classic motorcycle forum

Motorcycle Discussions => British Bikes => Topic started by: larry biagi on December 08, 2005, 09:35:32 PM

Title: triumph heads
Post by: larry biagi on December 08, 2005, 09:35:32 PM
I've been told that a 64 model would have a head cast in 63 and a 67 model would have a head cast in 66 and so on - anyone else have any knowledge of this - thanks - larry
Title: Re: triumph heads
Post by: L.A.B. on December 08, 2005, 10:16:29 PM
As the Triumph factory's production for a particular model year would normally start around August of the preceding year it would seem logical that a large number of the castings would also have been made in the preceding year.
Title: Re: triumph heads
Post by: TBS on December 09, 2005, 03:02:15 AM
I agree with L.A.B

www.thebikeshed.net
Title: Re: triumph heads
Post by: Gordon Ferguson on December 24, 2005, 05:14:36 AM
I stripped down the top end on my 1966 T120 earlier this year for a de-coke. On taking off the head I found a piece of metal between the exhaust valves held in place by "glue". Additionally had a busted exhaust valve spring. The machine ran ok mechanically speaking, it was the electrics which failed.
However whilst in the process of getting the head welded up, I found a 100% recon 1964 head on e-bay from Grin in Scotland. Have made quite a few purchases from him and very satisfied. he assured me that the 1964 head fits my 1966 Bonneville. So I now have a 1964 head on my 1966 T120, sold the original head and am now working on the wiring, which I might add is giving me some small problems.
The gist of my message is that you can at least use a 64, 65 T120 head on a 66 model.

Regards
Gordon
(Norway)
1966 T120
Title: Re: triumph heads
Post by: TBS on December 24, 2005, 05:13:14 PM
Hi Gordon, You can mix and match any 650cc 9 stud head of any year (63-70) and the rocker boxes will fit too. (The post '70 9 stud heads had the 4 spigots that located the new style rocker boxes). They have all the same configuration, however the early head inlet manifolds were 1, 1/8" and the later were 1, 3/16" (30mm).
Regarding your wiring problem, I would get a new loom, if yours is an original then it will have gone brittle, it is 40 years old!! I always use new original style braided looms which look perfect on my restorations,
Hugh

www.thebikeshed.net