T140 - what version

[thunderace1]

Dear All,

Whilst working on restoring my t140 I am being to think that it may not be as original as I first thought and that some parts I have bought to help restore it may not be correct. My question is - is my t140 a proper t140e or just a t140v played around with? 

Its frame is DX07XXX and engine is t140e DX07XXX which I think that it was manufactured April 1978. It was first registered in Oct 1979.
It has amal Mk2 carbs with the breather tower into the air box.
It does not have an instrument centre console panel nor the more plastic looking black handelbar controls nor electronic ignition.

I have previously bought a t140e 1979 new wiring loom and have just noticed that for example, there are four lamp conectors for the front and I only have three warning lamps in the headlamp. This made me think that I should have bought a 1978 t140v wiring loom instead.

Before I waste any more drinking vouchers on the bike I need to make sure that I buy the correct parts!

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks
Mark

[L.A.B.]

As the engine is stamped T140E (presumably the frame is too?) then it is an E model, and 'X' signifies that it is a 1978 year model. 

The '78 T140E models still had positive earth electrical systems, single phase alternator and points ignition, and many (if not all?) '78 E models also had the 'V' instruments. (The factory still continued to produce T140V models during this period.)

A negative earth electrical system, three-phase alternator and Lucas Rita electronic ignition, were all introduced at the start of 1979 E model year production (which actually begun in July 1978 from eng. HA11001, A = '79 model year)-therefore the '78 E electrical system is basically the same as the late T140V model, so you need the late V model harness.   

[Gromit]

My T140V is a 78 model and it has single phase alternator, splayed port head and concentric Mk1 carbs, Veglia instruments and triangular "dash" between the instruments with key and 4 lights marked OIL, BEAM TURN and NEUTRAL but mine doesn't have the neutral switch in the gearbox which isn't important but is the fourth idiot light wire you have I think. Mine has the later black switches and no electronic ignition.

I am sure mine is not original but it sort of matches the parts list. Shouldn't worry as long as all the 'leccy bits work ...so you have few wires too many ... make sure they are not live and tape em up .

Oh another bit I have tried in vain to find on a similar vintage T140 is the front brake light switch in the hydraulic pipework, that is supposed to be a 140E item... mine just has the god awful mechanical futtock on the brake pedal that explodes when you take the pedal off.

Just ride it no ones that anal that they will notice at the Cat N Fiddle ... if they do, gesticulate and ask where their conkers bike is parked cos you want to criticise it back plllppp

Happy riding Gromit