T140V rough idle/cylinder issues

[jim1958]

A few weeks ago got my 140v back together and she started second kick and ran smooth at idle. Since then the idle has been rough and now cant seem to keep the left cylinder running. I put on brand new Amal's and spark plug wires over the winter. Things I have done today are drain the tank, rinsed it and put fresh gas in, and new plugs. I have adjusted the air mixture screws to 1 1/2 turns out, and played with the idle adjustment screws as well. Also checked the synch. on the cables/slides and they seem fine.

She starts easy, and runs ok if I keep the idle higher. Just ran her up and down the street, and after 100 yards or so sounded and felt like I was running on only the right cylinder. Got back to the garage and pulled the right plug boot off, and the bike immediately died. So I think my issue is directly related to the left side. I also pulled out the air screw mix screw on that side and shot carb cleaner in there, even though it is a brand spanking new carb.



I am starting to run out of the easy fixes. Any ideas?

 

[jim1958]

Re: T140V rough idle/cylindar issues

Ok, I am convinced she is doing this on purpose. Went back out to the garage, started her up, and she ran at fast idle on the LEFT side, and the right side was dead, completely opposite of 30 minutes ago. Was able to get her to run on both cylinders, although at a quick idle and made about 4 laps around the block. Now working to see if I can get the idle down on both sides and keep her running. Women........................


GrandPaul, if you have any thoughts on this I would love to hear them. Can old coils effect anything? I bought the bike in 1982 and all the electrical is original including the coils.

 

[devo]

Re: T140V rough idle/cylindar issues

The fact that you have repaired and troubleshot the fuel system with diligence,plus the fact the problem appears to have shifted,I am convinced your problem is electrical.
I would certainly be checking the coil/coils.

 

[CarlS]

Re: T140V rough idle/cylindar issues

I would be replacing the coils and the wires. These are at least 22 years old.

 

[jim1958]

Got it figured out. Just went back to basics. Was riding today. A couple of pictures of her after her bath, plus my colors from West Germany in 1982-1983 when I was riding this Triumph with the Liberty Angels MC in Wildflecken W. Germany

 

[Rocky]

COOL
so......what was the problem?
Don't leave us hanging and waiting for more

 

[jim1958]

COOL
so......what was the problem?
Don't leave us hanging and waiting for more

Rocky, I blame space aliens or the black helicopters. Not a freaking clue. Went out, took the idle adjustment screws all the way out until they just barely touched the slides. Also took my throttle cable apart and lubed it, checking for kinks. After giving it more thought, the only explanation could be the idle adjustment since she started easy and ran good at higher throttle. Also ran a #8 guitar string through the pilot jet hole just in the event something got in there. I then started her and worked the idle adjustment screws up a quarter turn at a time until I got the idle speed I wanted. Took her out and then ran her through the gears. Got a tiny bit of hesitation when accelerating from about 40 to 54mph.

Thanks to all of you here for your advice. Sometimes just asking the question is enough to think it through!

 

[Rocky]

Good for you!
Glad to hear it's running quite well.
As you said, do the basic things, but you may never know what really cured the problem.
It's those silly little things that drive us nuts!

 

[CarlS]

Glad to hear she is running well. Another of life's little mysteries. Thanks for the great pics; lovely bike.