Stripping Down My Barn Find Triumph T140 Bonneville to Remove Cylinder Head | 02

[@johnsteer6848]

My t140 head was seized on the 2 centre studs, they were corroded to the metal sleeves. I removed the head & barrels with the engine in situ, i made up a wooden block the same size as the bore & hammered the head off through the barrels, loads of wd 40 & heat, it took 2 days, but no broken fins or damage.

[@SPANNERRASH]

Thanks. Sounds like a great idea. I was thinking about something like that, along with a good dose of heat. I just haven't found the time to get to it yet. Maybe for the next video! :)

[@UgenetheFlagman]

Just started rebuilding my 78 t140 v after it has been sitting in the shed since 13- 3- 20013 . . here i go "again"! ... enjoy watching your vids .. new subsciber ... thanks for the motivation .. Cheers

[@SPANNERRASH]

It's great to start a new project, I love it, perhaps a little too much! :) I really want to get this bike done so that I can ride it next Spring. So I am going to have to pull my finger out,. Hope you enjoy the rider ;)

[@davidallen3050]

This is what my mates were riding in the 70,s When I turned up on my CB 750 , Sth Africa .Sometimes I think they're still there tinkering away ,😂

[@SPANNERRASH]

Very likely, once a tinkerer always a tinkerer!

[@jimcockburn4652]

What alot of restorers don't think about with a long standing engine is the piston ring tension and cylinder damage from where the rings were sitting which can't be seen it both pistons were positioned in the lower bore.

[@SPANNERRASH]

I have come across a lot of locked engines in the past, where the pistons are seized in the bore. This is my first one with the head stuck on. Always something new to keep you interested.

[@philiphorner31]

my 10 bolt Tiger head was warped from cross cylinder leak. Used lots of door shims and thousands of tap tap tap to get it free.

[@SPANNERRASH]

Thanks. Door shims, I never thought of that, might give it a go. I have kept cycling it with heat and penetrating oil, but with no change. I have the engine out now, so next with this I am going to remove it complete with barrels from the crankcase, we'll see how we go on from there.

[@Triumph-Tiger-90-Com]

JN is an early Meriden Co-Op bike, I have JN 62851. A mix of threads and parts as the factory had just begun series production and were starved of cash and parts. John Rosamonds Book, Save the Triumph Bonneville is worth a read.

[@SPANNERRASH]

They were difficult times. There was pretty much only hand to mouth production, they really did well considering. The mix of fasteners and threads can lead to a few head scratching moments. I will try to get that book, I haven't come across it before.

[@Triumph-Tiger-90-Com]

Your care and attention with correct tools is a refreshing change from the usual butchery on you tube. I always apply heat or cold shock to seperate fasteners. A trick for stuck heads is to fill the chambers with oil or melted grease !

[@chrisbaucom4832]

I was taught yo back off the tappet adjusters begore loosening the rocker box studs to reduce to pressure and help to retain the stud threads.

[@SPANNERRASH]

Thanks for the tip. I realised when I watched the video back that that would be why the manual says to take the tappet covers off. Maybe next time :)

[@chrisbaucom4832]

you can use the two bolts locked together method to remove the studs witch is some cases will aid you in getting the head off.

[@SPANNERRASH]

I have had a brief go with the two nut method on one of the outer studs, it wasn't for moving. When I get back to looking at this I will have to be a little more assertive with it :)

[@andreokazaki14]

I Spanner Rash. I've had similar issues getting cylinder off that are stuck. First I will put some penetrating oil down the studs. The next day, I will try the double mallet method. I don't ever take a swing at cooling fins with a rubber or plastic tipped mallet. I set my big rubber mallet against the fins and use a second mallet to strike the other. I find that this allows you to hit exactly where you want to, while reduce the chances of braking fins. If that fails, I will heat the part that is seized and then go back to the double mallet technique. By this point my language has become quite colourful.

[@SPANNERRASH]

I'm a couple of weeks into that regime! Penetrating oil every couple of days, heating around the studs, big hammer against block of wood to protect head. Lots of colourful language. Still no joy!

[@STEPHENBLACKWELL-s5x]

Double nut the through bolts and take barrel studs out in situ any you remove will give you some play

[@SPANNERRASH]

It's on the list. But I am concerned that it is the studs that are corroded into the passage ways through the head and will cause damage coming out. I probably don't have a choice though.

[@adeypop1]

Cracking series - keep it up pls

[@SPANNERRASH]

I'll do my best, but we will intersperse it with our car and other bike videos, why not watch them as well?

[@paulsire]

A pity but it was going so well, right up to the end

[@SPANNERRASH]

These things are sent to try us! It did seem to be going too well. The last Triumph twin I strpped completely down had seized pistons which had to be taken out with sledge hammers! Hopefully it won't come to that.

[@ianhorabin9763]

Looking like a good motor so far,think you dropped on a good Bonny there..Ian.

[@SPANNERRASH]

Cheers Ian. It will be interesting when I get deeper into it. I have been really surprised at how easy the fasteners have come apart so far. The head being so stuck was a bit of a surprise. I have heard that the composite head gaskets that have been used on these engine can cause this, hopefully it will be solved soon.

[@ianhorabin9763]

@@SPANNERRASH yeah always better using copper ones..

[@damiantuttle1348]

Im up against exactly the same problem...its corrosion on those 2 5/16" centre studs ... i managed to remove all the other studs but those 2 centre ones are absolutely solid , not that easy to work on due to the close proximity to the rocker box faces. I have removed the whole assembly completely, no easy task as my engine was seized from standing, next step will be my expert machinist/engineer he will machine out both studs enough to loosen their grip on the narrow bores in which they are seized, a right Faff but discretion is the better part of valour . Be interested to see how you proceed 😮

[@SPANNERRASH]

You seem to be doing much better than me. Have you tried putting the head and barrel in an oven for a while? Heat it to 250c or so for an hour, then let it cool. Maybe cycle it a few times. This is what I am thinking of trying. I hope it doesn't come to machining the studs out. Let me know how you go on. Good luck.

[@damiantuttle1348]

Yes it was relatively straightforward...get the head and barrel set up on some parallels on the bridgeport, centre up on the middle 5/16" studs , that's holding it , and drill out gradually working up in size and they collapsed pretty easily releasing its grip on the head and off it came . You don't need to go sawing and hammering anything!! Remember... patience and adopting a considered and professional approach always pays off.....and a mate who is a brilliant machinest 😂

[@raymondsanderson3768]

Did you forget the stud between the cylinders?

[@SPANNERRASH]

I would love it if there was a missing stud/nut I'd missed. But I think you mean the two in the middle on the 750. Let me know if you mean something else!

[@RogerClay-g6w]

Seen this one. Saw a mate turning the air blue trying to get the head off.

[@jeffletalien2548]

Just was wondering what brand of lift you have as you have encourage me to rebuild my 1978 t 140 triumph blue & silver...I bought bran new in 1978, it`s been sitting in my shed for over 30 years...at my age I feel a lift would be worth the money! Thanx from Massachusetts U.S.A.

[@SPANNERRASH]

Great to hear, I'm sure you will be thrilled when you bring it back to life. My lift didn't have any branding on it when I got it, but here is a link to the same type from a known brand ebay.us/79pv0E It doesn't half make it a lot easier to work on a bike, really saves your back. Good luck.

[@nounoufriend1442]

@SPANNERRASH If anyone's interested " martyns bargains sand blasters" sells the exact same lift (without Sealey branding ) for £349.99 inc VAT and a larger lift for £449.99 , got my lift from this guy £300 as packaging damaged

[@p--n]

Will the barrels not lift off without removing the engine?

[@SPANNERRASH]

Probably, but I am going to remove the engine anyway to sort out the frame.

[@philw4053]

How about hitting the aluminium around the areas where the studs come out with a blow torch - then a squirt of duck oil. Repeat a couple of times then try your long lever again (gently) ?

[@peterhoward1281]

Great video but what happened to the CB750?

[@SPANNERRASH]

Like me it is waiting for the rain to stop, on a day that I am not already committed to something else. I am sure this is the wettest start to a year I can remember. I am sure you will see it soon, I really do want to get it painted.

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

750 oif Bonnievilles were known for problems and vibration from the double down tube frame as well as the twin carbs as opposed to a single carb. British motorcycles of the 1970's were known for having mechanical issues. Such a sad end to a once proud industry.😢

[@SPANNERRASH]

It's probably why they are loved so much. Every one has a different character, if you don't mind problem solving. I'm hoping to build this one to be reliable, if it isn't when I've done then it will be down to me. But riding one of these and a Honda back to back you can see why the British industry fell off a cliff.

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

@@SPANNERRASH there is a difference between unreliability,poor quality and character. I have had my Triumph TR-6 with a hard tail and magneto for 40 years. She is reliable and dependable transportation and has plenty of character. I have had my Sportster for 25 years and has plenty of character while being reliable and dependable transportation as well.

[@richardbartlett6932]

Labour of love and a money pit right there but TBF as my dad always said "you can't put a price on a hobby" . .. My work colleague bought one new back in '79, great bike but very unreliable.. Good luck

[@SPANNERRASH]

I do love working on old bikes. Some costs you can't avoid, but I don't intend to spend a fortune. I remember these from first time around too, everything seemed less reliable back then :)

[@richardbartlett6932]

@@SPANNERRASH Sadly you won't be given the option of spending or not. Anything mechanical is mad expensive these days. Engine work is eye wateringly crazy dear, as are the numerous silly small items you'll inevitably end up replacing .. Personally I wouldn't touch anything like this with a barge pole knowing I'd be hemorrhaging money at every turn of the spanner. Once finished it will be endless fettling as it tries to shake itself to bits. :-) Unless of course was the bike of my dreams or worth it. This isn't neither or either for me personally in any way shape or form. It looks a well beaten dog to me tbf, and I've bought too many of these in the past to revisit those times again. But if it's yours then more power to you and I'm sure it'll be worth every penny and hour spent on it. :-)

[@johnos23]

Can you not heat the head. With a cast barrel this would probably work…..

[@SPANNERRASH]

If I don't have any joy this sounds like a good idea. See if I can cook it for a bit to break the seal.

[@mrofnocnon]

Why have I personally never found anything remotely like this in any barn?

[@SPANNERRASH]

Ha, nobody let's you look in barns these days. Unless it is an estate sale. We all want to keep looking though

[@podthesod]

Had a Meridian kick start Bonnie for 15 years … absolutely fun lively ride … but bloody hate the crap engineering design.

[@SPANNERRASH]

Yes, it is all a bit rudimentary. Maybe that is what give them a personality and a bit of soul :)

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

750 Triumph Bonnievilles with the double down tube frame were known for vibration not only because of the twin carbs instead of the single carb versions. 1970's British motorcycles were known for problems left ,right and center. Such a sad ending to a once great industry😢.