OIF Question

[ducarly]

Hi Forum:
Your excuse me for intruding into the discussion, but I think no one evaluated the major problem (for which we have Triumph shield engraved on the heart), which is that the OIF frame is BSA ! Ja, Ja, Ja!!!.
I prefer the Triumph box because it gives me security in my suit (do not take corners at 160 kph, but yes to 120) but if I walked to 175 kph (chronometric Smith) and I've never had a bad experience. I see him closer to the ground (center of gravity lower = more stability), and better distributed the weight (no shimming or wheeling). I do not know the wheelbase of the OIF, but the Triumph is short box (1400 mm) making it very maneuverable in slow corners.
It is my humble opinion from the user view, sorry if I'm wrong.
Good Roads, Carlos from Ensenada, Argentina.

 

[Dschief]

And I always thought Ensenada was in the Republik of Kalifornia. Hahahaha. Just kidding!

Actually, I agree with your idea of a higher seat equaling a higher center of gravity, but we are only talking about approximately 2 inches (50.8mm). The seat height of my 1976 T140 (which is supposed to be lower than the 1971 by maybe an inch) is very close to that of my 2005 Bonneville, so it's a relative measurement. It may make a difference if you are riding at the bikes limit most of the time, but for casual riding I doubt it would make much difference.

 

[ducarly]

Hi Dave:
Not everything is in USA, in the ass of the world there is life! Ja, Ja. :ya2:
I spoke of the frame, but I tell you that my seat is 780 mm . I have 1.76 meters high and I'm comfortable.
I think it has the lowest position engine Triumph frame, that's what I meant.
The oil can also be in lowest position, and that also contributes to stability.
From Ensenada, on the buttocks of the world, Carlos.

 

[CarlS]

[quote author=ducarly link=topic=10178.msg50354#msg50354 date=1284343441]
Hi Dave:
Not everything is in USA, in the ass of the world there is life! Ja, Ja. :ya2:
I spoke of the frame, but I tell you that my seat is 780 mm . I have 1.76 meters high and I'm comfortable.
I think it has the lowest position engine Triumph frame, that's what I meant.
The oil can also be in lowest position, and that also contributes to stability.

From Ensenada, on the buttocks of the world, Carlos.
[/quote]

I agree with you, Carlos. I have heard this before from racers. You made a good point.

Estoy de acuerdo contigo, Carlos. He oído esto antes de corredores. Usted ha hecho un buen punto.

 

[The Seeker]

[quote author=ducarly link=topic=10178.msg50354#msg50354 date=1284343441]

Not everything is in USA, in the ass of the world there is life! Ja, Ja. :ya2:

[/quote]


Well, I've always wanted to travel to Tierra del Fuego. Only because I think the name is so cool !!!

 

[grandpaul]

[quote author=ducarly link=topic=10178.msg50352#msg50352 date=1284340401]
...I think no one evaluated the major problem (for which we have Triumph shield engraved on the heart),
which is that the OIF frame is BSA ! Ja, Ja, Ja!!!.[/quote]

Not so!

Triumph = "heart". Cool.
BSA = "egg". Not so cool.

I'm going to take a wild guess at your motto in your signature "donne e motori, gioie e dolori";

I think it means "where there are motors, there is pain"...?

 

[ducarly]

Hi Grandpaul:
In the words of Jack the Ripper ... "we split"
1 - As a good Triumpher, BSA I do not like ... nothing personal!
2 º-Donna e motori ... is an Italian saying that means "woman and motor, pleasure and pain", since they are the only creatures of the vilest treason after more pleasant joy ... what they say (if my wife sees it .. Ja, Ja).
I hope you now understand my opinion, may not be well translated, sorry.
Good Roads, Carlos from Ensenada, Argentina

 

[The Seeker]

I spoke to the guy with the Bonneville on Craigslist, the one for only $2800. It's a bit of a mixed bag. Mechanically, it's solid with rebuilt carbs, new clutch, no oil leaks, starts 1st or 2nd kick, etc. The downside: non-stock silencers, non-stock speedometer and no tachometer at all, what looks like possibly a non-stock seat, and the guy removed the rear shocks and put solid struts in their place because he's only 5'4" and couldn't reach the ground. I may still be interested though because at that price I could afford to "fix" those things. It does have new paint which looks well done. I see he put the front fender on backwards??? It also has the side covers chromed which looks a bit strange in the picture. And I think he might have the original silencers although I don't know what condition they are in.

 

[DaveM]

Well it sure looks like it would be a good starting point for a restoration job

 

[CarlS]

It sounds like it would be a relatively inexpensive restoration job.

 

[Rocky]

That's a pretty decent price for a running bike that's nearly all there. Show up with a pocket full of of $100. bills and you might get it for less. I fist full of cash has a certain effect on some people.
You could run it as a riding restoration - fitting bits and pieces to improve it as you go along.
That's what I did to my '70 Triumph for two summers and then stripped it to the last nut and bolt for a proper job.

 

[Dschief]

I have seen chrome stock looking air boxes/side covers on some of the earlier OIF bikes. May have been an accessory? As a matter of fact, I may have a set that came with mine.

 

[The Seeker]

Well, I'm kind of torn now because another guy emailed me some photos of his '78 T-140 and it looks nearly perfect, all there, and all stock. He does want $3800 although cash might talk him down a tad??

This one already has the air boxes switched to the older style side covers too.

I'm not that wild about the flared megaphone silencers as much as I am the cigar shaped ones on the older models. I also don;'t think they sound as good. Are the diameter of the OIF pipes the same as the older bikes? I'm wondering about changing the pipes to the more retro look.

The plus of a '78 is that it's a 5 speed and it's a 750 with front and rear discs.

Here's a couple pics of this one.....

(click the pics to enlarge them)

 

[The Seeker]

Question.....did '78s come with Japanese carbs or does it look like this guy put them on?:

(click the pic to enlarge it)

 

[Dschief]

Those are Mikuni's. Stock carbs for 78 should have been Amal Concentric Mk2.

 

[The Seeker]

[quote author=Dschief link=topic=10178.msg50571#msg50571 date=1284602543]
Those are Mikuni's. Stock carbs for 78 should have been Amal Concentric Mk2.
[/quote]

Thanks....that's exactly what I figured. And that isn't a bad thing at all!

 

[Dschief]

Old style pipes on a 76 T140. They do require inserts.

 

[The Seeker]

[quote author=Dschief link=topic=10178.msg50574#msg50574 date=1284602902]
Old style pipes on a 76 T140. They do require inserts.

[/quote]

I think I'd have to buy the entire set of pipes and silencers since the pipes on this bike look like they they are upswept just before the silencer.....the old style cigar shaped ones need to be straight to look right.

 

[The Seeker]

It certainly looks very clean and correct. He says it's got no oil leaks, runs very strong, and starts on the first kick.

 

[Dschief]

You are correct, the T140 pipes do have an upsweep to them. I kinda like it that way though. I don't know if there are any old style headers made for the 750, and they are a bit smaller diameter, plus they use a different mounting spigot in the head. I think I recall seeing spigot adapters somewhere that would adapt old to newer, but I would have to research that.