Engine is toast - what do i do now?

[Crippler]

I have a 1995 Triumph Trophy 900cc.

I got it in the summer of last year. In December it broke. I was riding and all of the sudden i lost power, oil pressure and the bike wouldnt start again. i was on the highway going 75mph when it happened.

I took it to the local Triumph dealership.

Apparently, the cam chain busted and tore up the inside of my engine casing. they fixed that, cam chain, cam chain tensioner etc etc. They put it back together and it turned on, but the bottom end was knocking....they replaced the bearings. now, about 4 months later, they tell me that the cylinder head is cracked...and it leaks coolant into the engine case...

They said its not possible to fix. Well, actually, it IS possible, but it will cost a ton of money. the tab was up to $1500-$1800. however, they said since they couldnt make it driveable, that they cant charge me. i guess that is fair.

so now, i am stuck with a bike, with a crapped out engine.

WHAT do i do?

i am thinking...should i look for a triple engine laying around somewhere? part it out, sell AS IS on ebay?

it has new tires, everything else is good on it, suspension etc.

come on triumph gurus.... give me some advice.

[ervdrvr1]

Crippler,
Man, that sucks. You could try Baxters(www.baxtercycle.com) for a used engine or head(if the rest of your engine is good). They stock a pretty good selection of parts from breakers. No idea what it would cost, but worth a call anyways. Or sell it as a parts bike and try to find a newer one.
Good luck with it.

Erv
Deep in the Heart of Texas!!

[KitNYC]

Hi Crippler,

Know of any good hotels in Austin that aren't booked for week after next? I'll be there from the 21st through 26th, but I didn't make my reservations in time....

Anyway, one of our members just posted a motor for sale in the classifieds, & they do turn up on eBay now & then. I picked up a T-bird motor to scavenge for parts to rebuild my Trident's, but that's on hold 'til I get back from Texas.

Best of luck whatever you do,
-Kit

[tritonwow]

Part it and buy one of the Super IIIs which keep popping up on Fleabay! I wish I didn't have so many bikes already otherwise I'd get one!
Back to engine assembly for me... Good luck whatever you choose

[Roden]

Thats bad luck mate, the T3's are not know to blow like that. As a matter of interest, whats the mileage on your bike?

If you can pick up a head or even a complete motor it might be worth resurrecting, particularly as the rest of the bike is good. Also, you have already dropped a bundle fixing all the other stuff, it would be a shame to let it go.

If you do decide to part it out, you won't have too much trouble moving it and there is a classified section here. Do you have the facilities to strip it?

Cheers,

Roden.

[roygrif]

Can't you just buy a new engine for it from Triumph?

[Crippler]

Originally Posted by KitNYC

Hi Crippler,

Know of any good hotels in Austin that aren't booked for week after next? I'll be there from the 21st through 26th, but I didn't make my reservations in time....

Anyway, one of our members just posted a motor for sale in the classifieds, & they do turn up on eBay now & then. I picked up a T-bird motor to scavenge for parts to rebuild my Trident's, but that's on hold 'til I get back from Texas.

Best of luck whatever you do,
-Kit

good hotels? no luck at either Hilton downtown? other than that its gonna be budget hotels buddy. :-\

[Crippler]

Originally Posted by Roden

Thats bad luck mate, the T3's are not know to blow like that. As a matter of interest, whats the mileage on your bike?

If you can pick up a head or even a complete motor it might be worth resurrecting, particularly as the rest of the bike is good. Also, you have already dropped a bundle fixing all the other stuff, it would be a shame to let it go.

If you do decide to part it out, you won't have too much trouble moving it and there is a classified section here. Do you have the facilities to strip it?

Cheers,

Roden.

the bike had like 33k miles. i know it was a fluke, and the cam chain is good for like 100-150k usually. oh well. bad luck i guess...

i dont have a nice place to strip it yet, but soon. (moving from an apt, and buying a house this summer if all goes well)

im gonna keep an eye out for engines firstly.

[Crippler]

Which triple engines are compatible?

Sorry for my ignorance, i'm a honda guy!

[Readmarx]

I don't like Hondas....

I'd not get too vexed about this. Go looking on fleabay for engines to get an idea of prices and contact breakers too for the same. Get a fix on the average price and look for the best example and attached history of the engine - i.e. someone who has mileage, any service history from the donor bike, etc. Look at pictures, if you can of it's condition.

I've been through this with a yam engine with rebuilds, tuning and all sorts.. pointless really, just get another motor and put it in yourself - get a genuine Triumph manual (not some Haynes crap). It'll teach you a lot about the machine and a huge sense of achievement.