabrothercat]

Congratulations 🥳

[@barryrose4850]

Bikes on your channel, now you’ve moved up a gear JM. Keep on doing what you do, petrol head to petrol head 🏁

[@Fee.1]

Not long ago you told me “never” when I asked about motorcycle content!!! Progress!!

[@rohanmills8509]

Such a wholesome video

[@DjDolHaus86]

You've always said that you're not confident with mechanical things so maybe this is an opportunity to learn? I'd certainly be interested in seeing you strip this old bike down and learning to rebuild it, bikes are a great thing to learn on because everything is fairly simple and lightweight

[@theien5929]

Sounds just like a 1967 Triumph Daytona 500 I once owned. Twin carburetors.

[@afoolandhismoneychannel]

Grandad's bike is beautiful.

[@mick0846]

From superdreams to ferraris literally living the dream ✨️

[@thatmanstumototours2270]

Wonderful that you kept this beauty as she is. Restoring should be a last and final resort and a diminishing one,at that...and doing so would have made it your bike, not Grandad's...The exchange of grins as she idled says it all...

[@gregsanders8498]

Lovely video James. Your best yet?

[@JayEmmOnCars]

It was certainly enjoyable to make

[@rcnmoto1548]

You need to STOP making videos like this! brought a blooming tear to my eye that did when it started. Absolutely awesome video

[@geoffreycarson2311]

THE TON UP Boys !!!!ie ROCKERS 😁😁😁😁😁g

[@laskos02]

Finally its here :D

[@001sander2]

How many hours of refurbishing did it take? Anyway great video! Touching story and I always love a good bike clip 🤓

[@TundeEszlari]

Awesome content.

[@markchip1]

Can you also tell us a bit about that lovely old Aston V8 just outside the garage please, James??? Starting with, who's is it?

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Mine for the week :) Video soon

[@ldorman]

I guess, an AM V8 video will soon be dropped - however; as a biker myself I liked this video; it just reminds me why I already know that I won't sell my bike.

[@Adric4400]

Can we expect some more motorcycle content? Other than this one ofc? :D

[@Anybloke]

When someone constructed a Triton did someone else end up with a Norumph ?

[@stevenpine1939]

I had Triumphs LOVED THEM!!!! Had a Norton too hated it when trying to start it ugliest bike I owned!!! THUMPERS FOREVER!!!

[@arielsaeth]

Are you putting the same type of pistons in ? I have the same 17844 pistons in my T110 but being 9~1 compression pistons from 70's trophy i,m a bit worried they are a bit high , sounds lovely but i've been told the 8 stud head is a bit weak for these high comp pistons ? fuel was different in 1967 than now.