I have thoroughly enjoyed the videos you have shared so far. I too have a 1977 T140V and watching you service your Triumph has started giving me the confidence needed to get out in the garage and do the work myself, instead of taking it to a shop. Thank you and I look forward to seeing what you work on next.
Hi @greaser_cycles, wow...thanks so much for the very kind words and glad to hear you've enjoyed the videos! That's great that you also have a '77 T140V too! They're great bikes and almost as much fun to work on as they are to ride. Thanks again ...Cheers!
@johneverett3947, you're so right about that. It's a constant struggle keeping up with finding and resolving the various leaks these old bikes get. Right now I am down to just one very minor leak on the bottom left push rod tube. After a day out on the bike there will be a drop or two of oil there, but so little it's hardly worth pulling the head off to fix it.
@johneverett3947, that is true. A number of motorcycles have them as well. Two of my other bikes, a vintage '75 CAN-AM 250 TNT and 2018 KLX 250 both have drip tubes. Weirdly though, unlike the Triumph, neither of them drip :)
80/90 gear oil should be fine. My 2018 Honda Goldwing uses the same oil in the final drive. As a former Triumph Bonneville owner back in the late 70s I'm really enjoying your channel.
@skychaser59, thanks so much confirming I am using the correct oil in the gearbox! There's a huge variety of opinion on this so really appreciate you reaching and letting me know I am using the right product! Thanks also for your very kind comment on the videos! Really glad to hear you are enjoying them! If you haven't already, please subscribe! I would really appreciate it :) Thanks Again!
@lenho1, thanks so much for your kind words and comment! Filming wasn't the best on this one, but learning as I go. Really appreciate the feedback! If you haven't already, please subscribe! Cheers!
Hi @simonmarsden66, thanks so much for chiming in on this and sharing this tip! I am definitely going to anneal copper washers going forward and really appreciate your comment! If you haven't already, please subscribe! I would really appreciate it :) Thanks Again!
Unless you have a serious oil leak, in which case you would be in danger of oiling your rear tyre, it shouldn't be necessary to check gearbox oil level while on a ride. You don't need to drain it to check the level. If you do want to check it periodically, all you need to do is take out the level plug (the small one), wait for it to stop dripping, then put a small quantity of oil into the filler plug until it starts to drip again. Plugs back in and it's done. I've always changed it every other engine oil change, as recommended, and use EP90, but EP80/90W is fine (they didn't have multigrade gear oils when these were made). In the 31 years I have owned my 78 T140V, the gearbox has never needed topping up between changes. I'm a retired mechanic, so always keep a stock of copper washers, and I would recommend replacing them, or at least annealing the old ones every time you take them out. Unit Triumphs don't need to leak oil if you do everything properly. Enjoy riding it.
Hi @rickconstant6106, thanks very much the info! Good to know you don't typically need to check the gearbox oil level (unless it is visibly leaking) and that you change it ever second engine oil change. I'll take your good advice and follow that pattern. Also good to know you think I am using the 'right' gearbox oil. Hard to find straight 90w oil as most are multigrade or synthetic or both, so appreciate your note to let me know what I have used will work.
@@greaser_cycles Sorry, I couldn't tell you definitely what the size is for the drain plug, without taking it out and measuring it. My stock is a wide range of assorted sizes, and when I need one, I select the one that fits. I know the level plug is 1/4" (6mm will fit), and I think the drain plug is probably 9/16" or 5/8" (14 or 16mm)
@williammoss1310, hysterical! Hey, thanks so much for watching the video and commenting. I really appreciate it! If you haven't already, please subscribe. Cheers!
I have thoroughly enjoyed the videos you have shared so far. I too have a 1977 T140V and watching you service your Triumph has started giving me the confidence needed to get out in the garage and do the work myself, instead of taking it to a shop. Thank you and I look forward to seeing what you work on next.
Hi @greaser_cycles, wow...thanks so much for the very kind words and glad to hear you've enjoyed the videos! That's great that you also have a '77 T140V too! They're great bikes and almost as much fun to work on as they are to ride. Thanks again ...Cheers!
An old Brit bike owner, I like that “ dripping from the right spot “ that’s why they are called “ road oilers”. But still classy to ride. 😂
@johneverett3947, you're so right about that. It's a constant struggle keeping up with finding and resolving the various leaks these old bikes get. Right now I am down to just one very minor leak on the bottom left push rod tube. After a day out on the bike there will be a drop or two of oil there, but so little it's hardly worth pulling the head off to fix it.
That drip tube is also very common for many automotive applications now.
@johneverett3947, that is true. A number of motorcycles have them as well. Two of my other bikes, a vintage '75 CAN-AM 250 TNT and 2018 KLX 250 both have drip tubes. Weirdly though, unlike the Triumph, neither of them drip :)
80/90 gear oil should be fine. My 2018 Honda Goldwing uses the same oil in the final drive. As a former Triumph Bonneville owner back in the late 70s I'm really enjoying your channel.
@skychaser59, thanks so much confirming I am using the correct oil in the gearbox! There's a huge variety of opinion on this so really appreciate you reaching and letting me know I am using the right product! Thanks also for your very kind comment on the videos! Really glad to hear you are enjoying them! If you haven't already, please subscribe! I would really appreciate it :) Thanks Again!
Really helpful video and extremely well explained. Same goes for your other videos. Thank you.
@lenho1, thanks so much for your kind words and comment! Filming wasn't the best on this one, but learning as I go. Really appreciate the feedback! If you haven't already, please subscribe! Cheers!
You can always anneal copper washers by heating until cherry red then rapidly cooling in water to soften them up before reuse.
I was just about to post the same, they last for years
Hi @p-n, hey thanks very much for this tip! I am definitely going to do that with copper washers from now on.
Hi @simonmarsden66, thanks so much for chiming in on this and sharing this tip! I am definitely going to anneal copper washers going forward and really appreciate your comment! If you haven't already, please subscribe! I would really appreciate it :) Thanks Again!
@@MadTinkerman 👍 generally only need replacing when they go too thin due to over tightening
@simonmarsden66 that's good to know. Hopefully the ones I have reinstalled are okay for now and will anneal them next go around :) Cheers!
Unless you have a serious oil leak, in which case you would be in danger of oiling your rear tyre, it shouldn't be necessary to check gearbox oil level while on a ride. You don't need to drain it to check the level. If you do want to check it periodically, all you need to do is take out the level plug (the small one), wait for it to stop dripping, then put a small quantity of oil into the filler plug until it starts to drip again. Plugs back in and it's done.
I've always changed it every other engine oil change, as recommended, and use EP90, but EP80/90W is fine (they didn't have multigrade gear oils when these were made). In the 31 years I have owned my 78 T140V, the gearbox has never needed topping up between changes.
I'm a retired mechanic, so always keep a stock of copper washers, and I would recommend replacing them, or at least annealing the old ones every time you take them out.
Unit Triumphs don't need to leak oil if you do everything properly. Enjoy riding it.
Hi @rickconstant6106, thanks very much the info! Good to know you don't typically need to check the gearbox oil level (unless it is visibly leaking) and that you change it ever second engine oil change. I'll take your good advice and follow that pattern. Also good to know you think I am using the 'right' gearbox oil. Hard to find straight 90w oil as most are multigrade or synthetic or both, so appreciate your note to let me know what I have used will work.
Could you share a measurement of one of your spare copper washers so I can order before doing my gearbox oil change?
@@greaser_cycles Sorry, I couldn't tell you definitely what the size is for the drain plug, without taking it out and measuring it. My stock is a wide range of assorted sizes, and when I need one, I select the one that fits. I know the level plug is 1/4" (6mm will fit), and I think the drain plug is probably 9/16" or 5/8" (14 or 16mm)
Why shouldn't I take the big one out???
Because .... I DID!! 😅
@williammoss1310, hysterical! Hey, thanks so much for watching the video and commenting. I really appreciate it! If you haven't already, please subscribe. Cheers!
Can the filler hole not be used to manufacture a dipstick that would be made to work bud? (hint 3D printed)
That's a really good thought @FuriousGriffin. Let me do some checking on that and get back to you. Really appreciate it!