Triumphrat

pendraig · 06-28-2006, 03:44 PM

I'm just starting to look over my old T140D, that has been sleeping in garage for the last 10 years. I brought her out, hosed the dust off of her. Not too bad. I'll check the clearances, rebuild the carbs, put in fresh gas and a battery, uh, errr, those old Dunlops have lots of tread AND lots of dry-rot cracks. gotta get new.
Back when I was riding her, I took off the turn signals and put'em in a shoebox after the little sliding spring and contact gizmo inside the switch fell apart. As I remember, that switch is WAY too expensive for my wallet, Rather use hand-signals then pay that much money for a switch that worked that poorly. I really should put the blinkers back on though, I guess.
Has anyone found a better switch set-up (maybe something more modern that cancels when you push it in) that looks okay?
Anyone think I oughtta just leave 'em in the shoebox?

uncliggi · 06-28-2006, 04:02 PM

Hand signals work for me, and they are really cheap! :-D

daveforty · 06-28-2006, 04:43 PM

I had that problem with those switches. I changed both switch assemblys for the older type switches, the ones with the lever that operated up & down. Had to do some rewiring to make it work, but it was worth the effort. The older switches are more reliable. They got criticism at the time (mid 70s) for being awkward to operate, but I have found them to be OK.

johnnypence · 06-28-2006, 05:41 PM

i have 72-era switches on mine, and the wiring is pretty simple. the action is not bad if you think of the lever as the lever in your car -- push it up to go right, down to go left.

the problem i've run into is that the plastic inside is dryrotted and broken. i'll have to replace the guts (or have my horn wired to my lo-beams, whatever) sooner or later.

but after 30 years of abuse, that's not bad. i'd recommend them.

okiecityflash · 06-28-2006, 09:18 PM

JRC ( SPARXS) just came out with exact replica, reproduction bar switches, left or right for '79 Triumphs. Modern innards. They have the throttle rotor and clutch lever attached. Black. I think they go for about 80 bucks each. Don't believe they are self canceling. Might get some self canceling at the jap junk yard. I want some, but using handsignals for the present. I doubt the youngsters know what hand signals are. Kinda like a kickstart. Unless they do it in the dirt. :wink:

[ This message was edited by: okiecityflash on 2006-06-28 19:35 ]

pendraig · 06-29-2006, 07:25 AM

Yeah, that's what has me thinking about putting them back on: The thought of getting creamed by a car full of teenagers blasting rap music, talking on cell phones, and playing "tomb-raider" on the face of the stereo in the dashboard while wondering why you just stopped in the intersection to point at the fire hydrant across the street, and then having the judge agree with mommy and daddy's scheister lawyer that you really should have been equipped with blinkers and so the fact that you're maimed for life is really your own fault.

okiecityflash · 06-29-2006, 08:19 AM

My thoughts didn't go that deep, but thats exactly what I'm thinking. I bought some repo lights, but my switch is sometimey. So far hand signals are all right, but I use my lights in heavy traffic. I have to take my eyes of the road to see if the indicator light is blinking. I don't like that. The HD evo switches work good and and the switch gear is longlasting. A rider would have to shim his bar to 1" though.

johnnypence · 06-29-2006, 09:34 AM

hand signals alone will get you killed real fast around here. i can't imagine being without signals and horn. might as well go without a front brake.

GulfCoastDave · 06-29-2006, 10:56 AM

At first, I left my signals in the spare parts box that came with my bike. My clue to install them was when I hand-signaled to make a right... people in on-coming cars were waving at me!
I now have signals, 2 mirrors, horn and a handlebar mounted AK-47.
Be afraid, be very afraid!
GCoastDave

ooobaby · 06-29-2006, 02:03 PM

I had Don Nevins (712)781-2451, the Triumph mechanic that works next to Baxter Cycle, wire my '70 Bonnie for turn signals. They didn't come stock with them until '71. If you were to call Don he could probably tell you what kind of aftermarket switch he used and where to get it, and you could post the info here. Hope this helps. I won't ride a bike on the street without turn signals for the reasons listed above. I don't think the DMV test even requires people to learn what hand signals mean any more.