And yet another T120...

Fast Eddie · May 2, 2017

Gents,

These T120's are as common as muck it seems...

As partially discussed in other threads, I now have a '68 US spec T120 cluttering up the shed.

1968 being the optimum year for the Bonneville (that's a statement, not a debate) and for mankind in general.

Its a nice bike, previously owned by Sam's mate Alan (the same bloke who sold me my Commando).

Its been in storage a few years and needs some spit n polish, but a quick going over revealed that it will scrub up nicely.

I'm currently giving it a bit of TLC, I'm putting new Premiers on it, and a Tri-Spark cw Tri-Spark coils, new oils, and a few other bits n bobs of general fettling. I'll pot some pics at the weekend. Hope to get it running then too (finger crossed).

Quick question, it really needs a new seat, most of the ones I see on restorations are, frankly, quite disappointing. The original had a very nice shaped foam, whereas the ones that are commonly available are too thick and too flat to my eye. Can anyone recommend a good source for a really original looking seat??

L.A.B. · May 2, 2017

Fast Eddie said:
The original had a very nice shaped foam, whereas the ones that are commonly available are too thick and too flat to my eye. Can anyone recommend a good source for a really original looking seat??

Try R K Leighton; http://www.rk-leighton.co.uk/

Fast Eddie · May 2, 2017

Well LAB, to be honest, I suspect the RK are responsible for many of the too thick / too flat ones that I dislike. However I've emailed them requesting info and pictures and will report back.

auldblue · May 2, 2017

Sixties and so on bike seats are just slabs of foam covered in pvc, they do a job but look as if no design effort went in to them R.K.L have been around for a long time and have a good reputation so you can't knock them as they also do bespoke seats to your wishes. I have a seat pan at Hunter Innis in the east somewhere I can't quite remember exactly what I asked for but I am due to get it back soon.
Sounds like you have a plan Nigel and the PO sounds good if you have bought from him before, so hopefully no costly surprises meantime. Best of good luck with the new machine Nigel.

Jg

Fast Eddie · May 5, 2017

Well, I started cleaning and tinkering with the Bonnie. Even though the carbs seemed fine, I had already kinda made my mind up that I wanted to try Premiers as I've not had any before. They seem good, and well made, and are now fitted!

The PO had modified the breathing arrangement so the crankcase breaths into the primary as per later models, so it needs a vent from the primary case. I wanted to use a reed valve for engine breathing as I'm so impressed with the Comnoz set up on the Trident Hunter, and had one on the shelf from Holland Norton works. I thought it very impressive of Triumph to have thought about this in advance and left a nice space for the valve. I thought it even more impressive that Triumph make a perfect breather hose for the job (1200 Daytona breather hose)! Quite happy with the set up:

The other thing I kinda already decided to fit is a Tri-Spark, c/w Tri-Spark coils so I should be able to tidy things up a little in the under tank department. Here's the 'before' pic:

I took the primary cover off for a look see, and everything is as the PO said, new looking chain, 7 plate clutch pack and everything is generally all good.

It's surprising how much fettling there always seems to be with a 'new' bike when you're a tad obsessive!

More updates tomorrow...

Fast Eddie · May 6, 2017

Well, removal of the Boyer black box allowed me to tidy up the wiring quite a bit. An added bonus is that I managed to squeeze the horn in the space the Boyer vacated (I've never liked how Triumph hang the horn out in front of the head as they do).

T'other side:

The same size Shorai as I use on the Commando slotted into the Bonnie's battery space nicely:

The old oil clearly hadn't done much as it came out looking quite clean. Nevertheless, out it all came to make way for new Redline. I use their Lightweight Shockproof gear oil and 20/60 Motorcyle oil.

After all this fiddling around, you could have knocked me over with a feather when the bloody thing fired up first kick!

More fiddling tomorrow...

trident sam · May 7, 2017

Lookin good mate, I'll give it three weeks to the complete strip down and rebuild, you know you can't help it ! :twisted:
sam

Fast Eddie · May 7, 2017

trident sam said:
Lookin good mate, I'll give it three weeks to the complete strip down and rebuild, you know you can't help it ! :twisted:
sam

I'm trying VERY hard not to Sam !

I'm working flat out to get it taxed, tested and OTR as then the voices in my head will be quieter...

Triton Thrasher · May 7, 2017

Your wiring improvements look like you now have at least some chance of reliability.

Fast Eddie · May 7, 2017

Fast Eddie said:
Chaps, do these breathers always make a 'farting' sound when turning the engine over?
My kids can't stand up for laughter at my 'Farting Triumph'... :lol:

trident sam · May 7, 2017

Triton Thrasher said:
Your wiring improvements look like you now have at least some chance of reliability.

Yeah, that bike was so unreliable it was ridden to Spain and back with me on my Trident

Triton Thrasher · May 7, 2017

Well, Sam, breakdowns are notorious for their unpredictability.

Eddie fixed his wiring for a reason. Would you have preferred to leave it like this?

trident sam · May 7, 2017

My point was that the bike was reliable as it was, the wiring might not have been aesthetically pleasing but it worked .
sam

Fast Eddie · May 7, 2017

Yes, as Sam says, Alan the PO rode it to Spain and back and on more local runs for quite a few years, so it was reliable, hopefully it still will be!

I had to reverse my smart ass horn relocation as there was't enough space under the tank! There's hardly enough space under there for what should be there actually!

It starts and runs very nicely indeed I'm happy to report. It feels SO light and chuck-about-able. The front brake is surprisingly good too.

I've just got to finalise the ideal routing for the throttle cables, I hate twin pull throttles and this has reminded me why! I am 100% convinced that most people who complain about 'single carbs being better than twin carbs' think as much due to twin pull cable issues!

I seem to have an oil leak from somewhere too which needs seeing too.

Apart from the above minor fiddling, I can look forward to some summer fun on this.

Scrubbed up well too...

pantah_good · May 7, 2017

Looks great! To my eye the big '68 Triumphs are the prettiest bikes ever made. You are making me feel very homesick for my old TR6C that I bought new that year.

trident sam · May 7, 2017

Yes I agree , best looking bike ever made (cept for a T160 :wink: )
I think the only thing I'd do is add pancake air filters and more modern tyres.
sam

Fast Eddie · May 7, 2017

I've still got the pancakes Sam and will be putting them back on as soon as I've done f***ing around with the throttle cables!

Not sure about the tyres. I am a huge Roadrider fan, but these Dunlops do look the part! I'll see what they ride like me thinks.

auldblue · May 7, 2017

trident sam said:
Yes I agree , best looking bike ever made (cept for a T160 :wink: )Lloyd o
I think the only thing I'd do is add pancake air filters and more modern tyres.
sam

pantah_good said:
Looks great! To my eye the big '68 Triumphs are the prettiest bikes ever made. You are making me feel very homesick for my old TR6C that I bought new that year.

Totally wizard prank on her mods fella. Nothing but the best will do and rightly so. One thing ,any chance of a wee snapshot of the chain guard?

I will give you that the 68 is very attractive , plain, simple not to busy ,but it's the sound the whole ball of wax the complete package well put together.

You must be tickled pink getting her up to snuff, what clutch cable are you fitting by the way? Any progress on the seat the current one looked not bad could do with being closer to the fuel tank if anything .

Jg

Fast Eddie · May 7, 2017

Yes Jimmy I'm well chuffed!

What kind of chain guard shots dya want?

I'm using a Venhill clutch cable from TMS. They're my first call for Triumph stuff, top boys.

Not done owt about the seat just yet, other than sit on it!

auldblue · May 8, 2017

Fast Eddie said:
Yes Jimmy I'm well chuffed!

Got to be!

Chain guard basically how it sits in relation to the rear wheel , mine is a bit skew whiff and according to Roy bacon may take a bit of time to fit properly, thanks. I ordered a venhill cable Friday . Incidentally what is the colour of the tanks , is it Hi-Fi Scarlet ? Sorry for the Hijack.

Jg

And yet another T120...

Fast Eddie

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