Triumphrat

Ohio-Rider · 01-09-2010, 11:00 AM

Introduction
Hi Guys, Well I have been hanging around here for about a year, learning all I could. You may remember I acquired my first Triumph last year. It had been sitting for awhile before I got it and needed the normal going over. Once I got it running I found that there where several safety issues that didn’t allow me enjoy it as much as would have liked to, so I just set it aside in the garage.

Bikes History
I wasn’t looking for a Triumph when a bought this bike, but I did know the previous owner and also knew he was the original owner of the bike. The reason I bought it from him was because I knew this machine was very nearly all original equipment and couldn’t stand the thought that he was bored with it and was considering doing a chop job on it.

Evaluation
I did take it for enough short/slow rides last summer that I knew it was a keeper so I’m finally getting around to fixing her up properly this winter. I’m no stranger to vintage motorcycles and this Bonneville when finished will the newest bike in my garage. It’s going to be a long winter so go get yourselves a hot cup of coffee and watch how I rebuild a Bonneville on a budget. -Steve

Here are a few before pictures.

Ohio-Rider · 01-09-2010, 11:03 AM

I’ve had the frame powder coated and spent most of last night opening up the holes that I had forgotten to plug before sending it out.

While opening up the powder coated holes, I noticed that every time I flopped the frame around, rust was coming out from everywhere. Some of the rust is as fine as talc powder. Looks as though I’ll be doing some rinsing of the frame before going any further.

The good news is that the oil tank appears to be perfectly clean, but it will be getting rinsed today as well.

M.Guy.Vig. · 01-09-2010, 11:05 AM

Looks just like my old T140V! Also, it doesn't look like it needs much work to make a truly nice Bonnie!

GrandPaulZ · 01-09-2010, 11:11 AM

You need to carefully route the oil line fittings, THEN flush the entire system. The LAST thing you want is blasting media and loose rust in the oil!

Sorry your "before" pix cropped the ends of the bike; still, they'll make good contrast pix with the "after" shots (make sure to frame them better!).

texjj · 01-09-2010, 11:03 PM

Steve - that is a nice looking bike to start with. I can understand the desire to get some of the frame rust cleaned up - a pretty big job to strip then reinstall everything. I look forward to more progress pics. That frame is looking good.

Ohio-Rider · 01-10-2010, 10:12 AM

I was glad to find that several of the small holes in the frame legs used to allow water out and air in had also gotten partially plug by the powder coating. Once I cleared them most of the rust just ran out with a little help from me shaking the frame like a salt shaker. I followed that up with a couple rinses with water and I feel confident enough that I got most of it out of there.

I had been a bit concerned about what the 450 degree oven after the powder coating may do to critical alignment holes such as for the swing arm but found it to fit perfectly. I did replace the bushing sleeves but reused the swing arm bushing because they are in good shape.

The swing arm went together so nicely that I bolted the center stand on as well.

That center stand spring is a pain to get installed. I had no luck trying to pull the spring into place so I removed the stands left side shoulder bolt then connected the spring and muscled the center stand back into position to insert the shoulder bolt back in.

My old down tubes had begun to pit and the seals where leaking some to, so I completely rebuilt the front fork and front brake caliper a few weeks ago so they where ready to just bolt on.

GrandPaulZ · 01-10-2010, 11:56 AM

Another good contender for the "most improved" award (probably 2010/11...)

Ohio-Rider · 01-10-2010, 04:41 PM

Thanks everyone for the encouragement. I’ve been reading the service manual so long that I’m even beginning to understand the subtle differences between their use of different works such as, a spacer is a washer, a mudguard is a fender, a axle is a spindle, and so on.

With the help of our members here a few weeks back I rebuilt both front and rear wheel hubs. Took them to my local indy and had him lace them up to new wheels and balance them.

I could have saved some money of my budget for this project by lacing the wheels myself but I hate lacing wheels and I like to send my local guy some work when I can afford it so that when I need to borrow a special tool from him or pick his brain for info he is much more pleasant with me.

I even order all my parts through him as long as he can give me a competitive price. I don’t begrudge giving him an extra couple bucks for his trouble. Heck, all I ever need to do is call a give him a part number and he takes it from there. It works out good for both of us.

I’d better get back on track here. I got to put the wheels on today so she can stand on her own two wheels again. The rear is just mocked up because I’m waiting on a new Smith’s speedo drive unit and rear shocks.

That’s about all the cleaned up and ready to assemble parts I have ready so things will slow down some now. I pulled the handle bars out of the pile and the P-Clamps are rusted together solid.

While there soaking in white vinegar I’m going to start seeing what I can do to pretty up the front master cylinder.

Ohio-Rider · 01-11-2010, 04:57 PM

This project is about doing a Bonnie on a budget. I spent a year researching what I could reasonably expect to spend before starting this project. Many basket cases happen because the owners failed to understand the costs of finishing a project and quickly find them selves in over their heads and frustrated.

Mid 70’s Triumph’s are very easy to estimate your build expenses because almost any part you may need is readily available. My evaluation of the bike before starting this project indicated to me that I would need to sink 3k in this bike to get it where I want it to be. I knew before starting, that for that amount I would not be able to replace every part. Something’s are mandatory to replace and some are not. So I will be doing a lot of elbow grease polishing and some spray can finishing when needed.

Now, with that all said. I did some totals on how much I have in this project as you see it setting there. Including the books I’ve got close to 2k into it. I’m really going to have to start shaving some corners to meet my goal. Damn, and that rear fender is probably going to need to be re-chromed and that rear master cylinder is looking pretty sad to. I still believe my goal is achievable at this point. -Steve

---------- Treasurers Report As It Sits ------

texjj · 01-11-2010, 11:09 PM

I agree with you that some bikes don't get proper estimates when the project starts. But it also depends on the bike. As an example I thought the front of mine was going to be fine until I looked at the forks, which some dufus had grabbed with pliers or visegrips. So they have to be replaced with other components - not just a simple seal replacement.

Just curious why you re-spoking the 19" wheel. Were the spokes just too rusted?