Featured 1976 One For 2022

I'd like to get TT pipes onto this but there's a couple of issues with those. T140V bikes have push-in exhausts of 1 3/8 inch (35mm) diameter. They have a balancing pipe that connects the two exhausts together which also keeps the pipes in the head. I've never really had much problems with these but they are known to rattle around causing the head to wear and allow the pipes to blow.

T120 pipes are 1 1/2 inch (38mm) diameter and push over a spigot that is screwed into the head. Here are the spigots:



IMO the larger diameter pipes look better, give a deeper sound and are readily available in lots of styles. However, the T120 engines were 'taller' than the later T140 engines. Even though the larger "750" engine has bigger pistons it has 1/2 inch shorter conrods, pushrods etc.
So the pipes vary in the bends and the length but only slightly and the differences are hard to spot.
T140 TT zorsts come in at about £250 and T120 TT's are about £150. So cheaper as well as nicer.

However, for the 1 1/2 inch pipes to fit you either have to get the head machined to fit the above spigots or you can fit these spigots:



The T120 spigots are about 15 squids while the push in ones are about 50 squids. Take your pick, ok I will....

 

I really want to try the T120 pipes and have to whack the engine in with some TTs on, so I can check all is ok, before I strip everything down to clean, sand, paint, powder coat etc. before the rebuild, electrics and the like.
So, I'm gonna go for some T120 TTs and will try the push in spigots. I figure I'll be able to get them out again if need be.



However, I'm sure they are made as well as they can be given the variation across all these engines. But they are a gnats todger tight just to hammer in. They are also a bit long. The recess in the head measures just under 30mm while these spigots are 31mm to the lip.



So I took a couple of thou off of the diameter and took a couple of mm off the length. I don't have a lathe so I used my skills with ye olde long strips of wet and dry and a sander for the length. And a hand file.





Operator error again I'm afraid on picture uploads, soz

 

Thanks for that. Yes I was gonna sulk, throw it all in the rubbish, pack it in and go shoot some aliens on the computer. A star she is, a complete star. I now have a way forward on other builds as well.

 

Now the slightly less tight size has been achieved I applied some High Temp RTV silicon



around the spigots



and bashed 'em in wiv me weenie toffee hammer



And job looks to be good. Now just gotta wait for pension pay day and I'll order some T120 TT zorsts. Thankyou and over....

 

Yes, I was figuring I'd have to make up some fixings for the pipes around the centre stand lugs which is why I didn't cut them off. I'd also like to see if I can keep the centre stand operational. Again, why I want to do this before the tear down and paint etc.
I'd like to get into TIG welding so I can do stainless in the future so I can make up my own pipes. I'd like the TTs to kick out on each side like sidewinders but that's a few builds away I think

 

Engine in today. I've tried every which way and this is the easiest if you are putting in a full engine by yourself. I know on T120s the rockers need to come off but not on T140s the whole thing fits in as is but take the engine top steady off and remove the left side footrest and engine plate.



I lift it from the bike lift while straddling the bike into the left side holding onto the head. Note I've put the main stand temporarily back in



Then move it to centre and get the front engine bolt and spacers in. The thin one on the left. Then lever the engine up with a big screwdriver and push the bottom engine bolt through also threading on the spacers as you go. Sometimes it's a bit of a fiddle getting the wider spacer in but this one slipped in first time. Put the engine plate back on along with the left footrest.



Or I could have just asked Randy to help:

 

The seat was wobbling a bit so I needed to cut a bit more from the seat frame over the shock mounts. But I also made and welded on a couple of tabs to drill and bolt. Guess what shape the tabs were



Awaiting zorsts but farting around with the frame, cutting the tabs and welding everything up took me all day.......over

 

Pfffffft 2 strokes, no chance. Nope sorry......

Oops major edit: Got that wrong, it's a new fangled thingy that starts at £49000 and not for road use. If I had one it'd already be sold to finance more T140s (blimey I'd need a bigger garage )

 

Went to visit the market but did a couple of fiddly bits today



And, and, there's only a day left



Here it is from one side



And the other



And the bottom



And I got it out. And, my pedigree chums, it still works. Ha, that's pretty good.

 

Alas, no puppies.....sorry

 

Errr....nope sorry

 

Ah, go on go on go on go on go on go on and then fall out of a window
aaaaaaaargh.......no