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Finishing the Fork Caps (97-7034) on the T140V?

2K views 14 replies 7 participants last post by  bucksfizz 
#1 · (Edited)
Finishing the Fork Caps (97-4395) on the T140V?

Gave the fork caps (Part 97-4395: Cap screw assy c lw insert) a wire polish.

If left as they are they'll end up with a rusty finish.

I could have them chromed (expensive), or zinc plated (don't know any platers), or spray on a clear metal lacquer, but the mechanical use of a spanner may damage the finish.


Looking for any finishing ideas.

Also, is there a decal that sticks onto the circular part?

Cheers.


RR
 
#6 ·
Thanks Dave.

I didn't know they came in stainless.

A quick google at prices places them on my increasingly growing "would like" list.

As the decals will cover most of the visible part of the nuts, I think I might initially spray them with Eastwoods Diamond Clear lacquer to get me rolling.
 
#4 ·
Hi Rocky,

Gave the fork caps (Part 97-7034: Cap screw assy c lw insert) a wire polish.
Errrm ... these are plastic ... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TRIUMPH-T140-PLASTIC-FORK-TOP-NUT-190cc-FLUID-DECAL-97-7034-97-4259-1979-86-/301611933533?hash=item463978df5d:m:m_d1qjqMkjoicJuGICmzKRA&clk_rvr_id=981911646336&rmvSB=true :confused:

Would I be right in thinking you're trying to describe a bolt with a large hex. (1-1/4"AF?) but a very short length of thread, that screws into plug that screws into the top of a fork stanchion, this "bolt" mounting the speedo. or tacho. on the top of the fork leg? If so, I think you mean 97-4395 (late '76/'77 parts book, pages 50/51, Ref. No. 36)?

If so, they were originally cad.- or zinc-plated, which has worn off, as normal. Your options are as you suggest, or painting, or new plated, or (as suggested) stainless.

is there a decal that sticks onto the circular part?
Yep, the shiny silver part with the fork oil quantity and recommended makers in the Ebay picture; the "decal" is a thin metal disc with the writing on one side and adhesive on the other. They should be available separately if you ever intend to change the fork oil out on the road when you don't have the manual with you ... ;)

Hth.

Regards,
 
#5 ·
Hi Rocky,


Errrm ... these are plastic ... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TRIUMPH-T140-PLASTIC-FORK-TOP-NUT-190cc-FLUID-DECAL-97-7034-97-4259-1979-86-/301611933533?hash=item463978df5d:m:m_d1qjqMkjoicJuGICmzKRA&clk_rvr_id=981911646336&rmvSB=true :confused:

Would I be right in thinking you're trying to describe a bolt with a large hex. (1-1/4"AF?) but a very short length of thread, that screws into plug that screws into the top of a fork stanchion, this "bolt" mounting the speedo. or tacho. on the top of the fork leg? If so, I think you mean 97-4395 (late '76/'77 parts book, pages 50/51, Ref. No. 36)?

If so, they were originally cad.- or zinc-plated, which has worn off, as normal. Your options are as you suggest, or painting, or new plated, or (as suggested) stainless.


Yep, the shiny silver part with the fork oil quantity and recommended makers in the Ebay picture; the "decal" is a thin metal disc with the writing on one side and adhesive on the other. They should be available separately if you ever intend to change the fork oil out on the road when you don't have the manual with you ... ;)

Hth.

Regards,
Thanks Stu.

Sorry for the part number typing error.

Marc was able to link to an advertised 79 onwards example of the decal.

Is there a difference between 77 & 79 decals?
 
#9 ·
Hi Rod, Your bike needs metal caps as you now have. Zinc will not look right as it's too "silvery". Cadmium is more white. Stainless with a matt finish will look rather like cadmium. That is comparing my stainless replacement mastery cly finish to my original good condition caps. Polished stainless looks rather like chrome, which is too shinny to look original.

Regarding the stickers, the ones in the ebay link are identical to my originals. So you can use the photo for a reference. These stickers are easily available on Ebay & elsewhere. Sometimes the stick um will be failing on new stickers. If so or they have no stick um, I use contact cement. It goes on thin & holds well. I used contact cement to reglue my original "Tiger 750" stickers to good results. They old glue had deteriorated. Actually it was a very thin two face tape as on the fork caps. I had to reglue those also.

I think clear coating your originals will work fine for a few years. Just touch up the wrench marks on the clear coat after install. I do this often spraying a little paint or clear into a small cup & dipping a tiny paint brush into it. You'll find to let the material in cup dry slightly to get a good consistency for brush use.
Don
 
#10 ·
You should be able to buy new fork top 'nuts' (as less pedantic / OCD people generally call them) from any decent Triumph parts supplier. They don't look great even when new, having that recess for the decal and only being dull-plated. But if you're insistent on originality, they'll be your best bet. The stainless ones look much better but also look quite different to the originals and cost a lot more.
 
#12 ·
Hi Rocky,

There are at least a couple of others - off the top of my head, the T160 and disc-brake T150 take different oil quantities. Tbh, when I changed the plastic caps on my T160's for stainless bolts, I didn't bother with new discs; as I alluded, I'm not in the habit of changing the fork oil at the side of the road ... :)

Hth.

Regards,
 
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