Description
Here we have the reluctant sale of my stunning matching numbers Triumph T140E AV.
AV stands for Anti Vibration. I believe this bike was one of a handful built for evaluation by the police. I cannot prove this and have never bothered to do any major research but there are articles on the internet to support this theory.
The bike has a rubber mounted engine. There is no traditional fixing to the front downtubes of the frame. Instead the engine is retained in the frame by rubber car type engine mounts fitted to the top, bottom and rear of the engine. The foot pegs are also rubber mounted.
The bike featured in a the December 2012 edition of Real Classic when it was painted black.
I acquired the bike in October 2019. It looked presentable but leaked oil badly and the brakes didn't work very well. Incidentally mention was made in the Real Classic article about the poor rear brake, 7 years earlier!
Since I have owned the bike I have stripped the top half of the engine, regrinding the valves and fitting the correct valve stem oil seals. The barrels were removed and sent for ceramic coating. Before being refitted I replaced the tappet blocks and oil seals as that was one of the areas where oil was leaking. The bores are in good order and are currently at +0040". The head is correctly torqued with the correct thickness copper gasket fitted and no longer leaks any oil.
The front brake master cylinder was replaced with the correct twin disc varient, both hydraulic lines were also replaced. Both AP Racing calipers were stripped, cleaned and reassembled with new seals and pads. The discs are new high performance drilled cast iron items from FD Motorcycles.
The rear brake mastercylinder was replaced, a new hydraulic line installed and the AP Racing caliper stripped, cleaned and reassembled with new seals and pads.
The bike now stops properly!
The wiring had aparently been professionally replaced prior to my purchase and appears to be in good order. I fitted a new Motobatt battery for this year's use.
The bike has electronic ignition which has been strobe timed.
Whilst I had the engine apart I stripped and cleaned the carburettors. The bike starts easily hot or cold.
The tyres and Morris alloy wheels are all in very good condition as it the paintwork. There is one small chip to the leading edge of one side panel but is bearly noticable. The seat is in good condition.
I fitted a new Harris style stainless front mudguard whilst I was attending to the front end. It had a standard T140 item on it which didn't seem to sit right with the Harris style tank and other modifications from standard that had been carried out previously. The rear mudguard also appears to be a stainless item.
The mirrors are new old stock Bumm type which are correct for the period.
I have not taken the primary drive apart but can confirm that it engages 1st gear smoothly at standstill and the clutch take up is perfect. I don't know if it has a belt drive kit fitted but wouldn't be surprised as there is no noise associated with a chain and the take up is really smooth.
I have added plenty of photographs to help clarify the condition but if you do have any questions please do not hesitate to ask.
This is a genuine reluctant sale of a well sorted bike with the addition of the Anti Vibration package. I am in the process of moving house and unfortunately will not hve the room for it. The bike received a complimentary write up in the Real Classic article and I believe it is a much better bike now.
Thanks for your interest
