1978 Triumph Bonneville T140 restoration attempt

[KevHedges]

Hi to all you restorers bought Bonnie in boxes and been restoring for a while (seems like a lifetime ) I do enjoy it though, not so much in winter, only just joined site will put in some pics unfortunately they are a bit hit and miss as kept forgetting to take them.Regret that now.
Not so good at the technology so seem to have one pic here and then as attachment, think have it right. Other pic is where I put the bike together with a bit of cleaning it looks much better than it actually was (pre engine work). As I was doing this realised the pics were all over the place will have to sort them out and post later
Kev

 

[Bonnie79D]

Welcome Kev to TT from Australia. I am in the process of restoring a 79 special. Will look forward to seeing how yours turns out.

Sent from my GT-P7510 using Tapatalk

 

[grandpaul]

Welcome, Kev.

That's a proper start, straight in with some pix.

 

[CarlS]

Kev, thanks for the post and the pics. I look forward to following your progress.

 

[hendo]

Good luck mate you will be ridding in no time

 

[KevHedges]

Managed to find the limited pics I have so this is the story to date.

Engine nice and clean after complete breakdown and rebuild, was in pretty good nick replaced valve guides, all bearings, new piston rings +40, sludge trap not really bunged up so the engine has had work done in the not too distant past. Rebuilt carbs, new primary drive chain, looked at belt drive but bit expensive and no idea at the time of rebuild cost. 7 plate clutch (which feels really good). Frame was powder coated. 2nd pic is removing front end to start on that. Bike looks fairly clean as did major clean up before I started. Sorry no pics of engine rebuild, spent hours watching Lunmads video of his engine rebuild on YouTube

Front wheel off bearings replaced, right hand one was a real B***** Hub was bashed about a bit but looks not too bad after clean and polish, rims are original Dunlops bit pitted but decided to keep them. Went for upgrade on the brakes with Norman Hyde 12" floating disc and stainless steel brake lines.
Kev

 

[grandpaul]

I managed to combine the text portion with the photos.

Looking good!

 

[CarlS]

Nice; good progress. Thanks for the pics.

 

[KevHedges]

Rear wheel complete new bearings etc, stainless steel brake hose, fitted 45 tooth sprocket standard is 47 nearly went for a 43 not sure if it will make much
difference.

Have fitted external oil filter kept the gauze filter as well. Currently re-wiring then have to pick petrol tank, I have US and UK tanks. Just finished treating them with caustic soda then spirit of salts after reading article on internet much cheaper than kit, not sure if I am going to seal them most likely drain then put in some ACF50 for the winter.

Both tanks the US one is very good the UK one needs repainting.
Thats it untill I finish rewiring!
Kev

 

[CarlS]

Thanks for the pics.

 

[grandpaul]

I believe the correct brake hose is a simple, short, male-to-male bit that screws straight in to the master cylinder, then makes a gentle "s" bend to the caliper that must be screwed onto the hose before its bolted to the bike. That one will work, but is just waiting to get hung on something and cause trouble.

Great progress, keep it up!

 

[KevHedges]

Yes it does stick out a bit, I have the original hose this is a purpose built SS hose from Norman Hyde but think I have it on wrong, I haven't got around to it yet as the repro rear mudguard (came in the boxes with the bike) was absolutely rubbish, had to bin it. I did have the original ones so have had them blasted and repainted black, they look nice but tank is black as well so might be a bit lacking in shiny things. Will post a pic shortly just finishing rewiring.
Kev

 

[Sam]

Looking good !

After getting used to the look of my drum brakes, those disks look funny to me.

 

[Rocky]

Great progress