Triumphrat

Iceman_X99 · 07-26-2008

I'd be happy to receive any comments that might be helpful.

I have a 1979 T140E with 4200 miles on it and ithasn't moved for 20 years. I took it all apart, (except the engine), new hoses, cables, paint etc. After finally getting it back together, I tried to start it for the first time a few days ago. Not surprisingly, it wasn't easy but by directly injecting a little gas into the spark plug holes and push starting it, I got it going

. Over the last few days, I have been able to start it by the same procedure several times and it runs very well. Tick over is excellent and well balanced. Exhaust sounds and feels good. After running, the spark plugs look a good color. Once the bike is running, I can ride it for at least 15 minutes at all speeds and it feels excellent.

OK...here comes the question. I can start it by direct injection of gas with a push start, and without too much trouble, I can usually start it with a kick start (again with gas injection). I have NEVER been able to start the bike WITHOUT a direct injection of gas (either into the carb air intake or directly into the cylinders).

Can anybody tell me the suggested procedure for starting a T140E (Amal MKII carbs)? There does seem to be a 'cold start lever' operating a plunger on each carb but I am not sure how this should be correctly used to prime the engine before starting.

As I said....any helpful advice greatly appreciated!

PS After I get it fully working, it goes up for sale since my wife said it has to go before we move house!

OzBloke · 07-26-2008

Iceman,

On the outside of each carb there is a tickler plunger. This pushes down the float to allow fuel to flow above the normal level, and gives a very rich mixture for cold starting. Push each of these down until fuel just starts coming out the hole, let the tickler plunger return up, then kick it over like you mean it.

BTW, good looking bike (but I don't see a helmet anywhere...). This is a classic bike, so if SWMBO wants you to get rid of it, let her know she needs to reciprocate with one of her "toys".

GrandPaulZ · 07-26-2008

HOWDY!

Nope, the '79 has the Mark II carbs, no tickler.

Depress the enricher (choke) lever and crack the throttle, kick the bike hard once or twice to flow a charge of gas into the jugs.

Turn on the key and kick it like you mean it, with the throttle cracked open and the "choke" left on.

Learn to balance and drop ALL of your body weight on the starter to get max kick.

P.S. Nice field you are riding in!

Iceman_X99 · 07-26-2008

A big thanks to both of you! Here's a pic of the carb. I agree that from what I can tell, the '79 T140E is a little different from some others as far as ticklers/chokes etc goes. I'll certainly try all your suggestions tomorrow. Attached is a pic of the carb if it helps anybody. I'm pretty sure it is a Mark II, but you guys certainly will know more about that than I will. The one lever on it operates two pistons (one on each carb). The lever will pump but will not stay depressed (I'm not sure if it should or not?).

As for the location of the pics, it is my front yard on the shore of the St Lawrence River (Ontario, Canada), so yes, it is pretty nice and will be hard to leave. At this time of year, it is great - in January, I'd willingly trade for either OZ or Texas!!! The lack of helmet was only when I was in the yard for the first run. On the road, the jacket and helmet went on!

Once again, a big thanks for all your suggestions!

dirtyharry · 07-27-2008

They are definately Amal MK 2 carbs. Do as GPZ says in the start up procedure as it's exactly what i do with mine, but if you start smelling fuel and it has'nt kicked turn the choke off otherwise it will flood.
Dirty Harry.

daveforty · 07-27-2008

The rich start on those carbs is either on or off, so once the engine is running you will need to lift the lever / drop the plungers to close the rich start jet otherwise the plugs will foul. There will be a period when the engine is too warm to run with the mixture richened and too cold to run nicely with them closed.

The lever on the left carb should stay depressed but generally doesnt, lift the plunger on the right carb a little to 'assist' the mechanism, its a bit sloppy at the best of times.

htown16 · 07-27-2008

I use the following starting procedure for my t140e. Key off, clutch in, a couple of kicks to free the clutch. Key on, petcocks open, enricher lever down, throttle closed, one gentle prime kick, one strong kick and it generally starts. If after a few kicks it doesn't, its probably flooded. Then it's enricher lever up, throttle half open and a couple of hard kicks and it usually clears the flood and starts. Leave the enricher lever down for about a minute after it starts, then up and ride off. Generally, I have to keep blipping the throttle a bit until the bike is thoroughly warmed up to keep it from dying.

GrandPaulZ · 07-27-2008

This is a pretty good thread to illustrate a long-standing claim that I have about old bikes in general, and Amal enrichers in particular.

You can line up 10 similar old Triumphs and thier woners and you'll get at least a half-dozen different starting procedures.

I've built nearly identical bikes where one needed a totally different procedure than the other.

Illogical? You betcha. Still, it's a fact.

Both of my '79 Specials need the "choke" lever to start unless hot, and both need it turned off almost immediately.

Iceman_X99 · 07-27-2008

Hi guys,

Let me just offer a huge thank-you to all of you - from three different continents, and all generous with your Triumph know-how. I know it might have only taken you a few minutes to write down your words of wisdom, but it meant a lot to me!

I've started the bike at least 10 times today under various conditions (cold, hot, wait 5mins, wait 10mins etc) and never more than 3 or maybe 4 kicks max required

The good news is that a bike that hasn't run for 20 years now seems to be running as good as new. The bad news is that I guess it goes up for sale now

Thanks again to all of you. Your help really is appreciated!

Medic09 · 07-27-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrandPaulZ

This is a pretty good thread to illustrate a long-standing claim that I have about old bikes in general, and Amal enrichers in particular.

You can line up 10 similar old Triumphs and thier woners and you'll get at least a half-dozen different starting procedures.

I've built nearly identical bikes where one needed a totally different procedure than the other.

Illogical? You betcha. Still, it's a fact.

Both of my '79 Specials need the "choke" lever to start unless hot, and both need it turned off almost immediately.

Paul, you already know that just as the owners' temperments differ, so too the bikes. These bikes have *real* character.