Triumphrat

tigerking · 02-14-2010, 05:24 PM

I'll try to cut a long story short: Bought the Triumph chromed lever kit since i still needed to change the brake pedal and the brake lever which were bent. The brake lever didn't fit properly - it would not return allright after having been pressed. This meant the brake light wouldn't go off. Changed back to the original one. Well, enough about that.
When I later tried to start the bike nothing happened. Charged the battery overnight. Still nothing happening. I've checked the fuses, I've checked "side stand switch". I can hear a click from the starter relay when I push the start button. But the battery still seems weak: If I turn the lights on they go on but they sure take their time and the light is very weak.
Tried to start it with the charger connected - only differense is a sort of rattling noice from the relay. I must have made a serious mistake during the lever and pedal change? Or is it just an old, weak battery? Really want some input on this since a new battery seems to be quite expensive.

Forchetto · 02-14-2010, 05:39 PM

I think it's just a coincidence that your battery gave up at the same time as the lever change. It sounds as if it's worn out.

Charge it fully, disconnnect the charger, leave for 20 minutes or so, and then measure the voltage at the terminals. Switch on the ignition without starting the engine and if the volts drop to 12 or less the battery is finished.

tigerking · 02-14-2010, 05:46 PM

Thanks a lot, Forchetto. I'll try this tomorrow. Is it necessary to buy the "original" battery or would a cheaper one do the job?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forchetto

I think it's just a coincidence that your battery gave up at the same time as the lever change. It sounds as if it's worn out.

Charge it fully, disconnnect the charger, leave for 20 minutes or so, and then measure the voltage at the terminals. Switch on the ignition without starting the engine and if the volts drop to 12 or less the battery is finished.

Baltobonneville · 02-14-2010, 06:53 PM

Yes, weak battery. I wouldn't try to start it with the charger connected, unless it's intended to do that.

I suppose that you can use any battery that fits, although I wouldn't go too cheap.

Did you clean and grease the pivot points on the brake lever and properly install the return spring?

By the way, the hydraulic rear brake light switches have been known to stick in the "on" position, nothing to do with the lever. It happened to mine; I disconnected it for safety and ordered a new one.

tigerking · 02-15-2010, 05:40 AM

yes, greased the pivot and remembered the spring to the brake pedal. And the rear brake light work normal. So i dont think there's any problems there. The brake light works normal whith the old front brake lever aswell. Have to fix the new chromed one so it fits better.

So now you're two who thinks it's a weak battery. Better get a new one then. Spend, spend, spend. Bikers = shopaholics ;-)

tigerking · 02-22-2010, 05:00 PM

Ok, thanks for the help. A new battery did the trick!

Verde · 02-26-2010, 02:27 AM

Well, you already have the new battery, but I say feel free to go as cheap as you want there without rigging in something too ghetto. I put the cheapest triumph spec. battery(happened to be from NAPA) in my bike in July 2007 and it just kicked the bucket this month. I'm shopping around the high end stuff that interests me and even if the high end battery last 8 years I still come out ahead price wise with 3 of the cheap ones... just a bit more headache changing it out that many times.

blacktiger · 02-26-2010, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tigerking

yes, greased the pivot and remembered the spring to the brake pedal. And the rear brake light work normal. So i dont think there's any problems there. The brake light works normal whith the old front brake lever aswell. Have to fix the new chromed one so it fits better.

I would compare the thickness of the new lever to the old one. It could be binding on the pivot bolt head if the new one is slightly thicker. Could be that the chrome has added some. If so take it back because it should be a straight swap and you don't want to have to shave the chrome off which is very hard.

tigerking · 03-02-2010, 11:02 AM

Well bought a cheap battery at Biltema (Car-theme or something similar for all you non swedish-speaking). Cost a third of an original one. Even if it doesn't work as long as an expencive one I can buy three of theese instead. And the bike starts and I'm happy!

And when it comes to the handbreak lever I sent it back. Hope they can work something out...