barn find

[robert sheehan]

My buddy, Charles, called me yesterday morning to ask if I was interested in "an old Triumph motorcycle". He didn't have to ask twice.

A friend of his knows an older woman who is moving out of her house and wants to get rid of everything, including the Triumph that had been owned by her late son.

Fortunately, it has been parked in a garage/shed/barn for the past thirty years. That's probably why the motor isn't seized with rust. No title and no keys. It's missing a few parts, but with perseverance, I'll be able to find replacements.

It's a 750, a T140E. I can say that it was built sometime after 1974 because the shift lever is on the left side. It also has disk brakes. Two things very much in its favor for me.

The first order of business is that of getting the motor running. If that proves to be satisfactory, I'll begin the process of getting a title. Colorado makes that somewhat easier for vehicles at least 25 years old.

The tank was repainted an unflattering shade of white. I expect to find bondo under the paint.

This will be a lengthy project.

Bob

[Robert Wendl]

Bob,

Good luck with the project. If you need any help I can get you in touch with the BMAC. They will be a great resource for you on the project.

Bob Wendl

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[sfr4201]

Bob

Looks like a fun project and the left side muffler is intact!Just to let you know,fellow RAT member Dan Pilcher owns a '76 T140 if you require a reference point.l used  to own that very same bike until l sold it through ERICO on consignment in 2003,no prizes for guessing who purchased said T140!!!

                            E-Steve

Sent from my T-Mobile 5G Device

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[Chris Peltz]

Bob - looking forward to seeing the progress made on restoration. 

Are you planning to set up a site or page where you will be posting photos / videos of the progress?

[robert sheehan]

Good morning, Chris.

I really hadn't given any thought to how I will document the restoration. And it may not be much more than getting it to run. Many years ago, I restored a 1966 BMW R60/2, and found that the efforts to get it beyond 75% had diminishing returns. I would have had almost as much enjoyment riding the bike had I left it looking well-used.

Bob

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[Vince M Lane]

Good Luck Bob!  (I’m being incredibly kind)

Vince

On Feb 3, 2024, at 6:48 AM, robert sheehan <bob.sh...@gmail.com> wrote:

Good morning, Chris.

I really hadn't given any thought to how I will document the restoration. And it may not be much more than getting it to run. Many years ago, I restored a 1966 BMW R60/2, and found that the efforts to get it beyond 75% had diminishing returns. I would have had almost as much enjoyment riding the bike had I left it looking well-used.

Bob

On Fri, Feb 2, 2024 at 10:05 PM Chris Peltz <peltz...@gmail.com> wrote:

Bob - looking forward to seeing the progress made on restoration. 

Are you planning to set up a site or page where you will be posting photos / videos of the progress?

On Fri, Feb 2, 2024, 11:54 AM robert sheehan <bob.sh...@gmail.com> wrote:

My buddy, Charles, called me yesterday morning to ask if I was interested in "an old Triumph motorcycle". He didn't have to ask twice.

A friend of his knows an older woman who is moving out of her house and wants to get rid of everything, including the Triumph that had been owned by her late son.

Fortunately, it has been parked in a garage/shed/barn for the past thirty years. That's probably why the motor isn't seized with rust. No title and no keys. It's missing a few parts, but with perseverance, I'll be able to find replacements.

It's a 750, a T140E. I can say that it was built sometime after 1974 because the shift lever is on the left side. It also has disk brakes. Two things very much in its favor for me.

The first order of business is that of getting the motor running. If that proves to be satisfactory, I'll begin the process of getting a title. Colorado makes that somewhat easier for vehicles at least 25 years old.

The tank was repainted an unflattering shade of white. I expect to find bondo under the paint.

This will be a lengthy project.

Bob

<image.png>

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[robert sheehan]

Thanks, Vince.

This isn't my first time to rescue an abandoned/neglected bike. Consequently, my expectations aren't particularly high.

I checked compression yesterday, and measured 100 psi on each cylinder, far better than a bike parked for thirty years should have. After I clean up the valves and their seats, the numbers will likely improve. That the cylinders are equal, is close to unbelievable. Another entry in the list of unbelievables is that the front brake caliper isn't seized. The transmission appears to shift well.

I doubt that I'll have it on the road this year, but one never knows.

Bob

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[Vince M Lane]

Bob that’s wonderful!  In all honesty I think my comment was a bit sarcastic and somewhat inappropriate and I apologize.  Hopefully you have tons or room to lay everything out in takeoff order.  Norton went to left side shift in 75.  I’m sure you can run the VIN number.

Be sure and let us know then your getting close to pushing the start button!  

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[robert sheehan]

That “start button” is my right leg.

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[Vince M Lane]

👍

Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 3, 2024, at 9:36 AM, robert sheehan <bob.sh...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[robert sheehan]

Vince,

No offense was taken. Giving each other some mild grief is part of the male experience.

As I remember it, NHTSA required all bikes imported into the United States after 1974 to have left shift and right brake. Norton, Triumph, Ducati and the Sportster (!) made the change then. Moto Guzzi did it a few years earlier.

My T140 has a twelve-character VIN and I have not been able to find any information using that. I don't even know what year it is, though I think it was manufactured in 1978.

Bob

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[Vince M Lane]

I think that’s right Bob.  Most 75 Commandos also have Electric Start but I don’t think they all did.  Wisely they all had right leg start, electric or not.  You would think Foothills or Erico could do the VIN.  If not look for used Triumph parts on E-Bay.  Some of those vendors are in the UK and likely could de-code yours.

Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 3, 2024, at 10:35 AM, robert sheehan <bob.sh...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Brian Weberg]

Baxter Cycle in Marne, IA might be a useful reference. They seem to know all things Triumph. 

BJW

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[Jim Kerick]

Bob,

Right leg as the starter. Well no more excuses for skipping leg day. You will need the power.

I would really like to see the progression of the restore. Sounds like it is in great shape considering.

Best of luck! May you never need to use an easy out.

Jim Kerick

mashed out with large thumbs on a small screen with autocorrect interjecting itself

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