Tech Blog
Welcome to the Technical Information Blog dedicated to the fun and always fascinating world of vintage Triumph, Norton, and BSA motorcycle parts. This blog serves as a comprehensive resource for enthusiasts and collectors who are passionate about these iconic British motorcycle brands.
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Our Most Recent Tech Blogs
Triumph T140 Rear Rim
Triumph T140 Rear Rim Retrofit and Service Bulletin 4-77 Triumph T140 Rear Rim Retrofit and Service Bulletin 4-77 …
A Look at the Amal Concentric Floats
From Dave Porter: Technical and Customer Support In this blog I will cover some information regarding the Amal Concentric MK1…
60,000 Commandos Can’t Be Wrong- Musings From A Casual Blogger
From Dave Porter, Customer and Tech Support at The Bonneville Shop I have always admired the Norton Commando series of motorcycles, not…
Part 2: Resurrecting a Barn Bike: Hydraulic Brake Restoration (non-ABS)
Part 2: Resurrecting a Barn Bike: Hydraulic Brake Restoration (non-ABS) Triumph Hydraulic Brake Restoration By Mike Grage: Tech and Customer Support…
Constant Velocity Carburetor Cleaning/Tuning Tips & Tricks
…the Keihin pilot jet must also be clean and clear. It is recommended to strip a length of copper wire…
Part 1: Resurrecting a Ran-When-Parked, Barn Find, Carbureted Triumph from the Hinckley Factory
…how to fully disassemble the carbs. A pro-tip for cleaning the carbs is use a single strand of copper wire…
A Look at the Lucas 149SA and 47SA Ignition Switches
Lucas 149SA 47SA Ignition Switches Ignition Switches47SA 3-Position Ignition Switch149SA 4-Position Ignition Switch The Takeaway The Lucas 3 and 4-position ignition switches…
Matchless AJS and Associated Motor Cycles
Dave Porter, Customer Service and Tech Support AMC Looking back on some of the more revered names in the annals of…
The Conundrum of Triumph C-Range Top-End Compatibility
Triumph T100 Top End – The Conundrum of Triumph C-Range Top-End Compatibility Unfortunately, I have chosen to take on a…
Timing Tri-Spark Ignition – Classic Twin Ignition
…setting the timing. The Classic Twin Ignition is suitable for Triumph Unit Twins T100, T120, TR7RV, T140 Bonneville, Tiger, Daytona…
A Word About BSA, Norton, and Triumph Seat Supply
If you have been searching for seat supply for your vintage British motorcycle as of late, you may find…
A Look at the Mysterious Lucas Cutout/ Lucas Kill Switches
Lucas Kill Switches and Cutouts 4A Cutout – Kill Switch: 762080, 76200A, and 762204SS5 – Lucas Kill Switch: 31071, 31376SS5 -…
Norton Motorcycle Photos
Norton motorcycle photos from our customers here at The Bonneville Shop. Check out or stock of parts for your Norton….
Gearbox Sprocket: Tips for a Grooved High Gear Spine and Chamfered Sprocket
From Guest Expert: Don Johnson To use an o ring with the gearbox sprocket you must have a high gear spline…
The Imperiled Life of the Kickstarter Cotter Pin
The Imperiled Life of the Kickstarter Cotter Pin One of the hallmarks of vintage BSA and Triumph motorcycles is the…
Year, Make, Model – What Are You Working on Today?
Triumph and BSA Frame and Engine NumbersWhere are the Frame and Engine Numbers?Registration and Title Documents for Year Make Model …
Setting Up Dual Carbs
If you’re working on setting up dual carbs for your bike, check out this guide. Peg from the UK is…
A Guide To Triumph Headlamp Shells
By Dave Porter, Customer and Technical Support at The Bonneville Shop Table of Contents for Triumph Headlamp ShellsLucas SS 700 7”Lucas…
Amal Carb Fitment: An Everyman’s Guide
It’s been said many times that nothing wakes up an old British motorcycle like a new carburetor. Amal carb…
A Bit About Fender Stays
A Bit About Fender Stays “…there are many different configurations of fender stays to be considered when selecting the correct ones…
Why Not A BSA?
Dave Porter, Customer and Tech Support at The Bonneville Shop Barn Bikes Abound – BSA Motorcycles “…not only are they plentiful, but…
The Case for the Parts Catalog as the Most Important Tool in the Cabinet
Dave Porter, Customer and Tech Support at The Bonneville Shop Work Smarter, Not HarderAdvantages to a Printed Parts CatalogParts Catalog Selection Parts…
TECH TIP: How to Install New Clutch Rubbers
Dave Porter, Customer and Tech Support at The Bonneville Shop Steps to Install New Clutch RubbersUsing a Clutch Locking ToolThe Disassembled…
Sealing Washers and the Oil-Tight Triumph Engine
‘Sealing Washers and the Oil-Tight Triumph Engine’ by Dave Porter, Customer and Tech Support at The Bonneville Shop Fiber WashersCopper WashersStat-O-Seal…
Application Techniques for Waterslide Decals
Dave Porter, Customer and Tech Support at The Bonneville Shop There are 4 basic steps on how to apply a waterslide…
Motorcycle Fender – Classic Triumph Fender – OEM and Custom Mudguards for Your Project Bike
A motorcycle fender will restore your classic Triumph to its true glory. Don’t put an old, compromised fender on your…
Triumph Service Bulletin Twin 9-70: Rotor/Rotor Nut
Loose Rotor Nut or Rotr Center: Triumph Service Bulletin Twin 9-70 Dave Porter, Customer and Tech Support at The Bonneville…
Winterizing Your Classic Brit Bike Checklist
Winterizing your classic Brit bike is one of the most important things you can do. For those of us living…
The Nuts and Bolts of Hardware
The Nuts and Bolts of Hardware By Dave Porter, Customer and Technical Support at The Bonneville Shop “…a factory parts catalog is…
How To Convert Your 6-Volt British Motorcycle to 12-Volts
By Dave Porter, Customer and Technical Support at The Bonneville Shop Converting Your 6-volt British Motorcycle to 12-volts can be a…
Get ‘em While They’re Hot- 130 Link 530 Chains!
130 Link 530 Chains By Dave Porter, Customer and Technical Support at The Bonneville Shop We recently procured a substantial quantity of…
VIDEO: Motorcycle Polish: Tips for Your Primary and Timing Cover
Motorcycle polish: yes or no? Did you just get your hands on a solid barn bike? How long was it…
Considerations for Your Brit Bike: A Brief Guide to Cables
…to fit due to variables in the handlebar dimensions, throttle twist-grip manufacturers, cable routing, and inner wire free length required…
Bearing Race Puller – Motorcycle Tools
Buy a bearing race puller today. If you’re doing any motorcycle restoration, having the right tools is essential. Bearings, including…
Fork Damper Sleeve Install – Which Way Do They Go?
– For Triumph and BSA forks up to 1970 (up to 1974 on the Triumph 500 twins and some of the…
Triumph Top-End Sealing and What the Workshop Manual Doesn’t Explain
By Dave Porter, Customer and Technical Support at The Bonneville Shop Table of Contents for triumph top end sealingResourcesConsiderations For…
A Primary Concern: The B-Range Chaincase Covers
By Dave Porter, Customer and Technical Support at The Bonneville Shop Primary Chaincase Cover: 57-1727 Primary Chaincase Cover: 57-2439 Primary Chaincase Cover: 71-7465 The…
The Importance of Right to Repair Legislation
By Mike Grage, Customer and Technical Support at The Bonneville Shop written in partnership with British Iron, our Modern Triumph…
A Guide for BSA and Triumph Oil Pressure Switch Identification
…tapping the timing covers on the twins to fit a 1/8-27 TPI NPS switch. Oddly, although there was a switch…
Pattern Parts and Fettling to Perfection
Pattern Parts and Fettling to Perfection By Dave Porter, Customer and Technical Support at The Bonneville Shop Occasionally I receive inquiries from…
Using LEDs with Traditional Turn Signal and High Beam Indicator Lights
…pair of diodes. Connecting each turn signal wire to a diode, then wiring both diodes to one side of the…
Dave’s Building a 10-Footer: A 1970 Triumph TR6R Build – Part 2
The 1970 Triumph TR6R Build Continues: Rotor and StatorPrimary Chaintiming cover and outer gearbox The 1970 Triumph TR6R Build Continues: Rotor…
Dave’s Building a 10-Footer: 1970 Triumph TR6R Repair – Part 1
The 4th One – 1970 Triumph TR6R RepairFinding a Barn BikeDisassemblyEvaluating the Parts and PrepWheels and forksEngine Cases, Crank and…
How the Tiger 100 Became the Triumph Daytona
Doug Hele and the Daytona1967 – 1969 Triumph DaytonaThe end of the Classic Triumph Daytona By Dave Porter, Customer and Technical…
A Farewell to Real Chrome
By Mike Grage, Customer and Technical Support at The Bonneville Shop The Chrome of Before – Real ChromeLegislative ChangesTrivalent Chrome The Chrome…
Electronic Ignition System Diagnostics
…disconnect the ignition power wire and check again (white wire on Lucas equipped motorcycles). If the test light comes on/off…
Triumph Service Bulletin 64/1 – 1964 Forks – Eliminating Oil Leaks
…couple of them, with a reference to “Blue Bulletin #4”, from November 8, 1963. The bulletin provides basic set-up instructions…
Easy Tri-Spark Triples Ignition Kit Installation Guide
…wire to the timing side coil’s negative (-) terminal, red wire to the middle coil’s negative (-) terminal, and white…
Tips on Fitting the Girling Stainless Floating Brake Disc Rotor
…a high quality deep 3/8-drive 9/16 socket, such as a Snap-On, Blue Point, Matco, Mac, or even a Craftsman. The…
Thunderbolts and Lightning: BSA Motorbikes
BSA Motorcycles: Thunderbolts and Lightning, very, very frightening me! (Galileo) Galileo (Galileo) Galileo… By David Porter, Customer and Technical Support at The…
TECH TIPS – Evaluating Your Clutch Plates and Springs
By David Porter, Customer and Technical Support at The Bonneville Shop Clutch Plates AND Springs Clutch Plates When evaluating the clutch plates and…
What exactly is a 1978 Triumph Bonneville?
By David Porter, Customer and Technical Support at The Bonneville Shop History of the 1978 Triumph Bonneville1976 Models1977 Models1978 Triumph Bonneville…
Cam Timing Notes – Part II
Checkout Cam Timing Notes Part I here and The Brain of Your Triumph B Range Engine- the Camshaft. Cam Timing ContentsCheckout Cam…
VIDEO: Dozens of UK Made OEM & Universal Fenders
UK made fenders from Speedwell Mudguards uses the original tooling and machines to replicate OEM length, width, radius and even…
Using the Degree Wheel to Establish Ignition Timing
Establishing Ignition Timing Converting to an Electronic Ignition Fully Advanced Timing Position Using a Degree Wheel and TDC Crankshaft Timing/Locking…
The Brain of Your Triumph B Range Engine- the Camshaft
Have you seen our blog on Cam Timing Notes or Cam Timing Notes – Part II? Dave has written up a…
A Brief Synopsis of the Lucas Console Switchgear and Its Evolution
By David Porter, Customer and Technical Support at The Bonneville Shop Lucas Console Switchgear Guide The Back Story During the late 1960s, the…
12 Volt Charging System Diagnostic Guide
…wires on solid state rectifiers connect to the stator. First test is continuity between all stator wires, a good stator…
TECH TIPS – Layshaft Needle Bearing Installation Tool
Layshaft Needle Bearing Installation Tool By David Porter, Customer and Technical Support at The Bonneville Shop Installation InstructionsShop The Layshaft Need Bearing…
Carburetor Mounting Orings: 622/101 Thin vs 70-9711 Thick
Function of Carburetor Mounting OringsThick 244/1048 OringsThin 622/101 OringsAdditional HardwareMeasuring the Gap By David Porter, Customer and Technical Support at The…
