Fast Eddie
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- Joined
- Oct 4, 2013
- Messages
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I cleaned the T140 yesterday and went for a bit of a blast. It looked so sweet I thought I’d show off some pics here!
Also some notes:
I’ve decided I’m very happy with the 1/2” longer rear Koni shocks, handling is greatly improved over the Taiwanese Girling look-alike jobs that were fitted and, especially for a tall bloke, the raised seat height helps.
I didn’t like the stock T140 US bars as much as I seemed to remember! They’re a tad too high and have a slightly strange angle to them. Then I discovered that Norton Commando US bars look similar, but are lower and without the strange angle. They are perfect!
The MK11 carbs that I came SO close to throwing over a hedge in front of a combined harvester are now actually working beautifully. Note: T140Es MUST use a hotter plug than other Triumph twins. If you don’t, they’ll foul, and fouled plugs do NOT help the process of setting up carbs!
I’m currently trying the 3.5 slides again and they seem good. Whilst I had the carbs apart this time I noticed some fine dirt in them, manufacturing debris from inside the new tank. I don’t think think it was actually impacting the carburation (Amal’s are good like that) but I cleaned them out and fitted some in line filters anyway.
The Hyde disc kit, along with 13mm master cylinder and braided hose, is a huge improvement over stock. But not as good as I remember twin discs being. If I were to go through such a brake upgrade again I think I’d go the twin disc route.
I’m really pleased with how this bike runs now. It starts great, it started second kick recently after being stood for nearly 3 months. It pootles through traffic like a H*nda, revs out like it should and sounds wonderful when doing so, then ticks over solidly feeling like it would do so all day long.
We all know T140s have a bad rep for vibes right? Perhaps because we caned them harder when we were young? This is remarkably smooth up to around 5,500rpm and only ‘uncomfortable’ above 6,000. Considering that the torque and power is best between 3k and 6k, and an 80mph cruise is smooth, the vibes are just a none issue.
And we all know T140s handle right? Well that one is true. It really is a sweet handling thing, very neutral, a very light feel and very flickable. I remember the good handling, but I think it’s improved further with Roadriders. And of course, ‘as new’ forks and Koni shocks help too.
And no... it doesn’t leak ANY oil. Perhaps aided by the reed valve breather I’ve fitted?
And finally, if you don’t think T140s are pretty... there’s something very wrong with you...
Also some notes:
I’ve decided I’m very happy with the 1/2” longer rear Koni shocks, handling is greatly improved over the Taiwanese Girling look-alike jobs that were fitted and, especially for a tall bloke, the raised seat height helps.
I didn’t like the stock T140 US bars as much as I seemed to remember! They’re a tad too high and have a slightly strange angle to them. Then I discovered that Norton Commando US bars look similar, but are lower and without the strange angle. They are perfect!
The MK11 carbs that I came SO close to throwing over a hedge in front of a combined harvester are now actually working beautifully. Note: T140Es MUST use a hotter plug than other Triumph twins. If you don’t, they’ll foul, and fouled plugs do NOT help the process of setting up carbs!
I’m currently trying the 3.5 slides again and they seem good. Whilst I had the carbs apart this time I noticed some fine dirt in them, manufacturing debris from inside the new tank. I don’t think think it was actually impacting the carburation (Amal’s are good like that) but I cleaned them out and fitted some in line filters anyway.
The Hyde disc kit, along with 13mm master cylinder and braided hose, is a huge improvement over stock. But not as good as I remember twin discs being. If I were to go through such a brake upgrade again I think I’d go the twin disc route.
I’m really pleased with how this bike runs now. It starts great, it started second kick recently after being stood for nearly 3 months. It pootles through traffic like a H*nda, revs out like it should and sounds wonderful when doing so, then ticks over solidly feeling like it would do so all day long.
We all know T140s have a bad rep for vibes right? Perhaps because we caned them harder when we were young? This is remarkably smooth up to around 5,500rpm and only ‘uncomfortable’ above 6,000. Considering that the torque and power is best between 3k and 6k, and an 80mph cruise is smooth, the vibes are just a none issue.
And we all know T140s handle right? Well that one is true. It really is a sweet handling thing, very neutral, a very light feel and very flickable. I remember the good handling, but I think it’s improved further with Roadriders. And of course, ‘as new’ forks and Koni shocks help too.
And no... it doesn’t leak ANY oil. Perhaps aided by the reed valve breather I’ve fitted?
And finally, if you don’t think T140s are pretty... there’s something very wrong with you...
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