Triumphrat

LegendGirl · 09-23-2002

My Legend started running on two cylinders when I was 90 miles from home. Luckily, I made it to my destination (a friend's house for the weekend) and we checked out the bike on Sunday morning. Turns out that #2 cylinder isn't firing, the spark plug lead isn't getting any juice. We're thinking the coil is toast.

Anyway, trailered it over to Frank's Motorcycles where it will live for the next week, and hopefully receive some tender loving care and a new front tire.

Somebody give me a response, I'm really bumming. I can still ride the Kawi, but it's not the same.

Will · 09-23-2002

Ouch. You have my sympathy. I hope it gets well soon.

Shawn · 09-23-2002

I feel your pain

Hopefully, you'll have some good news soon!

jefftarlton · 09-23-2002

I waited 2 1/2 weeks for a clutch cable for my 2 month old sprint so I really do understand. I was considering selling the old honda until this. It was nice to not worry about the punks messing with my bike in the parking lot at work again. Hope you get the legend back soon.
Jeff

09-24-2002

Always hated to have my bike ride in the back of a pick up truck. It is humiliating. Have had many different electrical problems always wondering about the coil,But never had one that deffinatly burned out. I'll bet the problem is somewhere else.Being a electronis Tech for a living. I think the weakest link is always wiring, Connectors pinched wire, etc. But the more things you do to your bike yourself the more confidence you get that you can repair it or troubleshoot it yourself. Been riding and wrenchin for over 20 years now.That is one reason I like a simple bike. Good luck with yours, My cus always said "a clean bike is a happy bike and a happy bike runs well". Maybe you should wash it.

j98sprint · 09-24-2002

That also happened to me before the Sprint was a year old. It was the #2 coil. It went out intermittently in May of '98 and again in October. It was replaced then at the dealer and there hasn't been a problem since. That was close to 40,000 miles ago.

This should cheer you up some; I remember reading in some thread in one of the forums that it's not unusual for an electrical component or two to go south early in the life of these Triumphs. And that when it's fixed she'll fire flawlessly for many years to come. That seems to be happening to me with the #2 coil and a part called the "ignition pick-up" going bad early- and smooth sailing ever since.

I'm sure the same will happen for you. But you do have two bikes so I don't want to hear too much whining. Only kidding, whine all you want, free country and all.

Speaking of wine, if you're on the south end of the Blue Ridge around the 15th to the 18th of next month we can meet up and I'll buy you a glass (or three) of wine.

j98sprint

coldnight · 09-24-2002

LG - when your machine is done at Franks, let me know - I'd be happy to go out on anything I've got handy and escort ya to the border or maybe to a pub for bitter, bangers'n'mash or whatever else ya might like... maybe we can get Mick to come along, too!

Coldnight
( Finally DONE with family stuff for the next while! )

Will · 09-24-2002

Yesterday afternoon, I had to leave work early (family stuff, coldnight, you lucky dog). On the way home, I passed a guy on the side of the road, helmet off, looking unhappy. He had a Meriden Bonnie of mid-70s vintage, so I turned around and went back to see if there was anything I could do to help. He said that the clutch stuck and when that happens it drains the battery. He had a friend on the way with tools, so he didn't need help. He wasn't sure if there was much that could be done to get his bike running again right there, anyway. He was adamant that the Prince of Darkness hadn't laid him low this time, but you could tell by the way he smiled that the Prince had bitten him at least once. I can imagine him there by the side of the road with the primary chain cover off, oil all over the place, trying to get his clutch to work. He was only in his 20s, so he was paying his mechanical dues and earning his right to ride a modern bike.

Things like that really make me appreciate my Hinkley Triumph. I sure hope yours is back on the road soon LG.

LegendGirl · 09-24-2002

Hi, guys:

You guys made me a little sniffly with all your responses. Is that who is responsible for the Legend's troubles - the Prince of Darkness? When I see him I'll kick his a$$. Coldnight, I'll take you up on that offer. My husband's sister gets married this Saturday, then we're FREE for the rest of the fall. If I have to ride the rice rocket, no one will know it's me in my full-face helmet.

This is one reason I like a bike better when it's got some miles on it. All the bugs get worked out, and then you get to look forward to some trouble-free miles. The Legend has 9600 miles exactly on the clock, in exactly six months. Weird, huh? I was trying for 10,000 but couldn't quite get there. I guess those miles got put on the Kawasaki. 55,000 miles on it, and no troubles. But bikes, like kids, shouldn't be compared to each other. I love them both, in different ways.

Thanks, all, for your responses. LG

LegendGirl · 09-25-2002

Hi all:

Turns out the problem with my Legend is the control box (my bike lost its mind!). Thank goodness for warranty, the box sells for $650. Anyway, that should take care of its woes. That and a new front tire, and I'll be good to go. We will be reunited on Monday...yaaaaaaaay! :razz: . Coldnight, do you work on Monday? We could meet up somewhere, maybe squid a few roads. Let me know.

LG :-D