Very nice vintage iron.
Introduce yourself and your classic bike(s) - with photos!
- Thread starter grandpaul
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GreeboIOW
Member
Hi Grandpaul.
Started riding in 82 mainly Japanese bikes. Couple of years ago bought a T595 Daytona loved her to bits spent a fair amount of money getting her road worthy.
Awhile later a young lady pulled out of a parking space at the side of the main road Newport to Cowes on the Isle of Wight. About 80 feet in front of me at 40MPH. Needless to say I got close up and said hello then greeted the tarmac. Breaking my collar bone and dislocated my shoulder.
The front end of the bike took a beating and cost me another £1500 in new and used parts to rebuild.
Managed another year of enjoyable riding up country and 130 against a focus STI on M27.
Last year I tried to get her MOTed but failed on the front brake lever travel. November last year I had reconstructive surgery on my shoulder so my love had to lay up for awhile.
A month or so ago I tried to get her ready for the MOT sorted the brake issue better but not perfect. Then the engine wouldn't run right so I connected the laptop for remapping and then water went everywhere a guiser shot up out of the header tank and I only have 25psi compression on all three cylinders. I think the head gasket has gone.
Can this be sorted in the frame or do have to remove the engine.
She is a labour of love and I would love to see her back on the road.
Any advice please.
Started riding in 82 mainly Japanese bikes. Couple of years ago bought a T595 Daytona loved her to bits spent a fair amount of money getting her road worthy.
Awhile later a young lady pulled out of a parking space at the side of the main road Newport to Cowes on the Isle of Wight. About 80 feet in front of me at 40MPH. Needless to say I got close up and said hello then greeted the tarmac. Breaking my collar bone and dislocated my shoulder.
The front end of the bike took a beating and cost me another £1500 in new and used parts to rebuild.
Managed another year of enjoyable riding up country and 130 against a focus STI on M27.
Last year I tried to get her MOTed but failed on the front brake lever travel. November last year I had reconstructive surgery on my shoulder so my love had to lay up for awhile.
A month or so ago I tried to get her ready for the MOT sorted the brake issue better but not perfect. Then the engine wouldn't run right so I connected the laptop for remapping and then water went everywhere a guiser shot up out of the header tank and I only have 25psi compression on all three cylinders. I think the head gasket has gone.
Can this be sorted in the frame or do have to remove the engine.
She is a labour of love and I would love to see her back on the road.
Any advice please.
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GreeboIOW
Member
Had to download photos from my Facebook as my phone had decided to reset itself recently and I lost everything from it.
On my return it wouldn't let me edit the original introduction.
I also forgot to mention that I am a Royal Air Forces veteran.
On my return it wouldn't let me edit the original introduction.
I also forgot to mention that I am a Royal Air Forces veteran.
Attachments
That T595 Daytona was a nice bike and I have not seen one around for ages now, oh and welcome to the forum.
Welcome to the forum, Richard, from across the pond in Florida. I thank you for your service. 
Lovely stable
Cobracita
Member
Hi there, I'm new as well and here's my 1979 Bonneville T140E. I only started riding one year ago today and this was the first bike I ever bought. I even got it to do the ton a time or two. Here are some photos, I hope you like it!
I've put in a lot trying to ride it daily (60miles/day) last July-December, it ended up breaking a throttle cable, the right exhaust pipe fell off(!), the horn has stopped working, the wiring has always been a nightmare, switched to a 6v ignition, it's got Amal MkII carbs on it and aftermarket pancake air filters. The previous owner did some wacky things with the wiring and put on new air filters and side covers, he had all black fenders put on and a custom short seat but he gave me boxes of original parts including the original airboxes and sidecovers and the original seat and fenders (and lots more; I don't even know what it all is!). For some reason he put on a hydraulic clutch? He was getting into his mid 80s but he could still kickstart it up (it's kickstart only). I added the black flyscreen when I was commuting but I think I'll take it off now that I'm not commuting on it.
Some things that challenge me about this bike are:
-This bike is finicky in cool or wet weather, but runs pretty well in the summer when its warm and dry.
-the bottom oil-change plate seems to be welded or epoxyed onto the frame? I have had to work around this to change the oil -- not sure what's going on here.
-The kickstarter gives a nasty kickback if I don't kick it with the clutch pulled in a few times before trying it (in top dead center, of course). When it's running well I can get it started in 2-3 kicks.
-the right-side carb spurts gas out occasionally when trying to start the bike (my mechanic doesn't believe me!)
-oil leak coming from chaincase drain plug
-horn stopped working (there is some wacky wiring for the controls in a plastic box behind the headlamp)
-the exhaust pipes (particularly the left-side one) keeps getting loose near where it clamps on to the engine. One muffler is very rattly.
Anyway, here are some photos, I hope you like it!
Some things I'm considering if y'all think it would be worth it:
-putting the airboxes and original sidecovers back on
-putting the original seat and rear chrome rack back on (thought this seat is really comfy)
-replacing the exhaust pipes (I know they're not original and one has a rattle)
-switching it back to cable clutch
I'm actually thinking of selling this bike simply because I don't have time to maintain two motos, and it would be great to pay off some student loan debt -- but I just love the look and feel of this bike which is why I bought it in the first place.
I've put in a lot trying to ride it daily (60miles/day) last July-December, it ended up breaking a throttle cable, the right exhaust pipe fell off(!), the horn has stopped working, the wiring has always been a nightmare, switched to a 6v ignition, it's got Amal MkII carbs on it and aftermarket pancake air filters. The previous owner did some wacky things with the wiring and put on new air filters and side covers, he had all black fenders put on and a custom short seat but he gave me boxes of original parts including the original airboxes and sidecovers and the original seat and fenders (and lots more; I don't even know what it all is!). For some reason he put on a hydraulic clutch? He was getting into his mid 80s but he could still kickstart it up (it's kickstart only). I added the black flyscreen when I was commuting but I think I'll take it off now that I'm not commuting on it.
Some things that challenge me about this bike are:
-This bike is finicky in cool or wet weather, but runs pretty well in the summer when its warm and dry.
-the bottom oil-change plate seems to be welded or epoxyed onto the frame? I have had to work around this to change the oil -- not sure what's going on here.
-The kickstarter gives a nasty kickback if I don't kick it with the clutch pulled in a few times before trying it (in top dead center, of course). When it's running well I can get it started in 2-3 kicks.
-the right-side carb spurts gas out occasionally when trying to start the bike (my mechanic doesn't believe me!)
-oil leak coming from chaincase drain plug
-horn stopped working (there is some wacky wiring for the controls in a plastic box behind the headlamp)
-the exhaust pipes (particularly the left-side one) keeps getting loose near where it clamps on to the engine. One muffler is very rattly.
Anyway, here are some photos, I hope you like it!
Some things I'm considering if y'all think it would be worth it:
-putting the airboxes and original sidecovers back on
-putting the original seat and rear chrome rack back on (thought this seat is really comfy)
-replacing the exhaust pipes (I know they're not original and one has a rattle)
-switching it back to cable clutch
I'm actually thinking of selling this bike simply because I don't have time to maintain two motos, and it would be great to pay off some student loan debt -- but I just love the look and feel of this bike which is why I bought it in the first place.
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It tales a lot of work to make these vintage classics daily riders. Back in the day, it took just as much work. But we didn't know any better. It was just part of riding. As much as I love my 68, I am glad to have a modern Triumph as a daily rider.
It's a great looking bike and should run better than it does.
I think many of your problems are related to the wiring and possibly ignition timing. It should run well hot, cold or wet.
You have given so many symptoms it would be hard to try and sort them out here.
I think many of your problems are related to the wiring and possibly ignition timing. It should run well hot, cold or wet.
You have given so many symptoms it would be hard to try and sort them out here.
fierymonk
Member
I also ride a 79 T140. It’s the only bike I have and keeping it as a daily rider has indeed been a challenge over the course of my stewardship. I might agree with Rocky about the wiring. One of the best things I ever did for mine was to rewire it completely. Seemed to sort out a LOT of the issues I was having. I switched everything over to use a Motogadget m-unit and it drastically simplified the wiring. Of course for me it also meant swapping out the controls so I could use fancy little push buttons but you could wire the unit to use the original switches.
I was pretty excited to see your post, truthfully. I don’t know many “younger” folks into old triumphs. I’ll have to get some pictures of mine own posted before long and the lengthy amount of shenanigans I’ve been through keeping it rideable so far.
I was pretty excited to see your post, truthfully. I don’t know many “younger” folks into old triumphs. I’ll have to get some pictures of mine own posted before long and the lengthy amount of shenanigans I’ve been through keeping it rideable so far.
I, for the life of me, don't see how the M-Unit "simplifies" the wiring on any given bike (I wired one on a Suzuki 750 last year).
There are nearly twice as many wires, although half of them are smaller gauge.
Still, they're very interesting gizmos and nifty to play with via your smartphone...
There are nearly twice as many wires, although half of them are smaller gauge.
Still, they're very interesting gizmos and nifty to play with via your smartphone...
fierymonk
Member
Hi grandpaul, nice to virtualy meet you! From my perspective the "simplification" largely comes in terms of mental clarity. My original wiring harness looked like a mutant octopus with tendrils running every which way! While I could decipher the wiring diagram in the manual I find the way the mUnit runs one power wire out to the component it controls and one negative wire back to the mUnit just stupid simple to understand. I'll at least say this: It gave a complete "noob" enough confidence to rip the deteriorating old wires out, tackle the job of replacing them all and successfully managing to complete the challenge!
I have an older mUnit so I don't have the fancy smartphone features. Do you find that you use those features much? I can't justify the cost of an upgrade when the one I have is working just fine at present but my curiosity is certainly piqued.
fierymonk
Member
Morning all, after reading over Cobracita's post above I figured I ought to jump in with both feet and try and post some of my own photos. This is my '79 T140E. After making up my mind to buy a classic Triumph I decided to specifically buy a '79 as it's my birth year. At the time I felt there was some great existential metaphor in the act believing that if I could maintain a bike of the same vintage as myself than I could manage to also keep myself together and running. Over the course of my brief stewardship with the machine I've realized there was both a deeper truth in that action as well as a gross oversimplification from the romantic notions of a dreamer. Either way she's been with me now about 5 years and I try my best to do well by her. Much of my intent to buy was to also learn how to wrench. I didn't want to be the person that constantly relied on someone else to maintain the bike. Mainly as my budget simply would not allow for it! I like the ethos behind DIY and the sense of accomplishment it gives me. Granted, I know when I'm in over my head and I've happily paid professionals for their knowledge when I've recognized I need it.
My first foray into tinkering was to replace the front master cylinder. It leaked brake fluid just enough so that upon return from a ride I would have spatter all over the front my my jacket. I opted not to rebuild the cylinder but to replace it. Little did I realize as I was ordering parts that what I opted to buy would not be compatible with the rest of what was already there. Changing that brake lever would put me on the road to changing the grips, changing the clutch lever and swapping out for new controls that could replace the ones I lost that were attached to the old brake lever. Not long after that I decided I didn't care for the lack of light coming out of the headlamp so I opted for an h4 conversion to replace the old lucas light. Next came a total rewire along with a switch to the aforementioned mUnit and swapping the headlight again for a powerful LED headlamp. The rest of the lights (save for the running lamp) were all converted to LED then too. I opted for more discrete turn signals and went for the brightest ones I could find. I also opted for drilled brake rotors (looked cool) and an airbox delete by switching to pods for my Amal MK2s. I replaced the front forks (were pitted) along with new fork seals and swapped to a two-up racing seat, removing the luggage rack. Somewhere along the way I replaced the chain and swapped out both the final drive and rear sprocket for lower gearing. ( Most of my riding is between stop lights so I like the "umph" and don't mind if I can't easily hit the ton.) I put Norton peashooters on as I quite liked the sound. Most recently I had a mechanic friend help me put a new set of rings in and I've removed the rear fender and rigged together and aluminum box to hold the new lithium battery and all my electric components to tuck up under the cafe seat I'm now trying.
It's been a fair bit of tinkering and a good amount of fun. There's also been plenty of frustration along the way as I learn. Par for the course. Presently I'm strongly considering rebuilding the rear master cylinder and looking into that caliper as well. I've got a terrible squawk once the brake warms up and I engage it. I can feel the whole rear end shudder a touch when it happens. Not keen on that at all. My temporary solution is to rely more on front brake and engine braking! ;P
My big takeaways with the bike has been realizing that for as much as I learn there's at least six time more to still know, patience is often the key to perseverance and there folks out there on forums like this one who are often willing to help lend knowledge so you can keep riding.
Here's the slow evolution of my Bonneville from the day I purchased her to the "clothes" she wears now.. I've kept all the original parts I've replaced or removed should I (inevitably) someday decide to go back to stock.
My first foray into tinkering was to replace the front master cylinder. It leaked brake fluid just enough so that upon return from a ride I would have spatter all over the front my my jacket. I opted not to rebuild the cylinder but to replace it. Little did I realize as I was ordering parts that what I opted to buy would not be compatible with the rest of what was already there. Changing that brake lever would put me on the road to changing the grips, changing the clutch lever and swapping out for new controls that could replace the ones I lost that were attached to the old brake lever. Not long after that I decided I didn't care for the lack of light coming out of the headlamp so I opted for an h4 conversion to replace the old lucas light. Next came a total rewire along with a switch to the aforementioned mUnit and swapping the headlight again for a powerful LED headlamp. The rest of the lights (save for the running lamp) were all converted to LED then too. I opted for more discrete turn signals and went for the brightest ones I could find. I also opted for drilled brake rotors (looked cool) and an airbox delete by switching to pods for my Amal MK2s. I replaced the front forks (were pitted) along with new fork seals and swapped to a two-up racing seat, removing the luggage rack. Somewhere along the way I replaced the chain and swapped out both the final drive and rear sprocket for lower gearing. ( Most of my riding is between stop lights so I like the "umph" and don't mind if I can't easily hit the ton.) I put Norton peashooters on as I quite liked the sound. Most recently I had a mechanic friend help me put a new set of rings in and I've removed the rear fender and rigged together and aluminum box to hold the new lithium battery and all my electric components to tuck up under the cafe seat I'm now trying.
It's been a fair bit of tinkering and a good amount of fun. There's also been plenty of frustration along the way as I learn. Par for the course. Presently I'm strongly considering rebuilding the rear master cylinder and looking into that caliper as well. I've got a terrible squawk once the brake warms up and I engage it. I can feel the whole rear end shudder a touch when it happens. Not keen on that at all. My temporary solution is to rely more on front brake and engine braking! ;P
My big takeaways with the bike has been realizing that for as much as I learn there's at least six time more to still know, patience is often the key to perseverance and there folks out there on forums like this one who are often willing to help lend knowledge so you can keep riding.
Here's the slow evolution of my Bonneville from the day I purchased her to the "clothes" she wears now.. I've kept all the original parts I've replaced or removed should I (inevitably) someday decide to go back to stock.
Nice story and a great looking bike
I don't use it at all; I programmed it for the client after wiring it in, and haven't seen him since.
Very smart looking bike, almost identical to my '78 that I traded away for a 2000 Legend 900 triple.
Beautiful bike!
Hello all. I'm Craig and have/ride a 1971 TR6R that I bought from the original owner. It is near mint for a bike ridden regularly. Well-maintained, all original. Never dropped, hit, or abused. Just a nice old gal. I did put new K's on it...the originals were still nice but I figured new shoes were a safety precaution. I don't ride hard but will approach the ton regularly. Trusting the tires and other bits is just prudent.
I just posted that I've developed a transmission problem that I'm sorting but, other than that, it's a one-kick starter.
I just posted that I've developed a transmission problem that I'm sorting but, other than that, it's a one-kick starter.
A single carb TR6 is a great model to have. Easy to sort out problems.
Very nice ......but if you haven't already done so, get some new tires 
Very nice
......but if you haven't already done so, get some new tires A single carb TR6 is a great model to have. Easy to sort out problems.
Very nice
First thing I did. Hung the original English skins on the wall. They had 6,000 miles on them and looked new. Kept them for posterity!
