Triumph t140 ex Snuffy Smith race bike Rebuild pt 1

For those who missed the first post, I recently acquired one of my late fathers old race bikes from my cousin/bike builder, John McIlvaine. John was a Triumph/Honda mechanic for years and spent the better part of 1971 as a traveling wrencher for ex AMA Pro, Gary Fisher. His depth of knowledge is deep. Together we are rebuilding the racer and hopefully I will have it out on the track this year sometime.

Yesterday John came over to my shop to help me get a game plan for the engine rebuild. We are detuning the bike a bit as I have never raced but it's still a super hot motor with a lot of fine tuning done over the years. Goal? Make this Triumph go fast!

First we tore down the motor and split the cases, cleaned and evaluated everything. Adjustments were made as necessary. The number one priority is to rebuild the top end to suit my needs as a beginner.  John took measurements of the cylinder bore and pistons. We decided to go back to a stock cylinder for now with 9:1 compression pistons. The alloy cylinder/high compression pistons can be used later - once I get my feet wet. The head needs to have the valve seats re-dressed. John decided to take them up to the machinist who did the work originally. Cylinder is being sourced and will go straight to the machine shop for a bore and hone. Fresh pistons and oil seals will be fitted to what we have and the motor will go back together. Check back for frequent updates.

John McIlvaine takes a cylinder bore measurement

every bit of data has been recorded for this bike throughout it's life. john jots down more notes.

Cases split and inspected

modified head needs valve seats

John took the cylinder head with him to drop off to the machine shop.

I am my fathers son.

I grew up going to the races with my father, the late Snuffy Smith. I always loved the hustle and bustle of the pit area. Rushing to get the jetting corrected before the next heat race, or trouble shooting timing issues with minutes left before the green flag drops. Multiple people tearing into a bike like doctors working on an accident victim after being wheeled into the E.R.. It excited me then - and as I've gotten back into going to races - it excites me even more now. I knew after last weekends trip to Roebling Road that wrenching on my own bike and competing was just something I HAD to experience.

I was aware of a motorcycle that my cousin John McIlvaine built for my dad to race back in the 90's. It was sitting in John's shop gathering dust. A few years ago, John offered it to me for next to nothing but I just wasn't ready. Last weekend, I realized that whether I was ready or not, it was time. I got home at 3:30 am Monday morning and shortly after lunch that same day, I was hauling the 1976 Triumph T140 back to my garage. The rebuild had begun.

Snuffy Smith (25) and Jesse Morris (295) Daytona 1996

My dad on THE bike.

The bike with the engine pulled.

Hand lettered tank

JGM= John G McIlvaine, RBO= Robin B Oswald

Lightened timing gears, nicely sorted

ARD CDI electronic Magneto.

Will I be a good racer? I have no idea. All I know is I haven't been this enthused about anything in a VERY long time. No matter what the outcome may be, I know I'm in for quite an adventure...