Triumphrat

ViLe · 05-28-2009, 08:01 PM

Hello all! Time to share what was in the works in the beginning of the month.

After a long saga of doing stuff (and making the bike not running), I can gladly declare the non-running-ness obsolete!

It was like I suspected in the end that the stock alternator was not giving enough output to keep up with Boyer & indicators, and to my mind Sparx looked like the answer.

The installation was quite straightforward, with thanks to Caulky & co. for going through the procedure in writing.

A couple of WIP images:

Original Lucas rotor (stator already taken out). Note: have a 1/2 inch LONG socket to get to the 2 nuts on the long bolts! Also an impact-driver-thingy to get the rotor nut unbolted / bolted. A special note: any ideas why there are no timing marks on my rotor?

The new Sparx rotor / stator installed. Note: the cut-outs for the nuts in the stator were quite a bit smaller than the Lucas ones, so I couldn't fit the socket in. I used an extra nut to drive the holding nut all the way down. The rotor was a tight fit, but went in smoothly nonetheless.

I installed the regulator to the rear fender, below the battery. Stays neatly hidden behind the side covers, and should be ventilated enough. Happily it fit the same holes where my rectifier used to be. This pic also shows what I need to do next: fix the wiring a bit (too many connections when a single wire would do) and go buy some steel braided fuel hose. Both for looks and for functionality.

Once I got everything bolted back together, it was a joy to get her running steadily again. I've only done a couple of rides, the other being the trip to work on my last day before vacation with both frustrating city riding (good testing on low rpm's) and a stretch at the highway (some 10 kms at 125 kph, good testing for overheating) for a total round trip of 50 kms. And since everything went as smoothly as it can on a 38 year old Triumph I was a happy camper!

One last thanks to the people on this forum: you helped make it happen!

Good and safe riding everyone!

-Ville

stewdog68 · 05-28-2009, 08:28 PM

a job well done.

the sparx stator and E.I. are the best two additions I have put on any of my bikes.

only 1 small problem just watch the silicone, some works it way in and boom goes the oil pump or oil passage.
you been warned

Caulky · 05-29-2009, 07:07 AM

Mmm, excellent!
I think the next upgrade is going to be the alternator.
Nice, easy to see timing marks, I have no idea why the old Lucas is devoid of them.

GrandPaulZ · 05-29-2009, 11:08 AM

man, that old Lucas rotor is almost no good for even a fishing weight!

Bonnevillain · 05-29-2009, 03:12 PM

Good to hear it's up and running. I went through the same deal with my '73 a while back. I also found that the socket wouldn't fit into the cut-outs, but my solution was to heat the socket with a torch and melt the cut-outs away a bit. Think I'll use your method if I ever need to do it again!

GrandPaulZ · 05-29-2009, 04:00 PM

I use a 1/4" drive 7/16" deep socket and it works a treat on the stator nuts.

thekeyman · 05-29-2009, 05:00 PM

You would think Sparx would have fixed the nut cutout problem as everyone including myself have noted the cutout is too small for the washer and nut. l had to carve out the cutout with a sharp knife and even now its a tight fit, only hope l don't ned to remove for the next fifty years. Still its a job well done, next is replacing all the bulbs for LED's l suppose. l await the next instalment.

1759AG · 05-29-2009, 05:14 PM

Use an 'old'/spare/inexpensive deep well and slap the lower half inch over a grinding wheel (just don't grind through the socket wall), the tapered thinner socket can make it past the "green stuff'. If it makes you feel good, you can label it as a 'special tool'.

ViLe · 05-30-2009, 06:09 PM

Thanks for the comments!

Why didn't I think of coming up with a special tool...

GPZ: fishing weight? I'll put it up on eBay as "Hi-output genuine Lucas rotor used be Steve Mcqueen himself". That ought to fetch a few bucks

If I had points ignition, I think it would still work!

Stew: I consider myself warned. I'll give it some time though, as the primary case doesn't seem to leak oil at the moment!

Once I get the bike washed and polished I'll need to post some good overall pics.

Later gents!

-Ville