What Lies Beneath...

So I've owned a few jap bikes, thought I'd try a Triumph 'cos I keep hearing how good they are... and I fancy a bit of tinkering. Found this pretty Legend on autotrader... test rode it because I've never ridden a cruiser before, and I really enjoyed it... nice engine and easy handling.... so I brought it home.

 

So I was feeling all Fonzy like "Aaaayyyyy, got me a new bike!" And started wonder what to do with it? So I took the seat off to ponder on making a fast change single seat with luggage rails / normal dual seat jobby...

 

First thing I noticed was that the bolt holding the left hand was real slack and a centralising washer was missing... then I noticed the left side panel was only on one stay peg??? Closer inspection revealed the second airbox was broken at the peg and the bottom screw slot... so I contacted World of Triumph and ordered a new box, along with a centre stand, 'cos I hate tensioning chains with only a kick stand.

 

Not massively impressed with some shoddy workmanship, I put it back together, gave it a wash and took my daughter a ride... when we got back, I noticed the touring screen front bolt and plate had come off on the ride (anyone got a spare? It's off a Givi screen)... so I ordered a smaller screen, as I liked the look anyway... I enjoyed a couple of days as a parachute, but was quite glad when then screen came... it did look nice without it though!

 

But hey... the kit arrived at the same time as the air box... and my old Suzuki got taken away to it new home in Ireland, so I had room in me garage to start some fettling.
First, the exhausts need to come off for the centre stand to be fitted... of course 5 of the 6 nuts come off the exhaust bolts... one is corroded, so brings the stud with it!

 

I secured it up on a jack... followed all the fitting instructions... few scraped knuckles and a ton of arsing about later (RTFMS) and I've got a new centre stand fitted! The problem is that the spring interferes with the new pivot bolt, dammit! So out with the bastard (file) and rounded off the bolt end so the spring slides over rather than hangs up!

 

Now to look at some of the knackerd stuff whilst the pipes are off... first, a look at the left hand seat retaining bolt. It'd been stripped, so wouldn't hold... drilled up and tapped to m8... will probably do the same to both and make up some extended handle bolts similar to the ones on eBay, but that's a job for another day.
I then address the botched airbox... all side panels of this time, and to my disgust, the spanner wielding gorilla hasn't just f##ked the secondary air box, but the primary air filter box too... on both sides, the molded in brass screwthread have been overtightened, fracturing the plastic molding!!! I haven't ordered one of them, so employed a little build up to strengthen the thread holders and I'll swap it out when I have to change the air filter.

 

Finally for the day, I look at the secondary airbox... it's fubar, and all the drain tubes are all over the shop.
Anyway, I tided up the drain tube routing, the fuel tank vent tube would just have dripped onto the back of the engine, so I've extended that to join the other breather tubes. I'm wondering about whether or not the carb vent tubes should have filters on too?

 

I've come to the conclusion that I need a service manual for this, not seeing any alternative, I think I'm gonna have to spud out for a shop one... no ones got one for sale have they?

 

You're doing a good job there mate
If you had some sort of scissor lift/table type thingy I bet that would be a big help
It's still here if you want it mate if not I'll be wheeling it out for the scrap man to take away!
Would rather it went to someone who could make use of it

 

View attachment 17338 You're doing a good job there mate
If you had some sort of scissor lift/table type thingy I bet that would be a big help
It's still here if you want it mate if not I'll be wheeling it out for the scrap man to take away!
Would rather it went to someone who could make use of it

Yeah mate I thought it would be snapped up especially in here what with so many forum members doing maintenance and restorations etc
It's FREE!!!
Just want it out of the back garden
Can't be arsed with fleabay and all that so if nobody on here wants it ,it's going to the big scrap yard in the sky
It's FREE!!!.....FREE!!!! I say FREE!!!!!

 

If I was closer mate, I'd be straight on it... but it's a 5-6 hour round trip, and I can't get the time in the next 2 weeks. ☹️
And yes, it would have been bloody useful

 

Don't mind hanging on to it for a while if you want it mate but if not......scrap yard!!!!

 

For you mate it's double FREE!!
Just want rid of it
Anyone.....it's......FREE!!!!!
Someone...it's.... FREE!!!!!
Come get...it's.... FREE!!!!
FREE!!!...I tells ya...FREE!!!!