'73 was the last year...'74 with the factory strike, so if I am not mistaken, '75 was the first full year of the switch to the left side. But, not sure how it was in Europe.

 

the 73 and 74 T140 models are still the correct right hand shifted bikes, there is no 75 model Triumphs and the 76 and up are the screwed up left side shifted bikes.

if you have a right side shift T140 just count your blessings..

 

I guess my question is, were Triumphs sold in Europe after 1975 remain right hand shift bikes.

 

No, they were all left hand shift.

Not too much of a hassle to convert one to right hand shift though, using all factory parts.

Anybody ever talk to "that" dude who thinks he knows what he's talking about and tells you that Triumphs and BSA's had the clutch on the right and the throttle on the left

 

I believe that the US mandated that all motorcycles to be left hand shift after '74. Manufacturers had to change to join the market and the rest of the world joined in.

 

actually it was the Japanese that lobbied the Congressional D.O.T. committee into believing after 50 years of riding those bikes that were right side shift are dangerous.

This was done mainly to kill the struggling British motorcycle industry and also put a major hurt in Harley Davidson because all Sportsters up until 1974 were also right side shift bikes.

flat trackers will tell you that right side shifting is "normal".

 

...yes, but I never understood the arguments behind.
Why the USA DOT agency accepted?

 

it's how the lobbyist influence works on Congress.....as a Congressman you accept money for your re-election fund and then you vote for their cause.

outside of Congress, it's referred to as "bribery".

 

The conversion to left-hand was done to all market bikes. So any Triumph from anywhere will be left-hand shift from '76 - up.

Note that the Bandit prototypes were all left-hand shift.

The left-hand shift c*a*n be converted to right-hand, but it takes a LOT of parts to do properly. Some of which include:

Outer primary cover.
Inner and outer transmission covers.
Shifter and all associated parts (pawls, carrier, etc.)

All brake components, as there were NO rear disc with right hand shift. The addition of the rear disc coincided with the change to left-hand shift. The addition of the brake components will necessitate welding to the frame.

Note, too, all LHS are 5 speeds, and all are T140 750cc.
Correction: there were some short-stroke 650's in '81 and '82, not officially imported to the USA.

Cosmo

 

Yep, met that guy the other day!

 

If the numbers match then there is something very wrong. I would guess a restamped motor. There are some other telltale signs to check if it is really a 79 or later motor:

There are 2 nuts and several allen head screws that hold the gearbox cover on. The upper nut should be an acorn. The lower nut on a 79 is a lester nut. You will probably have to crank the kickstarter to see it. A lester nut looks like this:

The primary breather hose runs up to the airbox.

The head should have parallel ports.

The points cover should be ribbed aluminum and not smooth chrome.

The bike should be negative ground and have Lucas Rita electronic ignition.

If any or all of these things are not there then I would guess an earlier engine has been fitted.

Scott

 

...Tony the torch, thanks.

-Srook, also the exhaust rocker box have a breather.

 

We got the '79 t140 home today. It appears that it was converted to a right side shift at some point. Other than that, it's all pretty original. The paint isn't the best and it will need a battery and the fuel system and brakes need attention.I don't think it will take to much to get it running. Ended up getting it for $1200 and it has a clean title. Over all I think I am pleased with it.

 

Post some pics. If it truly is a conversion what did they do with the brake lever? Is it also on the right side or was it moved to the left? Disk rear brake or was it swapped to the earlier drum?

Scott

 

Yes, post some detailed pics. Does it have the mag wheels front and rear still? Disc brakes front and rear?

 

all 79 T140's had a rear disc brakes, but only the T140D Bonneville Special had the Lester mags,

 

oh,..... in that case I got Dibs on 'em.

 

Finally, here are some pic's of the conversion. Notice the splines on the shaft and brake arm. Looks like the conversion was done quite well. Also the plug in the primary looks like a machined plug, interferance fit.

 

Well, that looks like a nice bike and the brake set-up was done very well it looks like.

It definitely looks to be a T140E.

For some reason, I was thinking you said it was a T140D Bonneville Special but just searched your posts and don't see any reference to that...how I got that I don't know !

But regardless, sweet bike and nice score

 

Where do you see those numbers on this bike? Those are 1970 numbers anyway and from what I can see of his numbers they don't match what you posted.

well dodgy looking number ya have there!!!! ND30770 changed to ND 30752 !!!!

I wouldnt let a cop see that........new case time I think....or take it back where it came from....

 

Ya, I'm not sure what Magnumpete means there?? Engine, frame, and title numbers are all good. And as of today, she's a runner. Didn't take to much, new battery, plugs and fresh gas and it started on the second kick. Happy, happy, happy. Needs several things yet before it's roadworthy though. Not that it matters a lot, but does anyone know what that left hand brake pedal might be from?

 

you,or someone posted a clear picture of an engine number but it has since been removed....in the picture the number had obviously been changed.......put the pic back up and it's plain as day......if it wasn't you who posted the picture with the numbers I'm sorry but it was here long enough for me to see and write my reply......

 

Don't know. Not me.

 

sorry bout that, as it wasn't you're picture or motor number I have removed my post about it.......someone must have posted a number and I thought it was you & of your number

 

All is cool, back on track. Again, out of curiosity, does anyone recognize what the left side brake pedal is from?

 

BSA Pre-Unit A7 / A10 rear brake pedal.