To start or not!

The time came last week to have a go at starting the Triumph. 

Oils liberally put over the top end, gearbox, chain case and engine oil filled and a remote petrol tank setup. By the way, if you intend to use a remote tank, put a filter / tap on it - it is a pain with no way of switching off the fuel! Earth cable setup to have the ability to stop the engine (on the magneto) - ever hopefull!

Just a few checks and I could try the kick start!

Well, firstly there was fuel dribbling out of the carb. Secondly, I could not get a spark - it seemed OK on the bench and lastly, the clutch slipped. So it was back in the workshop and a bit of dismantling.

The short answer was:

• The carb float was not sitting properly on its shaft - easily remedied.
• The clutch springs were a little weak (too short) so some new ones were ordered (they are meant to be 1.5" long and these were a little short). In addition, I was probably using a slightly thick hydraulic oil for the primary case and so will try SAE20 next time)
• The magneto was removed and unless you got a drill onto the unit, there was no spark. I decided to send off the magneto to be tested and repaired as necessary. As my K2F magneto has a smaller bearing in it (19mm aperture by the seal as opposed to 25mm by the seal) it was decided to replace the whole thing with a fully reconditioned unit.

Until I get the magneto and clutch springs, I will carry on and sort the new wiring out on the bike. Await round 2!!

A bit of bling!

 Ages ago, I was given a drawing of a suitable rack for the back of the bike that mounts onto the grab rail bolts.

Time to get it made! This was done by 'Classic Racks' in Cumbria and what an excellent job they did!

Really well made and a useful accessory should I decide I want to carry something.

Photos of the 3T so far...

A few photographs showing the current progress - not long before I try and kick it over!

Spot the oil pressure gauge fitted for initial start up!

Plug leads not cut to lenght yet!

 

Timing cover badge refurb

 The current repro badges for the timing cover just do not look right and so I decided to refurb mine. I cleaned the badge carefully (and quickly) with acetone and then sprayed it gloss black - all over. Once fully hardened, I then sanded the face on a flat surface with 800 wet and dry using WD40. Once all the black on the lettering and edge was removed, peek was then used to polish up the brass.

The badge on the right is the original that I have refurbished and the one on the left is the repro one. When polished, I then sprayed a clear gloss lacquer on the badge - as good as new! (it shows a scratch but I could not see it!

Timing disc and oil pressure...

 Just a couple of shots showing the adapter for the timing disc and a take off for the oil pressure in readiness of trying to start the bike:

Above show the timing disc in place

Above is the adapter I made from a spare retaining nut and a bit of steel turned up in the lathe (silver soldered together)

And above is a 'low slung oil pressure gauge' - obviously not a permanent fixture!! Next job is to set the ignition timing and then get all the oils sorted.

Update photos

 Just a couple of photos to show the progress - which is now progressing!

The forks and handlebars now line up!

One step forward, two steps back?!

 Sheesh, I really thought I was making headway until I noticed the handlebars would not sit straight. Careful examination showed the top yoke (H380) was bent.

It is difficult to see but the top one is the bent one and the lower one is a spare I have. How I even managed to put this on quite a while ago without even noticing it, I have no idea. So a strip down of the front forks to replace the tope yoke was done (again):

Whilst about it, I was able to make the drain plugs for the fork oil - 2BA stainless fits very well! One tricky thing to do is to remove the damper retaining bolts at the lower end of the fork tube. Now I know why this spanner has a chamfer on it:

It just about allows you to undo the bolts!