Mike Davis' 1950 Triumph Preunit - The Gila Monster

During our coverage of the Grand National Roadster Show, we had the opportunity to check out Mike Davis's Gila Monster. His stellar 1950 Triumph GT turned many heads and received top honors for the European class. This build was shot in October during the mock up stage, and we felt it deserved a full feature. Enjoy.

Owner name, location: Mike Davis -  The Cycle Lodge

Bike name: The Gila Monster

Engine, year and make, model, modifications: 1950 Triumph w / MAP Cycle 750 kit, Forged Hi Comp Pistons, MeGa Cycle cams, Over sized valves,68 Bonneville Head, Dual Amal 389 carbs. The Motor was built by Classic Cycles in Orange, CA. It's a fully polished show motor and built for speed.

Frame: Stock

Fork: Narrowed & Shortend stock Front end. NOS MCM fork covers.

Tire/wheel size and style: 21 high shouldered aluminum with custom narrowed spool hub& Firestone racing tire. The rear is a 19 high shouldered aluminum with stock hub and vintage Avon race tire.

Favorite thing about this bike: The narrowed frontend and the paint job.

Next modification will be: It's done!

Other mods, accessories, cool parts, etc: The pipes are one piece with tuned custom megaphones fab by Scott @ Noise Cycles in Santa Ana, CA. Scott also did the fender stay, tach mount, and front axle. Webco narrowed & sectioned handlebars, sectioned Bates headlight mount, Vintage Smiths racing tach, Webco finned rocker caps, TriCor heel/toe shifter, Old drag seat recovered in Bates leather by the Haifley Brothers in Phoenix, Old grips, headlight & Harley accessory tail lights. Wassell tank & fender paint by John Edwards (Old Tyme Custom Paint in Garden Grove, CA) frame too. Bob Newby belt/clutch set up. Everything has been painted, plated or polished on the bike.

Backstory:  I bought the project a few years back from Keith Moore (R.I.P) from Moores Cycle in Anaheim. The bike has taken almost 2 years to complete and has been a lot of fun and a lot of work. Big thank you to Tony & Andy Dunn at Classic Cycles for letting me build the bike at their shop. I almost got Tony fired a few times... sorry Amanda. My only regret is Keith never got to see the bike finished. He was one of a kind and will never be forgotten. I am working on a memorial ride/breakfast for Keith in April and should have some more info soon. Updates will be on my site www.bornlosermc.blogspot.com

Thanks to: Classic Cycles ,Scott @ Noise Cycles,Kiyo,John Edwards &The Haifley's