Triumphrat

triple900 · 07-16-2005

Well,I have been to the dealer twice who tells me that trident 900's get loud as they get older. I dont believe it! I have a knocking like pre ignition on one cylinder only under load at 3500-5k rpm. If it is not under load, no noise!! the bike runs great, no smoke, normal power, oil is clean, no metal!!! it is not the alternator cush drive or the clutch basket, the chain tensioner is ok, does not happen at idle or any other time other than under load 3500-5k rpm....... The bike has 26,000 miles on it and the noise has been there since about 21,000. Any ideas??? no it is not the cush drive or clutch basket that everyone has recomended in the past..... IDEAS??

Nic900 · 07-17-2005

You are right not to believe your dealer. I ran a Trident 900 for over 50k and had no increase in noise level of any kind.
As far as the cause..... :???: tricky..... It's of the mileage for a major service including tappets, carb balancing air filter and plugs, has this been done?
You say it's only one cylinder, how do you know it's one cylinder and which one? Are you sure it's engine noise? I'm not doubting you but sound has a habit of traveling sending you on a wild one if you're not careful. To give an example I thought I had some thing loose under the gas tank on mine, it turned out to be a loose mirror :roflmoa2: but I swore it was coming from below the tank.
The dealer is spinning you a line because they can't find it either. Can you duplicate this when the bike is running either in gear or in neutral on the centre stand? You can simulate load by using the rear brake (make sure you hold the front brake on while you do this)
I hope some of this helps, let me know

Diego · 07-18-2005

Nic is certainly right about it being hard to pinpoint a noise sometimes.

Although one would not generally expect pre-ignition on a single cylinder, I suppose it can happen. Have you tried higher octane fuel to see if that improves the condition? (Or conversely, lower octane to see if it becomes more prominent?) That might at least tend to confirm the symptoms are related to the suspected cause.

pendraig · 07-18-2005

I happen to be almost totally deaf in my left ear, so usually can not tell the direction of almost any sound.
I keep an engine stethoscope hanging on the wall beside my workbench. It looks like a medical stethoscope, but has a straight metal probe instead of the little disc that the doc puts on your chest.
With this gizmo, I have found that when something is making a noise, it is much louder right where it is happening than it is a few inches away, even when listening to the same part, casting or cover.
Of course, it's damned difficult to use while trying to ID some noise that the bike is making while it is under way.

triple900 · 07-18-2005

Nic 900,
Thanks for your responce.... i am quite sure it is one cyl! i had a major service done 3k ago, new coil wires, coil were checked, and ok, valves adusted, 2 were tight end of spec and one loose, all were adjusted.and carbs balances, all fuel and vac lines replaced. i am quite sure its engine I had replaced the plugs about 6 k ago and they looked great, dlr didnt change them, I have been wanting to dive it, pulling each coil wire to see which one makes it go away but havent had time..... i have gotten to the point where i want to call Triumph and ride it with my cell phone by the engine and let them hear, infortunately , they wont talk to anyone but a dealer and I can understand that. I will keep you posted and again thanks for your interest and note
PS, What do you know about the electronic unit under the seat, it must control the advance because the pulse wheel is fixed
Regards,
Rick Austin