Triumphrat

PeterV · 02-28-2008

I've just started having fuel problems on my 96 Trident 750. It's used daily and just started cutting out, but I can carry on running as long as i don't rev too hard or exceed 60mph.
I took the tank off last night and fuel pissed out when I disconnected the hoses so I knew something was wrong. I took off the vacuum tap and found the valve was in the vacuum position. When I took it apart I found the casting was blocked so it was retaining the vacuum. I cleaned it out finding a small thin piece of rubber was blocking the hole and assumed I'd fixed it.
This morning riding to work the symptoms are exactly the same. I opened the cap when I arrived at work wondering if there was a vacuum in the tank but there didn't appear to be. Any ideas?

daveforty · 02-28-2008

There are two fuel pipes from the petrol tap to junctions between the carbs. Inside those plastic junction pieces, where the fuel pipe attaches are small conical mesh filters, 'witches hats' as described by the mechanic at my local dealers, it is likely that they are clogged up. Unfortunately you will need to take the carbs off the engine to get to them. Probably worth getting some new petrol pipes as well, mine had perished and become brittle after a few years and split when I pulled them apart.

PeterV · 02-28-2008

Thanks for the reply, but I now know it isn't a fuel problem! Left work, couldn't start bike. Took fuel tank off, tap working fine. Took drain screws out of outer carbs, both full of fuel. Fitted spare spark plug into lead and checked for spark - dead.
So I've now had a relay home and I need to start checking the ignition circuit which has obviously just died.

daveforty · 02-28-2008

In which case the first thing to go for is the pick up coil, they are notorious for failing - usually when warm, then they appear to be OK once cooled off. It is beneath the 3" (ish) round cover on the front right of the engine. There is a cable that comes out of the 11 o'clock of the cover, follow it back towards the air box and you will find a connector. Separate the connector and use a multimeter to measure the resistance of the pick up coil, it should be approx 600 Ohms.

KitNYC · 02-28-2008

What Dave said. Also, check the wiring harness where it passes over the headstock. Sometimes it frays there, & that can short your ignition circuit.

Cheers, HTH,
-Kit

PeterV · 02-29-2008

Thanks very much guys,
I've just checked the pick up coil and it was reading 490 ohms, checked the wiring at the headdstock and it all seems fine. So I tried starting the bike and it ran fine. Left it running while I started putting the panels back on and after a while it cut out again and I couldn't re-start it. So, checked the pick up coil again and it's reading zero ohms. Looks like I've found the problem!
Off tomorrow to pick up a new pick up coil.

PeterV · 03-02-2008

Thanks again guys, New pick up coil fitted and the bike is running fine again.

KitNYC · 03-02-2008

Always nice to hear a happy ending.

Cheers,
-Kit

Pauldixon · 03-28-2008

Having experienced a similar problem to you - no power over 60mph, etc I took my Triumph Trident 750 (S Reg) to my local Triumph workshop - they marked down the problem for investigation as "poor top end performance" - they billed my £80 to find the problem. They said that there was tons of muck in the carbs etc and that they would need stripping down, cleaning, replacement airbox & Filter. Drain Fuel Tank, repair fuel tank and fit new fuel tap. This work was done, taking 6 weeks! and costing over £500+ -

I was told it was ready for collection - I collected it and rode it home. Imagine myhorror and shock too find that the performance was absolutely no better, infact possibly a little worse. I took the bike straight back and said as much. They looked at it again and have now said that there is again muck in the carbs etc and have decided that the fuel tank is rotten and needs a new one!! (£600 for a new one!!)

My Question is shouldn't the garage have discovered the cause of the muck in the carbs - before fixing the symptoms - and if they had drained and "Fixed" the fuel tank they would have known or discovered the source of the muck - am more than a little fed up (being very very polite). Should I really have to pay for them to fit a new tank etc, as they haven't really fixed the problem it went in for - well only half of it!!

PS anyone got a petrol tank for my bike for sale or know where I can get one?

StaggerLee · 03-28-2008

Paul the garage is ripping you off, tell them to fix the problem or go elsewhere. I have never heard of those nylon fuel tanks falling apart and it sounds like pure ********. When they said they had repaired the fuel tank what exactly have they done? a fiberglass repair? because that may be the problem (if they in fact did anything).

Other people may know but I doubt the Nylon tanks are repairable.

Get some more facts of them and get back to us Paul, I detest rip off merchants like these giving Triumph a bad name.