Triumphrat

aggiebigmike · 10-20-2009, 05:10 PM

Howdy!

I've had a great summer on the old Triumph, but something's not right and I'd like some help in my diagnosis.

I've noticed over the past couple of weeks that it was getting tougher to start the bike. I thought it might have been the cooler wet weather (not very cold at all but very wet!) and didn't think much of it. Today though, I went to start the bike, and all I get is a single "click" coming from underneath the seat area. I should mention that I could not get it to start the night before and left the charger on the battery overnight to make sure it was good.

I've noticed recently that if I don't ride every day, the bike doesn't like to start, but never before has it not even made an effort.

So what do we think? Starter motor? Solenoid?

I'm thinking of selling the bike and would love to not spend a lot of money on it. Assuming it is the starter motor, does anyone know a ballpark figure to replace it? Is it difficult to do yourself?

Thank you in advance!

cafetbird · 10-20-2009, 07:07 PM

The solenoid is under the seat. Sounds like a simple battery issue.

Have you checked the fluid level in your battery? These bikes characteristically boil the battery dry. Fluids must be topped off regularly.

BigAl8295 · 10-20-2009, 08:02 PM

1) Gradually getting harder to start sounds like a battery issue.

2) Don't sell it!

denny · 10-20-2009, 09:36 PM

It's always the Battery

buckoz · 10-21-2009, 04:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by denny

It's always the Battery

as said in another thread that must be carved in stone somwhere

aggiebigmike · 10-22-2009, 10:21 AM

Yeah, I know it's always the battery. Except for this time, when I think it's probably not the battery, but I'll let everyone know when I find out for sure! Haha...

aggiebigmike · 10-22-2009, 11:31 AM

Well, it doesn't seem to be the battery unfortunately.

I pulled it, the fluid levels were a little low but above the minimum line. I topped it off with distilled water and put in on the charger and it only took about 20 minutes to get completely charged. Took it outside, hooked it back up to the bike, turned the key, and nothing but that same single click as before coming from somewhere underneath the seat.

I'm so bummed out right now! Does anyone know where you can get affordable parts for this thing?

Proffa66 · 10-22-2009, 12:05 PM

When I bought my Legend it was very hard to start, just like your bike. I bought new battery and after that, no worries. Our bikes need fresh, new battery (unlike my Honda, it's battery is 5years old and it has been storaged in cold barn in wintertime.)

denny · 10-22-2009, 03:44 PM

That does not mean the battery will pass a stress test.
Many auto stores will do that for free.

The clicking sound is probably the solenoid, it's under the seat near the gas tank on the left side.

You can test that easily by shorting across the leads with a screwdriver.

aggiebigmike · 10-28-2009, 08:18 PM

I think I have eliminated the battery as my problem now. I tried to jump the bike with my truck battery and it only did the same thing it was doing before.

*Click*

Nothing else...

So my question now is re: used starter motors. Can someone tell me which starter motors should be interchangeable with the Legend? For example, would a starter pulled from an 06 Bonneville work on an 01 Legend?

Thanks again everyone. I sure would like to get her back on the road...