Triumphrat

tomsdad

Hi everyone - I would really appreciate some help in fixing my 2002 TBS sport. The bike is not used much. I have recently taken the carbs off to replace the petrol pipe from carbs to tank. (What a crazy design......). So although I don't think I have "created" any problems I may have done something silly. Problem was definitely there at the end of last summer (October / November time). Haven't ridden much since then till yesterday. Have also just changed the battery. The bike always starts easily.

I am reasonably competent with the spanners but not an expert. The first help I need is in deciding if my problem is Carbs or ignition.

The symptoms.
While stationary if you "blip" the throttle, it wont pick up smoothly. It will stutter and sometimes causes a misfire. If you twist the thottle slowly, all seems to be well.

On the road - Much the same. Over 3500 revs it is perfectly normal. But pulling away from a standing start is awful. You have to slip the clutch to keep the revs up.

Tickover is not smooth. Reves go up and down slightly.

Problem is not so bad once you have given it a good blast so it is right up to temperature. But is still there and unacceptable.

Also if this helps....the rev limiter has stopped working. You can rev the bike right off the scale (while riding).

From the feel of the problem - my first thoughts are blocked pilot jets? It just feels like petrol starvation.

If it was ignition probs, why would it happen only at low revs?

Could the cabs need bancing?

As I have said, I am happy to do the repair work (actually look forward to it) but I need a well thought out plan and strategy. Otherwise it will be just a "hit and miss" approach.

One final thing, I also have a 1999 TBS (not sport) which has the same carbs (Keine). Don't know if the standard jetting is the same. This bird is running perfectly, so if necessary I can swap parts. Not a very scientific approach, but effective....

Thanks for any help

Tomsdad.

jimmyj900

Pilot jets clogging is a standard problem with the Keihin carbs and a bike that's been sitting too long.

Remove the pilot jets, hold them up to a strong light and examine them with a good magnifying glass. The bores should be shiny and 'machined' looking. If they're dull and 'organic' looking then they need cleaning. Soak them in solvent/brake cleaner/carb cleaner and scrub them out with some small gauge stranded copper wire since that won't scratch the brass.

Ignition coil problems will show up at low rpm (under 3000) because the bike is running on the battery at a lower voltage than when the alternator kicks in. A low input voltage to the coils shows up as a low spark voltage on the output.

Carbs ALWAYS need balancing!

Jim

__________________
http://s279.photobucket.com/albums/k...0Head%20Stuff/

tomsdad

Thanks for your help Jim.

I thought about what you said about the coils and problems below 3000 revs. So I thought that before stripping the carbs, I would eliminate the coils. So I swapped all coils along with their HT leads and supressor caps on the TBS with those on the Tbird.

Problem fixed. I would have bet a months salary that the problems were pilot jets.

So now I have to think about the following.

How do I track down the offending coil with the least amount of work?

When buying a new coil, should I replace the triumph unit with another one from triumph. Or use an after market one.

Thanks once again

Tomsdad

KD5QOQ

Nology coils are the only way to go.
About half the price and they last.

__________________
Jimbo
Kroger Plus Member
99 Adventurer(cafe'd), 06 SV1000S
05YZ450F
89 CR500

tomsdad

Just to close this thread.

Ordered 3 Nology coils today. From UK distributor.

Interestingly the cost is £47 per coil. Triumph wanted £97 for the standard Gill part.

Thanks for all your inputs.


Tomsdad