Triumphrat

bete · 01-03-2013, 05:18 PM

I used to have a trophy 5 or 6 years ago, been missing it, but I hesitate to buy any carburetor bike these days because of the gas we have plugs up jets so fast, are people having trouble with this on the Trophy's? thanks bete

rubber biscuit · 01-03-2013, 08:57 PM

I think my biggest concern would be the condition of the carburation BEFORE I got the bike, or how much you're willing to get it to be right on your own. I've had my Trophy for three seasons now and was fortunate that the carburation when I got it was spot on with apparantly clean units. Now all I do is add Stabil to the tank a few days in anticipation of "the last ride" so it gets to the bowls etc and thats it. Have had no issues with gas come spring, or during the riding season for that matter either.

davetheworv · 01-04-2013, 01:23 AM

lol biking used to be so easy,you rode it in spring summer/early autumn,put it away for the winter, then tickled the carbs,gave it choke then kicked it over maybe three times and off you went. such is progress

rubber biscuit · 01-04-2013, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davetheworv

lol biking used to be so easy,you rode it in spring summer/early autumn,put it away for the winter, then tickled the carbs,gave it choke then kicked it over maybe three times and off you went. such is progress

You mean way back when gasoline was gasoline (petrol was petrol). These days in addition to the Stabil in the tanks I drain the Amals on those bikes that have them.

Flattrack loon · 01-04-2013, 11:06 AM

Its not all that hard to start a bike once a month,is it?
Even current gas doesnt go bad and plug carbs with just the barest of effort. Start the bike,get it warm,occasionally put some fresh gas in.
Let em sit all winter then take the carbs off and clean em otherwise.

Doug Stanger · 01-04-2013, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flattrack loon

Its not all that hard to start a bike once a month,is it?
Even current gas doesnt go bad and plug carbs with just the barest of effort. Start the bike,get it warm,occasionally put some fresh gas in.
Let em sit all winter then take the carbs off and clean em otherwise.

I agree. When on the off season I start my bikes up once a month. Gas will not go bad in six months and I have never used stabilizers on the advice of my mechanic. I've never had a problem with the carbs gumming up or causing problems once the regular riding season begins.

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bete · 01-04-2013, 10:00 PM

The only carb bike I have now is a KLR650 it does plug it in 30 days, I have got good at cleaning it, what works best is to drain it after each ride but the carbs on the Trophy are a lot tougher to get at. I will just have to be diligent on on running it regular. thanks for the advice. bete

FoothillRyder · 01-04-2013, 11:17 PM

1. Buy good gas (like Chevron)
2. If you park the bike for long periods, keep it on a battery tender and start it every couple of weeks (at least) and let it warm up.

Nearly all of the currently available 'gas' is at least 10% Ethanol, and if left sitting it WILL separate, and the liquid that is not gasoline will be at the bottom of the tank (where the fuel pickup is). You gotta mix that stuff up every once in a while (rocking the bike back and forth is how I do that), and always before you start it.

#1 above is - in my humble opinion - the reason why I have bikes that have sat for six months without gumming up the carburetors. There really is a difference. Save a few pennies per tank on your gas and you'll pay far more later, whether the payment is in the time it takes you to pull, disassemble, clean and reassemble your carbs, or the money it costs to pay someone else to do it.

KitNYC · 01-05-2013, 04:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FoothillRyder

1. Buy good gas (like Chevron)
<...>
#1 above is - in my humble opinion - the reason why I have bikes that have sat for six months without gumming up the carburetors.<...>

Actually, speaking specifically of Chevron, it's not just your opinion. Chevron adds Techron, one of the few fuel system additives/cleaners that actually does something, to its gas. BMW sells a re-labeled version of Techron as BMW Fuel System Cleaner. It's good stuff, and buying gas from Chevron is quite a bit cheaper than adding half a can of Seafoam to a tank of someone else's gas.

Cheers,
-Kit

rubber biscuit · 01-05-2013, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug Stanger

I agree. When on the off season I start my bikes up once a month. Gas will not go bad in six months and I have never used stabilizers on the advice of my mechanic. I've never had a problem with the carbs gumming up or causing problems once the regular riding season begins.

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Just out of curiosity, what does your mechanic have against gas stabilizers? And, have you asked him specificly about "warming" up a "sleeping" engine once a month or so? Most mechanics I know including myself advise against this practice. The engine will never get warm enough to evaporate the condesation that forms internally and you will more than likely be shutting it off with a bit inside. No condensation will form in a cold engine that stays cold. Overall I think it's a poor way to keep carbs from gumming up. If you don't want to use a stabilizer I would just drain the carburetors.