Triumphrat

Malc in Brum · 10-13-2009, 08:34 AM

Almost because mine suffers from erratic running until it is truly warmed up and then it is the best tourer in the world. I bought it in 03 just before the type expired and seriously underused it which is where my troubles began.

In 05 the weather was poor most of the summer and I very rarely rode it, the petrol dried out in the carbs gumming up the slow running jets, and despite the best efforts of a local bike shop I've never managed to get it to run properly in less than 10 miles. The erratic running started then and makes itself known in the first few miles of any rideout. Exiting a roundabout one evening last week the engine cut out but restarted before I could even tighten my hand on the clutch. It's done it before always before the engine is really warm but once warm it is a superb bike.

LightningJack · 10-13-2009, 09:12 AM

Malc in Brum, I hope you get your Trophy worked out. I also hope Triumph reintroduces the Trophy someday. From what I've read, it was a brilliant machine, smooth, great handling, and powerful enough.

JohnD · 10-13-2009, 01:53 PM

I often don't start my D12 for weeks, or even months, during the off season or when I am out of town. To prevent the carbs from gumming up, I always add a fuel stabilizer to the fuel tank, rock the bike to mix throughout the tank, and then run the engine for a couple of minutes to insure that fuel with the stabilizer is in the carbs. Never had a problem with gum up if this is done.

I also use a slow-charge battery tender to ensure that a weak battery won't cause an expensive sprag clutch repair.

why II · 10-13-2009, 02:24 PM

What might you mean by this?

narrowminded · 10-13-2009, 03:01 PM

Malc,
Have you tried keeping the choke on while shes warming? My 900 always stumbles when cold.

JohnD · 10-13-2009, 03:39 PM

WhyII,

Do a search (see "Search" at the top of this site's web page) for "Sprag" Or "Sprag clutch" and you will see a number of threads about this. Here is just one of them:
http://www.triumphrat.net/t3-sport-t...-question.html

An alternate spelling is "sprague".

I am not mechanic, but it is a steel band that grips clutch groves to turn the motor over when you engage the starter. I have never yet had a problem with mine, and hope to never since the repair is evidently costly. A low battery that requires repeated attempts to start the motor is often sited as a cause of the sprag needing replacement, due to the steel band loosening and no longer being able to grip the groves to turn over the motor. So keep your battery in good shape to minimize starting and sprag use.

I think I saw a thread on this site where a member described how to repair the sprag, but I can not find it right now.

Oldschool · 10-15-2009, 12:13 AM

[quote=Malc in Brum;1395286]Almost because mine suffers from erratic running until it is truly warmed up and then it is the best tourer in the world. I bought it in 03 just before the type expired and seriously underused it which is where my troubles began. QUOTE]
Mine has been doing this more lately with the weather getting colder.I miss the fuel injection of my last bike during warm up.Otherwise I love the bike.I've been running slightly lower octane lately(92 vs 94) so I'm wondering if this may be exacerbating the stumbling.I think the bike is actually backfiring through the carbs momentarily stalling the engine.

Malc in Brum · 10-15-2009, 05:32 AM

Mine has been doing this more lately with the weather getting colder.I miss the fuel injection of my last bike during warm up.Otherwise I love the bike.I've been running slightly lower octane lately(92 vs 94) so I'm wondering if this may be exacerbating the stumbling.I think the bike is actually backfiring through the carbs momentarily stalling the engine.[/quote]

Interesting!!

I hate buying the higher octane premium brands but it will be cheaper than spending serious money at a bike shop investigating an intermittant fault. So I'll give it a go.

Had a couple of days in Victoria a few years ago and always fancied going back and hiring a motorbike instead of a car. Spoke to some local bikers on a hill view point looking over Victoria and they were pretty excited about riding on Vancouver Island. One day I'll get back there and have my rideout.

JohnD · 10-16-2009, 02:49 PM

Malc in Brum,

I was reading a post by DEcosse over in the Daytona Deliberations forum for a 955i owner who was experiencing problems. Among other solutions, DEcosse mentioned a product called Seafoam. On reading this company's web page, and viewing the YouTube instructional video, I think that this may have potential to help your engine's poor cold running performance and gummed-up carbs. I have never used this product, but may try it myself in future as a preventative measure. The web site is here:
http://www.seafoamsales.com/motor-treatment/index.html

If you use it, please report back on your impressions.

phavas · 10-17-2009, 05:18 AM

My 2003 1200 does the same thing if I leave it in the rain on the sidestand. I just let it dry itself out. It is probably crud in the left side float needle prevemting it from shutting off the fuel supply. Smokes like a bastard sometimes, then clears up and it's once again the most uncomfortable tourer in the world.

Cheers,
Zaphod