new Triumph owner, need help finding parts

[Glenn]

Like it has always been said, a picture is worth a thousand words. In this case that is very true. When I restored my '79 I took a ton of pictures before I ever took off the first part. These became very valuable to me several months later when I started putting it back together. Had I not had them I would have been sunk on the finer details.

 

[Rocky]

Very smart of you Glenn.
When I pulled my Brit bikes apart I also took many pictures, made notes and drawings. I wasn't about to rely on memory a year later.

 

[DaveM]

Great idea as I would forget how it was by the next day

 

[Rocky]

Great idea as I would forget how it was by the next day

how true that can be!
In my case I hadn't touched an old Brit bike in over 30 years so I was learning all over again. I bought a Triumph repair manual, a Haynes manual and a Clymer manual along with a parts book and went back to school. I had just retired and I enjoyed the experience of a first restoration which took about 18 months. I tore the Triumph down to the last nut and bolt, including the engine.
When I got the BSA it was more or less the same thing. Having done it once the learning curve was very shallow. Doing a complete tear-down is a great way to learn everything about a bike. It was worth all the time and expenses as both bikes are completely reliable and in many ways better than when they were new.
Time passes so quickly. My brand new '06 Bonneville is now five years old! I've had the old Triumph for 16 years and the BSA for 11 years. Where did the time go

 

[Glenn]

My problem is that I need to wait 10 years before I put it back together because at my age I can remember things clearly from 10 years ago but forget things from yesterday.
I also made lots of notes and drawings as well. I also replaced every fastener whenever possible with SS fasteners. There were only a few instances where I did not use SS fasteners. The guys at Fastenall were great in that they normally sell in bulk, but they ordered everything I needed with their regular order and I did not have to pay shipping.

 

[DaveM]

Sound like you really are doing a good job on this. Much better to do it slowly if you can and pay attention to the small details like you are now

 

[CarlS]

I, too take photos and make drawings along with notes - even if I am working on our 03's. Rocky, you are right. Where has the time gone? My 03 is now 8 years old!!

 

[Rocky]

My problem is that I need to wait 10 years before I put it back together because at my age I can remember things clearly from 10 years ago but forget things from yesterday.
I also made lots of notes and drawings as well. I also replaced every fastener whenever possible with SS fasteners. There were only a few instances where I did not use SS fasteners. The guys at Fastenall were great in that they normally sell in bulk, but they ordered everything I needed with their regular order and I did not have to pay shipping.

Ah, you're my kind of man I did exactly the same thing - s/s every place I could. Andy Molnar and I did a roaring business and now his products are being carried over here.

 

[Rocky]

I, too take photos and make drawings along with notes - even if I am working on our 03's. Rocky, you are right. Where has the time gone? My 03 is now 8 years old!!

Carl, all I can say is - we must have been having fun

 

[CarlS]

You bet we are, my friend! But the time is passing way too rapidly.

 

[jpread]

Yeah I pull out my phone and take a few pics while working and taking stuff apart. I have been trying to create a system to keep all the small parts, nuts and bolts, in order but I will probably end up painfully trying to figure out the reassembly. "Experience is usually painfully granted after it would have been useful"

My concern was that with the reservoir being down on the drop bars that I won't get proper ability to bleed. But is the consensus that I am safe just putting my stock controls on the clubman bars?

 

[CarlS]

As long as the reservoir is higher than the cylinder(s) and the line, bleeding should not be a problem.

 

[The Seeker]

If the braking system is already bled and you don't open anything like a bleeder, loosen a brake line, or remove the cap, it will remain air free until you remount the master cylinder on the new handlebars.

If you have to change line length or open the system for any reason, then you'd need to bleed the system.

As Carl said though, as long as the master cylinder is above the bleeder valve, you shouldn't have any problem bleeding them....just be sure none of the lines loop upwards above the level of the master cylinder.

 

[grandpaul]

I'm wondering how you mounted ther Clubman bars using the OEM Triumph P-clamps?

Either spread them open and pinch them shut, then they're weakened, or cut the bars, slip the clamps on, and weld the bars back together.

Anyway, Clubman bars and drag bars both have limited space available to fit a master cylinder unless you slip the throttle an inch or two further out than the left side grip. Not a big deal, but a bit goofy.