Triumph Electric Start Kit

Jimmie

Member
Local time
Today, 06:50
Joined
Jul 23, 2017
Messages
36
Points
7
Age
75
Location
Dover,PA.USA
First Name
Mike
My Ride
1967 Triumph TR6 and 1968 Triumph Bonneville
I have a '67 TR6 and a 68' T120R. It is difficult for me to kickstart them in my aging years do to injuries/aches, etc. I was wondering if anyone has ever heard of adapting an electric starter to these bikes. I hate to sell them but all I do lately is look at them. They are both in great running condition. Thank you for any information or opinions. Jimmie
 
Bob Oswald of QPD used to do a conversion for around $3,000, and he took from 4 to 6 months. Not sure if he's still doing them...

As far as I know, he was the only one doing them.
 
Installing lower compression pistons, or a thicker head gasket, (to lower compression), are two ways to make them easier to start...
 
Hi GP. I found his website and he is only an hour away from me but the price is high as I figured. I will have to think re selling them next summer.
Thanks for your reply. Jimmie
 
Sorry to hear it. Why not find someone willing to trade? I traded a '78 Bonneville for my 2000 Triumph Legend 900 triple and I LOVE it! There are great trade opportunities out there, as long as the other party is willing to pay shipping on their end.
 
Sorry to hear it. Why not find someone willing to trade? I traded a '78 Bonneville for my 2000 Triumph Legend 900 triple and I LOVE it! There are great trade opportunities out there, as long as the other party is willing to pay shipping on their end.
I have been reading re the 2018 Bonneville Speedster and everything I have read say it will be an exceptional bike. Lots of improvements and I love the looks.
 
There is a system that allows you to pump up a cylinder and then it does all the work. Not cheap. Around $2000.00. Pretty interesting system. You can even use a Paint Ball Air Tank to eliminate using the kicker.
Oh yeah, I know that one. They used my drawing of a Bonnie on their advertising without my permission. I wrote them about it, they were very friendly and we came to terms (no, it wasn't a free unit, which i would have loved). Anyway, I see they'r still using it, pretty cool.
 
Oh yeah, I know that one. They used my drawing of a Bonnie on their advertising without my permission. I wrote them about it, they were very friendly and we came to terms (no, it wasn't a free unit, which i would have loved). Anyway, I see they're still using it, pretty cool.

Like a friend of mine (Honda Dealership mechanic) who designed, built and used a transmission jack with a special universal mount which would adapt to all their models. One day a rep from one of the national tool manufacturers came by and saw him using it. He took photos of this jack while my friend was on break. Took the photos back and his company started manufacturing this same jack and sold it to all the Honda Dealerships. My friend did not have a patent on it so they was nothing he could legally do. The big guys always win out.
 
Bob Oswald of QPD used to do a conversion for around $3,000, and he took from 4 to 6 months. Not sure if he's still doing them...

As far as I know, he was the only one doing them.
I’ve just sent an e mail to his business (06/4/2020) to inquire if he still sells these and or being willing to sell the parts for the conversion kit as well as a cost to have a very very detailed instruction installation “manual”
 
I’ve just sent an e mail to his business (06/4/2020) to inquire if he still sells these and or being willing to sell the parts for the conversion kit as well as a cost to have a very very detailed instruction installation “manual”
I know he told me when I was up there last that he was retiring and was selling the business. I talk to him once a month so if he does not reply contact me at gag1025@yahoo.com and I will call him and ask him. At 90 years old he does not respond to emails sometimes. I have this happen a few times. Just let me know. Whenever I need to tell him something important I normally text one of his sons and he takes care of it for me.
 
When we last talked he told me it was not so easy to do the conversion yourself, you had to send him your bottom end complete.
 
When we last talked he told me it was not so easy to do the conversion yourself, you had to send him your bottom end complete.
I do remember him saying that. He has to do some machining on the case in order to add the starter gear cover as well as internal work. I do know for a fact that he is not going to do any more conversions. He once thought that Mark (one of his sons) was going to take over his QPD business but Mark has another business and according to Ozzie Mark really does not have time. He told me when I saw him the first of the year that he was trying to sell his business. If that happens I will make sure I post it.
 
I do remember him saying that. He has to do some machining on the case in order to add the starter gear cover as well as internal work. I do know for a fact that he is not going to do any more conversions. He once thought that Mark (one of his sons) was going to take over his QPD business but Mark has another business and according to Ozzie Mark really does not have time. He told me when I saw him the first of the year that he was trying to sell his business. If that happens I will make sure I post it.
Scottholl, when I talked to him a couple of weeks ago he was in his shop so if you call him he may still be interested in installing his electric system if you send him the engine. I think when the weather gets warmer his interest peaks. I know for a fact that he does very little in the cold PA winters. I do not blame him for that.
 
OK so I have located 2 vendors in England that sell a electric start kit that can convert
A T140 To put electric start machine I have asked the vendors if they can provide an instruction manual if you will on how to properly install the kit it gives you a new timing cover with gears and a starter motor solenoid and starter switch and wiring I’ve seen prices ranging from about nine hundred and fifty British pounds to sixteen hundred British pounds I’m still waiting on responses regarding the instructions From what I
Can ascertain the cases do not have to be split one vendor uses a replacement pinion shaft assembly to replace what I assume to be the intermediate gear another vendor describes their kit As including a bushing which Hass to be reamed to size now I think this is a job I could probably do but I don’t wanna do it without instructions I have questions with respect to timing the gears to the timing marks and if that changes because of the new assembly I also somehow ran Across a thread I believe it was in Brit bike And talked about when LF Harris Designed electric start There was some instances where people record of having a backfire when starting the bike electrically and what would happen is will backfire would cause timing gears to shatter and or reports saying that ithere was some instances where people recall of having a backfire when starting the bike electrically and what would happen is the backfire would cause timing gears to shatter and or reports saying that LFH Tried to correct this problem and what happened was is the failure mode moved to shattering the case I very much would like to do an electric start shiTried to correct this problem and what happened was is the failure mode moved to shattering the case I very much would like to do an electric start Kit because I am 67 years old and although I think I can jumpstart the bike I just like the convenience of the electric start so I’ve posted queries on this site before and it’s received several replies so I would like the brethren of Triumph talk To review my post and offer replies

regards
Scott
 
OK so I have located 2 vendors in England that sell a electric start kit that can convert A T140 ...
Scott
I'd like to see those!

There is a company that makes a pneumatic piston that replaces the kickstarter and "kicks" the bike for you, but they are horrendously priced for what they are. Basically $250 worth of parts for $2,000
 
the kit it gives you a new timing cover with gears and a starter motor solenoid and starter switch
Every '71-'78 Triumph (and '71-'73 BSA) already has a "starter switch" - the button with a White and a White/Red wires. If your bike has the standard right-hand switch cluster with the kill switch, one of the black buttons has those wires; your bike's main harness does not have the continuation White/Red wire, you would need to run that alongside the main harness to wherever the starter relay is sited.

'79-on twins with a blank square bottom left of the right-hand switch cluster need the similar cluster with green button instead of the "square", Sparx sells them; Then aiui the main harness does have the continuation White/Red wire? If so, the other end of that wire will give a clue where Meriden intended to site the relay.

waiting on responses regarding the instructions
I can certainly tell you what is required electrically. The only thing I cannot tell you is how to fit the necessary larger battery - all non-electric-start British bikes with 12V electrics used the same Lucas 9 Ah (Amp-hour) battery, a Motobatt of the same physical size is now 11 Ah but Triumph fitted electric-start twins with a larger 14.5 Ah battery.

kit it gives you a new timing cover with gears
Standard '82/'83 electric-start twin timing cover? If so, there are several iterations of parts. The original timing gears were not designed for the torque of an electric motor trying to turn two 375 cc cylinders, they broke, Meriden strengthened them and something else broke, Meriden strengthened that, something else broke ... Meriden strengthened every component on the timing side except the crankcases ... then they went broke ... :cool:

when LF Harris Designed electric start
Afaik, the twin starter was designed at Meriden in the early 1980's; Harris was/is a pattern parts maker; he did make a kickstart-only version of the twin in the mid- and late-1980's, under licence from John Bloor, who bought the rights to Triumph in the 1984 Co-op liquidation sale.
 
Every '71-'78 Triumph (and '71-'73 BSA) already has a "starter switch" - the button with a White and a White/Red wires. If your bike has the standard right-hand switch cluster with the kill switch, one of the black buttons has those wires; your bike's main harness does not have the continuation White/Red wire, you would need to run that alongside the main harness to wherever the starter relay is sited.

'79-on twins with a blank square bottom left of the right-hand switch cluster need the similar cluster with green button instead of the "square", Sparx sells them; Then aiui the main harness does have the continuation White/Red wire? If so, the other end of that wire will give a clue where Meriden intended to site the relay.


I can certainly tell you what is required electrically. The only thing I cannot tell you is how to fit the necessary larger battery - all non-electric-start British bikes with 12V electrics used the same Lucas 9 Ah (Amp-hour) battery, a Motobatt of the same physical size is now 11 Ah but Triumph fitted electric-start twins with a larger 14.5 Ah battery.


Standard '82/'83 electric-start twin timing cover? If so, there are several iterations of parts. The original timing gears were not designed for the torque of an electric motor trying to turn two 375 cc cylinders, they broke, Meriden strengthened them and something else broke, Meriden strengthened that, something else broke ... Meriden strengthened every component on the timing side except the crankcases ... then they went broke ... :cool:


Afaik, the twin starter was designed at Meriden in the early 1980's; Harris was/is a pattern parts maker; he did make a kickstart-only version of the twin in the mid- and late-1980's, under licence from John Bloor, who bought the rights to Triumph in the 1984 Co-op liquidation sale.
My Ossie Oswald electric starter system battery is no larger than the standard size battery, I simply chose a more powerful battery which fit right in there. I have never had a problem starting my bike. I made my own starter switch using a micro size normally open switch. I did purchase a 1981 right handle bar control (with a green square starter button) which is better.
 
My Ossie Oswald electric starter system battery is no larger than the standard size battery, I simply chose a more powerful battery which fit right in there. I have never had a problem starting my bike. I made my own starter switch using a micro size normally open switch. I did purchase a 1981 right handle bar control (with a green square starter button) which is better.
Thank you all for your replies I hope my thread generates more crosstalk that I’m covers facts and figures about the body and the history if you will of an electric start for the bike I would love to see more responses from people Thank you all for what you have shared and I hope more will come from other interested parties thank you very much Scott
 
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