Triumphrat

Jonny955 · 12-31-2006, 01:41 PM

Hello all.

Just thought I'd say hello to this forum as I've just picked up my latest bike, a 1965 T120 Bonneville fitted with a 1980 T140 engine.

It has not been run for 14 years and is in need of an overhaul...but it's all there. In order to have a life outside bikes as well, I reckon on a whole year of work to get it back on the road.

I'll be starting in earnest around March time so that I can pick up some parts and tools at the Classic show at Stafford (April?) but it's going to be a job and a half fitting this one in as well as looking after my other steeds.

I'm on a steep learning curve too - got some bedtime reading to do! Has anyone else taken on a project under these circumstances (I've only ever worked on Jap & Italien bikes from the 70s on and Hinkleys)? I suppose I could do with some words of encouragement....it's a daunting task!

Jon

Johnmala · 12-31-2006, 02:37 PM

Congrats, Jon!

Looking forward to comparing notes with you, if I'm lucky to find one...

John

rambo · 12-31-2006, 03:00 PM

jon,being a t120,which has a left foot brake,and with it having a t140 engine with a left foot gear change.what have they altered.the gearchange or the brake pedal.?this overhaul will be a money pit experience which will cost more than the bike will ever be worth.
but if you like it,good luck.your engine overhaul,if you do it yourself,will be about £600 alone.

Jonny955 · 12-31-2006, 04:38 PM

Wow- such an upper, Rambo - thanks!

Bike was running when it was stored, with a conversion for right shift already done, so it's basically a case of overhaulling what is there.

The bike will always only be worth what someone is willing to pay for it but that's not the point. It will never be sold - the reason? I was given it. Yes, a free Triumph Bonneville!

I'm happy to spend between £1K and £2K on the bike to get it into a good useable condition and I don't give a fiddlers f*ck about being 100% original. I'm more concerned about doing a good job and getting some sound advice from this forum.

It will certainly look every inch the 60s Bonnie when it's done, and with a bit of luck/skill, more reliable.

Jon

jtrip · 12-31-2006, 05:18 PM

How about some pic's along the way?

OzBloke · 12-31-2006, 06:15 PM

Jon,

Congrats on the gift. Best advice I can give at this early stage is "don't rush it". If your aim is to do it well, take your time and enjoy the journey, as well as the destination. Don't take shortcuts with your safety, and never be afraid to ask for help.

We always appreciate pictures of your work, too.

Best of luck

Pete

CommandoRdster · 01-01-2007, 03:01 AM

Congratulations, Jonny, on what sounds like a dynamite Bitsa bike. You've got the best of both worlds, a classic frame,with a T140 engine. That extra displacement, and especially the 5 speed make all the difference, believe me. My T140 would accelerate right with my Commando, up to about 80 or so. Due mostly to the closer ratio transmission.

I'll bet you wish they did a brake lever side swap, instead of the shift lever. It can get a bit dicey swapping back and forth. I know, in addition to my English bikes, I've got a Sportster, and a Yamaha RD350, both of which shift on the left. Just make sure you have a strong front brake, and you'll be OK.

You're going to have a lot of fun building that bike! Don't be shy about asking questions, no matter how silly they may seem. Better than bodging something up, and having to drop a lot more jack!

Cheers. Happy New Year! :chug:

:

[ This message was edited by: CommandoRdster on 2007-01-01 01:03 ]

GrandPaulZ · 01-01-2007, 10:45 AM

The only bits of advice you need when starting out are:

You'll need TWO parts books, one for the engine, one for the chassis, and either an all-encompassing shop manual like Haynes or Clymer, or one of each Triumph shop manual (pricey).

You should do an extensive front-to-back, top-to-bottom survey, preferably as you tear the bike apart, comparing each page of the parts book diagrams, and composing a master parts list with part number, item description and quantity. (I usually do a hand-written one on a notepad, then transcribe each day's work into a spreadsheet). make a column for item #, qty, part # prefix, part #, and description. You can then have a column for unit price, and another for the extended line item price (unit X qty). Add a final column for "finish" and caegorize each line with new, refurbish, paint, powdercoat, chrome, etc.

The above setup will allow you to sort the entire list by part number prefix and part number for easy order entry, and also to sort your list by sub trades (paint, chrome, etc.) That way you can hand your contractors a complete list and be sure to get all the bits back afterwards (it can be daunting!).

WORK HASN'T EVEN STARTED YET!

To anyone who wants one, i can e-mail a copy of the spreadsheet I created, to make life simpler.

Now, if you want to avoid all the hassle, just sell me the bike for $1,000 and be done with it!

Jonny955 · 01-01-2007, 02:31 PM

Thanks for all the advice, chaps.

The bike is being stored 120 miles away in my Mother's garage until I can make the space in mine and finish off a few outstanding jobs on the GS & GPZ. I'll make a start around March and as GrandPaulZ suggested, tyake components off one by one, clean them, inspect and categorise.

I understand that the initial rush of enthusiasm can make you by-pass this and rip the bike apart too quickly - hence I need plenty of space to store each piece as it comes off. Luckily I have a few contacts who can help with restoring the tank (though it does not look salvageable) and building wheels which will definately need stainless spokes and new alloy rims. When I'm next visiting, I'll be taking some 'before' pictures so watch this space, guys.

And my first question is....

Is the gearbox inner casing (T120 with speedo drive) interchangeable with the one from the T140 (no speedo drive)? The bike has been fitted with the 4 speed cluster from the '65 T120, using the T140 inner case but I have the complete T140 5 speed gears and the original T120 inner casing....plus a couple of buckets of extra bits and pieces!

Jon

GrandPaulZ · 01-01-2007, 03:58 PM

KADUTZ, DAGAD, Mecchanica and one or two others can probably tell you first-hand if the tranny swap is a viable option. It's always nice to have lots of spares on the shelves and in bins!