New Triumph project, advice wanted.

M

MB

Coast to Coast
I got a chance to pick up a 71' TR6R pretty cheap. It's a project someone doesn't have the time for. I primarily want this bike cause' its the year and model I have been coveting, but also, because I want to learn about British engines. This bike was bought thinking that the engine was good, it wasn't. The seller found this out after putting a bunch of work and cash into other areas of the bike. I really wanna just get it running, and ride it as ugly as it is. I like this bike enough that my plan is to chip away at it over the years once it's running, get it to wherever it goes.
I'm trying to do my research and budget but any tips would be appreciated.
As it stands alot of the annoying stuff I take no interest in is done.

-Tank Stripped
-New wiring harness
-New upgraded clutch
-New cables and controls
-Mikuni 32mm carb
-new tires and tubes and brakes installed
-roller bearings installed
-chain

Problems
-primary case needs replacing
-as does alternator
-one piston is frozen so may need re-bore, most certainly hone, pistons and rings,
-front fork springs are dicey
-should probably replace the rear shocks, they're original
-need a battery

I have not been able to take measurements of any of the top end components, but looking at pricing, it doesn't look too bad even if I junked the lot, which is the WORST case scenario.

I can pick this bike up for around a G. My logic is that sure, I could find one on Craiglist that looks cool for about 2500 and tackle the problems one by one, without really knowing whats going on down there, but this one I know everything thats wrong, and I can build a good solid rider whilst learning what I want to. what are your opinions?
 
Sounds like you have a solid plan.
Id go for it.

BUT realize that an engine rebuild can and probably will be costly. Don't go into it thinking "oh i'll just replace pistons and rings and call it a 200 dollar fix". It almost never works that way. Once you're in there you will find more wrong, have to replace more than you thought.
So take however much you think it will cost to rebuild it, then double that and budget accordingly.

With a cracked case and a stuck piston that thing went through some major trauma. Your best bet may be to just find a new engine?

Sounds like fun though!
 
I had thought of getting another engine. I really wanna learn about this bike though so I think I'm just gonna tackle it. I'll have 2 runners by the time I pick it up so I can take my time
 
Oh I meant just a new starting point on the engine. Buy one that's not trashed and rebuild that one 8)
 
I'm building a unit triumph engine. however cheap you think they are, they get expensive. I need to pick up another camera to document my build. split and cleaned my cases last week. there's a few specialty tools you'll need to get the cam and crank gears off. also, the cam gears are bolted on reverse threaded. everything else is regular. get at me if you have any questions.
 
MB said:
I primarily want this bike cause' its the year and model I have been coveting,
Click to expand...

I never met anyone that coveted a 1971 Triumph 650 before.

Please tell what you find it has over all the other model years Triumph sold a 650cc twin from 1950 onwards......
 
My advice, Find a running engine, get the bike on the road then rebuild your spare. It is freaking hard to do long term projects.
 
NortonGuy said:
I never met anyone that coveted a 1971 Triumph 650 before.

Please tell what you find it has over all the other model years Triumph sold a 650cc twin from 1950 onwards......
Click to expand...

Ignore anything this d-bag says. Hes a troll looking to start shit.

Look forward to seeing what you come up with for the Triumph.
 
I don't have the time or inclination to argue with strangers. I think I'm gonna go the route of finding another engine.
 
Triumph motors are really easy to work on and there's not much to go wrong. I'd split the cases and get the sludge trap cleaned out and know it's all good. Boring for new pistons is standard fare as is crank regrinding. Tappets get ridges in them but they can be dressed out. Sure they need a few oddball looking pullers, but they were still available last time I looked.

So, one day to strip the motor. One to clean things and measure crank etc. a couple of weeks to round up parts and 1 day to build it again.
 
I happen to own a 72 Bonneville and I'm about to get into the engine work. It runs strong but smokes like crazy. It doesn't pay to just do the top end on these things if you don't know the history of past work. I don't so I'm going all the way to the bottom. Out of curiosity I asked one of the most experienced guys around me to price a rebuild. It was about 2500-2700 if everything was still in spec. Needless to say, I'm planning on getting thru this myself...I'm anticipating about 1000 bucks and just as many f-bombs.
 
Strange, NotrunGuy is kinda right. I mean, it had to happen eventualy, odds and all. -That is, about a '71 being a strange bike to covet. Not they're a bad bike, but they do have a few issues.

First, post '70 Triumphs are not as desirable as the classic '60's Triumphs. Specificly '67-69 Bonnies. Which is both good and bad. The good- they're a lot more affordable. The bad- they're not going to fetch as much when you go to sell one.

Second, that was the first year for the new oil in frame design (OIF's) When introduced, people complained about the seat height. In '72 they lowered the seat rails about 2". This isn't that important unless your inseam is short. (If so I'd recomend taller boots.) Really, the only thing it means the later side covers/air boxes won't work on a '71.

Second-Part B. The oily frame design itself. While it is a great handling frame, devoid of the "bracket mania" associated with earlier Triumphs, it has some flaws. Most importantly- the swing arm mount. When the engineers at Triumph copied the Rickman Bros. design they made a few cost saving changes. On the original Rickman oil bearing frames the swing arm pivot mount passed through the center of the large back bone/oil tank. On the OIF Triumph frames they just piggy-backed it to the thin side wall of the backbone. I have personaly seem a few OIF's that have cracked there, ie the swing arm ripping itself away from the frame, tearing a hole in the oil tank. Not saying they are all bound to do this but it is something that all oily frame owners should be aware of. And there is a fix, if you have your bike down to the bare frame you can add some pieces of angle to brace that area. Lika so;
IMG_26021.jpg

IMG_26011.jpg


Again, not sayin' everybody should tear down an otherwise good OIF Triumph. But if you notice an oil leak from behind the engine, don't assume its the sump plate. Clean and carefuly inspect the swing arm pivot for cracks.

Third, the engine. Nothing wrong with the engine. It benifits from nearly 30 years of devolopment. But, since your talking OIFs, I'd prefer the '73 T140. Its a 750 cc with a 5 speed trans. And a front disc brake to boot. So...

About the cost of building/rebuilding. Its gonna cost. Alot. The first money you should spend is on a good manual AND a parts manual. The next money should go towards aset of Whitworth spanners and sockets. In '71 they started to switch from Whitworth bolts/threads to standard. The engine and internals are Whitworth and the frame and front end are standard. Sheesh! So you're already into it for 2 bills and haven't even touched the bike. If most of your stuff, cylinders-head-carbs-and so on, are in good shape you might pull it off for 1-1.5k.

In closing, they are a pretty good bike. And every bit a classic Triumph. So if thats what you have your heart set on then go for it!

Oh and a plug for myself- My old man and I are selling these side covers to replace boxey sidecover/airfilters. They give the OIFs the look of the '60s Triumphs. We vacum formed them from ABS. Durable, gas resistant and wont siperweb like fiberglass. Pm me if you're interested.
101_3063.jpg

101_3051.jpg
 
Strange yes, true yes. I have been chatting with alot of guys about these concerns, owners and enthusiasts of 60s and 70's. A 5 speed 73 makes more sense for me, especially at 5'6...sometimes you fall in love with a particular bike, though, get a good feeling. What are you gonna do?
 
I've always read that my bike was the least sought after of the triumphs. It does have the lower seat and 5 spd option so that's a plus. I'd love to be fortunate enough to own a pre 70's model but I've certainly grown to love my bike and all it's shortcomings. It still gets more nods than the average chromed out store bought cruiser.
 
Yes, I can certainly see how the agument could be made about the '72. The one year only, leaf spring on the index plunger was problematic. But that can be fixed too. The boss for the coil spring plunger is still cast on the case and can be machined to accept the coil spring.

I don't mean to seem like I'm getting down on the oily frame bikes. Infact I love them. Have two myself. I think they are fantastic, for a lot of reasons. I'm just spouting off all the info that I think might be helpful to you at this point.

The heart wants what the heart wants. No need to justify it to anyone.

Another thing, alot of folks will try to convince you that the connical hub drum brake is no good. Horse shit! They're an ok brake when properly adjusted. Thats where a manual is important. They have ecentric adjusters inside the hub which are often over looked. More so, they can be a great brake with a simple modification. If you remove the pivot arms, cut them and add an inch of 1/4x1 flat bar in the middle. It makes for much better leverage and will really throw the anchor out. Heres what I'm talking about;
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