Strip n rebuild of a 58 6T engine for a friend to help pass away the winter. All striped down a few days ago.
Bit of a different challenge for me on this one as the owners bike is very original with just the correct amount of patina for an old bike made in 1958 and well used so although the insides will be some new parts and some polished i have to leave the outside as original as i can.
Sludge trap out, head decoked and steam pressure cleaned the cases and bits, rain stopped cleaning so crank will have to wait for dry weather. Was hoping to get away with just shells and main bearings but now its all cleaner i think its a crank grind as well.
Looks like you climbed into this one at the right time. How nice to have almost a sleeper to do. Luvly on the inside and luvly patina on the outside. I would really like one of the very first '58 Bonnies but a '58 6T would do nicely. Enjoy yourself, until you have to give it back.
Are you watching this thread @crispey. About time you followed the expert and started a resto of that 6T (Thunderbird) that’s been sat in your garage for all these years
Question for @darkman. IIRC the original 6T (Thunderbirds) had a SU carb fitted or was I dreaming,,,again I know my 6TC engined Triton in 1967 had an Amal monobloc carb fitted.
Not that i know much about pre units as i specialise in unit motors buy yes early to mid 50's Thunderbirds had SU carbs.
Many moons ago, I bought a Norton Dommie 88 (500cc) which had a reground crank in it. Some time later it holed a piston. I treated it to a pair of shiny new Dunstall 10:1 high comp pistons. The crank broke! Oops!!