Triumphrat

BritBloke · 09-10-2006

Bought my 95 TB last year with 1400 miles on clock. Now has 9.5K. No clutch problems but noticed it has had the stock clutch hydraulic hose replaced with a steel braided one. Brake hoses are stock. There is no service history from its prior owner and I am wondering if the steel hose suggests the Spragg Clutch has been replaced? Is this hose a standard replacement when upgrading the Spragg, or is there some other reason the hose would have been changed during the first 1400 miles?
Andy

maxpower · 09-11-2006

The Term "Clutch" is a misnomer. The sprag is a one-way gear that operates between the starter and the engine. It function is to allow the starter to engage the engine up until the engine's rpm exceeds the starter at which point the gear freewheels.

The dealer can look up the Vin Number and see if there are any service bulletins for it. However they only seem to be able to see if it was not done.

parrycm · 09-11-2006

If you bought it with only 1400 miles on the clock, I would say it's likely the sprag has NOT been done. My sprag went out in the high teens/low twenties and it took a while until it completely failed.

Although your bike is out of warranty, if it does go out, then you may be able to reach an accommodation with Triumph. My dealer was able to get Triumph to agree to supply the part for free and I pay the labour. Since I did the necessary work, the cost was pretty high - at least a couple of dozen pints over the weeks I had it apart.

You can go a long way to ameliorating the problem by always starting the bike in neutral with the clutch in, and keeping the bike in a good state of tune so it doesn't need a lot of cranking.

But you should definitely have a dealer look up your VIN - there are a couple of service bulletins/recalls that might apply. I'm thinking particularly of the alternator drive bolt that has a tendency to shear (supplier changed the specs without telling Triumph).

Good luck!

[ This message was edited by: parrycm on 2006-09-11 12:01 ]

BritBloke · 09-11-2006

Thanks for the replies. I did ask the dealer to check bulletins and he said there wasn't anything for my bike. Odd, given the posts here. The pics of the spragg replacement convince me it isn't something I would tackle. Maybe the Triumph gods will do for me what they did for you, then I'd pay the dealer to do it.

I spent today changing the front pads, fluid and hose. Can't seem to get all the air out, though. Any suggestions?

Also replaced the stock horn with a Fiamm Freeway Blaster. Fits inside bell but the needs a relay to be added. Did all this, then tried the stock horn (just to see if the relay would make any difference) and it was like night and day. Guess I only needed the relay and not a new horn. I am going to wire in the stock horn in tandem with the Fiamm and see what they sound like together.

parrycm · 09-12-2006

Yeah, bleeding the front brake is a bleedin' b*gger. Do a keyword search in this forum and you'll find plenty of tips and techniques.

But basically, reservoir should be as level as possible, and plenty of patience, and a lot of fluid. Tying the lever to the grip overnight and then resuming bleeding is often recommended. The theory being that the sustained pressure caues small bubbles to group into big bubbles wich can then be flushed.

After the last time, I swore I was going to buy one of those fancy two way bleeders - the one that allows you fill from the bleed nipple up to the reservoir.

Incidentally, I fitted a braided steel hose to replace the stock rubber one that comes on our 95's; which reduced the travel and improved the feel.

Where did you fit the relay for the horn?

BritBloke · 09-12-2006

I'll try tying the lever back tonight. Assume you mean tying it back after the bleed nipple is tightened(?)

Can't understand where all the air is coming from. I've been doing this solo and have pumped the lever until the res is about half empty then filled it up. Maybe this is my problem? Wondered if a one way bleeder valve on the bleeder tube would help. Anyway, will keep trying.

The horn relay is a basic ice cube relay I bought at Napa. I mounted it to a frame bolt under the seat using some metal stap to get the relay far enough back (rearward) to fit inside the empty space inside the black metal cover on the left side of the bike, just above the seat key lock.

Had to connect the black/white horn wire to 85 on the relay, blue one to 86 (I had to extend the wires to reach the relay). Then, used a thick (12 gauge) wire with in line 10a fuse from the battery positive to 30 on the relay. Then, take a thick gauge wire from 87 on the relay to one of the terminals on the horn. Finally, ground the horn using a wire from the unused terminal on the horn to the negative terminal on the battery. (maybe overkill to add an inline fuse but better safe than sorry, I guess). This is basically the wiring diagram that came with the Fiamm horn. Tried the horn without the relay and it sounded as pathetic as the stock one. Why didn't Triumph install a relay in the first place?

The stock horn works great with the relay, so I am going to try mounting it on the right side of the bike inside the frame at the front of the rear tire. The second horn would be wired the same way as the first, from the spare 87 on the relay to the horn, and a solid ground. I'd post some pics in an album on this site but this feature isn't working right now. I could email these if you're interested.
Andy

parrycm · 09-12-2006

Yes - after you've bled it as much as you can, tighten the nipple and tie back the lever overnight. Then resume bleeding.

Bottom line is the master cylinder is too narrow a bore, so travel is long and it feels spongy.

I definitely interested in improving the horn, I've found both the stock item and the FIAMM to be feak and weeble. Never occurred to me that a relay would improve matters. When you get your album going, yes please, post some pics or send them to parrycm@hotmail.com

Cheers!

BritBloke · 09-17-2006

Thanks, Chris. Did as you suggested. Worked. Brake now stops me and passenger - much to the wife's relief!
Andy

parrycm · 09-17-2006

Always a good thing - brakes that work.

Thanks for the relay pics - add that to the to-do list.