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Author Topic: What have I done?!!!!  (Read 638 times)

Offline mpe

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What have I done?!!!!
« on: June 11, 2024, 09:49:41 PM »
Just picked up this wonderful little 1971 Triumph T25ss thumper. Non running of course, the engine seems to have compression. It has sat for twenty years. I haven't had a bike with a Zener Diode for a very long time. It's a positive ground12v system. I fear I will be spending time with The Prince of Darkness.
If you can't fix it with a hammer it's an electrical problem.

Offline dogshome

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Re: What have I done?!!!!
« Reply #1 on: June 12, 2024, 02:56:25 PM »
Hiya, from the pic it looks like  it could be a lot worse. Looks like fun  8)
肉(r?u)包(bāo)子(zi)打(dǎ)狗(gǒu) (meat+bun(2nd and 3rd)+hit+dog)
* Literally: To hit a dog with a meat-bun.:-O

Offline mpe

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Re: What have I done?!!!!
« Reply #2 on: June 12, 2024, 06:55:49 PM »
It is what it is... :lolk: It's a complete bike, the inside of the tank is good, the Amal carburetor is clean. A previous owner removed the points and fitted an electronic ignition with some non-original wiring but the spark plug is sparking so it must have been wired correctly. I haven't built up enough courage to attempt to start it yet...no hurry but I think it will run.
If you can't fix it with a hammer it's an electrical problem.

Offline skippyc

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  • Shouldn't have sold them old bikes.
Re: What have I done?!!!!
« Reply #3 on: June 17, 2024, 01:34:23 AM »
It will be a fun bike. Just make sure the oil is right and all should be well.

Offline dogshome

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Re: What have I done?!!!!
« Reply #4 on: June 17, 2024, 01:05:50 PM »
It's a 250. Even if the timing is 10 degrees out, it's not going to blow your boot off. Maybe enough to make you gasp if you get it really wrong. Yes check oil is where is should be (and not where it shouldn't). Are these dry sump?

The Supertrapp muffler is going to annoy you very quickly as it chucks carbon and oil deposits out 360 degrees, but they are quiet. Also restrictive.


Apprently quite rare, only made over 2 years?
肉(r?u)包(bāo)子(zi)打(dǎ)狗(gǒu) (meat+bun(2nd and 3rd)+hit+dog)
* Literally: To hit a dog with a meat-bun.:-O

Offline skippyc

  • Lives in Foothills of Mt. Olympus
  • **
  • Posts: 349
  • Shouldn't have sold them old bikes.
Re: What have I done?!!!!
« Reply #5 on: June 17, 2024, 06:13:56 PM »
 They are a rebadged BSA B25. I have a BSA B50 Which shares the same frame. They have a plan bigend bearing which is why the oil is important. Mine is a roller bigend.

Offline dogshome

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Re: What have I done?!!!!
« Reply #6 on: June 18, 2024, 02:20:16 PM »
I'm British. I have an aversion to brit bikes though. My mates Trident losing oil from the primary and needing attention with a rock to free the clutch pushrod. Other friends Bonny that only I seemed able to start (XT500 experience) and which shook you to bits to let you know it was running. The modded XT being apreciably faster and smoother. He managed to get the Bonnie going to get to work, but always bottled it on the way home if I was around. Think he got a Morris Marina after that...  :Kick:

Urals and Brit bikes, the current sufferage movement  :tekst-toppie:  OMG I actually spent 15 mins on the Ural stand at the last show  :thud:


This little one looks very cute and easy to handle though  :beerchug:  Awaiting pics and  vids  please!  8) Can't think ther will be too many technical challenges that a 3/8" spanner and a packet of Rizzlas can't solve though  :Oscar:

Honestly, It looks like a lot of fun  8) 8) 8)
肉(r?u)包(bāo)子(zi)打(dǎ)狗(gǒu) (meat+bun(2nd and 3rd)+hit+dog)
* Literally: To hit a dog with a meat-bun.:-O

Offline mpe

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  • Posts: 27
Re: What have I done?!!!!
« Reply #7 on: June 19, 2024, 07:05:01 PM »
These were the first years of the BSA/Triumph 'new and improved?' oil in frame models. BSA owned Triumph years before this. These have the electrical components crammed in a little aluminium box right in front of the head near the exhaust header where things can get nice and toasty. The bike had no key so the box had to be removed to get to the ignition switch. What a mess! The Prince of Darkness strikes again!

Drained the oil, cleaned the two filters, actually they are just screens, it's a dry sump like all of the old British bikes. This bike was built when the British motorcycle industry was in it's death throes :drowning:, but I always liked the old British bikes.

I've owned older Triumph twins in the past and several Tiger Cubs but they burned up in a fire, owned a pre-unit twin in the mid 1970s. 1950s and 60s Triumphs were good bikes but the Japanese bikes came along and blew them out of the water.
If you can't fix it with a hammer it's an electrical problem.