Triumph TT Bud Ekins 1963 Desert Racer replica

Ace Classics love to create replicas of well known and iconic Triumph Motorcycles from the past. You'll know what we mean if you remember our last video with them, showcasing 3 of their Steve McQueen replicas including the 'Great Escape' bike.
Those bikes were stunning in their fanatical attention to detail and this one is no exception.
Built from trawling the internet for reference imagery on Bud Ekins' 1963 Triumph TT Desert racer and speaking with people who knew and raced with him, Kev and Ewan talk us through what was done and what went into typical Ekins build and why.
Click below to watch their Steve McQueen tribute bikes video:
• Steve McQueen Great Es...

[@gnm109]

Bud Ekins was he best desert rider in Southern California for meny years in the 1950s through the 1970's. Often admired, often copied, often hated, but seldom passed up. He was a very nice person as well.

[@mustard92]

Running the cables over the tank is just so cool for some reason. Love it.

[@dennymcfastlane8530]

Fr. G: Yes, but you would have had to have the package carrier to do that.

[@wilshirewarrior2783]

They were called “sleds” in the day before ring ding 2 strokes took over. Great to hear our Brit friends understand the sport.

[@emppowersportsandmarine6270]

I have a ring ding Rickman haha. Old school Britt with a Spanish 2 stroker = perfection. My Rickman Montesa is going to my young son.

[@kennymacm3031]

Worth a packet and well out of my meagre budget but love your enthusiasm for these historic machines. Great to see the next generation keeping these bikes going

[@johnmcclain3887]

I bought a 64 TR6R in 1976, my first big street bike, and rode from Memphis to Chicago and back for about six months while in electronics school. I kept it for about seven years and was a fool, went and sold it and never got paid. It remains one of my favorite bikes still. This bike is a beautiful example of one of the finest Brit bikes even, in my opinion. They handle very nicely, are comfortable, and will run all night two up without a hiccup and back again a day later, easily. Thanks for showing this beautiful bike.

[@marcswanson7066]

Absolutely beautiful and thanks for the background info on Ekins and desert racing. Thumbs-up to Amal Carbs.

[@colincolquhoun3973]

Absolutely stunning, what a beautiful machine. Great work guys!

[@FunWithAJ]

Great attention to details gents. Makes Triumphs own edition from this year look a little jokey.

[@VadersDarkside]

The devil is in the details as they say. Bud would be proud of what you've built here lads.

[@splodge5714]

Looks great, Triumph made some nice twins in the 60s. I also like their present Scrambler 1200 and Speed Twin, modern classics.

[@user-qw9px6jq9i]

Simplecity meets perfection.just perfect my friend.Thank you

[@HONMONSTER]

I loved this bike. Great build Ace.

[@redsky8509]

Thank you for doing this bike. Yes you had to earn your number. I rode bikes in the Mojave Desert. Mine was a BSA 441 Victor. In those days, you really had to ride. Horrible suspension, lots of safety wire, busted toes on the riders.

[@Martin_IPL5990]

That looks a truly excellent bike, those pipes are amazing. Quality.

[@steveb5584]

That’s is a beautiful machine !

[@vonryansexpress]

That is a magnificent effort gentlemen - such a pleasure to see . . . . Superb attention to detail, even down to the "Duct tape" and the superb "Bates" replica seat . . Fabulous piece of work . . . Well done "Ace Classics" . .

[@JamesCouch777]

I've got a few of those old Triumphs. I had one of the new ones but like the old ones better. That is a beautiful bike.

[@StormLaker]

I've always wanted a 1950 triumph thunderbird like Marlon Brandon rode in The Wild One

[@wheelhousegarage]

Phenomenal video! Ekins is such an inspiration. Studied his photos endlessly while building my '57 sled which I just released a video on. Thanks for making this video and selling the parts us "Sled Heads" really need!

[@mjh5437]

Ace Classics in London do really great work.

[@kevin_gross]

Sounds wicked... great build too... great job guys

[@fw1421]

Beautiful replica. If Triumph would make this for the public with today’s model they would sell well. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@DormanDiaries]

Love the details on this bike. Very well done fellas

[@juliojames5986]

Beautifully done. Parallel twin my favorite, Triumph, Matchless, BSA etc. 🇺🇸

[@bonkeydollocks1879]

Well that's bloody gorgeous 😍

[@CanalMotorama]

Ace Classics!

[@Beeza56]

‘kin’ Ada! That just made my day. Thanks guys.

[@richardpearson4248]

Great video fantastic looking bike 🇬🇧👍

[@rsbharley4766]

One very cool bike, job well done guy. Thanks for sharing. Cheers

[@TheStevemcqueen68]

Great job from ACE CLASSIC ,The only thing who ever buys the bike ,wont want to get dirt,

[@jyothikumart]

It's sooo clean.. luv the work

[@mikeg284]

You need to come to Long Beach Ca and hear the real stories...You can even see the original Cat gp trophies, the finish banner, lots of stories about Bud and Dave Ekins, Skip Van Lieuwen, Pete Brown, JC Agajanian, Norm Reeves, Bob Sangren, Fast Jack Gargian, Del Kuhn Vinnie Mandzak and DaveO..all legends. We were so lucky to be part of the team of clubs that helped Vinnie and Dave get the race to go, one of the best weekends of my life.

[@gmatty2975]

A desirable piece of Art on two wheels! ;0)

[@bonnytrippler2966]

Sweet ride lads! Nice noise from the pipes too.

[@timfenrich5328]

Well done 👏

[@jurgenschunemann5671]

Very beautiful replica👍👍

[@SteveBlancoMusicianWarrior]

That thing is gorgeous.

[@80flaviojr]

Magnífico! ❤️❤️❤️ Magnificent!

[@mikeskidmore6754]

Bud Ekins was a Stunt Man who owned the Largest Triumph Dealership in the USA..

[@mwtraining4310]

Marvelous sound!!

[@markwilliamson2795]

Thanks for the memories born and raised here in Southern Calif in 1953... check out the old Indian Dunes motorcycle race park , The Fast house , Saugus Speedway back in the day , Saugus , Newhall , Palmdale , Lancaster , Acton , we rode Stingray bikes , Horses , little Hondas 50cc in 1963...390 Huskys in 1970 all over that area Honda 305 Street scrambler in the late 60's , I did not get a Triumph till 1977 ....check out vintage Big Bear Run motorcycle races ... all the area around Saugus and Newhall and beyond was open to all activity then....been closed off now for many years..

[@caseyhansen4567]

Sounds like my story .i grew up in castaic with horses and dirt bikes my father raced triumphs in the 60s then sold Yamaha s .we have been friend with Buds brother Dave since I was young .my brother and I raced jt1 Yamaha 60s ant indian dunes oval track in the early 70s....Rick Allen

[@Blackwavewhitebeach]

Who the hell is thumbs-downing this?!! It's superb attention to details and looks amazing.. Well done Ace - passion throughout and what a beautiful result. Great Video CameraDan!

[@irvhh143]

7 annoyed neighbors

[@markcandlin6421]

LOVE IT!

[@johnmahoney4523]

NICE well done chaps 👍😎🥇🏆

[@davidefland1985]

Love the sound

[@441rider]

Bud Eakins was a good stunt man, he dropped the A65 BSA in Bullit chase. The Hound and Hair west coast races where very epic. Irun a feed off my timing plug on a BSA B50 case it needs a limited orifice..

[@arrowrod]

Ah, the good old days. Parts for Triumphs were almost impossible to get. I lived 5 miles away from Bud Ekins shop. After Triumph went bankrupt, all of a sudden parts were available. Then the 750 Honda showed up.

[@JoeyShip]

Beautiful bike.

[@douglasgreaves188]

Great looking bike.

[@jorviktuning4561]

great guys enjoy your videos

[@gerrypowell2748]

Beauty✌️

[@cedricletourneur5980]

Oh punaise, ce son d'enfer!!!

[@shlokchalke879]

Beauty❤️

[@hatzlmike1]

Awesomeness

[@RD2564]

Beautiful bike. Love the rubber hairs on the tires ... Too bad it's too beautiful to use. Trailer queen.

[@vincensinicatherine6777]

I WANT IT SO MUCH!!!

[@theodunn6243]

Handsome young man x

[@deniscullis8518]

Nice vid xden

[@tobiaslollesgaard7389]

i think you realy helped to be a bike-mechanic in those races.

[@andrewfelcey5593]

Sweet,

[@deniscullis8518]

Love it xxden

[@akcustom2596]

Nice bro good

[@superbikebox]

Super

[@classicandclassymotorcycle]

Thats nice

[@JoePoutous]

Triumph should have watched this before deciding that the Bud Ekins T120 Special Edition should be a simple Bonnie.

[@donnakapner8061]

Nice honor for our father and we truly love your passion for the era, but maybe an inquiry about using our fathers name and all the photos would be a good idea. Donna and Susan Ekins

[@jamesdimario8359]

I have A 63 DU701TR6 running on a 66 frame and goes down the road 40 over original head and bottom end. Road bike.... DU501 was the original unit shipped to the USA

[@JamesCouch777]

You are welcome to come set up shop in Arkansas 😊

[@emppowersportsandmarine6270]

Maybe reach out to Malcom Smith or Bobby Ferro, if you want to replicate the Bud Ekins bike. They were friends of Bud in California during this period. Buds old shop is in the same part of SoCal that I am originally from. You got some of it right but not all of it.

[@gopalashetty3592]

What a fantastic sweet English accent sounds far better than American English accent.

[@nils_on_wheels]

More sled vids please!!!!

[@davexjs5889]

Triumph Please Rescue Norton

[@oneday6146]

I rode a Triumph T21 back in the 1960’s. Are there any restored ones around or a good fixer upper?

[@rosstisbury1626]

can i ask what make n model are the handlebars . . great lookn bike

[@TheGuerillapatriot]

I know San Fernando Valley bikers that ran with Steve McQueen on Muluhuland Drive.

[@Tobias1969]

That's fuckin' mint...

[@tysonkonken6184]

Fucking amazing!!!

[@BN1960]

I went dessert racing I beat an Angel Delight in a 100 meteres sprint

[@macallan3933]

Best comment here

[@vorhese]

Fanks!

[@mikeskidmore6754]

Bud Ekins had the Largest Triumph Dealership in the USA don't forget that.. Thanks for the background and History information.. I don't think that Bud was an actor , just a Stunt Man .. 'I don't know why I said I don't think that Bud Akins was an actor, as I have seen him play a part in a Biker Movie.. then all the Biker Gang Members tried to chase him on Motorcycles.

[@dennymcfastlane8530]

Mike Skidmore: Bob Leppans~ Detroit Triumph was the largest dealer in the World.

[@mikeskidmore6754]

@@dennymcfastlane8530 A Video on Steve McQueen and Bud Akins said that Bud had the Largest Triumph Dealership in the USA. I took them at their Word. Bud Jumped the Motorcycle over the fence in "The Great Escape" Movie. The Bike should have been a BMW as they were in NAZI Germany escaping a Prison Camp. How ever Bud and Steve Insisted that they use a Triumph in the Stunt. After the Movie the Motorcycle was sold to a Local Farmer. It has since been found and restored. Bus was also driving the Green Mustang in the Bullit Movie .

[@dennymcfastlane8530]

@@mikeskidmore6754 Bud probably held that title up until 1966~67. But when Leppan put up the new Triumph Detroit Dealership, it was the largest in the World from that point on. I believe it held that distinction until Triumph's untimely demise. I have first hand knowledge of these facts because i worked for Bob Leppan. We issued the name plate on all the customers motorcycle's with the proud display of..."Bob Leppan's-Triumph-Detroit-World's Largest Triumph Dealer". kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3a2oWWkYsp4mJo Go to 3: 50

[@RisingSun0203]

Where does one go to get a seat and a set of pipes? And an oil tank to match the seat? I have a 67 that would fit this desert sled style nicely. Thanks

[@mjh5437]

I think Bud Ekins took care of James Dean as well as McQueen.

[@n00bie96]

Take a shot everytime he says "Jane Smith from America."

[@ronin2963]

n00bie ok, I’ll bite. Who is Jane Smith

[@bootsmcfoolish8499]

@@ronin2963 Gene Smith..

[@1968alig]

What tank is this on the bud and mcqueen bike

[@mikeg284]

I think the stuck stub was kept under the duct tape

[@anarcowhatever]

Beautiful bike, but that weld at 7:56 ...

[@skymningforelsket1302]

I bet that thing is fast. If they really used '57 forks they had nerve. I rode with those forks on the road and they're thin and flex a lot. Imagine doing 100mph over rough terrain.

[@garyphelps9123]

you want a small plate protecting the engine case

[@ScottRoney]

Great project and stories guys! I grew up in SoCal during this era. It was a very special time. Every weekend guys would be out at the desert, motocross, TT, short track or scrambling around town and in the foothills. Have you ever done a Chuck “Feet’s” Minert bike? motocrossactionmag.com/amp/godspeed-chuck-feets-minert-1931-2016/

[@eatsleepplayrepeat]

I got kicked out of the MX track once they knew I ride a scrambler. Said the bike couldn't handle it. Oh, if only they could see what I've done.

[@garyphelps9123]

malcom smith made these for bud

[@mjh5437]

I`d love to just stick a headlight so I wouldn`t get hassled by London coppers on that and just tool around town on it.

[@andrewd7586]

I have 2 good kidneys & a liver in better than average condition for a deposit!!!😍🤣😎👍🏼

love the bike. on a side but extremely important note, the damage caused to huge parts of the fragile desert ecosystem is still present after over 50 years.

[@ronpage101]

Fragile? It's the fucking desert. There's nothing out there but tumble weeds and sage brush. It's a tough place to live and survive when stranded.