Triumphrat

themaster · 08-03-2006

Hi all,

Apologies for a technical glitch being my first post - hope you don't think I'm being too cheeky.

I've had my Speed Four for a couple of weeks - my first proper bike, and I've been absolutely loving it. Until yesterday.

Pulling away from the lights I missed second gear and hit neutral (I know, a newbie error, and I did kick myself for it). Then the temperature gauge started to rocket. I blamed that.

Then, going home, starting from cold, I'd ridden about 1/2 a mile, traffic free, and it reckoned it was overheating. I stopped, checked it over, but everything looked normal so I carried on. Then, after a mile or two, it decided it was cold, so turned on the automatic choke, which made riding it somewhat "interesting".

I've got it booked in to the stealers in a couple of weeks, but I was wondering if anyone here had a similar problem, or any idea of what it might be. Oil and water levels are fine, and the fan is working correctly - nothing wrong with the fuses either. My initial thought was thermostat, but I'm anything but a mechanic.

Obviously if it's something simple, I might save a bundle of money, which having checked my credit card balance could only be a good thing.

Best,

D.

BinaryS4 · 08-03-2006

Was the bike recently washed or in rain? Seems a few posters and good responses find that water in the temp sensor really throws a gear into the wrench of the temp readings.

This might be a easy quick, and credit card free check.

Lance-S4 · 08-03-2006

"Automatic Choke"? How do you turn this on after the normal warm up?

Will · 08-03-2006

It sure sounds like a screwey temperature sensor. If I remember right, it is on the left side of the motor, near the top. You will find a fitting with a hose attached to it, and a wire sticking out of the top (or side or something). Check to see if that is all connected properly. If it is connected properly, check to see that your radiator is completely filled- if it was refilled and got some air trapped in it, that causes some temperature wierdness. Always make sure you have the bike vertical when you have the radiatior open- it is a PITA since you can't use the sidestand. If you squeeze the top radiator hose and air burps out of the system, you have found your problem. If all that checks out as normal, you might just have a faulty sensor.

No problem asking a question for your first post. Under all the rest of the things we talk about, that is exactly what this forum is all about and the most important thing for all of us.

themaster · 08-03-2006

Thanks all for your suggestions. I'll have a look this evening when I get home from work and keep you posted.

Quote:

"Automatic Choke"? How do you turn this on after the normal warm up?

Sorry, I was unclear. The bike thought it was cold so it turned the choke on automatically (at least I assume that's what it did, since it started idling quickly).

themaster · 08-03-2006

With that simple information, I believe the problem is solved. The proper test will be when I take it to work tomorrow, but assuming it is, many thanks to you all.

Essentially I disconnected the wiring to the temperature sensor, under Will's kind direction. There was a bit of water in there, so I soaked that up, thanks to BinaryS4. Then I reconnected it.

It sat on my drive warming up for about 5 minutes, I took it round the block (the problems would have occured by then) and it all appears to be behaving normally.

Tomorrow will be the real test, as I say. I'll let you know then...

Will · 08-03-2006

Use a big glob of dielectric grease on the connection. That protects it from water far more than just putting it back together. You can get dielectric grease from any auto parts house.

themaster · 08-04-2006

To and from work with no drama. Actually more "normal" readings too (around 82C). Will grease the thing over the weekend. Thanks very much for helping me avoid the "Oh you need a new sensor, sir" then the "You need a new cooling system, sir" from the dealers. Not that I'm a cynic.

themaster · 08-10-2006

All short lived though.

After a week the problem's the other way around. It wouldn't start this afternoon - the bike was cold ... but the temp gauge was reading 60. It seemed like it was trying to idle too slowly and stalling.

Got it running in the end, so I'm most likely going to change the temperature sensor. It looks like it just screws in and out with the help of a spanner.

Could someone confirm if that's the case (or if you think I'm barking up the wrong tree completely, that would be appreciated too). Many thanks in advance.

Will · 08-10-2006

I replaced the sensor on my bike without any difficulty. As I recall, it took a little disassembly to get to it so you could get at it, and there was something fiddly about putting it back together, but that was a while ago, so I don't remember what it was all about. Anyway, it isn't tough. It just requires some patience and care.