Electricity. Hellectricity! In researching the further renovation of the wiring on the Bonnie. The current Lucas switchgear, of original provenance, may be the source of power loss. Old connections as well as uninsured switches. The later models actually used a single switch for indicators, dip and horn. Here it is and is available as a new item. Slowly but surely we’ll get there…
Come back NikolaTesla all is forgiven! More electron flowing misadventures on the bike… After picking it up from its temporary stash location in Glencoe (again many thanks to Dean Rennie and his Ford Ranger) and bringing it back to Chicago for vitals diagnosis; Well after three hours of twiddling with connectors and wiring still no even power. I had the indicators and headlight flashing as if trying to land a Wellington bomber! The battery is being sucked to 3 volts by some bottomless short-circuit where the electron flow is spitballing to a whirlpool of blackness ( ha Lucas the Lord of Darkness strikes!)
Deconstructed Triumph: yes you can take it apart to see how it works but can you then put it all back together? Here’s a chap with a taste for simian and a future of blood, sweat and gears tears. It reminds me of a classic image of the extremely clever french visual comic actor Jacques Tati.
L’Ecole des facteurs. Mais la bicyclette est dans les morceaux…
Stroboscopic Disco Inferno time! A smidgen adjustment had to be achieved on the Boyer pick-up points. With the aid of a strobing time gun, with it’s pick-up lead attached to cylinder #1’s plug lead and the engine revved to 3000 rpm, the timing mark on the rotor could then be lined up with the timing pin at 6 o’clock in the inspection opening. Twiddle pick-ups a wee bit and Bob’s yer uncle! She then revved up like a good un when the throttle was twisted with attitude. Just need to take ‘er out on the road to see what the pick-up is like and power as the speed increases…
…and hoof it down! On a hot day you need to dress appropriately; here Steve is checking out his racing desert sled, prior to or after one of the California Sunday events. A speed worn patina enlivens this moto perfectly.
A successful installation of a ‘new’ timing cover to the old gal today. Well ‘new’ from Ebay anyroads! A fairly straight forward job as I had ensured the electronic points were replaced in exact realignment so no timing had to be done. She kicked over first hoof of the kick-start lever. Now what do I do with the old cover? Well some folks place a suitably sized clock in it and hang ‘er up to count the misspent hours fettlin’ the bike in the ‘mancave’. Back to Ebay….
Checking out the condition of his spark plug (la bougie), Our french friend Jack smiles mid ride of a damp and muddy yomp through some wintery copse (bois). From the looks of the leathers, boots and hairstyle this looks like early seventies. (The high front mudguard of the trailly behind him gives it away too!)
The beat of a Triumph’s heart. Whilst taking off the timing cover I get to see the timing gear and oil pump. Mechanical Artistry.
Here we are on the shortest darkest day of the year… it’ll only brighten up from here. However we still have the chill of winter to plough through! My project to tame the “Lord of Darkness” namely the Lucas electrics of the Triumph will get underway in January; in the meanwhile I’ll keep rolling along with this blog to maintain my two-wheeled needs.
Our Man McQueen fettling his Triumph TR6 prior to taking part in the 1964 International Six Day Trials ISDT. A true test of rider and his machine.
Rider 278 working on his TR6
Much more solid looking, nearly Guzzi-like even; the longer 70’s frame’s line need this tank to give it a visual balance.
Well, I thought I’d get out for a spin with this beautiful autumn weather. Leaf colour, blue skies, a slight chill in the air.
…until the old gal started hicking; I turned for home but only made it halfway through Highland Park… … Engine dead; a sort wait for a kind fella cycling with his sons, he went home to drive back with his Prius, we tried to jump the bike with his big motor battery; no luck. However Dean called back from a message I left, he’d be up in his Ford Ranger.
In the meantime I pushed the bike down to Bob’s Pantry so I could sit and wait. Just as the sun was setting over the Braeside Metra station Dean arrives and we tote the bike back to Evanston. Well that puts paid to this years riding; a strip down of the electrical sysem is in order, a new harness and hopefull all good to go for Spring 2012!
I spent the better part of this morning into the afternoon installing an in-line screw on oil filter. It entailed draining the frame ‘tank’ then checking the mesh filter and assembling the C-Clamp attached bracket into a very small space under the rear swing-arm. Reconnecting oil lines became problematic with different sized hoses: 5/16″ ID into 1/4″ ID adapters anyone?
All this was carried out in the storage garage under the office, warm, steamy, filthy floor. I was a true wet, oily, mucky mess! Nothing a good shower, swim then shower at the Y couldn’t amend! Well it’s on now so I can keep the oil clean for the engine!
This chap has certainly got a Tiger by the tail; it’s a late 70’s LH shift single carb 750cc Triumph Tiger. That crazed look is familiar!
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