Triumphrat

j_nelson335 · 06-05-2009, 08:01 PM

Gentlemen-

Thanks to those who helped out with the stuck float issue- I still can't accelerate in first (or any other) gear past 2000 rpm before she starts to bog down. I can also hear the lack of exhaust noise from the left exhaust pipe (clutch side), which releases exhaust from the #1 cylinder.

So, logic tells me that I have a cylinder that is misfiring under load, causing the terrible power loss. I should note that it's not completely dead, as it sputters here and there while I'm trying to accelerate.
I spent the afternoon checking a few things:

1. I disassembled each carb separately, carefully cleaning everything. There was no sediment in the float chambers, and all jets were clear.

2. I drained the tank and checked the petcock filters and then the duckbill filters in the fuel lines- all clear.

3. I pulled and checked each spark plug (which only have 600 miles on them). Each was free of any fouling, ash, or carbon deposits, and the gap checked out for each.

4. Synchronized my carbs with a Carbtune Pro. All three cylinders were pulling within 2 mm/Hg of each other.

5. Finally, (in desperation) I took a spare plug and tested it outside the engine for spark; grounding my threads against the engine block. The spark was yellow and somewhat anemic-looking, although truth be told this was the first time I'd ever done that test (car or motorcycle) and I'm not certain what the spark is supposed to look like.

I would also like to note that the net result of all this tinkering was no change in my sputtering cylinder issue; either positive or negative.

Diagnoses are welcome from all. I'm considering limping it to my nearest Triumph dealer for a diagnostic... Any thoughts?

jimmyj900 · 06-05-2009, 09:56 PM

A thin yellow spark is bad. A good spark is fat and blue.

So... either it's weak coils or a weak battery for that problem.

Not revving over 2K is most likely a different problem -- clogged air inlet/filter, clogged fuel filter(s), clogged main jet, wrong/incorrectly set needles, oversized main jets, etc.

Jim

buxtonmick · 06-06-2009, 03:50 AM

I would put my money on the coil (or two) having reached the end of its useful life. I've just had the same thing with my Legend - turned out that two coils were on their way out. As Jimmy mentions though, I'd see how she is with a fully charged battery first. Good luck with it.

MickMaguire · 06-06-2009, 09:56 AM

Did the bike run ok before you pulled the carbs?

Did you check the spark on all three or just one plug?

Reason I ask is that I recently saw somebody have a very similar problem after pulling and refitting the carbs. the problem was that they had accidentally unplugged a coil while refitting the carbs. Check for spark on all 3 and or check all the coil connections.

If the bike was running fine before the fuel leak I would not tend to suspect the coils themselves were bad. the quality of the spark on cranking can be a red herring especially if you have started the bike a few times (so the battery is off peak), or your ground to the removed plug is not perfect.

j_nelson335 · 06-06-2009, 11:29 AM

I had similar problems last Easter. I was encouraged to clean my carbs out, and so I did. Upon reassembly, it ran great for about 600 miles. Then it suddenly began exhibiting the same symptoms. Pulling the carbs (this time) had no effect on the issue, although the spark looking weak due to a bad ground is more than plausible.

Is it okay to run the engine without the air filter to see if that's the issue?

As far as the carbs are concerned, I pulled all the jets and checked them and found them all to be clear. I didn't mess with the float height and the jets are still the stock size. All fuel lines are also clear. Is it plausible that the sticking float was a fluke?

MickMaguire · 06-06-2009, 12:07 PM

yes you can run without the filter - though the bike will run so lean it likely will exhibit similar symptoms to those you already have just because of the lack of a the filter.

Take a look at the questions in my last post and answer all of them it will help us guide you some more.

ssevy · 06-06-2009, 01:53 PM

Unfortunately, our carbs are very sensitive to fuel quality. Something as small as a flea turd can lodge in just the right place to cause issues. If your tank has rust on the inner surface (as mine does), even cleaning the carbs and flushing the tank can provide only temporary relief, as the rust sediment can pass through the filters and eventually wind up in the float bowls. Once there, it can cause poor idling, stumbling, etc., depending on how much gets loose and into the jets. The only way you can eliminate the carbs as a potential cause is to clean them, and then everything back as far as the fuel supply. Don't assume that beacuse you cleaned them a few miles ago that more crud hasn't gottn into them.
Of course, the other thing our bikes don't like is a battery that is even moderately weak. That means not just the battery itself, but the connections that move the current.
I just replaced my coils with new ones, even though the original Gills were fine. If you really get stuck, I'd be happy to send you the Gills as testers, which you could send back to me when you're done with a check to cover my shipping costs to you.

j_nelson335 · 06-07-2009, 03:06 AM

Ssevy-

I truly thank you for the offer, and if I'd checked this post a bit earlier I might have taken you up on it. I decided that the 15 hours or so I spent on it in the last few days was enough, and so I took it in to Southeast Sales (the only registered Triumph dealer anywhere near here. The mechanic (Dan) agreed with the coil diagnoses and tells me that he can actually test it by Tuesday, and so I turned it over to him. To be honest, I feel like a wiener for giving up on fixing it myself, but alas the deed is done. Thank you to all for your sage advice, and I will let you guys know what the actual issue was once it's been sorted out.

-Josh

ssevy · 06-07-2009, 07:20 AM

Josh,
Hope you get it sorted out and put right soon. My buddy has been looking for a Legend like mine, and we noticed on Craigslist a bunch of bikes in your neck of the woods. Do you see a lot of classic triples in your travels around Milwaukee? Here in the Adirondack region of NY, they are very rare. Your riding season is probably about the same length as mine, so every day it isn't running must be driving you crazy!

j_nelson335 · 06-08-2009, 01:45 AM

Ssevy-

I see a couple- There's a place on the South side of Milwaukee called Cafe Lulu and they have import motorcycle night every Tuesday, and then we have a fantastic rally event called "Rockerbox" every August. Aside from that (as you might expect in Milwaukee) the dominant bike is the Harley. I've gotten many complements on my Triumph; usually older guys with a misty look of nostalgia in their eyes. I've honestly never gotten anything aside from complements and respect from the Harley guys. There's a guy that lives somewhere around here who has an older green T-Bird with the pea-shooter exhaust, and we always exchange a nod when I pass him on the way to the freeway. (and yes, it's driving me crazy!)
As for your buddy, there are a fair number of them floating around here- Have your buddy check out www.southeastsales.com and google Road Track and Trail LLC (Milwaukee). I bought mine from Road Track and Trail, and Southeast Sales is an authorized dealer who usually has a few used bikes in stock. Please let me know if I could be of any assistance.

-Josh