I’ve been thinking of buying a more ‘classic’ type of bike, yet not something that requires too much maintenance and that would involve going back to a right-foot gear change.
T140’s appeal, but I know that there are mixed opinions on them, and that they can vary a lot. There’s no model that quite ‘ticks all the boxes’ for me, but a T140E (not the electric start ES) is appealing: Left hand gear change, fork gaiters, spoked wheels, MKII Amal carburettors (i.e. no dribbling petrol from a tickler), electronic ignition, indicators, decent tank size. Not so valuable that I’d be frightened to take it out.
I used to own a TR6 Tiger (650, single carb, Oil In Frame) and have mixed memories of it.
Any advice or insights on T140Es? I’ve heard that the MKII concentric carbs need to be carefully set up, but once this has been done are they reasonably reliable? Apparently the rear brake master cylinders are known to not last too well. There are stories about some OIF frames cracking around the swing-arm/frame base/bottom of the oil tank area. Is there much truth in this?
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Not a big fan of the 750's. I am a little biased but a GOOD single carb 650 pre-O.I.F takes some beating. I've got a 1968 Bonnie which i've had for 25yrs, have'nt used it for years properly since i rebuilt it. It can keep up with modern traffic and only starts to vibrate above 80mph. I fitted a brand new set of concentrics a while back and it cured all the issues i'd been trying to solve for ages. But like you said they are fetching silly money even for a" shed".
Don't buy an early Oil in Frame model. Badly made and ugly as hell. If you must have a 750 go for a later model. Pre OIF 650s go for big big money. You might try a BSA. Much cheaper and pre unit ones are nice.
Unfortunately this bit kind of buggers that idea up
Paul RiSsoles: I’ve been thinking of buying a more ‘classic’ type of bike, yet not something that requires too much maintenance and that would involve going back to a right-foot gear change.
Paul RiSsoles: I’ve been thinking of buying a more ‘classic’ type of bike, yet not something that requires too much maintenance and that would involve going back to a right-foot gear change.
T140’s appeal, but I know that there are mixed opinions on them, and that they can vary a lot. There’s no model that quite ‘ticks all the boxes’ for me, but a T140E (not the electric start ES) is appealing: Left hand gear change, fork gaiters, spoked wheels, MKII Amal carburettors (i.e. no dribbling petrol from a tickler), electronic ignition, indicators, decent tank size. Not so valuable that I’d be frightened to take it out.
I used to own a TR6 Tiger (650, single carb, Oil In Frame) and have mixed memories of it.
Any advice or insights on T140Es? I’ve heard that the MKII concentric carbs need to be carefully set up, but once this has been done are they reasonably reliable? Apparently the rear brake master cylinders are known to not last too well. There are stories about some OIF frames cracking around the swing-arm/frame base/bottom of the oil tank area. Is there much truth in this?
I'd heard there were a few breakages of the frame around the spine due to sidecar use but never seen it in solo use. The T140w that I've got with a mate has had an expensive looking "Dresda" modification on it where the swing arm has been seperated from the spine with extra bracing looped between it and the rear frame and also it now has taper roller bearings instead of the bushes.
Paul. "Cracking around the swinging arm area" My '76 Bonneville has cracked in that area. I welded the crack,hopefully now o.k,I hope. Bonnevilles in side car use ? rather rare,I would suggest. Doug.
The 650 OIF Tiger that I owned before had a broken frame due to a sidecar, but on the left hand downtube/frame loop where the frame bends to run beneath the engine. I didn't notice the break(s) when I swapped it for a CB750. I was only young.
Luckily I knew someone with a spare brand new frame, swapped all the parts over and sold the Squire sidecar separately. I only rode it home as a combination and hated it.
I've stll got the 650 frame in the garage. I'm a bit of a hoarder and have some vague idea about getting the frame repaired. I might take some photos of the break and post them.
I've had 4 T140's in the last few years. Two were cracked at the bottom of the OIF tube where it is brazed onto the swing arm. I managed to weld both with the engine in situ but had to remove the swing arm. It's a common problem. Take the bike for a test ride and then rest it on the side stand and it will drip oil quite quickly. When cold and on the mainstand neither dripped oil.
You can fit a single carb but to be honest twin carbs are very simple to set up. Don't put electronic ignition on. When the battery is flat (as they normaly are as they are used so infrequently) the kick start struggles to give enough power to run the coils and ignition and can be a bitch to start. Swapped back to points and it will start 2nd kick. You rarely need to adjust the points as they do such little mileage.
Apart from the cracked oil tube none of mine leaked any oil. A good gasket sealant (yamseal is the best) stops all the leaks. Great all round bikes, disc brakes, left foot gear change and they only go up in value. You can't go wrong.
I bought a lovely bsa 650, loved it to bits but just couldn't adjust to the brake and gear lever being the wrong way round. Had to sell it before it killed me.
Tigeralorange: Out of interest Paul why don't you fancy a right-hand gear-change again?
Jaguartv: just couldn't adjust to the brake and gear lever being the wrong way round. Had to sell it before it killed me.
I used to ride RH change bikes, and my '71 T100C is being put back together at the moment. I think I would be fine all the time that I was thinking about changing gear and using the back brake, but I'm concerned that when it comes to acting instinctively (e.g. in an emergency) I might go for the wrong one on a particular bike. I guess that I would probably be OK.
I do drive RHD and LHD drive cars with different arrangements of indicator and wiper control and get by OK. I just thought it might be a bit riskier on a bike.
Know what you mean, I drive an auto (well VW DSG - but similar) and my wife and son have manuals which I drive regularly.
The manuals are no problem given that's what I've driven for much of my life but there has been the odd occasion when I've nearly tried to put it into gear without the clutch but just remembered in time!
At least with bikes the clutch and front brake, which are the most important are the same whichever side the gear-change is on!
My mate, as well as having bikes wth left and right gear changes has an early Douglas with a hand change!
I rode one as well once and just had to take it very steadily.
I have a T140E and its lovley. Its my daily ride and has few probllems. It also does 55 mpg. The single carb Tiger 750 would prob be a better bet as you dont have the 2 carbs to set up. Buy one!
Yeah it does. Missed that! 
