Triumphrat

General Sir Ron Pig · 01-21-2009, 04:04 PM

Okay. Intermittent-well, more on than not-fault on my Thunderbird.

Started off with bad misfiring and cutting out at low revs when hot. Faulty coil. Coil replaced.

Problem better, but has not gone away.

Replace all sparks and coils.

Slight improvement, but still not right. Cutting out throughout the rev range and dying when hot at low revs.

Replace ignition pick up.

Another improvement, but still not gone. Misfiring at 3500 revs and below and cutting out at low revs when hot. Fine at higher revs and on full acceleration.

yes, there is fuel.

At low revs, when the engine cuts out, it will not restart unless the ignition is switched off or the kill switch is activated-all when bike is hot. MUST be the ignition system-I haven't replaced the HT leads yet.

I'm running out of ideas here. Any help appreciated.

vonbonds · 01-21-2009, 05:01 PM

A buddy of mine had a very poorly running bird at a Triumph rally a few years ago. It turned out his air filter had lots of oil in it because of a bit too much oil added at each oil change. After a while the build it was pretty great. He took out the filter and cleaned it in the parking lot and sure enough it returned his bird to fine running shape. I am not a mechanic and not sure if your symptoms indicate anything to do with the air filter but I figured I would just pass that along.

General Sir Ron Pig · 01-21-2009, 05:06 PM

Thanks. I replaced the airfilter about 4K ago, so I really hope it's still okay. Took ages-how did your friend do it in a parking lot? Homage!

vonbonds · 01-21-2009, 05:18 PM

One of our mutual friends is a mechanic by trade and another very handy guy was there as well...they did a lot of the work

.

bueller · 01-21-2009, 05:55 PM

yes, there is fuel.

Worth checking the carb's if all else fails as my 96 speed triple had a similar problem some years ago and I attacked it the same way as you (very expensive).In the end I pulled the carbs and fitted another set off a project bike and problem was gone.When i stripped the original carbs there was crap in the pilot jets on 2 carbs.They worked fine on another bike.
Good luck.

toller · 01-21-2009, 08:51 PM

Vonbonns may still be correct about the air cleaner being clogged with oil. All it takes is slight overfill and oil ends up being spit into the air cleaner. If you changed it in the process of eliminating this problem, you would know thats not it.

Robroil · 01-22-2009, 08:51 AM

I think the boys are on the right track with fuel, sounds like its far too rich.Take your plugs out and check colour, Ireckon theyll be well sooted/black, Rob.

cpallen · 01-22-2009, 09:35 AM

I would take a closer look at the electrical system - particularly the battery and charging circuit for loose or dirty connections, low alternator output. Pull the plug on the headlight bulb - does that help the problem?

I don't think a problem with the fuel delivery system would manifest itself only when hot.

Courtney in Seattle

General Sir Ron Pig · 01-22-2009, 02:50 PM

Thanks all...I'll keep trying.

General Sir Ron Pig · 01-26-2009, 04:20 PM

Well, the Tbird goes to the garage. Could be valves but there's defintely something electrical going on too. boo hoo.