sprag questions

[97sprint]

I keep reading about sprag clutches letting go.
How do you know it's about to go?
What 'sounds" This is the first triple I've owned so it has some noises to me that may be normal, I'm not sure.
My other bike, I've owned for 17+ years and can tune by ear, with my eyes closed.

So what noise do I need to be aware of?
Right now it sounds loud and "grindy" at idle. Rev it over 2500 and it's smooth as silk. Same when it's running, let it lug down to under 3000 and it sounds rough.

My buddies 06 1050 Sprint has a funky, to me, sound at idle.
maybe I'm still getting used to it?


When it does go, any aftermarket replacements or Triumph only?


[ This message was edited by: 97sprint on 2006-07-14 15:57 ]

[shemp]

good q's. I'd like to hear the answers myself.

I hear alot of clattering in my bike too. I wasn't sure if it was normal, so I took it to my local Triumph dealer and dragged the service manager outside to have a listen. He told me "yep, that's a Triumph" I felt much better.
My pals tell me it sounds like a school bus at idle.

[YrfuneralMytrial]

I've had (still have one) two 98 TBirds but neither were as noisy as the 96 Trident. Same as you, a bit "lost in the muck" until 2500rmps or so and then it's like a different bike. I'm good on all fluids and have extremely low mileage. I think it is what it is. Wade

[jetmech]

Mine sounds like a cement mixer until you hit the throttle .

[97sprint]

OK so we agree they are noisy.......

I did a search within triumph rat using the word "sprag"
we have 2 member who use "sprag" in their names and 1 story about a Tiger model.

**edit*** I went thru the maintenance section........
lots of "classic" or T-Birds have experienced this problem.
And its is VERY expensive.

So what do I need to be aware of?
Any preventative maintenance?
I keep the fluids checked, battery is good.
I ride it to keep it charged.
What else?

What bolt kit? I don't have any dealers "near" me.
Did Triumph upgrade later models?
Or does my 97 fall into the not good category?





[ This message was edited by: 97sprint on 2006-07-15 03:13 ]

[tealetm]

"Sounds like a diesel tractor" I get from my buddies.


Its loud... I'd dare say the engine is louder than the exhaust note

[Eddie]

An indication that the sprag clutch is on its way out is when you press the starter button you sometimes get a metallic slapping noise instead of the motor spinning, release the button and try again and it works fine. it gets to the point that eventually all you get is the slap/clat kind of noise and no go.at this point it is completely shot.
if you have an early engine with a flat cover on top of the gearbox you can replace the sprag with the engine in situ. you just have to remove the clutch, the seat & tank, air box & carbs and the alternator. the updated sprag is bigger than the early ones so if you are replacing a smaller one with a larger one it involves some minor machining of the engine case, Triumph dealers should have a special tool to do this.
with later engines (no flat cover on the gearbox) you have to remove the engine, split the cases and remove the gears to access the sprag.
the alternator bolt upgrade replaces the original alternator/sprag drive shaft and the two small bolts (one for each end) with a new shaft and a long through bolt and nut.
If one of the bolts holding the alternator drive impellers is loose you should be able to hear a slight rattle at idle which quietens or goes completely when the lights are turned on.
On mine if i open the throttle wide at about 2800 rpm in a gear too high it sounds and vibrates like an old tractor, but clears above 3000rpm so I just try to keep the revs above 3000. apart from that it sounds sweet as a nut
Just reread your post and saw that yours is a 97 sprint. the bad news is that if it (the sprag) goes it will be an engine out job, the good news is that it`l be a later more robust unit and is less likely to go.

[pendraig]

I had my sprag clutch go south and it is just as Eddies describes. I've been told that a weak battery is the number one culprit in sprag clutch failure as the engine spins too slowly to get it past the compression of TDC before the mixture ignites. (Engine turning backward + starter turning forward= dead sprag clutch)
Eddie or anyone, what year did they discontinue the access cover?
Why did they do that?

[Eddie]

I have checked out some bikes locally and it seems that the engine was changed around 1994/5ish.
I can only guess triumph probably went for the one piece casting for reasons of cost, or perhaps it was that the early engines were over- engineered as they didn't want them blowing up and this was part of paring away some of the excess

Mine was on the way when i got my bike.

When starting the bike it sounded like it was grinding gears and it wouldnt catch. It progressivly got worse to where i was bumping it!

Luckily my cousin owned a Gas Gas dealership and was an ex Triumph mechanic.

Bearing is nothing special and if you can take it to a bearing specialist you can get them for about £13 I couldnt wait that long (very impatient me ) so i got a triumph part for a little over £100.

Its an engine out and near enough a full strip. All i can say is i heard horror stories of engines with shagged Sprags firing backwards and destroying themselves.

Believe me it is worth getting done.

Also worth noting. (Sounds stupid but...) dont use car oil in the bike. Mobil 1 and the likes have slip agents in them which cause the sprag (or one way) bearing to slip into reverse. One of the causes of failures