1997 Triumph Trident Sprint 900 Newbie

Hi all


After years of traffic jams in a metal cage and being a mature (really) Student I decided to resort to the transport of my youth. I thought that an old 93L Diversion 600 would do just fine and it has for the last 18 months, however last week was MOT time and I was informed that they had gone 'computerised' with a proper brake force rolling road etc etc etc. Result failure! Repair bill approaching £400 including a new tyre, rear brake assembly, fork seal + Labour. Result started looking around dealers used stock. I am 40 and 6 feet tall and shall we say fond of food and ale! So I did not want a sports bike and then there she was. A 23K 2 owner bright red Trident Sprint 900. Was Triumph ever on my wish list? Never. After 2 days of haggling and begging my partner with arguments of safety and such, I did the deal and pick the triumph up on Wednesday 6 July.

I had a test ride but it was drizzling and I was pretty carefull, but I could feel the bike was planted' and it went well.

Knowing I am preaching to the converted I would appreciate opinions on my new bike and tips to keep me on it and happily healthy.

Not a lot is said about the Trident, even less about the Sprint but someone somewhere must know?

Thanking you all in advance for any and all comments



Dave Warthog

[Les]

Hi Dave, Bought my 1996 trident a few short months ago. both the Trident and the sprint have bullet proof engines just keep changing that oil every 3000miles. Fork seals can go after a while but there is little else is a worry about. Both bikes are a little top heavy so be careful not to drop it, many do till they get the hang on the weight, yup me included I'm 6'1" and these bikes are ideal for us long leggy guys.
Then Trident and sprint are 2 of the most under rated bikes out there just ask anybody here who has one. Do some reading back on here lots of info to be had. Welcome to the wonderful world which it Triumph hope you enjoy the ride :-D

[trypcil]

Not quite sure what a Trident Sprint is !? However, they engine wise are largely the same, cosmetic difference are significant. Keep the battery charged and use a synthetic oil - Mobil is a good choice. RWHP stock is about 91'ish, more if thrashed when young! Write the Vin # down, this is found on the head stock and call your dealer and check to see if the sprag clutch has been 'done' and if so ask if the alternator spindle and bolt have been up dated. Triumph keeps a data base it seems of all bikes that have been modified at factory expense. If the mods have not been done ask if the Vin # of the bike is viable for the updates. However if not just keep the bike's battery on a trickle charge when left for any period of time and
if needed replace the battery with a yuasa type lead acid top up variety - these last longer than the sealed versions. Apart from that 'yehaa' and ride the **** off of it. What about a picture? :-D

Hi again


Thank you for your comments Les and those from our American cousin. Les: Should I worry about the sprag clutch and the Alternator bolt thingy? And is there any point contacting a triumph dealer to see if any warranty mods have been done? I only ask because I do not know if the setup is the same as in the States.

Just another quickie:

As my new Trident Sprint only has a side stand would you suggest (if available) fitting a centre stand or investing in a paddock stand for chain lube and adjustment etc?


Regards


Dave Wartog :hammer:

[Nic900]

The Trident came with a centre stand from new. I strongly recommend the addition of an OEM centre stand. A padock stand will do but it's nice to have the centre stand.
Incidenally I'd just like to add you have made an excellent choise in ride. I am a huge fan of the Trident and would recommend one to anybody. Not wishing to duplicate Les' comments, but reliable, solid and they go where you tell 'em not where they feel like, like some I could mention. The weight aids bump soaking and and well I could gush on but I'll just end by saying you wouldn't really go wrong with any of the Triumphs of this generation, but for my money the Trident gives you a versitile power train that bring a grin again and again :asb:

[andybike]

hiya and welcome aboard matey.

i had a honda till a few weeks ago and in all honesty i thought i'd never i'd be owning a triumph.
whilst looking for a vfr750 i saw my triumph on ebay and i just looked at it in curiousity and thought it looked good.
2 mondays ago i ended up buying the jet black 97 sprint sport for £1300 with all history and documents except for 1 mot certificate.
i thought i can sell her on for a tidy profit if i dont like the ride but doing the 93 mile ride back from south yorkshire i was that impressed i decided to keep the bike.

does the sprint sport have this sprag clutch problem guys?

[trypcil]

Probably not, though the alternator bolt 'may' still loosen - bolts do that. The 'sprag issue' was supposedly fixed - though as with all things mechanical, failure may still occur. The 'sprag issue' was addressed by Triumph and is now a Vin # specific dealio. Reports do come to light once in a while even on the 509's but they are few and far between and 'largely' were a '96 and prior problem. It's really a question of when the engine was made, both my bikes were made in 94 march and october and I have another engine that has an earlier # - but that has Zero miles on it and I'm not worried as of yet, call your dealer and ask, infact ask 2 or 3 dealers as a lot of them don't have a clue - that's true for the states and probably true in the UK as well. :-D

Hi Y'all


Thank you for the welcome I feel part of the 'gang' already and I do not pick up my Trident until tomorrow :-D

Already there seems to be some confusion, however am I right in thinking that the trident became the Trident Sprint (addition of half fairing) and then turned into the ST?

Are the changes purely cosmetic? Is the running gear the same?

In the service schedule it says to lube your chain every 200 miles: What is the best stuff to use? Or should I get a Scottoiler?

Well thats it for now


Thanking you all in advance for your replies


Dave Wartog :hammer:

Hi again


After searching through the pics on here (which is what i should have done b4 I started rabbiting on) I find that I have bought a 97 Sprint Sports in Candy Apple Red.


So is it a Trident at all I ask?

Is it a Trident with Cosmetic differences, I note that the cans are Black, the wheels are black and the engine is black.


Maybe I am nearer to knowing now what I have.


I will post a pic as soon as I get the bike which cannot come soon enough.

It is now MOT'D and having a service including new front pads.


Regards from a marginally less confused Triumph Newbie



Dave warthog

:hammer:

[Les]

Hi again Dave, The guys have answered your questions for me already so I wont dwell on them again. I will only add contact your local Triumph dealer they should be able to tell you if such things need doing.

The only prob I have with my center stand is getting the bike on it on my own. :hammer: There just has to be a knack to it though just like a coal man lifting a bags of coal all day. Nearly put my back out last time I tried on my own. I don't have a paddock stand but sure am considering one, my backs getting to old for that lark. :???:


As a bit of history my bike came with all MOTs and service history, done 36,000 miles, one owner before me, I bought it via eBay as well. The owner told me he traveled all over Europe on it and it never missed a beat, never let him down but as he is only 5' 4" and well over 60 he told me he had to let it go and bought a 600 Fazer which he compared to the Trident as a scooter in comparison.

The Trident was one of Triumphs original first models and Triumph obviously wanted to show the biking world that the new Triumphs where a million miles away from the old ones, reliable, oil tight and well engineered. In fact some say the Trident and the other models were over engineered, whatever that is supposed to mean. :???:

On a closing note the new breed of Triumphs (93 on) must be good, the yanks here like em and they take no sh*t . Enjoy that Sprint M8 I'm sure you 2 will have many happy years together and put many happy miles in. :-D