Triumphrat

9T5 BIRD MAN

I've got a 95 Thunderbird , 18k mile. Bought new and babied.Now when I go to start there is a loud banging sound. Dealer indicated a broken crankshaft. Says it is a common problem , many were replaced before sold. I've never heard this before. Anyone experience this? Did Triumph step up? Any info helpful.

Slinky

I've never heard of a broken crank on a triple- more likely to be a broken sprag clutch. This is a common problem on early triples. Triumph might be willing to help you out, if your dealer is willing to approach them on your behalf.

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BadMouth

A guy I was talking to at a bike show last year told me his friend's Tbird was in the shop with a busted crankshaft, so it's not an isolated incident. Mileage was in the mid-teens IIRC. Now, I'm wondering why I didn't ask him a TON of questions.

I've never seen it come up in this forum, but in the Sport and Touring forum, I have read that the bearing lubrication is suspect on the 900's.

jimmyj900

I've never heard of a broken crank on a T3 Triumph. They appear to be forged steel or nodular iron and a bit oversized for the application.

I have heard of broken sprag clutches making a huge racket while trying to start, and the earliest models had the weakest sprags.

I've also heard of broken connecting rods -- and seen the pictures to back it up.

And, I've heard of unscrupulous and incompetent dealers and mechanics, so I'd suggest a second opinion.

Who is the dealer? Perhaps other folks here have some experience with them.

Jim

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MickMaguire

If you hit the starter button and it goes CLACK CLACK CLACK CLACK my money would be ont he sprag clutch. I have never heard of a crank going on a TBird either (though its possible)... I would definitely seek a second opinion...

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tridentt150v

Unrelated maybe, but I've also heard of a couple of broken cam chains.

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Major Kong

I think your dealer is a little confused. The T-300 engine's weak spot is the starter sprag. Many of the bikes had a recall on them. On a '95, you're out of that support, but I have heard of Triumph NA supplying the parts for free (?). If the battery is more than two years old or weak, it will run the sprag down.

There are two ways to fix. One is to drop the engine, turn it upside down and split the cases. The other way involves the sacrifice of a wild buck by the light of a new moon and a mechanic painted in the buck's blood. He can sometimes spin off the clutch basket and take out the starter and alternator assembly and access the sprag that way, engine in frame (wow).

It will should still start and run, but eventually, all you will get is the aforementioned clack-clack-clack. It sounds like someone hitting the bottom of the engine with a ball peen hammer.

Godspeed,
Kong

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TravelinManOhio

where do you live? I'm in ohio and if your repair cost is too high I might have a great plan B for you. I have 75% of a good engine I swaped out of my 99 legend that will fit your bike if you have the 25% to fill in. cost of my 75% might be better than your repair cost and you can help with me do the swap out in my garage.

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