Triumphrat

henryanthony · 06-25-2009, 09:59 PM

Hi everyone,

I just trucked home my 1970 pretty much stock Bonnie. I once owned a 1969 that I bought new from Triumph Detroit, sold it after 2 years to help pay for college and have dreamed of owning another one every since. No other bike would do for me.

My niece was recently married and a guest at the wedding, who buys and sells British bikes, was there and my wife suggested he give me a call since I talk frequently, and have had several dreams, about my old bike. So this gets my motor running. Then my wife, an eBay pro, finds this 1970 on eBay and says "Do you want it." I say "Yes."

So now I have it in my garage. It is in very good condition, matching numbers, but will not start. For a bike this age it has few condition issues other than faded paint, a small dent in the tank that happened during storage, light rust here and there, stuck carb slides and a tear in the back of the seat near the trim. Of course many other minor things. The guy I bought it from owned it for 35 years and, due to health conditions, could no longer kick start it.

Anyway, I am intending to restore it to a stock, better than new condition. The only alterations were a pair of semi-ape hangers and shorty mufflers.

The cosmetic issues are easy for me but I will probably have many technical questions that I will be posting on the forum. FYI, I search the posts and try to find my answer before posting a question. I do my homework but am a bit of a noobie at this even though I am pretty good with a wrench in general. I also have a some technical documentation that should help me.

I will try to post a picture but, since this is my first try, it may not be successful.

Best regards,

Henry

indetrucks · 06-25-2009, 10:45 PM

congrats on getting your "almost" old bike back.
Can't wait to review your progress!

So far everyone on here have been helpful.

REG · 06-26-2009, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by henryanthony

have dreamed of owning another one every since. No other bike would do for me.

Very nice

Caulky · 06-26-2009, 07:25 AM

Very nice.
Best of luck with renovation.

Webby · 06-26-2009, 01:27 PM

Nice Bike

Welcome to the fourm, I look forward to seeing and hearing of your progress. Good Luck

Webby

Plewsy · 06-26-2009, 01:37 PM

Nice one henryanthony welcome to TR, she looks a fine machine

Take plenty of pics for your scrapbook

pookybear · 06-26-2009, 05:57 PM

HenryAnthony,

Welcome to the forum. Nice looking ride you scored there.

Pookybear

henryanthony · 06-26-2009, 10:58 PM

Thank you all for the warm welcome to the forum. Very cool to hear from Triumph enthusiasts from so many places around the world!

My first goal is to get it to respond to fuel, air and electricity. I was concerned about the condition of the oil but when I pulled out the dipstick, the oil was clear and clean. The battery bracket was littered with sunflower seeds so I apologize to any chipmunks on the forum for the eviction. I need to clean up the ground and get a new fuse holder thing. The male part is missing the bits that mate with the female part. Not sure if taping it will do the trick.

For the age of this bike, the motor is particularly clean. No leaks. I take this as a good sign. The gas was another story. Looked like yesterdays coffee. The prior owner charged the battery and when I connected it the amp meter was buried to the right. It did not matter if I had the ignition key turned on or off. Not sure what that's all about but no lights or horn. Put new gas in and of course it did not start. I think I need to go around and clean the ground and maybe some other electrical connections and free up the carb slides.

Should I clean the fuel tank? What's the best way to do that?

Is it OK to jump start this from a car? I don't expect to be riding this anytime soon and would rather not invest in a battery unless of course it just starts right up.

Another thing is that is doesn't have the dual "Wind Tone Horns." That kind of bugs me but not too much.

My biggest problem is lack of time to work on it. Very busy time at work and in Michigan, that's a good thing. This was an unplanned purchase but we plan on keeping the baby.

Best regards,

Henry

pookybear · 06-27-2009, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by henryanthony

My first goal is to get it to respond to fuel, air and electricity. I was concerned about the condition of the oil but when I pulled out the dipstick, the oil was clear and clean.

I need to clean up the ground and get a new fuse holder thing. The male part is missing the bits that mate with the female part. Not sure if taping it will do the trick.

For the age of this bike, the motor is particularly clean. No leaks.

Should I clean the fuel tank? What's the best way to do that?

Is it OK to jump start this from a car? I don't expect to be riding this anytime soon and would rather not invest in a battery unless of course it just starts right up.

Another thing is that is doesn't have the dual "Wind Tone Horns." That kind of bugs me but not too much.

Best regards,

Henry

Henry,

Oh for the love of machinery, oil is cheap, so change the oil, who
knows what has been put in there by other people.

Wait untill you get a new fuse holder, no protection on a hot
circut could cause you more problem than you wish.

It shall leak oil later, trust me.

As for the fuel tank, look inside, any rust or dirt? If so clean the
tank. If not, do not worry about it. Plewsy has a great video
on repairing a tank. At one point he cleans the inside for a liner
kit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BrEB...layer_embedded

Just jump start a Triumph from a battery, do not use anything that
is in a running vechile. But check you voltage on your battery,
who knows how old that thing is. It may save you many headaches
just getting a new battery.

I think the Duel Wind Tone was only a few model year option,
good luck on finding a set.

Pookybear

henryanthony · 06-28-2009, 09:04 AM

pookybear,

I will take your advice. I need to slow down and do this right. Thanks for the fuel tank video!

Henry