1983 Triumph T140W 750 TSS; 8 valves & electric start!
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Sea Dog
Member
Yeh, my thoughts exactly. The only thing that is holding me back, is the cold starting. As it is fitted with Bings, the enrichment circuit (choke) takes about 3 kicks with the ignition switched off to get fuel into the cylinders, then turn the key on and it fires first kick. When using the starter motor, as the engine winds over, with the ignition on, there is just not enough rich mixture building up in the cylinders to start, as it burns what gets in there....that is until I discovered that the starter motor will spin the engine over with the kill switch in the stop engine position. (Unlike a modern bike that has an interlock which deactivates the starter motor if the kill switch is in the off position) A few rotations of the engine to build up the fuel in the cylinders, flick the kill switch to the run position and YES, it fires up on the starter straight away.
The kickstart lever does force my foot to the outer half of the foot peg, which is only just ok, however with it removed it is very comfortable. I'll trial it for a while and see how it goes.
Then the next step in the evolution will be removing the kickstart quadrant and shaft from the gearbox outer case and blanking the hole off with a polished aluminium plug.
devo
hairy old fart
This idea makes me smile
How many times have I heard guys on other forums with the later bikes such as my own wishing like hell they had a kicker on there bike.
I have even heard of some talking about attaching a non operational one to the side of the box just for the look.
Sea Dog
Member
Hear where you are coming from. With a classic electric start Bonnie, it is a quantum leap to entirely rely on the electric start. I have the engine at the stage where it starts very easily hot or cold and is running beautifully. I'm doing a reverse retro on the guys with the modern Bonnies
. I could start something here....even be a trend setter. Brave move on a 30 year old Trumpie.BTW, these guys who wish to fit a non operational kick start to their modern Bonnies for the look, how serious are they? The fair dinkum ones would carry around a small can of used oil for the puddle when parked
devo
hairy old fart
BTW, these guys who wish to fit a non operational kick start to their modern Bonnies for the look, how serious are they? The fair dinkum ones would carry around a small can of used oil for the puddle when parked
devo
hairy old fart
Hi Mike and Sea Dog,
It has been awhile since I have checked in. The refinement of your TSS's is interesting and helpful. You both are clearly the subject matter experts. A couple of questions regarding my TSS and your suggestions:
1) My original Strada rear shocks don't appear to have any pressure, however, the bike rides reasonably well the way they are. Is there a "how to maintain or adjust" for these Marzochi shocks? Were they quality shocks in 1982, or just what was available? What are your thoughts, rebuild or replace with something newer?
2) The previous owner had installed progressvie front fork springs. They feel pretty soft, I personally prefer a stiffer ride for more stability in high speed cornering. Again, do you have any experience between the two. I am not sure what weight the bikes were designed for, I weight 165#, so I may be of average weight, or slightly on the high side of the scale.
3) I am in the midst of rebuilding the rear brake master cylinder and replacing the line with SBL. Have you done this for the the front brakes, and is it worth the effort? I am also converting to DOT 5, I want to see if all the cautions on DOT 4 vs. DOT 5 are well founded.
It is alway good to read your posts.
Regards,
TSS_rider
It has been awhile since I have checked in. The refinement of your TSS's is interesting and helpful. You both are clearly the subject matter experts. A couple of questions regarding my TSS and your suggestions:
1) My original Strada rear shocks don't appear to have any pressure, however, the bike rides reasonably well the way they are. Is there a "how to maintain or adjust" for these Marzochi shocks? Were they quality shocks in 1982, or just what was available? What are your thoughts, rebuild or replace with something newer?
2) The previous owner had installed progressvie front fork springs. They feel pretty soft, I personally prefer a stiffer ride for more stability in high speed cornering. Again, do you have any experience between the two. I am not sure what weight the bikes were designed for, I weight 165#, so I may be of average weight, or slightly on the high side of the scale.
3) I am in the midst of rebuilding the rear brake master cylinder and replacing the line with SBL. Have you done this for the the front brakes, and is it worth the effort? I am also converting to DOT 5, I want to see if all the cautions on DOT 4 vs. DOT 5 are well founded.
It is alway good to read your posts.
Regards,
TSS_rider
mikechev
Member
G'day TSS Rider
Mr Sea Dog is more of the expert, i'm more of the apprentice
Its sounds like your Stradas need a rebuild, without seeing them or knowing more about the condition of them I can't say if they can be rebuild. If the chrome on the shaft is chipped or damaged then its probably all over for them, if the shafts are good then your looking at $70 for a rebuild kit (EX UK only place i could find them) some oil $15 and if you want repaint them add on for that too. As for how good a shock are they? well thats debatable, some say they were over sprung for the application (TSS) personally they are an OK shock since i rebuilt them but i wanted to keep originality. If you want performance I would spent around $300 on a set of Ikons or similar.
I bought the progressive springs for mine as i thought the originals were a but soft (still not fitted them yet), SD had progressives in his i believe so let get his opinion. I was also told if i wanted to to get a heavier spring in my T140 use the T160 springs as they uprated for the increased weight of the T160? never confirmed that though....
From what i can recall DOT 5 is more suited to modern braking systems (seal material) I've had no problems with DOT 4, is "SBL" stainless brake lines? I used the stainless braided line on another T140 I had and it made a big difference, a lot stiffer feel and less travel. As the rear M/C is pain to change over i would just replace it with and SS one (subject to budget of course). In my experience and again of course depending on the condition of your rear M/C rebuilding them is not always that successful. If it's just worn leaking seals you might be all right but if there has been any corrosion etc. I'd replace it.
Hope this was of some help and i'm sure SD will fill in the bits i missed
Cheers
Mike
I found a maintenance manual for the Strada units by searching on the internet (marzocchi.co.uk), and downloaded it for free. Mine don't have a lot of pressure, but they don't need a lot, and by the time you've checked it the volume is so small the pressure is gone!
I have stainless braided brake hoses, and you can pull up from 30 mph quite swiftly using one finger pressure, using DOT4 fluid. Is DOT5 fully backwards compatible? why bother with the aggro?
Dunno about T160 springs, but the Stanchions are the same part number but the fork legs are different from the T140 ones, never mind the TSS, so they may fit.
Best of luck.
I have stainless braided brake hoses, and you can pull up from 30 mph quite swiftly using one finger pressure, using DOT4 fluid. Is DOT5 fully backwards compatible? why bother with the aggro?
Dunno about T160 springs, but the Stanchions are the same part number but the fork legs are different from the T140 ones, never mind the TSS, so they may fit.
Best of luck.
Sea Dog
Member
Hi TSS_Rider,
Mike has covered all the points well.
The Strada rear shocks were good quality for their day. After re building mine, I am very happy with their performance.
I weigh in at 155 pounds and the progressive front springs in mine work very well. A light hone of the inside of the fork leg where the damper O ring slides will reduce stiction.
DOT 4 is all you will require. Dismantle, clean and fit new seals to the brake calipers while you are at it. The alloy front calipers are rare and expensive.
Good luck and enjoy your TSS. Could you post some pictures please.
Mike has covered all the points well.
The Strada rear shocks were good quality for their day. After re building mine, I am very happy with their performance.
I weigh in at 155 pounds and the progressive front springs in mine work very well. A light hone of the inside of the fork leg where the damper O ring slides will reduce stiction.
DOT 4 is all you will require. Dismantle, clean and fit new seals to the brake calipers while you are at it. The alloy front calipers are rare and expensive.
Good luck and enjoy your TSS. Could you post some pictures please.
grandpaul
Old Bike Lover
The trick is to apply regulated pressure. My compressor came with a decent regulator that could dial the supply side to any setting within 1 PSI, but it flaked out in warranty and the replacement doesn't work nearly as well.
You just dial up the pressure you want, press the air chuck onto the item and when it stops hissing, you're done. Works great for air-assisted forks.
You just dial up the pressure you want, press the air chuck onto the item and when it stops hissing, you're done. Works great for air-assisted forks.
Mike, Seadog and Grandpaul, thanks for the helpful input.
Regarding DOT 4 vs. DOT 5. The rear brake would not release on my TSS. After disassembly, the master cylinder was completely mucked up with old brake fluid. After soaking for a few days in vinegar, it cleaned up nicely. Is the master cyinder bore perfect? Not quite, but not too bad. I will give it a go. If it were the front brake I might be more cautious. I am also replacing the rubber line with steel braided brake line, a relatively easy mod.
In reading up on Disk brake fluid maintenance, the people who know say tht flushing is an annual process with DOT 4. If I can avoid the fluid degradation and annual flushing with DOT 5, then it would be a worthy consideration. I will report back on how it works.
Thanks Mike on the info on the Stradas. I need to read it more carefeuly to understand what are the variables to adjust for optimal peformance. Being that it rides extremely well right now, I am doubtful that changes in air pressure are going to have that much effect on the ride outside of racing. Before I hook up my 100psi air pumpt into the air valve, I want to know what it is I will be rebuilding after I blow out the seals.
Regarding progressive front fork springs, I may try the stock springs for comparsion, I will report back.
Mike and Sea Dog, your bikes both look too perfect. In fact every TSS I see looks almost bone stock. Why not try some individual customization like cafe seat, ace bar, rear sets and a cafe gas tank? I would do it myself if I wasn't so frugal. It would be nice to see how it looked. At one time I may have been concerned with preserving the originality of such a rare bike, but with Mike and Seadogs' bikes, no need to worry. I remember the TSS sitting new on the showroom floor, looking no differnt than either of your bikes.
One last question, for now. While my original stock mufflers are fine, I replaced them with norton looking reverse cone cheap look alikes. You have both raved about the performance of your dunstall mufflers, but since both types seem to be open flow with limited restriction, I would be surprised if their is any performance difference, perhaps maybe sound difference.
Thanks,
Regarding DOT 4 vs. DOT 5. The rear brake would not release on my TSS. After disassembly, the master cylinder was completely mucked up with old brake fluid. After soaking for a few days in vinegar, it cleaned up nicely. Is the master cyinder bore perfect? Not quite, but not too bad. I will give it a go. If it were the front brake I might be more cautious. I am also replacing the rubber line with steel braided brake line, a relatively easy mod.
In reading up on Disk brake fluid maintenance, the people who know say tht flushing is an annual process with DOT 4. If I can avoid the fluid degradation and annual flushing with DOT 5, then it would be a worthy consideration. I will report back on how it works.
Thanks Mike on the info on the Stradas. I need to read it more carefeuly to understand what are the variables to adjust for optimal peformance. Being that it rides extremely well right now, I am doubtful that changes in air pressure are going to have that much effect on the ride outside of racing. Before I hook up my 100psi air pumpt into the air valve, I want to know what it is I will be rebuilding after I blow out the seals.
Regarding progressive front fork springs, I may try the stock springs for comparsion, I will report back.
Mike and Sea Dog, your bikes both look too perfect. In fact every TSS I see looks almost bone stock. Why not try some individual customization like cafe seat, ace bar, rear sets and a cafe gas tank? I would do it myself if I wasn't so frugal. It would be nice to see how it looked. At one time I may have been concerned with preserving the originality of such a rare bike, but with Mike and Seadogs' bikes, no need to worry. I remember the TSS sitting new on the showroom floor, looking no differnt than either of your bikes.
One last question, for now. While my original stock mufflers are fine, I replaced them with norton looking reverse cone cheap look alikes. You have both raved about the performance of your dunstall mufflers, but since both types seem to be open flow with limited restriction, I would be surprised if their is any performance difference, perhaps maybe sound difference.
Thanks,
Mines got a king anbd queen (ish) seat, and standard (pattern - Armours Bournemouth) long cigar silencers, and a rack/grab rail which was an option for T140s for that year, and that's quite enough customisation for me thanks. I enjoy the bike (the size, the weight, the agility, and the speed is fine for me).
Sea Dog
Member
Thanks Mike,
Your bike looks outstanding! I will print it and post it my TSS album.
It looks as if you converted to steel braided brake lines, any issues in the conversion?
Just out of curiosity, how often do you flush your DOT 4 brake fluid?
The seat fits the bike perferctly. While I am not a great fan of king and queen seats, this one is the exception. The bike keeps it sleek looks, it looks like it was designed for this bike.
Also, the non-painted cylinder barrel and head look better in my opinion than the stock black painted one.
Excellent, I agree, would not change its looks.
-TSS rider
Your bike looks outstanding! I will print it and post it my TSS album.
It looks as if you converted to steel braided brake lines, any issues in the conversion?
Just out of curiosity, how often do you flush your DOT 4 brake fluid?
The seat fits the bike perferctly. While I am not a great fan of king and queen seats, this one is the exception. The bike keeps it sleek looks, it looks like it was designed for this bike.
Also, the non-painted cylinder barrel and head look better in my opinion than the stock black painted one.
Excellent, I agree, would not change its looks.
-TSS rider
Sea Dog
Member
Couldn't resist "Reply With Quote" just so everyone can have a good look at this classic. Really like the understated look.
