Just got my first bike - 1997 S3 - Freekin LUV IT!

[97speedtriple]

Hello everyone! I'm new here (and new to the biking world in general). As of last Friday I have my very own 1997 Speed Triple in Black and Silver, and I am in freekin love! What a great bike! The guy I bought it from stated more than once that it's "an amazing bike" - I thought he was just anxious to sell it, but no - he's right. It IS an AMAZING bike!

Here's a shot of it taken by the seller. I haven't done any pictures myself - YET.



So anyway, I am excited about being an S3 owner, and am glad to make acquaintance with all of the like-minded triple freeks here in the forums.

Thx, and TTYL!

Rj

[om4]

Congratulations! Amazing bike, indeed

[DEcosse]

Welcome to TriumphRat.net.
Your T509 looks super-clean - very nice!

Please take a moment to revisit your UserCP and fill in your profile with bike year/model (97 S3) in the 'favourite bike' slot and also your location - these will serve as readily recognizable advisers, appearing under your SN in the left margin, for any future questions you may post.

[97speedtriple]

Originally Posted by om4

Congratulations! Amazing bike, indeed

Tx om4!

[97speedtriple]

Originally Posted by DEcosse

Welcome to TriumphRat.net.
Your T509 looks super-clean - very nice!

Please take a moment to revisit your UserCP and fill in your profile with bike year/model (97 S3) in the 'favourite bike' slot and also your location - these will serve as readily recognizable advisers, appearing under your SN in the left margin, for any future questions you may post.

Will do - thx Decosse!

Yes - the bike is very clean and has been taken care of, and hasn't been abused. I gave about 4800$ for it, and it has about 13,600 miles on it. Seems to run and handle like new. It's raining here 2day, so I can't go riding..... BUMMER! LOL

Rj

[DEcosse]

Looks really clean & relatively low miles, but you probably paid on the high end for a T509.

If you're somewhat new to biking - not tempting fate here - you may wish to install some slders. Less expecting of a major incident, but low speed parking-lot type stuff. Worth the investment to protect the greater investment

Also, if you have not already, consider taking an MSF class - very much worthwhile.

[icon149]

nice bike, i had a 98 t509, i still like the looks of those speed triples the best.

might want to check the serial number and do some searching, i don't remember exactly, but i know some of those early t509's had 3rd gear issues that would rear there ugly head around 15,000 miles. be worth it just for piece of mind. other than that they go for ever. sold mine with 24,000 on the clock, never had any issues, and it wan't near as clean as yours.

[DEcosse]

Originally Posted by icon149

.... i know some of those early t509's had 3rd gear issues that would rear there ugly head around 15,000 miles.....

4th gear, not 3rd - and there is NO pattern to the failure proportional to miles
Also weak Sprag and the infamous ground block issue are other common problems on this model.

[97speedtriple]

Originally Posted by DEcosse

you may wish to install some slders.

Also, if you have not already, consider taking an MSF class

I'm showing how green I am here probably, but what are "slders" (sliders?), and whats MSF stand for?

Thanks for the help!

Rj

[97speedtriple]

Originally Posted by DEcosse

Also weak Sprag and the infamous ground block issue are other common problems on this model.

More noobie questions hehehe.... Whats a sprag, and whats the ground block? Ground as in electrical ground?

I did have an odd problem the other day. I had been riding for about an hour and all the suddenly the horn went off and would not quit. I pulled over, shut the bike down and checked the wires going in to the back of the horn. (Essentially just wiggled them a bit and made sure they were connected ok) When I restarted the bike, the horn was ok and hasn't done it since.

thanks!

Rj