Triumphrat

kngkong · 07-26-2009, 02:23 AM

Hi! This is a place for progress and pics of my speedtwin project.

Ill start at the beginning.

I found a very complete 51 speed twin as seen below (even the airpump is there). Good frame and guards, nacelles etc. Complete tranny, no motor internals, and was hoping for an easy restore since this is my first triumph motor rebuild.

My shop on a messy day, probably because I was painting the 37 knucklehead frame in the foreground while cleaning up the Triumph cases on the bench.

kngkong · 07-26-2009, 02:27 AM

I did a quick pass of polishing the covers. That was a satisfying afternoon

This shelf is dedicated to the speedtwin motor and tranny parts

Some parts for replating, well...not all of them

The crank tested out having a crack and it was probably on its last grind so decided to get another one

kngkong · 07-26-2009, 02:30 AM

Had my cylinders blasted, checked and honed. Then I painted them and the head with engine enamel. I ground the valves and assembled the head last night. Today I put the motor parts together to take a look before I coated exposed metal in grease and wrapped them up to store for a couple weeks.

Currently waiting for an oversized mainbearing for a later 6t crank. If I cant find one soon Ill get the end of the crank machined fit a standard bearing.

I guess Ill start getting the transmission ready to put together. Ive been studying the Hughie Hancox and Four Aces rebuild videos which are great but dont outline the preunit tranny altough it seems almost identical.

Thanks for looking and thanks always for help past present and future.
Cheers!

steve821 · 07-26-2009, 02:46 AM

there i a dealer in Marne Iowa Baxter cycle they specialize in parts for these old machines BSA Norton triumph and othersbut those ore their bread and butter you can find them at baxtercycle.com their phone number is there if they dont have what you want they will do what they can to get it for you

GrandPaulZ · 07-26-2009, 11:11 AM

Buffalo Bearings (NY) has the proper custom bearing for that new crank in pre-unit cases conversion.

...and unbelievably affordable, too!

rousseau · 07-26-2009, 08:22 PM

Please tell me (everyone) what you used and how you made the cases look that good?

kngkong · 07-27-2009, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rousseau

Please tell me (everyone) what you used and how you made the cases look that good?

Hi Rousseau,

Thanks! I probably just lucked out but this was my arsenal on the cases.

I first gave them a spray down with degreaser and rinsed in hot water to remove the worst crud. Next I stuck them in the dishwasher for a while with one of those dishwasher soap cubes and hot water. I dont think this really did anything other remove a little stuff that was too hard to reach by hand. Then Mothers FX Wheel Cleaner and a brush or red/green scotchbrite. Would give it a very heavy spray of wheel cleaner and scrub it hard, then hot water and more scrubbing. I didnt go too hard with the scotch bright otherwise I think it would leave fine spiderwebby scratches. I did go hard on the brush though until I could see the dirt lift out. I must have gone over it a good three or four times or more. I might not have used that brake cleaner but I could have for any stubborn spots which were hard to reach. Im curtailing my use of it after reading this though

http://www.imaclima.com/albums/5t/brkClnr.jpg

Anyway, the wheel cleaner worked great with repeated applications and some elbow grease.

kngkong · 07-27-2009, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve821

there i a dealer in Marne Iowa Baxter cycle they specialize in parts for these old machines BSA Norton triumph and othersbut those ore their bread and butter you can find them at baxtercycle.com their phone number is there if they dont have what you want they will do what they can to get it for you

GrandPaul and Steve

Thanks for the line on the bearings. Ill check in with my parts supplier here and if they have no luck this week then Ill order from your suggestions. Thanks for that!

kngkong · 07-31-2009, 08:15 AM

Woohoo! I got my bearing and all the rest of the parts I need to begin assembly. Got my crank back from grind and balance. Piston set, connecting rods shot-peened. Now I have to wait three weeks until my Dad visits as I promised we would assemble the engine together. I guess Ill get the transmission started make sure everythings in order. Well maybe its a good thing as I should clean the carbs on my Bonneville and Im trying to get another bike rolling. Will post progress as it comes along.

GrandPaulZ · 07-31-2009, 02:41 PM

Steady on, it'll all happen according to plan if you DON'T MISS ANY STEPS!!!