1962/1969 Tricati 490cc Racing Motorcycle

• Triumph Daytona engine in Ducati racing frame
• Very well specified
• Widely raced

One of the more unusual and rarely seen 'specials', the Tricati typically combines the rolling chassis from a Ducati single and a Triumph twin-cylinder unitary construction engine of either 350cc or 500cc. A favourite of racers back in the day, the Tricati is a very light, agile and adequately powerful bike ideal for today's Classic racing. Because the engine is a tight fit in the frame and requires many handmade components, they are much rarer than other specials like Tritons, for which special components were always in plentiful supply. The frame and forks were found at Kempton Jumble and the engine found at the Stafford autojumble: both were in a poor state but provided a good basis for the build.

This Tricati's engine is from a 1969 Triumph Daytona T100S and has genuine close-ratio gearbox; E3134 high-performance camshafts; Boyer electronic ignition; Amal Concentric Mark 1 carburettors fitted with velocity stacks; and a Bob Newby racing clutch with belt primary drive.

The frame is from a 1962 Ducati 250 racer; it has been de-lugged and new engine mountings fitted; all the alloy engine plates were hand made. The forks are Ceriani and the front brake is a double-sided Grimeca, while the twin-leading-shoe rear brake uses the original Ducati hub; all are fitted with new shoes, etc. The wheels were rebuilt with new flanged alloy rims. The fuel tank, seat and fairing are all Vic Camp Ducati period items, while the oil tank is custom made to fit this frame, the exhaust system was custom built by Competition Fabrications and was ceramic coated in 2022.

Martin Brailsford has the raced this Tricati at various classic events including Snetterton, Darley Moor, Cadwell Park, Castle Combe and Donington Park. Faultlessly turned out, this beautiful little machine is offered with a CRMC Registration Certificate.