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california super III

2K views 13 replies 5 participants last post by  a330us 
#1 ·
I'm still waiting on delivery of the super III I bought a week or so ago but got some paper work and it was originally
sold in California so does anybody know what the differences were between a CA bike and the rest of the US? There must have been some small changes or additional equipment added for emissions in CA and I'd probably want to take that stuff off if possible. Thanks Arch.
 
#2 · (Edited)
I live in Southern California. According to my Haynes manual, the only difference was they were SUPPOSED to have emission control on the fuel tank venting. My '95 Sprint. was sold here new, and I bought it from the original owner. It did not have any of that. It did not even have a place to connect it. I have a Federal version'00 Legend. It has the same setup. The only difference I found was the Calif. version says "made to comply with Calif. emissions" on the plate on the steering head whereas the Federal version say "made to comply with Federal standards". I suspect the state waived the emissions standards on the early versions because Triumph did not sell enough bikes here those first few years. Just my suspicion mind you. I have had both of them apart, and I don't see any differences. Same engine, same carbs, same exhaust. Even same jetting. Some people make a big deal about it, but I don't see what the fuss is about. When I brought the Federal version Legend home to Calif. from Arizona where I bought it, the local DMV tried to give me a rash about registration, but I would not take no for an answer. It wound up delaying getting it registered, but in the end it didn't cost me any more. They inspected the bike and sent the paperwork to the state AQMD. They approved it being licensed in the state. Just ignorance on the part of the local DMV staff. ...J.D.
 
#3 ·
Thanks JD for that full explanation, I wouldn't have thought that they would have had very much in the way of emissions gear in 1995 but just wanted to make sure there is nothing strangling the motor. Can't wait to get it, it's been on my bucket list ever since I drooled over them in 95. Arch.
 
#4 ·
I've never bought a California bike myself, but the changes were supposed to be very significant across the board for most of the sport and touring models. Different cams, only one snorkel on the airbox, different jets, among other things. I really don't know about the Super III, though, as all California bikes should have blue cams, but all Super IIIs should have red?

Pretty sure California didn't waive anything for Triumph, but J.D.'s bike isn't the only one I've heard of being sold in 49-state configuration in California. I suspect Triumph was playing fast and loose with the regs in the beginning. I also suspect that Super III will have the red cams and both snorkels, etc., but I'm curious to know for sure.

Cheers,
-Kit
 
#5 · (Edited)
Thank you Kit: You motivated me to go back and check what I thought to be true about this subject. My '95 Sprint is in fact a "Federal" version. I guess all this time I had assumed it to be a Calif. version since I knew it was originally sold here, but I just went and checked the factory plate on the steering head. I have had this thing for 15 years as of last month. Oddly enough it did have a single snorkel which I removed years ago. I have learned something today. That is what makes these discussions valuable. I learned more on this subject when I went "off the reservation" to buy my Legend over in Arizona back in 2014. The DMV inspector didn't even know how to tell the difference, so I had to go research the subject. I would like to follow up on this Super III and see what he has. Looks like Triumph was selling anything anywhere in those days. ...J.D.

P.S. If anyone has any verified information on this issue, and not just hearsay, feel free to jump in here. I do not mind being proven wrong.
 
#6 ·
Good discussion guys, when I get the bike just before Memorial weekend I hope, that's one of the first things I'll check and then figure out how to desmog it without screwing anything up. I'll save all the parts of course so the next owner will be able to have a completely original bike if he wants. It appears from slowly going through the forums that many of these were trashed or modified. Thanks Arch.
 
#7 · (Edited)
Arch: I doubt you are going to find much difference. According to my Haynes manual, the only difference is solenoids that control evaporative emmisions for the fuel tank vent. Not something you would take off to improve performance. There are no different specs. listed on the various models for a California version. My two 49 state T-3s both had 112 main jets in them. I don't think the factory could jet them any leaner for California. I don't think they would run that way. I think a lot of what you read on this is myths. Motorcycles are not subject to smog inspections in California, so we just run whatever. Cars however are quite a different story. They are strictly controlled and inspected. Let me know what you find when you get your new ride. ...J.D.
 
#8 ·
Hi JD, I'll certainly let you know when I get the bike, shipper called me Sun. and said he would be here on Wed. I thought he would be here today so little disappointed. I would think that Triumph wouldn't sell a bike with different cams, etc. in CA. since that would be false advertising. I would be hacked if I thought I was buying a bike with 115 hp and it only had 98 or so!! Thanks Arch.
 
#9 ·
I bought my 96 Super from Ca. The only difference is the evap. Charcoal stuff and hose work. I believe they all had a roll over valve mine has two solenoids on the spine under the tank with a charcoal can under the rear fender. Most of this had been butchered up and disconnected. I removed the offending hose work left in part.
I do like having a charcoal can these days as it does keep the smell down in my basement garage but not worth going through all the hassle and money to find the missing pieces so I removed most of the items and boxed what I had intact.
Cams are the same. As is everything else my friend.


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#11 ·
My super III was finally delivered this morning, lots of bad weather along his whole route.Well it's beautiful! Very mint with 4800 miles on it and giving it a good once over the only thing I can see is wrong grips and a couple of fasteners that aren't correct. One small scratch about 1/2 inch long and a smudged place on the left CF muffler.
I got it started but it is cold blooded and wouldn't rev past 3k at first but finally cleared its throat and would rev up when warm. Even though the PO spent much moola on the carbs at a dealer.
I haven't had a chance to really start going through it but quick look shows that it did have a canister on it but tubes are gone also so someone has already desmogged it. It also has dual snorkles but got to wait until I get the gas tank off before I do anything else.
My 95 D1200 is still waiting for pickup in a couple of weeks. I had forgotten how long and heavy these bikes are but I'm 74 now and these were the last two bikes on my bucket list. I still remember lusting after these in 95 but just couldn't swing it at the time.
I'm sure I'll have lots of questions coming up, one being where did they put the tool kit, can't seem to find a compartment under the seat. Sorry about the bandwidth. Regards Arch.
 
#12 ·
Congrats, A3, the Super 3 is a special machine, and worth your long wait. I've had mine for 5 years now and even as part of a good sized fleet, it still tugs at me. And I never get tired of staring at those eyes! Enjoy it, man.




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