Triumphrat

LabRatBiker

Hello All,
So this is a sad tale for me. I had a double fail on my 1996 Trophy 1200. Fan switch and idiot overheating light. The bike was running fine. It was a hot Sonoma day, high 80's. We had been riding for five hours or so. Got back to the city and it died at the last stop sign before home. No drama, no noise, no smoke, just died and started right back up.
I got it in and checked the oil. Strawberry milkshake on the stick. Check the coolant. Totally dry. Tried to top it off and it just kept taking coolant. Damn, I knew what that meant. Opened the crankcase drain and there came a flood of milkshake fluid. Cooked coolant and oil. Damn Damn Damn.
Started to tear it down. Got to the cylinder head bolts and one just spun without any pressure from the wrench, broken at the block. I suspect it was that way when I bought it. The head was fine until it got way hot and then the seals and head gasket blew.
I don't have that much $$ tied up in it to do a whole rebuild. It would cost me more than what I paid for it or could get out of it.
Just wanted to share my sad tale. If anyone is local to the San Francisco Bay Area and wants it for parts, drop me a note.
Sure gonna miss it.

PopPop

That REALLY sucks! I mean REALLY!!!!

__________________
Even people who claim everything is predestined, and that we can do nothing to change it, look before they cross the road. -- Stephen Hawking.

PaulF

ARGHHH!!!

Too nice a bike to just part out ... Several replacement engines are listed on fleabay.

__________________
"Even if you are on the right track,
you'll get run over if you just sit there."
-- Will Rogers

LabRatBiker

Yeah, it breaks my heart but I have had work hours cut. Looked at the engines on fleabay and by the time I get one here, it's over a grand+. Just don't have it to spare. A BARFer wants it for the front end.
Shame, it was a great ride.

PopPop

Can't you just hang onto it until your finances improve? I doubt you can replace it for the cost of an engine.

__________________
Even people who claim everything is predestined, and that we can do nothing to change it, look before they cross the road. -- Stephen Hawking.

LabRatBiker

Finances are not predictable. Recently moved my mother to assisted living and her safety and comfort come at a price. I'm 60 and not likely to find a position other than my current one. Was told the cuts were permanent.
I still have my 2000 Thunderbird Sport to comfort me.
Thanks for your thoughts.

PaulF

Sigh. Sorry to hear the tale. But life does happen, and the triple is a good consolation. I had just finished my 900 and was going to contact you for a ride ... ah well ...

__________________
"Even if you are on the right track,
you'll get run over if you just sit there."
-- Will Rogers

LabRatBiker

What Paul? Wouldn't been seen with a Triumph TBS?

PaulF

OK Kelly, you got me there. But there is something about a couple of trophys ... I'll just use the tiger ...

__________________
"Even if you are on the right track,
you'll get run over if you just sit there."
-- Will Rogers

Flattrack loon

Well hell,that sucks to have a bike parted due to a headbolt, but it is expensive to re do engines these days,the stud cant be extracted and a new stud installed?
Im looking for a rack for a top box if you happen to have one.

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Bikes in shed-(1968 Greeves 360 Challenger.)(2011 530-KTM EXCR-)(2009 KTM 200 XC-W) (2003 DR650 Suzuki.) (1999 Triumph 1200 Trophy.) Nor Cal rider.