Triumphrat

tccox · 05-31-2007

OK hot as heck riding home from work but had to stop and get gas. Bike was HOT , starting pumping gas and GAS PUMP handle was broken and would not quite pumping gas . Got it unjamed with other hand but not before gas all over my bootiful tank and HOT engine. I was sweating there for a minute. Will rewash and wax bike this weekend.

But my question is. My T100 is three weeks old. Several times (today included) when starting bike after a short stop (refuel) and temps and bike are hot, starter has made a loud metallic clank when first engaging. Bike starts OK but was wondering was that normal ????? And its only happened about 4 or 5 times and only when temps are hot.

Just wondering

badrufus · 05-31-2007

I don't think a loud metallic clank from the starter is normal under any condition. Get the dealer to check it out.

When you clean the gas off the bike, get one of the torx security bits and remove the tank badges and rubbers. There will likely be gas under there. Then clean and dry the badges and rubbers. You can buy a set of cheap bits that includes torx security bits at most auto parts stores for $10.
Guess how I know about this?

sweatmachine · 05-31-2007

the starter is easy enough to access, drain oil, remove clutch cover, remove starter.

The dealer should check it out. Also, the starter costs $900 to replace, and if anything is loose under that clutch cover...well, good things won't happen.

I'd get the dealer to check it out, and make sure they actually remove the clutch cover, not just hit the starter and say "oh that's ok"

badrufus · 05-31-2007

Sweat--It's supposed to be possible to access the starter from the RH side, but not in my experience. A few weeks ago, I decided I was tired of the drip of oil on the galley plugs. I was changing the oil so it was a good time to fix it. I disconnected the oil return line between oil cooler and sump, then tried to pull the starter out on the RH side, as I'd read several places you could do. I tried every angle six times and no-way was that starter coming out without removing the RH header. That involves removing the bolts and bracket holding the brake pedal assembly, plus bolts holding the connection to the rear brake master cylinder, disconnecting the balancer pipe connection, removing the allen head bolt holding header to frame just below brake pedal, and finally removing the two 12 mm nuts holding the header to the exhaust studs. And it's probably actually easier if you first remove the RH silencer too. I didn't intend to do all that.

The starter SHOULD come out on the RH side once you remove the oil line. But on my 05 T100, I couldn't budge it. Not even a good beer helped. I was able to work around the starter and remove one of the galley plugs, clean it up, apply teflon tape and put it back, but could not access both.

tccox, I hate going to the dealer as much as anyone. But this sounds like a warranty issue on a brand new bike. If you go to the dealer and they blow you off or "can't find it" demand that they document it. And like Sweat said, make sure that they thoroughly check out under the clutch cover. Loud metallic clanks shouldn't be coming from there either. Actually no loud metallic clanks should come from the Bonnie unless you're working on it and drop a wrench.

CAPTDON · 05-31-2007

The gas geyser is something a lot of us have encountered- bad pump handle!! My bike was 2 weeks old when it happenned & hot as he**! All vaporized & I am amazed there wasnt anexplosion!! I only go to reputable stations now w/ newer equiptment. The noise is another issue. I would DEFFINATELY take it to the dealer asap! I didnt realize what an ordeal a starter R&R was!! A scary thought. Me so far -so good but I learned something new here on that one! If they still had kickers- it wouldnt be so scary. Under warranty- get it checked!! & good luck! With the small gas filler opening, the geyser is really that. Just to be safe now, i est the amount of gas I need & inch up after that. Luckyno BOOM!!

tccox · 05-31-2007

Problem is, it's a very rare occurrence. Only happened about 4 time since bike was new. And only when bike was ridden in 90 degree F weather. Worse case situation. It sure ain't gonna happen if I carry it to dealers and dealer is 85 miles away. Guess I'm gonna just keep a close eye on it and assume if starter totally fails I could push start the sucker. Gotta be honest here. I'm sure not impressed by Triumphs quality control so far.

06-01-2007

Same here with my 05 bonne. About 4-5 times loud metallic noise when starting engine. Bike was then 1-2 month old. No noises after that... don't know what was that.. :???:

bonnienewbie · 06-01-2007

The starter is really $900?!?!?!?! That seems excessive to say the least. Is this normal for motorcycle parts?

Baltobonneville · 06-01-2007

Bonnienewbie, pick a few parts from the diagrams at Bikebandit and price them. They're all very expensive, even the individual nuts and bolts, which are mostly standard metric issue.

The two-year warranty is a good thing, and Triumph seems to be pretty good about fixing legitimate issues, so it boils down to how supportive is the dealer. I got a new tank one week before the warranty expired, and in my opinion it was a judgement call whether I really needed one.

Tccox, make sure that the dealer documents the problem. Maybe you can ride out there on a hot day and try to reproduce it, and/or record your startups until it happens.

doctorjay · 06-01-2007

Back to the sound...Mine has done it a few times. I think it's the left carb we are hearing...I could be wrong. Maybe the diaphram snapping or something. Sounds like a pressure issue and it only happens on restart after I've been riding. I never saw it as a problem. I expect sounds like this from the bonnie with it's exposed carbs, etc. Any ideas?