1983 Triumph T140W 750 TSS; 8 valves & electric start!

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The 2nd ride:

Thanks SD, from you that is acompliment indeed.

Did the check over on Saturdayafter the inaugural run, no loose bolts but there was some oil on the outsideof the engine:y8: slight weep from the front rocker cover (new gasket too) and one of the acornnuts on the oil feed to the rockers just needed a bit of a nip up. The revcounter drive was also weeping a bit and again was just in need of a nip up.Turned the idle up a smidge just to see how it went, a bit more cleaning and polishof the alloy and that was me (ran out of time).

Got up very early today (Sunday)so I could go for another ride, the bike felt even better today. Your on themoney about the front forks SD, they never bothered me as much today. I’m no68KG! to give you an idea, if you take a small child on the back with you thatmay even things up :y2:.I will move the rear shocks up one more click and check the pressures again,although I’m expecting to have to put a rebuild kit in the rear shocks as theyare 28 yrs old.

Back to the ride, as I said a lotmore enjoyable as wasn’t looking around for bits falling off so much and thetyres had scrubbed in pretty well. The road I went on is full of great twistingbends and a few straights, so the bike gets a nice work out. Overall I foundthe riding position quite good, and the bike actually handles pretty well andin the hands of a better rider would easily keep up with a modern bike of it’sclass. The brakes, especially the front are way better that any of my previousT140’s and even the Harris one which had twin discs also. I had adjusted thegear lever position from my previous ride as it was too far up, now I put ittoo far down! All part of the fun of classic bikes.....

Two TSS’s in OZ, nay Queensland!Is pretty neat I suppose. There was around 400-450 made, 125 or so of our ‘’US”model ( the best one) but only 6 ? accounted for on the forum. So where arethey all?

Just out of interest, you plateTSS82 is that due to the year it was made or registered? Mine was originallyregistered in Wisconsin in 1983 so QT classed it as a 1983 Model. Now if Irecall correctly, you had your bike dated to October 1982 build/despatched tothe US. I would assume that given there is only 16 numbers difference in theVIN’s mine would be the same. Given the time they would have taken to get tothe stated and sent to the dealers they would have sold as 1983 model year?

So, that means my plate is correctTSS 83 :y15:

And here the debate starts……
 
mikechev said:
The 2nd ride:

Thanks SD, from you that is acompliment indeed.

Did the check over on Saturdayafter the inaugural run, no loose bolts but there was some oil on the outsideof the engine:y8: slight weep from the front rocker cover (new gasket too) and one of the acornnuts on the oil feed to the rockers just needed a bit of a nip up. The revcounter drive was also weeping a bit and again was just in need of a nip up.Turned the idle up a smidge just to see how it went, a bit more cleaning and polishof the alloy and that was me (ran out of time).

Got up very early today (Sunday)so I could go for another ride, the bike felt even better today. Your on themoney about the front forks SD, they never bothered me as much today. I’m no68KG! to give you an idea, if you take a small child on the back with you thatmay even things up :y2:.I will move the rear shocks up one more click and check the pressures again,although I’m expecting to have to put a rebuild kit in the rear shocks as theyare 28 yrs old.

Back to the ride, as I said a lotmore enjoyable as wasn’t looking around for bits falling off so much and thetyres had scrubbed in pretty well. The road I went on is full of great twistingbends and a few straights, so the bike gets a nice work out. Overall I foundthe riding position quite good, and the bike actually handles pretty well andin the hands of a better rider would easily keep up with a modern bike of it’sclass. The brakes, especially the front are way better that any of my previousT140’s and even the Harris one which had twin discs also. I had adjusted thegear lever position from my previous ride as it was too far up, now I put ittoo far down! All part of the fun of classic bikes.....

Two TSS’s in OZ, nay Queensland!Is pretty neat I suppose. There was around 400-450 made, 125 or so of our ‘’USâ€model ( the best one) but only 6 ? accounted for on the forum. So where arethey all?

Just out of interest, you plateTSS82 is that due to the year it was made or registered? Mine was originallyregistered in Wisconsin in 1983 so QT classed it as a 1983 Model. Now if Irecall correctly, you had your bike dated to October 1982 build/despatched tothe US. I would assume that given there is only 16 numbers difference in theVIN’s mine would be the same. Given the time they would have taken to get tothe stated and sent to the dealers they would have sold as 1983 model year?

So, that means my plate is correctTSS 83 :y15:

And here the debate starts……
Click to expand...


Hey Mike,

Found another TSS in the current issue of Australian Motor Cycle News bottom of page 97. This one in supercharged form averaged 158.462 mph at Bonneville.

TSSatBonneville.jpg


I do not know when my bike was sold new, however in hand writting in the front cover of the handbook is written April 7 1983 500 mile check with the following items listed for attention:
Gas Tank
Speedo & Tach caps
Clutch Lever play
Shock adjustment
Front Brake

No expanation of work required to each item.

Being that our bikes are 16 numbers apart, they were probably built in the same week at the end of September 1982 and probably shared the same berth on the ship from UK to USA.
Regarding the DEBATE :y2:.......Unless the new owner didn't like his new aquisition and didn't ride it much, I would suggest mine was sold new in 1983.
I concede that point....1 for Mike :y1:

As a return volley, and this may be a left field line call, being born in 1955, does this make me (apart from old) a 1955 model (definitely not an oil painting) or a younger 1956 model ? See, I'm not trying to hide my age (a blow below the belt) :y2:

I've got you on the run now Mike....will you be able to return that one.

Perhaps our esteemed contributors to TT would like to wade into this debate before it gets really nasty.

SD:y54:
 
Sea Dog said:
Hey Mike,

Found another TSS in the current issue of Australian Motor Cycle News bottom of page 97. This one in supercharged form averaged 158.462 mph at Bonneville.

TSSatBonneville.jpg


I do not know when my bike was sold new, however in hand writting in the front cover of the handbook is written April 7 1983 500 mile check with the following items listed for attention:
Gas Tank
Speedo & Tach caps
Clutch Lever play
Shock adjustment
Front Brake

No expanation of work required to each item.

Being that our bikes are 16 numbers apart, they were probably built in the same week at the end of September 1982 and probably shared the same berth on the ship from UK to USA.
Regarding the DEBATE :y2:.......Unless the new owner didn't like his new aquisition and didn't ride it much, I would suggest mine was sold new in 1983.
I concede that point....1 for Mike :y1:

As a return volley, and this may be a left field line call, being born in 1955, does this make me (apart from old) a 1955 model (definitely not an oil painting) or a younger 1956 model ? See, I'm not trying to hide my age (a blow below the belt) :y2:

I've got you on the run now Mike....will you be able to return that one.

Perhaps our esteemed contributors to TT would like to wade into this debate before it gets really nasty.

SD:y54:
Click to expand...

Hi SD or MR SD from now on as i must respect my elders:y2: I was build in May 1963, or depending on how you look at it 9 months earlier in late 1962 but delivered in 1963 making me a 63 model year.... so regardless of when the work started on making me it's the delivery date that counts:y16:

BTW - i'll never repeat this in public but had you not got the TSS 82 plate before me, i would have went for it...

The original Handbook is pretty cool..


Cheers

Junior
 
mikechev said:
Hi SD or MR SD from now on as i must respect my elders:y2: I was build in May 1963, or depending on how you look at it 9 months earlier in late 1962 but delivered in 1963 making me a 63 model year.... so regardless of when the work started on making me it's the delivery date that counts:y16:

BTW - i'll never repeat this in public but had you not got the TSS 82 plate before me, i would have went for it...

The original Handbook is pretty cool..


Cheers

Junior
Click to expand...

Morning Junior,

Feels like I'm prising a teenager out of bed :y2:.

Another comparison between our bikes. My crankcase numbers are 929.

CrankcaseNumbers.jpg


Yours sincerely

Mr SD :cool:
 
Sea Dog said:
Morning Junior,

Feels like I'm prising a teenager out of bed :y2:.

Another comparison between our bikes. My crankcase numbers are 929.

CrankcaseNumbers.jpg


Yours sincerely

Mr SD :cool:
Click to expand...
Sorry for the tardy reply Mr SD , I’venot been getting the e-mail alerts for some reason?

Just changed the oil today andcould have had a look at these numbers when I was there, next time.

A little over 300 miles clocked up now and the oil came out fairly clean still, with no obvious bits of metal or crud. The more i ride her the better she gets, tick over is not so much of a problem and the brakes are really well cleaned up and working great. I've not fiddled with anything (carbs etc.) yet as want to get a few more miles done tosee if she improves further.

The gear lever position that I moved too far feels ok now? but neutral can hide occasionally. I’ll check the selector spring to make sure it’s in spec (had this once before) on another Bonnie and a new spring fixed the problem. Will check and adjust the valve (hate that job) clearances and fix the weeping rocker cover (front). No other signs of oil weeping (yet) but I’m sure something will appear sooner or later.

Not sure on the fuel consumption yet as I’ve not been keeping and record of mileage and fuel used. How doesyours go Mr SD? What should I expect to get out of a tank (main)?



Cheers

Mike
 
Hi Mike,

Getting 185 miles (300 kms) before going onto reserve. Fills with 15 litres at that point.
Did you replace those incorrect rocker arms?
Good idea to allow a few miles on the bike if it is getting better all the time. Mine did the same.
Before you reset your tappets, retorque the head nuts and allen head bolts. I found that the head takes a long time to settle. I've just serviced mine now that its done 3000 miles since the rebuild and still got more on the head nuts.
Happy riding

SD
 
DunstallMufflers2.jpg


Just fitted a pair of Dunstall Replica mufflers. Closest match I could get to the originals without going to huge expense and getting some made. Reason I did this, is the originals are impossible to source and mine are in excellent condition. Best preserved in a box as I use the bike a lot. At $AU180 a pair the dunstalls are good value and they sound brilliant. The baffles are removable, which I just had to try.........REALLY loud!! :y2: Baffles back in now so that the revenue collectors don't harass me.
Time for another ride before the rain sets in. :y54:
 
Just unleashed a tiger from within the Bonneville. Now it performs as I was expecting an 8 valve to. Those free flowing Dunstall replicas have transformed the beast. Just got back from a run up the mountain pass near home and the TSS really comes on strong at 5000 rpm. Extra pull is noticable at 4000, however once it gets to 5000 it hauls to the 7000 redline.:y2: Very impressive! The standard mufflers were choking it.
 
Sea Dog said:
Hi Mike,

Getting 185 miles (300 kms) before going onto reserve. Fills with 15 litres at that point.
Did you replace those incorrect rocker arms?
Good idea to allow a few miles on the bike if it is getting better all the time. Mine did the same.
Before you reset your tappets, retorque the head nuts and allen head bolts. I found that the head takes a long time to settle. I've just serviced mine now that its done 3000 miles since the rebuild and still got more on the head nuts.
Happy riding

SD
Click to expand...

Hi SD



That’s pretty good mileage, i only get 180Km on my Thruxton (16Ltr Tank) before reserve.

Yes I did replace the rocker arms, picked up a NOS pair in the UK for $40, the new rocker gaskets are not doing the job though, so I may try getting some quality gasket paper and making my own.I'll take your advise on re-torquing the head down when I do the service, I’ll be going over everything as a matter of course as don't want to have a silly failure or breakdown due to loose nut or bolt.

Love the new mufflers, do they make the bike sound like a Bonnie should? where did you get them? I was thinking of the peashooters but now I see the Dunstalls on yours they don’t look out of place. Ironically I had a pair of those mufflers in the shed for years and sold them as I'd sold the bike I was going to put them on. Judging by your post ditching the originals is a no brainer ( keep them for shows only) my L/H muffler has a couple of dings on it an if you look very closely, some tiny pitting. I read somewhere the OE mufflers were Italian sourced and not of the highest quality. I could get them re-chromed, but I reckon a set of aftermarket ones is a great idea ( I think you influence me too much SD, well that’s what I’ll tell my wife) .

I’m really enjoying the bike andtry to get out on her at any opportunity, the stiff throttle action is the only thing I can fault and as the ride I normally go on is full of twistys so it does give your wrist a bit of a workout. How do you find the spring mod you did? Was thinking of trying the standard style Bonnie grips as they have ab igger radius and should help? Did you try different carb return springs?

Cheers

Mike

P.S did you get the sprag sorted?
 
mikechev said:
Hi SD



That’s pretty good mileage, i only get 180Km on my Thruxton (16Ltr Tank) before reserve.

Yes I did replace the rocker arms, picked up a NOS pair in the UK for $40, the new rocker gaskets are not doing the job though, so I may try getting some quality gasket paper and making my own.I'll take your advise on re-torquing the head down when I do the service, I’ll be going over everything as a matter of course as don't want to have a silly failure or breakdown due to loose nut or bolt.

Love the new mufflers, do they make the bike sound like a Bonnie should? where did you get them? I was thinking of the peashooters but now I see the Dunstalls on yours they don’t look out of place. Ironically I had a pair of those mufflers in the shed for years and sold them as I'd sold the bike I was going to put them on. Judging by your post ditching the originals is a no brainer ( keep them for shows only) my L/H muffler has a couple of dings on it an if you look very closely, some tiny pitting. I read somewhere the OE mufflers were Italian sourced and not of the highest quality. I could get them re-chromed, but I reckon a set of aftermarket ones is a great idea ( I think you influence me too much SD, well that’s what I’ll tell my wife) .

I’m really enjoying the bike andtry to get out on her at any opportunity, the stiff throttle action is the only thing I can fault and as the ride I normally go on is full of twistys so it does give your wrist a bit of a workout. How do you find the spring mod you did? Was thinking of trying the standard style Bonnie grips as they have ab igger radius and should help? Did you try different carb return springs?

Cheers

Mike

P.S did you get the sprag sorted?
Click to expand...

Hi Mike,

Sourced the Dunstalls from British Spares. They are the long version, part number M1. $NZ 235.00. They come with reducers for the 1 3/8" header pipes. Overall they are 30mm longer than the originals. They sound great. Half of the baffle is wrapped in a thin layer of fibreglass insulation material (Yellow Bats). I removed that. Certainly sounds like a Bonnie of old now and really howls over 5000. Tried with the baffles out and just the straight megaphones. Way too loud for the road however our Harley friends may dissagree.

British Spares do carbon fibre rocker cover gaskets, which I have had no problems with, even with multiple use. I surface ground the head and rocker cover faces when I had it stripped down as they were not exactly true.

The twist grip return spring works a treat. I will pull it apart and photograph the details of the job this weekend for you. I did not try softer carb return springs, however I did add a wire spacer to them to ease the load, but that was unsuccessful. Softer springs would be by far the easiest fix, as long as they close the butterflies. Unlike the slides in Amals, gravity does not assist closure.

While I was in the spending money mode I also got a sprag clutch from British Spares. (Thanks for that lead Mike.....I now use their online parts store)
It appears to be a much simpler affair than the original. I'm not in any hurry to fit it as the bike starts very easily using the boot.

I think my wife has accepted that I break out occasionally and have a good spend on the bikes. Something akin to a girl going shopping, finding a bargin, thrashing the credit card...us blokes just can't compete with their spending prowess....still I give it my best shot :y2:
 
Matching numbered case halves indicate the mated pair have been line bored for the crank and cams to be in perfect alignment. After the machine work is complete and verified to spec, the case halves are stamped. I would assume they were sequential, but can't confirm.
 

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