1978 Bonneville T140 Refresh...

Discussion in 'Vintage Classics' started by PennaT140, Apr 4, 2022.

  1. PennaT140

    PennaT140 New Member

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    #1 PennaT140, Apr 4, 2022
    Last edited: Apr 4, 2022
    Acquired this today. This has always been a bucket list bike for me. I am so happy as this is a one owner bike. It has an electronic ignition Boyer MKIII, 9:1 compression with larger heads, and a bunch of parts and manuals. I just want to enjoy riding it this summer, and maybe will restore it down the road. This is a survivor, is there any worth in just leaving it be without any restoration? It won't currently start due to current electrical gremlins that I am working through. I am currently scouring the forum for help. This was at the PO's barn...
    https://www.dropbox.com/s/6lfxlsbe3aql9ja/3D98E1FA-FE84-4B74-A1FE-D598E0A80345.heic?dl=0
    https://www.dropbox.com/s/6lfxlsbe3aql9ja/3D98E1FA-FE84-4B74-A1FE-D598E0A80345.heic?dl=0
    https://www.dropbox.com/s/6lfxlsbe3aql9ja/3D98E1FA-FE84-4B74-A1FE-D598E0A80345.heic?dl=0


    Whisky
     
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  2. darkman

    darkman Crème de la Crème

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    #2 darkman, Apr 4, 2022
    Nice find :)
     
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  3. Iron

    Iron Elite Member

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    #3 Iron, Apr 4, 2022
    Can't see any pictures but it's a Mighty T140!!!! Of course it's gonna be brill.

    There's worth in leaving it be and not restoring if it's how you like it. The worth is with you. Love it, ride it, fix it if it needs it.
    Whatever you do, do not give it a name and none of them are female. Every T140 was born a male. Even if some of them are poncyfied and mince about. That can always be rectified.
    Need any info, just ask us, we're all experts here o_O
    Laters.......:cool:
     
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  4. PennaT140

    PennaT140 New Member

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    #4 PennaT140, Apr 4, 2022
    Thanks!
     
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  5. PennaT140

    PennaT140 New Member

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    #5 PennaT140, Apr 4, 2022
    How do I post pics?
     
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  6. Iron

    Iron Elite Member

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    #6 Iron, Apr 4, 2022
    Click the "upload a file" tab below the box you type in when replying. The site will only allow a certain size picture so you will probably need to resize before uploading.
     
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  7. PennaT140

    PennaT140 New Member

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    #7 PennaT140, Apr 4, 2022
    Thanks... can u see my links?
     
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  8. Iron

    Iron Elite Member

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    #8 Iron, Apr 4, 2022
    Last edited: Apr 4, 2022
    Oh yes, working now, cheers :) your workshop could do with a bit of a tidy up. At least give it a sweep :p
     
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  9. PennaT140

    PennaT140 New Member

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    #9 PennaT140, Apr 4, 2022
    Thanks... can u see my links?
    That's the old-timers barn...
     
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  10. joe mc donald

    joe mc donald Joe
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    #10 joe mc donald, Apr 5, 2022
    PennaT140
    Welcome to the family. Great find there. It will clean up really nice and you can ride it and decide what to do while enjoying a great bike.
    Joe.
     
  11. PennaT140

    PennaT140 New Member

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    #11 PennaT140, Apr 6, 2022
    Thanks Joe!
    I sure hope so. :yum
    Whisky
     
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  12. joe mc donald

    joe mc donald Joe
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    #12 joe mc donald, Apr 6, 2022
    PennaT140
    Crack that engine up see what it does to your ears and mind. The great bit is it seems to have the original cans on there and not been messed around with. So i think you have a little peach there.
    Joe
     
  13. Iron

    Iron Elite Member

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    #13 Iron, Apr 6, 2022
    Last edited: Apr 6, 2022
    Whisky, what's the engine number?
    Looks to have had a fair bit of work done. Push over and bolted headers, in what looks to be, an early head with what may be MkII carbs (I can't quite see them). There's also something extra screwed on the left handlebar. Footrests etc point to an early '78 but there were never any knee pads or tank racks so maybe this one has some speedy history.
    What's that say painted/stuck on the tank?
    Look's like the 'old timers' workshop was used to engine work. Given the books and old cranks hanging around.
    Get those photos done my man, we like a mystery....
     
  14. PennaT140

    PennaT140 New Member

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    #14 PennaT140, Apr 7, 2022
    Last edited: Apr 7, 2022
    Iron,
    This guy and his brothers were legends around these parts. They all raced/rode across Europe and Americas. It definitely has had a lot of stuff done to it. I didn't even know he rode until I saw it tucked away in the corner of ONE of his barns. He's 83 and he looks 53! He kicks over this bike like an 18 yo. I only knew him from the Hotrod world. I had purchased a couple flatheads and go fast parts from him and we struck it off immediately. He also raced a drag car 34' Ford Model B with a 800hp Cadillac Hemi. It was nicknamed the Grim-reaper. He also has a few Deuce Coupes and a replica of the Bonnie and Clyde car a 1934 Ford Model 730 Deluxe Sedan, but with a blown Flathead. His brother has a ton of bikes stored away in a giant barn. He apparently has the matching bike to this one they used to ride. Again, he gave me all and any motorcycle parts as he treats me like his son. I'm going to pick it all up this weekend. I saw all kinds of ish that I didn't even know what it was, but it was Triumph, and it's now mine. :blush:
    Whisky
    https://www.dropbox.com/s/1tder3z917q8i9z/59BF6A9D-C7D3-440B-90E6-2F1F16C40B65.heic?dl=0
     
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  15. Iron

    Iron Elite Member

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    #15 Iron, Apr 7, 2022
    Oh wow!
    I love it, a flat head with moon discs and a Haynes manual for a Triumph on top. Tell him the '34 Ford Bonnie and Clyde's hasn't got enough bullet holes in it. Fell on your feet there you lucky fucker.
    Ask him if he needs a relative in England :)
     
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  16. PennaT140

    PennaT140 New Member

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    #16 PennaT140, Apr 11, 2022
    Picked it up today
    Picked up yesterday...
    https://www.dropbox.com/s/9llv585xv11gzsw/88BF0CFB-2CB3-4D60-8A1E-7A9A1301994B.heic?dl=0
    https://www.dropbox.com/s/quk6a2u2rum1cwa/444D2075-717C-4B7C-AD05-91A81B521A87.heic?dl=0https://www.dropbox.com/s/dbsx2vy25u5nfzq/758F0018-289D-41D5-ADC0-0FFB34D65940.heic?dl=0

    ED145504-16B7-439A-B526-6488056C18D6.jpeg

    F5105ECC-4C12-4DC4-86D7-78913CA500E9.jpeg

    C6461364-26FC-4F63-91AC-0AA818A76538.jpeg

    738D1977-2144-4133-82E6-F05B6A707CF9.jpeg

    BA49ECE4-BADB-45C2-B161-C111A91FF81D.jpeg
     
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  17. Iron

    Iron Elite Member

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    #17 Iron, Apr 11, 2022
    Last edited: Apr 11, 2022
    Looks to be a June 1978 manufacture. But with a worked on splayed V cylinder head.
    And they never came with those Mikuni carbs either. I assume that sticker says "Not for aircraft" on the float bowl.
    So, don't go putting those carbs on your P51 Mustang. Just the job for a T140 to replace the fiddly Amal Mk2s though.
    A few nice spares as well, T140 and T120 tanks and a pair of chrome mudguards.

    That'll keep you busy for a while. Great buy. Doesn't really matter about the money :) Enjoy and keep us updated....over....
     
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