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Might be of interest to some. Thought I'd share.

Have already started collecting parts and have already given myself a time scale to complete the work.

Looking at a full renovation as restoration wouldn't be accurate. I'll do as many have done and keep a step-by-step account on progress with pictures, and a brief description of what's going on.

"Before"

Taken 02/11/12.

The first step. Get the blighter on the bench. No mean feat I can assure you!

looking forward to this

Wasn't that marts first bike ... After he retired?

Yes, I did have a 6T, in 1973-74; but that was a '57 bike, with the bathtub fairing round the back end.

MartDude wrote:Yes, I did have a 6T, in 1973-74; but that was a '57 bike, with the bathtub fairing round the back end.

Would've been pre-unit too. Nice

I had a Triumph in the early to mid 70s. Mine was a pre-unit Tiger 110.
It was not a good relationship for me, as I used the bike for transport to work (on shifts).
The plan was to restore it at the same as using it for work, but I was also working on and running the Twin Cam Escort rally car.
I really had no time or money to spend on the bike, so it was always letting me down.
Sadly it had to go.
The Thunderbird looks good for a project bike.

Willopotomas wrote:

MartDude wrote:Yes, I did have a 6T, in 1973-74; but that was a '57 bike, with the bathtub fairing round the back end.

Nice

It wasn't. Terrible electrics. But it did teach me a lot about bike spannering, and the virtues of patience and perseverance

Oooh ! Ooooh!
That's a bit sexy ! Stonkin !!!!!

Dont know if they are still going but a company called Armours ( of Bournemouth ? ) were a brilliant source for zorsts,levers,cables,lights and bits n bobs.
A worthy mission that man, Godspeed !

Restoration looks a tidy bike now will

Now in a true "before" photo of your 6T, we'd not actually be able to see the bike through the thick fog of smoke ..... James Bond's DB5 has nothing on your 6T.

This will make a good read as it progresses though

Very nice but whats the time limit, I'm still working/playing at my cb400 9 years after acquiring it.

fatboy wrote:Dont know if they are still going but a company called Armours ( of Bournemouth ? ) were a brilliant source for zorsts,levers,cables,lights and bits n bobs.

I have indeed heard of them. Their exhausts are about the best on the market as they use the proper jigs from the factory. Other inferior pattern items just don't fit.

blinkey501 wrote:Restoration looks a tidy bike now will

Looks can be deceiving mate. As good as she looks at the minute, all is not well underneith. Andy's comment about the 'fog machine' is clue to one of many issues. Instead of spending out to fix, I've decided to do the lot and have myself a decent reliable old donk.

Gio wrote:Very nice but whats the time limit, I'm still working/playing at my cb400 9 years after acquiring it.

All being well, I'm hoping to be able to ride her to Jersey in May.. Failing that, Inverness in August.

my dad had a 63 bonnie and a 77 silver jubilee bonnie - unfortunately he was away at sea a lot and my mother was away a fair bit..... so i rode both a lot :)

Willopotomas wrote:

fatboy wrote:Dont know if they are still going but a company called Armours ( of Bournemouth ? ) were a brilliant source for zorsts,levers,cables,lights and bits n bobs.

I have indeed heard of them. Their exhausts are about the best on the market as they use the proper jigs from the factory. Other inferior pattern items just don't fit.

blinkey501 wrote:Restoration looks a tidy bike now will

Looks can be deceiving mate. As good as she looks at the minute, all is not well underneith. Andy's comment about the 'fog machine' is clue to one of many issues. Instead of spending out to fix, I've decided to do the lot and have myself a decent reliable old donk.

Gio wrote:Very nice but whats the time limit, I'm still working/playing at my cb400 9 years after acquiring it.

All being well, I'm hoping to be able to ride her to Jersey in May.. Failing that, Inverness in August.

Oyyyy what about Marches meet? I'd like to see it.

Im sure you know this but worth a mention anyway.....
R/H crank bearing, if its a bearing, dontt worry, if its a bush,the truth of the journal is critical,as are the bush tolerances,this is your oil feed in,can have a big affect on oil pressure,
There is a sludge trap in the crank centre web (?) identified by hex head bolt, clean this ,
Well worth looking at better,higher capacity oil pump, Morgo if they are still going
If you are splitting the crank cases, there are pinch bolts at the crank case mouth where the barrells drop in, front and rear, later models have recessed bolts and can be a twat to spot