T140V RestoMod Desert Sled, Street Scrambler

[SPANNER RASH]

I've just started a new project, a slighly customised imported from the US '75 T140V, which I am going to document here and make videos for my YouTube channel.

To be honest I am not completely sure which direction I am going to go with it, I've taken a bit of a flyer in the thread title, but I do know I will hit problems which I am hoping some of the good people on here will be able to help with.

My first thoughts when I sourced the bike was to get it going, clean it up, ride it during the Summer and look at improving it in the Winter. However when it turned up, although the engine is turning over, it is a bit too far gone for a quick rusteration.

For the first video introducing the bike we decided to have a bit of a laugh and have a skit at the river find types of restoration videos. It arrived relatively clean so we mucked it up a bit to set the "barn find" scene. No harm was done to the bike, but some people really took offence, bit of a surprise, it isnt a mint Brough though is it.

This isn't my first rodeo, search for "Carnival Clown best in Town" or the Spanner Rash blog on Google, or look at the playlists on the Spanner Rash YouTube channel, but I haven't done a Triumph for a few years, I went to the dark side and have been messing about with Honda's, do forgive me!

It only took me 4 weeks to get it registered in the UK, I got a dating certificate from the Triumph Owners Club, and completed the V55 in same way I have previously, there is a video on my channel, and a write up on the blog.

Anyway if you would like to follow my adventures this is the video, and as I get on with the project I'll update this thread.


View: https://youtu.be/lwjF7rbqBA4

 

[sikatri]

Looking forward to seeing your project going forward! “Rusteration” , lovely term! LoL.

 

[sikatri]

Nice video! Modding would be my choice. I’m always partial to the 60’s look with fairings, cafe or otherwise. But, since you’ve done one in that genre it may not be the way to go. I guess it would depend a lot on what kind of riding you do. There’s a lot of different directions to go with it and any direction you go it will likely be fun! Anything particular in the scrambler motif you were thinking about?

 

[SPANNER RASH]

Thanks for the comment about the video. I restored a T120R from a complete wreck to pretty standard apart from colour in the past, so I dont think I woulld go back to standard, I'm thinking really stripped back, comfortable, easy to ride, modern switchgear, definitely no fairings. I would like raised pipes on one side, but concerned about roasting my legs, and would like to keep the option of taking a pillion. But those are future Les's problems

 

[atomsplitter]

Whatever way you go expect a river of cash flowing out of your wallet.....

 

[sikatri]

Whatever way you go expect a river of cash flowing out of your wallet.....

This is the truth! LoL.

 

[SPANNER RASH]

I've started stripping the bike down, and now I have run into my first problem! The head is really stuck. It looks like work has been done in the past, it seems to have stainless studs for all of the head fastenings, so no bolts for the outer 4. I have been trying percussion, heat, and the odd prayer so far. If you watch the video, NO, I didn't give it grief with the T120 stanchion, but I was tempted. Anybody go good ideas? I am not keen on the rope in the cylinder idea, I don't want to put that much stress through the kickstart, I think the head is stuck too hard. Here is the video of progress so far.


View: https://youtu.be/tTLuVbvUBGU

 

[sikatri]

Awesome progress. I would have been tempted to give it a bit more of a whack with the wood block and mallet under the exhaust and inlet sides. Look forward to seeing it pulled out.

 

[grandpaul]

I've started stripping the bike down, and now I have run into my first problem! The head is really stuck.

Just make jolly well sure you got every bolt and nut removed before whacking, but the soft wooden drift is the way to go.

Have you considered a classic/vintage roadracer? In the US, in AHRMA, it's all just good, clean fun; nobody is out for blood so relatively few injuries or killed bikes.

 

[SPANNER RASH]

Two weeks later... Penetrating oil every couple of days, heating around the studs, big hammer against block of wood to protect head. Lots of colourful language. Still no joy!

 

[sikatri]

Two weeks later... Penetrating oil every couple of days, heating around the studs, big hammer against block of wood to protect head. Lots of colourful language. Still no joy!

I watched the full video with anticipation. LoL. Something is definitely resisting. All possible bolts out. You mentioned the studs were replaced likely with stainless steel. Is it possible that they are a smidge larger in diameter than the original. If they were tight going in and the head needed to be pushed in with a little persuasion it’s likely you won’t be able to get it off easily and will have better luck with the engine out of the bike. Just my thought. Following with interest.

 

[SPANNER RASH]

I have read somewhere that composite gaskets can cause a problem after many years of sitting. I wonder if this is true.

I intend to take the engine out of the frame anyway, so I will probably do that next. If the head is still on, I will try to remove the barrels with it attached. I

might try alternating it on gas mark 8 and letting it cool through a few cycles to get a bit of differential expansion on my side. I was also thinking of immersing it in a solvent for a while.

I really want to avoid causing any dame to it, so I am avoiding violent methods.

 

[sikatri]

Taking it out and removing the barrels sounds like the most reasonable and safe at this point. It’s totally possible the gasket is the issue and no telling what else was done to the gasket like gasket sealant.

 

[sikatri]

One thought I had was if you put some tension on it from above by taking some ratchet straps hooked to the inlet and exhaust bolts with the strap going over the frame. If you then slowly tighten the ratchet straps and work around the head with the mallet and wood block you might get it loose. After each pass of working around with the mallet and wood tighten the straps some more. Slowly working and increasing the tightness on the straps it should pull the head up.

 

[atomsplitter]

I had a similar experience with Yamaha XS1100 I rebuilt years ago. Turned out there was dirt from numerous washes over the years that had migrated into the gap between the stud and cylinder and was effectively compression sleeving the studs so the only way to get it off was straight up. Once I got the cylinders off and cleaned all the holes out the engine went together a lot smoother.

 

[sikatri]

I’ve been thinking about the corrosion on the back end. It’s possible the motorcycle has spent an extended period of time in a marine environment. That might also be the reason the head isn’t coming off easily. In a marine environment it’s possible for stainless steel in conjunction with aluminum to have rust develop. Certainly wouldn’t take much to create the situation @atomsplitter noted.

 

[Rudie]

head is really stuck.
not keen on the rope in the cylinder idea, I don't want to put that much stress through the kickstart

Take off the primary and/or timing cover/s, turn the crank directly with a spanner on a nut on a crank end.

 

[SPANNER RASH]

Thanks for all of the advice. I wonder what the solution will be that I find. My next plan if nothing budges over the next few days is to remove the engine and take the barrels and head of complete. I know I could probably take them off with the engine in the frame, but I am going to refinish the frame. You never know doing that may open another bag of worms!

 

[atomsplitter]

Another option you can try is using an air compressor with a nozzle put into one spark plug hole. What that should do is to get the seal broken between the cylinder and head gasket using air. No need to spin the crank. The air pressure will force the pistons to bottom and should provide enough pressure to force the parts apart.

 

[SPANNER RASH]

Atomsplitter what a great idea. Hopefully there is an appropriate adapter in my leakdown test kit to try this. It is far less extreme than some ideas I have been mulling over.