Triumphrat

Big_Frank · 12-12-2012, 02:06 AM

Hi everyone I live in Detroit, MI USA and have acquired from what I have read so far a neat bike I hope to find out a bunch of new things and decide if I want to keep this bike as I am not sure yet. Im lost when it comes to Triumph..

the story of acquisition: My uncle passed away a little over a year ago. I was the executor to his estate being as he had no children. well I got a call from a storage unit place trying to find him saying his lease was up and it had to be renewed or empty the unit. so I went over to empty out this unit that nobody knew he had and inside was a military type metal ammo box and a bike with a cover on it laying on its side Appears to have fallen over how I have no clue. The bike that is now mine is a 1994 Triumph Daytona super 3. It has 900 KM's on it and in the box was all the paper work showing its import from the UK in 95 and all the rest of the paper work that came with the bike. I called the Detroit Triumph dealer's service department who sounded agitated when answering and said "94 super3 never seen one and its Carbureted we dont work on them" and he hung up. All i was calling to do is find out if i should start it or take it in to have them go over the bike. So needless to say im lost

zelatore · 12-12-2012, 02:41 AM

Fairly rare bike; I'm not surprised the dealer has never seen one. On the other hand their reaction makes me think I'd be quite happy never spending a dime with them in the future either. Nice guys.

I can't help you with anybody in the Detroit area, but I would expect your best bet would be an independent shop. It's just a motorcycle - it's not rocket science.

Any idea how long it's been sitting? Are you at all mechanically inclined? If you know a little about bikes or just engines in general, I'd certainly give it a try yourself. Drain the old gas if it's been sitting very long (likely from your description), charge or replace the battery, check the oil, etc. While you've got the tank off to drain the gas, pull the plugs, put it in second or third and try to roll it a bit to see if it turns over. If so, put it back together and see if it will crank. You've got little to lose and you might even get lucky.

Report back in the sub forums for the super III and let us know how it goes.

Big_Frank · 12-12-2012, 03:51 AM

Thanks for the Advice im well versed as a bike mechanic. The tank was dry It almost seemed like he got it over here than stored it since than. Im not sure if it was ever registered in the US i didnt find any paper work or plate info with the rest of the papers I had found. Yeah i didnt know how finicky triumphs are I own 2 Harley's Im about to leave for work where im storing the bike. Il drop the oil and put new in it and check the plugs and pick up a new battery as well Ill take a vid of the first time trying to start it. as long as the engine is free ill give it a few cranks and see what it dose. Thanks Again