T140 oil filter mod.

[gumpt1oo]

When I got the T140, the previous owner had fitted an internal paper filter in the frame. At first I thought this was an improvement, but after reading a few articles on these filters, they are not as good as it first seems.
Because the filter is paper and fitted at the bottom of the frame, the oil pump has to suck the oil through the filter, this becomes more difficult as the filter becomes more blocked, especially when the oil is cold and thick.
Paper filter

So I removed it and fitted the Triumph 'top hat' filter in the frame instead.

I then fitted a cartridge type filter to the return oil line, this way the pump is pushing oil through the filter rather than pulling it.
It was a bit of a tight squeeze but using a 3" exhaust clamp and a bracket I made up, I managed to get fixed to the frame, tucked between the centre stand.

There was a LOT of EFFING going on during the process, but I am pleased with the result, when the exhaust is fitted the filter is totally hidden.

 

[grandpaul]

Good change, and nicely done.

 

[The Seeker]

Yeah...nice design and great workmanship! Easily accessible too!

 

[CarlS]

Great workmanship and innovation. Excellent job, Gump.

 

[Glenn]

Grumpt100, thanks for the pictures. You did an outstanding job. You need to make these and market them in a kit. They look that good. I called Ozzie and he told me that it will be ok to relocate it anywhere I want to relocate it to. He suggested that I move it to the front frame area above the front motor mount. Since the filter is accessed from the top that may be my best bet. I can weld a piece of flat stock across the frame and mount it there. That way it will get a lot of air blowing across it and be very accessable to changing out the filter. I like it where it is but because of the issue with the outer cover it has to be moved.

 

[DaveM]

Very nicely done Gump

 

[billbell1960]

Really useful post, got me thinking I need to do something like that, do you have the spec on the cartridge and holder?

 

[gumpt1oo]

Hi Billbell, I got the filter and housing from LP Williams, here is a link,

http://www.triumph-spares.co.uk/cat_details.php?p_head=Oil%20Filter%20Kit

 

[billbell1960]

Thanks Steve, just ordered one, not a bad price either

 

[Rocky]

Very nice mod
I fitted the same type of cartridge filter to my T100S.
It was a lot of trial and error making the bracket (as I'm sure you found out!!) so I could tuck it up under the gearbox in the upright position as you did.

 

[DaveM]

Yeah the price is not bad at all

 

[grandpaul]

I heard a good one today, from Kieth Martin (owner of Big D Cycles):

"You know what you have when you have an oil filter on a bike?

-Oil filter problems!"

hee hee

 

[CarlS]

And he is spot on.

 

[Glenn]

I heard it another way. What do you have if you don't have an external filter on a vintage Triumph? Engine problems.

 

[billbell1960]

I'm going to bite the bullet and give it a go

 

[Rocky]

Well, I fitted a Morgo oil pump and an external oil filter kit (like the one shown here) on my 1970 T100S about 15 years ago and it's been running great ever since.
I don't see fitting one as a problem.

 

[Glenn]

Rocky, it is an improvement to a poorly designed stock system. The older model Chevrolets did not come stock with an oil filter. They could be bought at the Chevrolet dealership (or aftermarket) as an accessory. The people who puit them on improved the quality, performance and longevity of the engine quite a bit. After that Chevrolet began to put them on as a standard item. The same is true for our old Triumphs. BTW I put a pair of NGK Iridium plugs and went for a 60 mile ride yesterday. The bike started up much quicker and ran smoother. I am hoping this will be the last set of plugs I will ever need on this bike.

 

[billbell1960]

Rocky, it is an improvement to a poorly designed stock system. The older model Chevrolets did not come stock with an oil filter. They could be bought at the Chevrolet dealership (or aftermarket) as an accessory. The people who puit them on improved the quality, performance and longevity of the engine quite a bit. After that Chevrolet began to put them on as a standard item. The same is true for our old Triumphs. BTW I put a pair of NGK Iridium plugs and went for a 60 mile ride yesterday. The bike started up much quicker and ran smoother. I am hoping this will be the last set of plugs I will ever need on this bike.

Looks like the weather is picking up at last here in the UK so I'm going fit mine before the weekend, I've been running Iridium plugs for a while now and they are good.

 

[billbell1960]

Fitted the remote filter and all seems well

 

[CarlS]

Very good.