Questions for street owners.

[citationxpilot]

So many of you have been a great help and I cant tell u how much I appreciate all the info on the street that I have recieved over the last month. I just picked up my black street a few hours ago. What a dream. I havent ridden a performance based bike in a long time. My previous bikes were a 1984 night hawk 700s, an ex500, and a vtx1300. This bike is a whole new animal. It seems as if you just have to think about what u want to do and the bike does the rest. My wife is laughing at me because I cant wipe the %$#@ eating grin off my face. I do have a couple of questions. 1 what is going on when I turn off the ignition and about 10 sec later it sounds like a commodore 64 in start up mode. 2 I was riding it home in 84F weather in stop and go traffic and the temp bars got as high as 7 out of the 10 while sitting at the light. 3 Out of the two rubber drain lines, one of them puked out about a dime size of somekind of fluid. What could this be? and why? And 4. When I first start her up the engine sounds silky smooth and then as it warms up I can hear what sounds like the valves doing there little dance, not real loud, infact didnt notice with helmet on. Im somewhtat of a hypocondriact so for the same reason I freak out when I notice something wrong with myself I am doing the same for my new baby. Thanks guys.

[Thirdway]

Many riders have reported the same noises from the valves, if it bothers you have the dealer check it out.

Check the coolant level and then check the hose clips are tight on all the coolant pipes as many riders including me, have found the clips loose, resulting in a puddle of green fluid under the bike........sound familiar ?

They do make noises when you shut them down.......the bike has a fuel injection and an electric fuel pump, additionaly it has an exhaust power valve. I cant confirm it, but my Fazer used to have a servo which turned the power valve on starting and stopping to keep it free.

[Diego]

Originally Posted by citationxpilot

1 what is going on when I turn off the ignition and about 10 sec later it sounds like a commodore 64 in start up mode.

Triumph's newer EFI bikes all perform some engine management after shutdown. The 2005-06 1050cc models did this work at startup, and one of the consequences was an annoying wait before you could crank them.

2 I was riding it home in 84F weather in stop and go traffic and the temp bars got as high as 7 out of the 10 while sitting at the light.

Mine are normally six or seven, so I don't expect that's a problem. Did you hear the fan come on while sitting there? You might want to check for this if you suspect any overheating, and have the dealer tend to it promptly. A stuck fan (or failed fan relay) and air in the cooling system are about the only ways for this machine to overheat. Its cooling system is remarkably efficient compared to the bigger Triumphs.

3 Out of the two rubber drain lines, one of them puked out about a dime size of some kind of fluid. What could this be? and why?

If this was at or about the same time as #2, it might be coolant. If it feels slippery and isn't gasoline, and/or has a slight bluish tinge if you dab it up with a piece of paper, that's coolant. Shouldn't be there, but it may not indicate a problem. The overflow tank can burp some liquid if it's filled too near the top mark when cold. If it continues, though, check for loose fittings as Thirdway suggested and/or have the dealer check to make sure the fan works and there's no air trapped in the cooling system.

And 4. When I first start her up the engine sounds silky smooth and then as it warms up I can hear what sounds like the valves doing there little dance, not real loud, in fact didnt notice with helmet on.

Triumphs have never been totally silent in the valve department. It's not unusual for the effect to be temperature dependent, too, as you described. You may even hear a little change in the loudness before the 500 mile service, for that matter; but all this is probably normal. If there is an abrupt change or it grows significantly louder over time, have it checked out for your peace of mind.

[citationxpilot]

Thanks Diego, I reeally appreciate it. The leak is gone. I think they just got a liitle over zealous topping fluids before I bought the bike. The valve chatter isnt that bad, and is silent for the first few minutes of running so Im not to terribly concerned. The bike is awesome just got done riding it again. I cant get the smile off my face.

[Flatstrap]

Hi my first post here but I've had a street triple for a couple of months in Au.
In reference to the rattle tapping sound from the engine i'm undecided whether this is coming from the valves on these bikes or if it is just the sound of the exhaust gases hitting the engine pipes? If you look on youtube though I've noticed that they all seem to sound the same. I asked the dealer to have a listen at the first service and he said it was fine or more to the point "yep it's a Triumph."
Still after owning mostly jap bikes with whisper quite motors I find it annoying on warm up.

[D'Artagnan]

Yep, sounds just like my white one.

[Thirdway]

Originally Posted by Flatstrap

Still after owning mostly jap bikes with whisper quite motors I find it annoying on warm up.

Its a triple and a high performance one at that, it all comes together as the revs climb to a mechanical, induction, exhaust crescendo......beautiful. Its an organic thing, like buying a mechanical watch, it is alive, it speaks to the rider........thats why I love it........soul

[Flatstrap]

Originally Posted by Thirdway

Its a triple and a high performance one at that, it all comes together as the revs climb to a mechanical, induction, exhaust crescendo......beautiful. Its an organic thing, like buying a mechanical watch, it is alive, it speaks to the rider........thats why I love it........soul

After a couple more weeks of getting used to the bikes character, I agree with you.

[Thirdway]

Originally Posted by Flatstrap

After a couple more weeks of getting used to the bikes character, I agree with you.

Thats what I like to read I'm no Triumph fetishist, neither do I think that the Striple will be the bike I own in a few years time and mechanical noises usually make me cringe. But to dislike the sound the Striple makes is really like saying you really dont like bikes. There are engines that make sounds that just sound so raw and alive......Ducati 916, Ferrari V12, Harleys..........the 675 is in that class and it doesn't just sound like a racing bark, it delivers.