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Shapers big project

5K views 38 replies 11 participants last post by  shaper 
#1 ·
Hi all, I'm a new guy to the forum. I posted my first post on the welcome center a couple days ago.
Now about the project. About a month ago I went to my local metal recycle center. When I pulled in I was shocked to see a old Triumph sitting by the office. I was told it was a 1976 Trophy and it was scheduled to be crushed the next day. I couldn't stand it. Back in the early 70's I rode three different Bonnevills. I talked them into selling the bike to me for the grand total of $150. I checked the numbers and found it was a 1972 Tiger 650. I don't know how to post pictures here so take my word on this, it was ugly. The engine was froze, the wheels were froze wouldn't turn, all of the cable were froze, the seat was missing, rust holes through the rear wheel, a small rust out in the tank, bottom of the head light bucket rusted away, as was the right side panel below the seat. exhaust system rusted through, But it was beautiful.. I lovingly took it home and immediatly started taking it down for a full rebuild.
Now a little more about me and my tooling. I started a powder coating shop about 5 years ago and I teach metal shaping, you know, English wheel and all of that. I have a 300 gallon derusting tank, it's a electrolisis system. My workshop is a old chicke house that is 30x86 feet. So I'm ready for this project. Lately I have been getting a lot of restoration work like the guy on TV. Now it's my turn to restore something for me. Right now the only thing left on the frame is the forks and wires from the left side of the handlebar. I've pulled just about everything off the engine that I can but to tell the truth I'm a little timid about splitting the case. I've been taking pictures all along but don't know how to post them, and I don't use photobucket. I can do it on my powder coating site but can't seem to get it here. But I can send pictures in an email if someone can post them for me.
 
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#29 ·
The parts can be swapped between one another easily; sometimes with zero issues, other times with some headaches. It's all down to how much fiddling you have the patience for.

I've heard several instances of using 9 and 8 bolt heads interchangeably. Bigger issue is pre-oiler vs oiler cylinder barrels. I did that on my '67 and had to epoxy in a ball bearing in the oil channel in the cases, and use all nitrided followers and cams to run without the direct oiling. No issues in 14 years.
 
#31 ·
shapers big project

Well I guess I'll just clean up the T120 head and cylinders and put them up for sale, then pay for the proper set to go on the TR6R.
I already have more projects to work on without rigging something that I want to put my backside on and blissfully ride around the county for days on end.
The T120 engine case is damaged so it has no value, but everything in it can be sold off to help get the other one up and running.
Sounds like a plan.
 
#33 ·
shapers big project

I have been searching for the information you are talking about.
The 8 bolt head and cylinder came off of the 72 tiger 650 engine, JG33xxx. If that isn't the proper items for that year, then someone must have put them on years ago. The #2 engine, a parts engine I have, NG36xxx came with good set of pistons, cylinders, and 9 bolt head. If this is true then all I need to do is swap them from the parts engine onto the engine I am rebuilding, right?
I was looking for replacement items like the ones I pulled off so I can keep it as built originaly.
 
#34 ·
shapers big project

here's is something else to consider.
The The 8 bolt head thatI pulled off is a single carb head. It is also the one with a crack into the valve area. And the cylinders and pistons are 60 over.
The parts motor has a good 9 bolt head and has cylinders and pistons that are standerd size. but it is a two carb head. So which is correct for a 1972 Tiger 650?
 
#36 ·
The parts motor has a good 9 bolt head and has cylinders and pistons that are standerd size. but it is a two carb head. So which is correct for a 1972 Tiger 650?
How 'original' do you want it? The TR6 would originally have had only one carb but lots of folks have swapped the TR6 heads onto T120 engines and vice versa (purportedly for simplicity and performance, respectively), so it seems safe to assume you'd be fine using whatever head you've got. The cams were different, though I don't know by how much and doubt it would be much of a problem as long as you're careful with timing, carb setup, etc.

Also: are you sure it's a Bonneville head? I had the impression that the TR6 single-carb manifold would bolt right up on the T120 head, meaning the heads themselves probably look pretty close by themselves...?
 
#37 ·
shapers big project

Yes, they pretty much look the same except the 120 head has 9 bolts and two carbs.
The TR6 head has 8 bolts and and only one carb.
Keep in mind the above is as I pulled them off the two different engines.
I'll look for part numbers on both later today and will post my findings.
 
#38 ·
The red one looks like it has a single carb head,but no manifold.The rocker boxes won't be right for the '72 frame and you'll need OIF 650 inner head bolts.
The head may or may not fit well with the later '72 rocker box gaskets.You could always build it up with JB-Weld around the inner 3/8" bolts to get enough gasket surface for the rocker gasket.

TR6 used the same cams and timing as a T120.
 
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