Triumphrat

kawtoy · 04-18-2006

I have a new patent plate to install. How did you guys get the old one off? I was thinking of sliding a putty knife behind the plate and prying it off but i don't want to scratch the case. Any tricks or tips? 73 Bonnie. Thanks

hobbit · 04-18-2006

I used a small cold chisel to cut off the rivet heads, then drilled them out to create the holes for the rivets to fix the new one on with . . . if you're binning the old plate, it doesn't matter if it gets damaged, and it stops any damage to the cover, although if you're putting a new plate on, it would hide any scratches on the timing cover anyway . . .

tridentt150v · 04-18-2006

Use a dremel hand tool and a cutting disc. Put a slot in the head of each rivet and then using a small screwdriver unscrew the rivets. They are a twist rivet, so will screw out OK. If you have the cover off, I'd also recommend popping the cover into the family oven at low for a while to warm the case up before you begin screwing the rivets out.

jimballard · 04-18-2006

I carefully pried the plate away from the rivets and was able to grab them with small vice-grips; then I pulled and twisted as if it were a screw, and out they came. I got this method from John Healy of Coventry Spares. He's been a Triumph "guru" for many a year.

Hope this helps: Jim

texspeed · 04-18-2006

All good suggestions. Just make sure you twist gently. They are actually spiral nails. And the heads can pop off if you twist too aggressivly, leaving the shank in the cover. Some come right out others may be really tight. Put some layers of durable tape around the plate so there's no risk of scratching/gouging the cover. Do everything "easy". Think "fine jewelry".... :hammer:

quagmire · 04-19-2006

Jim is on the money. I removed mine a few months ago. The nails are spiral. If you gently pry the old plate off, the nails will remain in the case. Twist the nails counter-clockwise with some pliers and they should come out very easily. Or at least mine did. Then just tap the new ones in and your good to go.

GrandPaulZ · 04-19-2006

I have found it best to remove the old plate in the manner described above BEFORE trying to remove the tap-in "screws". That way, you have the advantage of the slight gap and protrusion of the screw head after the plate is out of the way.