The Salt Ghost: Return of The Nitro Express - Full Length Film

[@scotth6848]

This was the best thing I have watched in a very long time. Watching an old Triumph with such a rich history, come back to life was amazing to me! More importantly, you two guys never lost sight of the fact that Theo was always in the background. You didn't try to make the bike your own, you kept how it was as much as possible. The respect you showed for honoring Theo, and his history with the machine, told me much about how you guys are and your true character...good you both for being bigger than the human ego. I'm going to watch this a few more times, thank you for a fantastic story!

[@charlesnewell569]

Love this story

[@Frank-rh7vh]

Very very very GOOD !!!

[@craigpeters327]

Best hour I spent staring at a screen in quite some time, great story, great guys and runs... respect, time to ride...

[@vizak20]

Yes, great to see a real documentary, unlike the manufactured ‘reality’ you see on mainstream tv.

[@josephwinkler4863]

I was thinking the exact same thing

[@sergioofthejungle3011]

Ditto.

[@pauliebots]

Watching it again. We need more like this.

[@pauliebots]

Sux to hear all the old dudes passed. Time waits for no man. Enjoy it now.

[@mikeymike3240]

That was freaking awesome guys, no doubt that you will have the record next time out. That bike is amazing, so old and yet so fast. You guys have honoured Theo and Fritz and everyone else who races at the salt flats.

[@ModernMountainLiving]

I stumbled on this in my feed. My buddy found a 1968 Trumph 650 bobber in a storage locker he bought at auction. When I saw it at his house I asked how it rides. He doesn't ride so he hadn't tried to start it. I put my knife in the ignition and the light turned on, opened the petcock and it fired on the second kick. I rode it a couple of blocks and returned it. It was awesome to be that low, that old, that cool. He doubled his price by the time I returned. When I saw your bike, I was hanging on to hear if it was a 650. So cool to see your bike, I was cheering so loud my dog left the room. Thanks for the film.

[@ericweber1969]

This video was OUTSTANDING!!! Easily the best I've seen about racing at the Salt Flats. Thank you for telling this story.

[@paulthompson8613]

Bikes the greatest Addiction ever

[@irishguyjg_2ndchancerecovery]

Amen BRO. I was telling LBC i have a healthy addiction to there products and parts.

[@nicolaasmarais1068]

Amen amen

[@bobbushie4603]

simply awesome guys,...... old salts rule !!!

[@rideswift]

As a life long motorcycle rider, both on and off road, this brought a lot of joy to me. great video and nice work bringing the vintage iron back to life. Cheers

[@tfjack97]

Excellent video, the highs and lows, I was with ya guys. Enjoyed watching someone else bringing old crusty stuff back to life and used for what it was intended for. Thanks for sharing this with everyone that digs this stuff. Can't wait for more.

[@MrSlingshotdubai]

I'm stuck in isolation for Christmas with COVID 19 and this has made my Christmas eve apart from my family... more worthwhile... thank you

[@Bo7a]

When the bikes are revving up to 7k on a salt flat. Turn the music off. Please! I feel so "left hanging"

[@sandmannmiller1073]

Yes, thats right, i want to hear the bike not this boring guitare rythm.

[@paulandersen8396]

too many doco's are ruined with crappy unneeded music .

[@senatorjosephmccarthy2720]

Its endemic. Feeding the addicted or something.

[@kimchambers6685]

Waited and waited to hear that bike and in came the f---ing guitars

[@xmo552]

Worse timing for music

[@andrewheathwood8219]

Stumbled on this today - it's a rainy day here in the land where the Triumph was made. Very enjoyable film. Well done to all concerned.

[@joesjunkgarage]

Wonderful story! It was great to see both of these guy return this historic motorcycle back where it belongs!

[@markbentz8940]

HE,S LOOKING DOWN FROM HEAVEN ....WITH A HUGE GRIN...THANKING YOU GUYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@grimsbydavid]

Thanks for putting this online -- wonderfull story of those unsung heroes of speed

[@PeterDad60]

Those Triumph Vertical Twin engines are stout! I still have my (purchased new) 1976 T140V Bonneville 750. I street cafe raced her and she never once lost! She raced and won against every motorcycle on the streets of Long Island during 1977 till 1986 and then again in 1992. Getting 140 mph on your Triumph really is impressive. My 1976 could do 108 mph on an open straight, 110 mph if that road was going down hill a little bit an 112 mph if going down hill a little bit with a tail wind. She never saw more than 112 mph. In fact she did not get to top speed on the back roads ever during a cafe road race as there was no long straits, she won by doing mostly between 35 mpg and 90 mph. An honest 79 mph average was all she needed to win against any other motorcycle on the back street of Long Island as they could not even do that much as an average -over the road speed during a cafe race. I am talking about roads with curves, short straights, off camber curves, "S" curves and off camber "S curves and plenty of blind curves. I am not talking about Expressways/Super Highways or even Turnpikes. I'm talking about the back roads between the towns off Long Island. Where I lived and raced for 15 years with my Bonneville. Stock weight was 395lbs. I removed the seat cushion, all four turn signals indicators, replaced the stock handle bar with low-drag bars and removed the (2) @20 lb. mufflers. Got her down to about 365 lbs. I could duck under the wind at anything above 73 mph (when the wind would start flappin my eye lids) forcing me to pull my goggles down from off of my helmet. I used to tell my friends if you see me wearing my goggles that means I was just in a cafe race, otherwise I rode with my eyes and fave in the wind. Nothing ever hit my eyes or face either, except once a huge flying insect while riding interstate. The motor was strong enough, never blew up, would not blow up but the 4020/4030 (?) Chrome Molly chassis/frame made her so she would never wobble and on the back roads handling is what wins, even against 172 h.p. 1992 Kawasaki Fuel Injected KZ1100's amd Honda V4 Interceptor 1000cc machines, Laverda 750SFC , BMW, Yamaha. Suzuki....they all challenged and lost. That is what makes my Triumph Special. She never lost and never threw me off. She sit's 15 feet away, just outside my back window as I speak. I did all my own mechanical work, except one time I had a fella heli-arc a crack near one of the spark plugs. She never blew up and I revved her for all she was worth when we raced, 6500-6800 rpm when I looked, possible hit 7000 but there was never a need to rev her that high as it made no difference and even wasted time, better to shift when she stops climbing up the revs and just before she levels off at red-line. Valve float occurs at @6800 and the valves make a loud tingling sounds as they bounce back against the rocker arm. Time to shift when you start floating your valves. I could have installed stronger springs but I was proud of my machine in stock form. She even ran on the original Dunlap K-70H tires. No ngine mods, kept the air cleaners. Not mods other than to lower the seat height and bars and remove the unnecessary turn blinkers. I really appreciate your video. My Triumph changed my life. I still ride but these day's it's a newer 2015 FLHP Harley-Davidson Road King Police. My Triumph would never/could never abide another motorcycle putting a wheel ahead and as for me at age 69 I have nothing to prove. Sometimes I want to take her out and kick ass with her but we live in Alabama now and the back roads are nothing like the Long Island back roads which are exactly like those on The Isle of Mann TT. Those roads were fun and a challenge and yes the Engineer's did excellent work on designing them.

[@andrewbull3537]

Thanks for sharing ,take care

[@pauliebots]

Hey PeterDad60 I have a 650 1971t120rv AND I live on Long Island!! 10 years your junior and sharing the same enthusiasm as you. I dont have many seat hours and I just had the whole motor rebuilt by Hugh Mackie. She does handle well. The knucklehead I bought it from lowered it so much that now I constantly scrape the center stand. Gonna have to do something. What towns were you racing in? Center Moriches? Manorville?Baiting Hollow? There are some nice roads here. What were your favorites? Way too crowded though. You have to choose your times well. Good to hear about the good times and ass whooping you handed out with your triumph.

[@JamesCouch777]

I'm 69 and have owned Triumphs off and on over my whole life. I even had one of the new Bonnevilles but there is nothing like the vintage Triumphs. Currently I own five of them.

[@robertklein9190]

Roads in Long Island are nothing like the IOM, it's flat as a pancake. You have to ride in upstate NY. RT. 218, Rt.97 & 9W, along the Hudson or Delaware rivers to experience how well they handle. I had a stock 71 TR6, 5500 RPM was pushing it, tickle the carb and one kick was all it took to bring it to life.

[@thevelointhevale1132]

Man, when the lads fired the Trumpy up for the first time and that Twin started to growl, spit and snarl ... the world went from B&W to Colour and I bet somewhere Theo had a big grin on his face ... WHAT a moment! Growing up in the 70's the Triumph was to Motorcycles what the Spitfire was to WW2 Aircraft ... the absolute sweetest and coolest Motorcycle going - love those bikes and even today the Bonnie is just one hell of a sickle!

[@TSOTruth]

Nice story, great ride.

[@andrewbull3537]

The sound of an old triumph firing up ,now THAT is what you call a thing of beauty, even a harley doesn't come near (sorry harley owners ,but you must agree with me !!!!).,when i heard that bike start in the workshop all the hairs on my arms stood up!!!! See you later, careful on road

[@deershack5388]

I've had both and do agree with you!

[@tucoramirez8397]

Cool but I wouldn't go THAT far. Sorry.

[@deershack5388]

I here Harleys all day everyday maybe that has something to do with it! I rue the day I sold my Triumphs.

[@JAKEWJONES]

sky scratch I love Triumphs but I also liked the sound of my RC8 kzbin.info/www/bejne/rqmalYmgd5umjMU

[@whatsstefon]

It was like a lion's roar. Every hair on my body stood up.

[@moeshouse575]

thanks guys. the best 2 hours i have spent in a LONG time.

[@robertmcbee4671]

This was a fantastic movie, well made, in honor of salt racers, Theo & Fritz, and everyone that races. Totally fantastic that this vintage ride could come back from wherever and ride the salt again. Please continue making updates in film about this bike and the progress you make. It would be wonderful to see it tie or break it's old record. Ride safe!

[@georgeknox]

A builders dream to see his passion live on to the next generation. Great job gents

[@brustar5152]

Running nitro with a pressed fit crankshaft ..... that took some cajones. I roadraced a Triton in the early 70's built up from a 69 Bonny and loved that thing. My first Triumph was a 58 Trophy with compy mag, slick shift tranny, high pipes and Grasshopper tires that I put a lot of work into things like lightening the cam gears. that thing would climb the north hill of Calgary (before development) like a goat .Those old boys sure had fun and blazed many a trail for us other old boys.

[@MD-bk7kb]

Absolutely brilliant....but loose the music when the bikes running!!! Lets hear the engine!!!!

[@Afro408]

My thoughts exactly! Why, oh Why, do you feel the need to put that shitty, so-called 'music' in there while the bike is on the course. Sheeet. :(

[@scottygdaman]

The music is the thump of a 650. Only tunes needed

[@maximoagan6110]

Charles Angel

[@CONEHEADDK]

@@Afro408 Same shit on some fly fishing videos. I wanna listen to, what I'm looking at. How can that be hard to understand, being intuitive logic for me...

[@state_of_repentance]

EXACTLY!!!

[@paulpatton5093]

Fantastic! Congratulations!! Race In Power, Rest in Peace Theo, thank you for your service and the history lesson. Thanks Y'all for the racing!

[@usmctattooboy]

What an incredible video

[@horstd.engart9362]

What an amazing story and video ! Well done boys !

[@timwinfield1411]

I honestly don't know what I can add to all the comments except that you did an old racer and an old Triumph proud. Now here's an old trick that might get you that extra 2 mph. Sandblast or bead blast the chambers on the heads, likewise the piston tops. It improves the flow by causing mini-vorteces (vortexes?) along the edges of the fuel path and so less drag on the flow. Best of luck next year. We'll all be watching and cheering. T

[@quickdeuce]

Yes, Yes, YES!! We joined you in your jubilation of hearing Theo's sweet Triumph come to life again.

[@state_of_repentance]

Loved it, great video!

[@richardnaef8657]

Thank you guys made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck. Love Triumphs, but loved even more that you spent so much time and sweat honouring the memory of such a great guy.

[@jeff2231963]

What a wonderful to spend 61 minutes. Thank you for the unique history lesson.

[@daweshorizon]

Amazing talent in sorting out temperamental British bikes from long ago! The enthusiasm and dedication of these (relatively young) guys is infectious! Absolutely love this vid! Love and peace.

[@bernhard8540]

I love seeing guys and girls both younger and older fighting to keep the older stuff alive, its why i keep buying older bikes and vehicles and refreshing them and bringing new life into them so msybe one day some kid will do the same when i get old🤘🤘

[@TheDirtyfax]

A fantastic story!! Loved every minute of it...

[@pauliebots]

Absolute perfect gem.

[@shadowhetzner9459]

What an awesome story, and you guys are amazing guys for what you have done to HONOR Theo and keep his legacy going. and to HONOR the salt flat racers . Just freaking awesome ..

[@quickdeuce]

OMFG!! By tha GODS guys!! 121 on Theo's old Triumph was so incredible! All of us who watched to the end were holding our breath for Tyler to keep control - he's SO frigg'n L O N G from head to toe it must be so hard to fold himself into a pretzel to ride that old beauty, BUT HE DID IT!! Congrats for a restoration that was awaiting your talented hands and for a run at a record many have attempted to break. We hope one day you and Tyler can again make a run at 124,, we think the ol girl has it in her.

[@dcarter001]

Thanks to you and the crew for doing this film. Keeping history alive and relevant is no small feat.

[@abdul-kabiralegbe5660]

Fitting profile pic (Steve the racer).

[@chrisbunker2117]

Fantastic stuff you guys. just one thing bugged me. when the bike was doing the runs, it would have been better if the background music wasn´t so intrusiv, loud. I would much rather hear that motor running, you don´t get to hear that sort of thing, in this day and age very often. I like it!

[@barryrussell4106]

Wow I am inspired by this. This is a story I will not forget.

[@craig6444]

Fantastic tribute to a great man! RIP Theo Ozen. He sure was smiling at the end!!

[@LarsWSTi]

Well done... Much respect to all LSR racers, and these guys bringing part of a man's legacy back to the salt.

[@Johnkels100]

Excellent, Excellent, Excellent, Well done to all involved, the record is the next.!!!!!!!!

[@PeterHatch-mx7zc]

You guys should be proud the two of you !! Way to go mate!!

[@Jonpilen]

Man this documentary was sweet! But there's no need for the 'dramatic' music.

[@hugh-johnfleming289]

One of the great delights of my youth were the many hours I spent at El Mirage. My Uncle Charlie ran a Model T when he was a kid. My Cuz and I would just go out, camp, hang out and enjoy. You will meet no finer people, more accommodating and gracious, willing to answer a question asked in earnest politely. Take water, shelter(the sun can be brutal), hats and a radio, they announce times and speeds over a low watt FM broadcast(hell, they probably have an app by now). If you love cars and bikes this is a great weekend.

[@janzienkiewicz5295]

Absolutely brilliant...... I truly can’t think of any other you tube video that was more engaging or heart warming. This raises the bar to a new high. You know it has brought into sharp focus to why we love the old triumph motorcycles so much. I knew they had heart but in this video you are shown the soul. Simply stunning 💥

[@andrewmcneil2110]

Excellent film.

[@irishguyjg_2ndchancerecovery]

Excellent tribute and great work bringing back the bike and racing it for THEO.

[@fanoboss]

YOU TUBE NEEDS MORE VIDEOS LIKE THIS !

[@jimallen199]

That was a bloody awesome film well done guys, the history the bike & what a fantastic result had my giggling like a schoolgirl.

[@lowbrowcustoms]

Jim, glad you enjoyed it! We had a blast making the film and racing of course!

[@leonardodahumanoid4344]

Great video! Thanks for sharing it with us.

[@arboristo4407]

You guys are awesome! Back in 70 I use to ride my 67 TR6, 120mph, on the Ventura Frwy at 330 am to work at jeans west warehouse just fyi! Loved my triumph ❤️❤️❤️

[@mathewharrison]

Fantastic viewing. Thankyou.

[@JHV166]

Tear to my eyes... God Bless you young men...

[@jackspradt1562]

me as well. good stuff.

[@michaeledwards5597]

Great story. Thanks for sharing brother.

[@gregoryrowe936]

Amazing Great to see you getting out there. .

[@JM-vh2zr]

Just absolutely Awesome story and a few grains of salt makes it all work .

[@n8ansmiths135]

I don't think I've routed for two gearheads more. Great documentary. Beautiful bike, that had to have been a blast.

[@joe69rs]

Great video guys!

[@jonnybelski2781]

That bike just sounds awesome. Great job guys.

[@steboardman4390]

Brilliant show. Thanks for the history and sharing your adventure. And that Triumph sounded awesome when it was spinning on both cylinders.

[@johnjeromson3471]

Awesome film, please do a follow up when you go back. Sorry that theo passed before he saw it race again but you honoured his memory superbly. best of luck for the future.

[@desmondtighe9410]

24.33 That engine and exhaust sound absolutely fabulous 😍

[@bigdaddydellnunya5830]

Sweet ride man and sweet history keep it alive

[@stevenzeinert5664]

Fantastic story boy's . Thanks for sharing .👍✌️

[@bernhard8540]

The fact you guys thought about theo and brought him some salt from the track is absolutely killer❤🤘🤘🤘

[@Trigsbroom]

Lovely story!

[@woodsmn8047]

I used to ride a 49 triumph 650 speed twin myself...awesome piece of machinery...never raced it but caught many jackrabbits and had a lot of fun...the sound is music to my ears

[@davidbrandt6925]

That is a beautiful bike. The Triumph guru in my hometown (Middletown, PA) was Dirty Dean Lenker. My first street bike in 1979 was a BSA. I now ride a 2002 Triumph Sprint. You guys did a great job. I would ask for less cursing, but that's just me.

[@davidholm8625]

A great story wonderfully told...thank you

[@oldskoolonly]

What an awesome story! And it looks like the bike is in the right hands.. i wish I could smash the thumbs up button more than once!!! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@LTJR.]

instantly identifiable sound. we had a 500 cc Triumph with silver tank, and 650 BSA with chrome/yellow tank. that little stripped 500 was fun, wish I could find my picture of my Pop smiling wide 'wheeling' down the street.

[@josepherwin8709]

Sweet documentary. That bike is crazy cool, and it was a touching tribute to bring Bonneville to Theo. Very well done, all around!

[@coachk7674]

Wow! what a fantastic tribute and outstanding accomplishment. From start to finish this story just grabbed my attention. And what a class act. Makes me wonder what I need to do to pass my bike on and keep a memory alive. Thank you for the tremendous story.

[@charliebailey2359]

Great show!

[@abdul-kabiralegbe5660]

Loving the history!

[@kenjones1547]

That is such a lovely touch. Thank You from a mad biker and a ex Forces Member.

[@adz6539]

Absolutely Brilliant and the shout out to Burt made my day!

[@dezertraider]

EXCELLENT! I HAD BEEN A OVER AT THE SALT FOR ABOUT YEARS,,FANTASTIC STORY AND VIDEO..STAY WELL

[@petemartin4503]

One of the best films I have seen in ages, THANK YOU!

[@johnkinnane547]

G’day and greetings from Tasmania Australia what a fantastic find, in my riding days I always dreamt of getting hold of a old bike and doing up to race as well. I’m a bit past it now but I love your enthusiasm and respect for what she is, their something else these bikes, it’s amazing the shape she’s in anyway all the best stay safe and love the channel which I have subscribed to, kind regards John PS it was great hearing the stories for the more mature gents.

[@pauliebots]

Get out there buddy!

[@johnkinnane547]

pauliebots thanks. For replying back wish I could do it again I have rheumatoid arthritis two complete knee replacements and it looks like my hips will have surgery as well at 62 and my hands effected to my riding days are well over but I will build one when I can get hold of one that needs work love watching you blokes working on them kind regards John stay upright

[@vincentvelazquez6001]

Awesome vidéo! thank you guys for giving life again to this triumph legend.Had many bikes in my life my first one was a 1970 500 daytona,and i am still riding a 865 bonneville (i am 66years old) waiting for another vidéo . you are very close to the record!

[@ronaldhamblin4615]

Rest in peace Theo your memory will live on through your great engineering skills on this bike just like Burt monroe may you both ride together 😊

[@thecentralscrutinizer5105]

Awesome, had a 71' Triumph 250 "Trophy" for the longest time....miss that bike

[@Liveharley1]

Excellent video i loved hearing the history of the bike, watching you'll restore the bike than take it back to the salt flats! I hope their will be a return, 121 history needs to be made! Lowbrowcustoms thank you, i felt like i was on that bike, Ozen did that years before are time, "124" was the shit back than, lets do it fellows 125, god bless this is what its all about.

[@skipper9400]

thanks guys

[@alstone5257]

love this video. Great Find and story. Thanks for sharing.

[@christophersmith7714]

Totally brilliant vid Tyler! You and Wes and the rest of the guys are totally 5 Star! What a great tribute to an amazing Triumph and it's amazing owner Theo! A great hour of proper entertainment from REAL people! Cheers from UK! Chris

[@chrisdunham7169]

Super cool guys, well done. I was in Texas in the mid 80's and went to visit Jack at Big-D cycles in Grand Prairie in I think 86. He was a real treat as was the shop. If I had seen that bike there I would have been all over it :) Keep up the good work and cheers from NZ.

[@ralphseifer5537]

Great story. Many thanks.

[@dannpd1955]

Great video, I loved watching you guys and for honoring Theo in running his bike. I know its yours, but ..... You know what I mean.

[@nathanielleeden3143]

Best thing on KZbin

[@TR5T]

Pull that apart , balance it, rewind the mag, use a 90 lb, girl to ride it and you'll be in the 140 range. What fun you guys had.

[@donaldpulliam9153]

Put Mark Martin on it😆 that dude that was riding was way too big

[@3atingfr3nzy]

This is awesome. You guys found a cool niche. Someones gotta document these pioneers. And then to restore the bike on too of it ..? Very cool! 🇺🇸🙏

[@mikeberish8873]

You boys did great, When it comes to the music, All I gotta do is move it. Moody blues ride my seesaw.

[@matto9734]

Amazing story and accomplishment by you guys.