1978 T140 My First Oil Change

[turbo Bob]

I'm putting away my new to me 1978 T140 and drained the oil and removed the oil screen/filter for the reservoir and the gaskets almost seemed like they had gasket sealer on them as they were so tight to the plate. In the end I don't think they were, but I had to do a lot of scraping to get them off. Is there a preferred vendor that sells the gaskets as I sure don't want to have to go through that again if it is seeping oil. I also saw that CBS sells a replaceable filter and plate. Anyone try that seems pretty expensive and the filters are $16. each.





















4

 

[Rudie]

gaskets almost seemed like they had gasket sealer on them as they were so tight to the plate. In the end I don't think they were, but I had to do a lot of scraping to get them off.

Gaskets fitted without anything "stick like sh1t to a baby blanket".

Is there a preferred vendor that sells the gaskets as I sure don't want to have to go through that again if it is seeping oil.

If it was seeping oil, the gaskets would have just peeled off ...

Triumph was poor at levelling the bottom of the frame tube. If your bike had gaskets stuck on without sealer and no oil leaks from these, assemble standard gaskets with grease smeared on both surfaces.

I also saw that CBS sells a replaceable filter and plate. Anyone try that seems pretty expensive and the filters are $16. each.

Calculate the cost of an engine rebuild, compare with the cost of high quality oil and $16 filters ...

 

[ManInTheJar]

I also saw that CBS sells a replaceable filter and plate. Anyone try that seems pretty expensive and the filters are $16. each.

That type of filter is often referred to as a Charlie's filter after the originator. It works well but filter replacement is messy and filters can be expensive and/or hard to find plus you loose the original top hat strainer. Another issue with most versions is the acorn nut added to the underside of the filter plate (to hold the filter rod) often gets in the way of the main stand.

Another option is to fit an external "spin on" oil filter kit which sits in the return oil feed. Kits and filters are cheapish and readily available and are often referred to as Norton type filter. An advantage is that the top hat strainer can be retained giving an extra degree of protection.

I have a spin on filter on my 73 Tiger 750, it is mounted on the bottom of the frame backbone just in front of the rear wheel which makes it almost invisible. It uses Citroën 2CV filters which are readily available locally. I also replaced the top hat strainer with the later one which has a solid band around the bottom to stop accumulated sludge being sucked through. You may already have this type.

As Rudie has already said greasing the gaskets will ease future removal. Some owners use a pump to suck out the old oil from the top making oil changes a bit cleaner but even with an external filter I would still clean the top hat strainer at regular intervals.

 

[Nortony]

That type of filter is often referred to as a Charlie's filter after the originator. It works well but filter replacement is messy and filters can be expensive and/or hard to find plus you loose the original top hat strainer. Another issue with most versions is the acorn nut added to the underside of the filter plate (to hold the filter rod) often gets in the way of the main stand.

Another option is to fit an external "spin on" oil filter kit which sits in the return oil feed. Kits and filters are cheapish and readily available and are often referred to as Norton type filter. An advantage is that the top hat strainer can be retained giving an extra degree of protection.

I have a spin on filter on my 73 Tiger 750, it is mounted on the bottom of the frame backbone just in front of the rear wheel which makes it almost invisible. It uses Citroën 2CV filters which are readily available locally. I also replaced the top hat strainer with the later one which has a solid band around the bottom to stop accumulated sludge being sucked through. You may already have this type.

As Rudie has already said greasing the gaskets will ease future removal. Some owners use a pump to suck out the old oil from the top making oil changes a bit cleaner but even with an external filter I would still clean the top hat strainer at regular intervals.

Have you tried to cross reference the Citroen 2cv filter, I’d like to try something other them the EMGO filter I’ve used here in the US as Citroen filters are not available here.

 

[turbo Bob]

Have you tried to cross reference the Citroen 2cv filter, I’d like to try something other them the EMGO filter I’ve used here in the US as Citroen filters are not available here.

Thanks for the replies.

 

[ManInTheJar]

Have you tried to cross reference the Citroen 2cv filter, I’d like to try something other them the EMGO filter I’ve used here in the US as Citroen filters are not available here.

My local Auto Store supplies a Champion COF103101S which is a direct replacement for the old H101 filter. Running the new Champion number through a filter X-Ref gives a whole bunch of alternatives some of which may be available in your neck of the woods.

 

[ManInTheJar]

Thanks for the replies.

BTW if this is your first oil change then I would strongly recommend also cleaning the crankcase filter (a small quantity of oil will come out). It can be difficult to undo - I find a cordless impact gun does the trick for me.

 

[turbo Bob]

It's not the bikes first oil change, just my first attempt. The oil and the standard screen were quite clean so no issues. I scraped off all the old gaskets put the new ones on with a little grease as recommended buttoned all up, filled with oil and it started on the first kick had great oil pressure as It has an external oil pressure gauge. Guess what, no leaks, so far. closed the petcock and let it run out of gas in preparation for winter storage.