Hi

I acquired a 1996 Trident Sprint which was due to be scrapped, and lovingly got it on the road (and passed my test at the same time). After two months riding, it simply stopped. It was fine one day, and now cannot be made to start or even catch.

It turns fine on the starter, and here are the symptons/diagnostics

Seems to spark OK - perhaps a little weak.
Fuel is getting through carbs into cylinders OK
I've swapped fuel out and replaced with super just in case that was the problem.
Turns OK on the starter, often backfires or spurts out black carbon rich smoke from the exhaust.
Plugs are OK, but were heavily carbon coated. Unsure whether this was from riding or during the most recent efforts to get it going.
It was running at about 40mpg whilst touring.

Not sure where to go next, other than taking the carbs out - but I overhauled them when refurbing the bike. Of course i could have messed that up, but would it have run well for two months?

So looking for ideas, where to go next (other than a triumph dealer).

Cheers

Rafa

I had a similar problem on my Trident a few years ago.
It turned out to be a loose connector under the seat,in front of the battery.
I cant remember what it connected to but it had an "L" shaped plastic cover on it(the connector)
It just needed pushing on firmly.

I had a 1996 Sprint. You say fuel is getting into the carbs? My first guess would have been a vacuum petcock. Mine went out and starved the engine. The other quick check would be the vent lines for the carbs- make sure they are clear and not kinked.

Also, you could check the ignition pick up under the right hand engine crank cover.

If you removed the foam rubber shield/spark plug wire harness, you could have had water damage to the coils.

Godspeed,
Kong

__________________
"You don't know what you don't know."

I'd say readdress the basics. I'm a little confused because because at the beginning your post says that it won't even catch and then later you say it belches black smoke.

Make sure that you are in fact getting fuel. Turn the petcock to prime to eliminate the vacuum petcock. Prime overrides the vacuum diaphragm. (Also make sure that the petcock knob is actually turning the shaft, that the knob is not broken and spinning on the shaft. I'm on my 3rd knob)

Make sure that the battery is fully charged.

Replace the spark plugs, they sound like they're fouled.

Do all three of these at the same time, maybe it will fire and you can get more information from how the bike is running to see what else is wrong.

When you rebuilt the carburetors did you replace the float needle and seats? They become a problem in a bike of this age.

Another common failure is the crank position sensor (or pick-up coil) fails but it usually quits when the bike is hot and not a cold engine failure, emphasis on "usually".

You might consider moving this post to the T-3/sport touring forum as the Trident owner's don't always come over here to read. http://www.triumphrat.net/t3-sport-touring-forum/