1973 Triumph Bonneville

T140VCN69106

Clear

1973 (titled) Triumph Bonneville 750 T140. I bought this in 1993 as a basket case. This is not the original engine, I believe the engine is 1978 but I could be mistaken. The serial number of the engine is: T140E EX08578 – I think the X means 1978. I have been riding British Iron all of my life, so the first thing I did was to put the shifter back on the right side where it belongs. I no longer have the parts to put the shifter on the left side. The transmission is really screwed up – you will miss a lot of shifts until you get used to it. This started happening around four years ago. I have had the transmission apart twice and cannot find anything that looks particularly worn out. I do not know what is wrong. I purchased another shifting quadrant from eBay but have not installed it. I will include this with the bike. I just don't know if it will help. The seat is ripped and the seat latch is missing – the hinge if fine. The gas tank could use a new paint job. I think the timing advance unit is bad. If I retard the timing, it starts easily but runs a little roughly. If I advance the timing, it is harder to start but runs smoothly. The battery is several years old and is not in the best of shape but holds a charge for a few weeks. Not a problem if you ride it regularly. The air filters are non stock – sock type. The side cover plates have “bubbles” in them – it looks as if something caustic got on them. They are from a Bonneville special – not the right ones for this bike. The kick start rubber is missing.This bike had no mufflers when I purchased it – those are not original but they are the correct period and were brand new when I purchased them in 2000. The headlight/turn signal control is not original and should be replaced with something that does not interfere with the clutch. The odometer indicates 9112 miles, which is highly unlikely. I doubt it is the original odometer. This bike has all of the usual problems for a Triumph of its age. It leaks oil – all Meridan Triumphs leak oil. The head is worn out where the exhaust pipes fits in – I have wrapped the exhaust pipes in sheet metal where they fit into the head to take up the gap. The forks are worn out and will leak oil even with new fork seals. The frame cracked near the sump – it has been welded and shows no signs of leaks or re-cracking. Most of the chrome, other than the mufflers, is pitted. There are no gears in the tachometer drive – it is filled with silicon to keep the oil from pushing out. I am being as honest as I can be, I don't think I have forgotten anything. Please ask questions; I will respond as quickly as I can. I will not back down on the reserve and will simply ignore requests to do so. I have two other Triumphs – for less than $500.00, I will keep this for spare parts or part it out. It has taken me a while but I have finally learned my lesson - I will cancel the bid of anyone with less than ten feedbacks. This bike is pick up only in central Pennsylvania. Contact me if you would like a showing. The registration and inspection has run out, so if you what to ride it, you will do so at your own risk. You can have fun riding, missing shifts, and breaking the law all at once. On Jul-07-10 at 05:31:38 PDT, seller added the following information:Added 7-July-2010 - Folks, I have made a mistake. I stated that I bought another shifting quadrant from eBay. That is incorrect - I do NOT have another shifting quadrant. I bought a new shifting CAM PLATE from eBay which will be included with the bike. I am sorry for the error.