Triumphrat

bagpiper22 · 06-11-2012, 11:30 PM

Picked this up after 30 full years sitting in a closet of the auto shop at my son's high school. Aside from some cosmetic damage (missing mirrors, turn signals, etc) it appears complete. Looks like it fell over on the right side once, but not while moving. Gas tank is clean though both petcocks are missing. Carbs will be removed and cleaned this weekend. Not much oil in it when I drained it. Maybe a quart.

Front brake works, rear has no fluid so nothing now. All in all the electrical and fuel/oil delivery systes looks intact.

My primary issue right now is that the kick starter won't turn the engine. I've removed the right transmission cover and the kicker appears fine and moves freely, so it's locked up somewhere inside the engine. Spark plugs are out and PB Blaster is soaking in the cylinders, in case they're frozen. I also removed the valve adjustment covers and got some Blaster down the valve stems, in case they're stuck.

The clutch lever works fine, and when I pull on it, the kicker moves freely. Although the gear shift lever is missing, using a wrench I can move through the gears with the bike on the center stand and rotating the rear wheel. When going from second to third, it misses, like there's another neutral in there, then it catches and advances to third. Fourth and fifth are fine. I'm wondering if my gap between second and third may also be why it won't budge? A gear not moving back in place?

I've rebuilt a few bikes, but this is my first Triumph. Thanks in advance for ideas, tips, and inspiration.

Scott

DAVE M · 06-12-2012, 05:20 AM

Looks to be pretty much all there.

As you've said, the kicker drives the engine via the clutch and if it releases with the lever pulled in, then the cylinders must be the key to the sticking.

I'd guess that the rings are stuck to the bore and that maybe PB Blaster will unstick them.

Normal capacity is roughly 4 pints

GrandPaulZ · 06-12-2012, 09:15 AM

Welcome to the forum, piper.

Very nice bike, and I'm guessing it won't take much to free it off.

Pull off the left sidecover and have a look, perhaps the primary chain is rusted in place.

Also make sure to drain the large sump plug/screen underneath the engine, (if what you already drained was the frame sump plug), my guess is you'll find your other quart of oil...

bagpiper22 · 06-12-2012, 10:07 AM

Thanks for the tips. The left cover is next step. The primary chain is a good possibility.

I did open the bottom large sump plug, and got less than a pint. Another pint spilled out when I removed the tranny cover (didn't drain it first). I'm hoping the lack of oil for all this time hasn't left me with more troubles inside. We'll see.

I need to get my posts up so I can enter the classified area and get a gear shift lever and maybe petcocks. The ones on eBay seem very expensive.

Thanks!

Scott

DAVE M · 06-12-2012, 10:48 AM

ignore if you see any advert with RARE in the title.

people ask silly money for stuff.

there's a guy here in the UK selling steering locks for Cubs for £100, you cash buy them for £35. It's tempting to go into the market!

GrandPaulZ · 06-12-2012, 02:55 PM

Pingle high flow petcocks have a good reputation. As far as a replacement shifter, Emgo sells decent ones.

PJF · 06-12-2012, 09:06 PM

Good find, it cleaned up pretty good, hope all goes well getting it on the road.

bagpiper22 · 06-13-2012, 12:36 PM

My '76 T140V is missing the spark plug wires. Do I need special "Triumph" replacements, or will any spark wire do? I have several laying around from various car jobs, but want to make sure I'm getting enough power to the plug. I also know some of the scooters I've worked on had resistors in the spark plug boot.

Thanks for any tips...

bagpiper22 · 06-13-2012, 10:49 PM

Well, I got the left cover (alternator?) and the chain is fine. All looks good in there.

I pulled the carbs, and I think I have a stuck valve (left intake). In fact you can see it in the spark plug hole. A friend on another board mentioned a stuck valve as a possible reason for my situation. Would that freeze up the whole engine? I want to make sure I get it loose before the pistons move and hit the valve. Plenty of PB Blaster in there now doing its thing.

Maybe it's the reason, or maybe a result of the valve being stuck, but the rocker assembly in the back is not lined up. The front looks in sync. Although they are two pieces the rockers should move in unison, correct? It's late and I'm forgetting how parallel twins work.

Front (exhaust)

Rear (intake)

That's it for tonight. Happy I was able to get a little done during the week.

Scott

DAVE M · 06-14-2012, 04:04 AM

On a Triumph, the pistons are moving up and down as one.
This means that one is on compression, while the other is on exhaust.

So your valves work alternately, and if using Electronic Ignition, the spark plugs fire every time the cylinders come up. (wasted spark)

You need proper old fashioned copper core cable for the plugs. All m/c shops that I know in the UK sell it. not so car shops. ( by MC shops I mean not franchised dealers, but independents)

If nobody's suggested it. go to youtube and look for Lunmad (Plewsy on here) videos. You'll understand the mechanics once you've seen his videos