T160 it is so damn heavy

This is why I think the humble T140 is one of the most underrated classics.

I know they’re not rocket ships, and they’ll suffer if used as such. But they’re a lot lighter than Tridents et al, yet have many refinements missing from 60s Brit classics, electronic ignition, disc brakes, comfortable seat, 5 speed box, 12 volt electrics, etc, etc.

Yes they don’t have electric starters, but if assembled with later lower CR pistons they are a doddle to kick over.

Ridden as a classic bike (ie don’t go above 6k every ride) they’re smooth, reliable and very enjoyable and will easily keep with earlier Hinckley Bonnies, modern Enfields, etc.
The reason I moved away from t140s simply the vibration
They are pretty good apart from that
Oh and the clutch is rubbish
 
The reason I moved away from t140s simply the vibration
They are pretty good apart from that
Oh and the clutch is rubbish
With a proper crank balance they are smooth enough, and the clutch can be made to work well enough if all parts are in good condition. Fitting the seven plate conversion & a new set of standard springs, along with making sure the clutch is lifting squarely is usually enough. But I agree that they are borderline.
A while ago I rode a friends Harris Bonneville which as you will know has a modified version of the TSS crank, it felt quite different to my TR7 Tiger which I love. Whilst hard to describe, it felt smoother & more sophisticated.
 
With a proper crank balance they are smooth enough, and the clutch can be made to work well enough if all parts are in good condition. Fitting the seven plate conversion & a new set of standard springs, along with making sure the clutch is lifting squarely is usually enough. But I agree that they are borderline.
A while ago I rode a friends Harris Bonneville which as you will know has a modified version of the TSS crank, it felt quite different to my TR7 Tiger which I love. Whilst hard to describe, it felt smoother & more sophisticated.
Yep the best one I had was a t140e with the low comp pistons
I also had a tr7
Both were smoother than a late oif t120v I had
My mates had mainly t140Vs one had a D all of them vibrated bad
I had the 7 plate clutch
I also had a 4 spring clutch centre but with the 3spring clutch type springs (I think) my memory is not too good on this
The lack of vibes and perfect non slipping or dragging clutch on a commando
Coupled with a bit more power moved me away from Mr turners best twins
 
The reason I moved away from t140s simply the vibration
They are pretty good apart from that
Oh and the clutch is rubbish
The only bike I ever had that made my FEET go numb, 80 mph cruise, 2 hrs.

Fun bike at 60 or below
 
My TR7 is fine at 80/85 cruising but I know some are not. A mate of mine had a TR6 Tiger many years ago on which the vibes were so bad, at anything over 70 it would fracture speedo/rev counter brackets, tail light housings, mudguards, bulbs etc. I once went pillion on a motorway trip & couldn't keep my feet on the rear footrests due to the vibes.
 
My TR7 is fine at 80/85 cruising but I know some are not. A mate of mine had a TR6 Tiger many years ago on which the vibes were so bad, at anything over 70 it would fracture speedo/rev counter brackets, tail light housings, mudguards, bulbs etc. I once went pillion on a motorway trip & couldn't keep my feet on the rear footrests due to the vibes.
My TSX is almost vibration free, has a fully machined crank and rubber mounted footpegs, apart from the Bing carbs (they are going) it's a real nice bike to potter around on.
 
I know Norman Hyde once offered rubber mounted footrests for the Trident. A casting with three metalastic bushes same as used for the handlebars. So many things that were not done or were done too late during the End of Days of brit bikes.
 
I know Norman Hyde once offered rubber mounted footrests for the Trident. A casting with three metalastic bushes same as used for the handlebars. So many things that were not done or were done too late during the End of Days of brit bikes.
Are the Norman Hyde ones better than the late t160 rubber mounted footrests ?
 
I was never particularly enamered by those Hyde rearsets quality wise especially the brake pedal
I didn't know they were rubber mounted
Yes the fugly cast alloy mounting plate was rubber mounted. IIRC they used the same rubber bushings as the handle bar mounts ?

The quality in terms of standard of finish was indeed not good. But perhaps about right for the time ?

They did what they were supposed to do though.
 
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Yes the fugly cast alloy mounting plate was rubber mounted. IIRC they used the same rubber bushings as the handle bar mounts ?

The quality in terms of standard of finish was indeed not good. But perhaps about right for the time ?

They did what they were supposed to do though.
 
Might be of some interest if not a repost.

 

2. Harley-Davidson CVO Limited [Weight: 428kg]

Got one rented for a Yellowstone trip next year. (Because no other touring bike is available to rent.)
Oink.
 
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Now , Everyone Knows , with the Main Stand . You roll the machine back . Theres a speed at which it wil throw it oover the ' overcenter ' ( lift ) and drop mainstanded ! rearward .
The tricky bit is getting it OFF the Mainstand !

usually you need a hand on the steering head , and one on the handlebar . which leaves you brakeless . As the Feds made them put the footbrake on the wrong side .
Unless you shift the foot hook to the right . If it has a very good clutch , in gear - the clutch'd be a brake , letting OUT . But thats all making it even more awkward .

your Average motorcycle will get itself onto the stand , rolling it & flicking the stand lever with your toe at the appropriate moment . T H W A C K . or C L U N K .
then theres worn stand mounts . Changed ride hights , and slopes . Angle Parked at a slopeing curb , it may tend to totter / topple . SO WATCH IT , if its not square to the slope .

IF it just used IN THE SHED , a metre long bar with a thing wot hooks onto it , Curved and unrotateable axially .;as in it could be a L across both stand legs - Two lower arms acros
braced at the lever . A bit like a clip on race pit lift arm / stand - pit stand .
 
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