FredZ43's '79 Bonnie project
- Thread starter fredz43
- Start date
Help Support Triumph Motorcycle Forum:
[quote author=fredz43 link=topic=7873.msg54699#msg54699 date=1291857475]
Greetings,
I am finally committed to finishing my 79 Bonneville T140E project. Cosmetics are in decent shape, and I am going thru the engine, mostly oil system, that was contaminated and wet sumping, and then the top end.
[/quote]
Hey...that's great! And welcome to TriTalk
Keep us informed...and we love pics!...LOL
Greetings,
I am finally committed to finishing my 79 Bonneville T140E project. Cosmetics are in decent shape, and I am going thru the engine, mostly oil system, that was contaminated and wet sumping, and then the top end.
[/quote]
Hey...that's great! And welcome to TriTalk
Keep us informed...and we love pics!...LOL
Hey, thanks, Dave.
Ok, here is a shot of my project. It is a 79, but I had the tank painted in the 78 black/red scheme as that is my favorite. I had a 76 painted that way a few years ago. This bike sat outside for some time before I got it and I guess it got some rust in the frame. Some of that clogged the oil system after I got it started, even though I had done an oil change. Bottom line, it was wet sumping due to, I assume, some of the gunk. I am going thru the entire oil system, cleaning, etc. I have the top end apart, fitted new rings and will reassemble that once I am comfortable that the oil system is clean.
Any advice is appreciated. This is my winter project and I now have it up on my Kendon work stand and look forward to riding it in the Spring.
Thanks,
Fred Z.
Ok, here is a shot of my project. It is a 79, but I had the tank painted in the 78 black/red scheme as that is my favorite. I had a 76 painted that way a few years ago. This bike sat outside for some time before I got it and I guess it got some rust in the frame. Some of that clogged the oil system after I got it started, even though I had done an oil change. Bottom line, it was wet sumping due to, I assume, some of the gunk. I am going thru the entire oil system, cleaning, etc. I have the top end apart, fitted new rings and will reassemble that once I am comfortable that the oil system is clean.
Any advice is appreciated. This is my winter project and I now have it up on my Kendon work stand and look forward to riding it in the Spring.
Thanks,
Fred Z.
It looks good, Fred. I love those Meridan Bonnies. I have a '68 Trophy that GrandPaul (on this forum) rebuilt for me. He is the resident expert.
It looks like you and I have the same bike!! Although mine's a '79 T-140V:
I have split this topic and moved all the help post about posting a photo to here Posting a photo :y18:
Uh, this thread has been split, so my reply may have gone to the other thread? In any case, I said that I hope that mine looks as good as yours when I am finished. I also noticed that you have retrofitted with earlier side covers and air filters and that looks good. I don't see the rear rack above the fender that I have seen on other 79's, did you change that?
What is the difference between a T140V and T140E?
Thanks
What is the difference between a T140V and T140E?
Thanks
Personally, I can't figure out the difference between them either!?
It's got fake fibreglass side covers since the airbox is gone when using the Mikuni carbs with Mikuni pancake filters. I removed the rear rack and replaced it with a standard grab rail, put fork gaiters on the front forks, and changed the mufflers to the old style pea-shooters (which also sound way better).
Dschief here on TriumphTalk turned me on to Northern Eagle Cycle....h specializes in the oil-in-frame models and especially the 750s. There's a link to his website under the LINKS button at the top of the forums.
It's got fake fibreglass side covers since the airbox is gone when using the Mikuni carbs with Mikuni pancake filters. I removed the rear rack and replaced it with a standard grab rail, put fork gaiters on the front forks, and changed the mufflers to the old style pea-shooters (which also sound way better).
Dschief here on TriumphTalk turned me on to Northern Eagle Cycle....h specializes in the oil-in-frame models and especially the 750s. There's a link to his website under the LINKS button at the top of the forums.
I put Mikuni's on my 76 to replace the worn our Amals. My 79 has the Amal Mark 2's and I have had decent luck with them on my later model Bultacos. I can't tell for sure, but it looks like yours has the splayed head carbs? Did you change that to fit the air filters? Mine come straight back, so don't know of those type of filters will fit. I'll check out that link, thanks.
The Mikunis were already on the bike when I bought it from the previous owner. The carbs do angle outward from the head. Even if they were straight back, I think these filters would still fit. They are ultra slim (in comparison to the flat chrome filters on earlier Bonnevilles).
If you look in the photo gallery at more photos of my T140V, you can see close-up shots which show the carb arrangement better.
If you look in the photo gallery at more photos of my T140V, you can see close-up shots which show the carb arrangement better.
Ooops...sorry, the particular photos i was referring to were inside this thread:
O.I.F. Question
That thread sort of walks you through the process of when i was contemplating buying a OIF Triumph until i actually bought it and started to personalize it to my own tastes.
On PAGE 3 are some close-ups of the carbs and the "beauty kit" (fake side covers).:
O.I.F. Question
That thread sort of walks you through the process of when i was contemplating buying a OIF Triumph until i actually bought it and started to personalize it to my own tastes.
On PAGE 3 are some close-ups of the carbs and the "beauty kit" (fake side covers).:
Thanks, that is interesting. I know that back in the day, when I had my 76 with splayed carbs, my friend bought a new late model 78 and it had the Amal MK 2 carbs straight back. As far as I know, the late model 78's and all 79's had the straight back carb arrangement. Is yours perhaps an early 78?
I don't think so since my seria;l number is one that had the gas shocks...the earlier 78s had standard oil shocks.
[quote author=The Seeker link=topic=7873.msg54840#msg54840 date=1292180895]
I don't think so since my seria;l number is one that had the gas shocks...the earlier 78s had standard oil shocks.
[/quote]
I am learning something here already. Is there a link to the serial numbers with corresponding changes?
I am just going by the experience of 2 friends and I that had T140s back when they were new. One had an early 78 with splayed heads and Amal mark 1 carbs, and the other bought his later 78 new with the Mark 2 square barrel Amals, straight back. My 79 also has the straight back carb manifolds.
This may be similar to what I have found as I restore vintage Bultacos. They made changes in mid year on many of them and I have found different combinations of features on them.
Thanks
I don't think so since my seria;l number is one that had the gas shocks...the earlier 78s had standard oil shocks.
[/quote]
I am learning something here already. Is there a link to the serial numbers with corresponding changes?
I am just going by the experience of 2 friends and I that had T140s back when they were new. One had an early 78 with splayed heads and Amal mark 1 carbs, and the other bought his later 78 new with the Mark 2 square barrel Amals, straight back. My 79 also has the straight back carb manifolds.
This may be similar to what I have found as I restore vintage Bultacos. They made changes in mid year on many of them and I have found different combinations of features on them.
Thanks
Ok, I think I see whare the mixup is. In the OIF Questions thead, you mention that you bought a 78 T140V. Your signature also lists a 78 T140V, which is what I see in your pics. Somehow in your first reply to me, you mentioned that you had a 79 T140, instead of 78. Yours must have been made before the time in 78 when they were switching to the straight back Mark 2 carb manifolds, but after they changed to gas shocks.
Your paint scheme is correct for a 78. As I mentioned in my earlier post, I liked the 78 black/red scheme and that is what I painted this one as well as my 76. Not correct for my year, but it is my bike, so I can paint it as I like. :ya2:
Your paint scheme is correct for a 78. As I mentioned in my earlier post, I liked the 78 black/red scheme and that is what I painted this one as well as my 76. Not correct for my year, but it is my bike, so I can paint it as I like. :ya2:
My bad then...yes I mistakenly said 79 when mine is a 78.
Here's the link to the stuff about oil or gas shocks and the serial numbers: https://www.triumphtalk.com/index.php/topic,10178.0.html
Go straight to page 7, at the top DaveM answers it with a link to a Triumph manual and a picture (click on it to enlarge it).
Here's the link to the stuff about oil or gas shocks and the serial numbers: https://www.triumphtalk.com/index.php/topic,10178.0.html
Go straight to page 7, at the top DaveM answers it with a link to a Triumph manual and a picture (click on it to enlarge it).
Comparing our bikes I see now that your tank paint is more of a red while mine is more of a burgundy or plum color.
A '79 would have the gas shocks, so your shocks are mounted correctly (I have since flipped mine back over to be like yours).
I also notice it looks like you have the cast aluminum rear taillight mount where mine is black. I prefer the aluminum and would love to locate one so I could polish it up. I think the aluminum looks better on the chrome rear fender.
Also not pictured is that I got a pair of the correct Dunlop K-70 tires in the correct sizes now on my bike. The previous owner had put on modern radial tires with tubes and the front tire was wider than the rear which caused it to be way too twitchy at speed. It feels right now with the proper sizes.
A '79 would have the gas shocks, so your shocks are mounted correctly (I have since flipped mine back over to be like yours).
I also notice it looks like you have the cast aluminum rear taillight mount where mine is black. I prefer the aluminum and would love to locate one so I could polish it up. I think the aluminum looks better on the chrome rear fender.
Also not pictured is that I got a pair of the correct Dunlop K-70 tires in the correct sizes now on my bike. The previous owner had put on modern radial tires with tubes and the front tire was wider than the rear which caused it to be way too twitchy at speed. It feels right now with the proper sizes.
[quote author=The Seeker link=topic=7873.msg54850#msg54850 date=1292199973]
Also not pictured is that I got a pair of the correct Dunlop K-70 tires in the correct sizes now on my bike. The previous owner had put on modern radial tires with tubes and the front tire was wider than the rear which caused it to be way too twitchy at speed. It feels right now with the proper sizes.
[/quote]
My 76 came with K70's. By 79 they had switched to the K81 TT100's, which is what I have on this one.
Also not pictured is that I got a pair of the correct Dunlop K-70 tires in the correct sizes now on my bike. The previous owner had put on modern radial tires with tubes and the front tire was wider than the rear which caused it to be way too twitchy at speed. It feels right now with the proper sizes.
[/quote]
My 76 came with K70's. By 79 they had switched to the K81 TT100's, which is what I have on this one.
You are correct Triumph changes at any time during the production and often used up existing inventory before moving on the the new inventory. There is also different combinations depending on whether the bike was a US Eastern or US Western bike or a European model. Confused yet? I am :y114:
Glenn
Bonneville T100
Seeker
Great looking bike. If you are ever in Parkesburg, PA (Lancaster) area please go by to Ozzie Oswalds (Quiet Power Dr.) and see my '79 Bonnie. He is installing an electric start, primary belt, rear belt, external oil filter and front brake fluid reservoir on it. Hopefully he will call sometime within the next two months to tell me to come get it.
Great looking bike. If you are ever in Parkesburg, PA (Lancaster) area please go by to Ozzie Oswalds (Quiet Power Dr.) and see my '79 Bonnie. He is installing an electric start, primary belt, rear belt, external oil filter and front brake fluid reservoir on it. Hopefully he will call sometime within the next two months to tell me to come get it.
Similar threads
