Triumphrat

Big_Rick · 07-03-2007

Here's a new one. Hope someone's come across it before.
Just over a week ago I started to get a really bad vibration in my bike. It's bad enough to numb both my hands in no time and you can also feel it in the foot pegs and the seat. So basically through the whole bike.
It definitely is engine related cause the vibration is RPM related and not speed related and it even vibrates in neutral.
Here's the other kicker. Since the vibration started my fuel mileage and gone to pot. I went from getting around 42 mpg to getting 33 mpg since the vibration started.
Dreading taking it in to the dealer cause it's one of those problems that could drag on and I could wind up losing the bike for a few weeks.
As I said earlier, hopefully someone here has experienced something similar and can shed some light on the problem.

Cheers,
Rick

BlueJ · 07-04-2007

Sounds like you might be only firing on one cylinder.... check the sparkies first.

mecscc · 07-04-2007

It is probably one of three things, and one of this is highly unlikely: loose engine mounts.

The next least likely: electrical misfiring due to a bad/dirty plug; a shorting plug wire; a short in the wiring harness; a short at the coil connections; a bad coil. This is second most likely source.

Most likely is a change in the air/fuel ratio on one of the carbs. From a leaking vacuum hose; a missing plug on the vacuum test tube; a leaking boot between the carb and head; OR something gumming up the fuel flow to one of the carbs throwing them way out of balance: at the petcock filter; in one of the jets.

If you are going to do this yourself it will take some patience. I suggest a good night's sleep; no booze; plenty of patience and keeping a log of each thing you find out that it is NOT. A lot of this work is simply having the patience to eliminate issues. The Haynes manual has a usefull trouble shooting chapter to help walk you through things like I discribe.

Good luck,

Monte

Big_Rick · 07-04-2007

Nope, still got spark. That was one of the first things I checked. It still runs strong and pulls hard and Idles OK, but there's a wicked vibration that starts to get really uncomfortable at around 3000 RPM and up.
I don't know how to check if the coil or ignition module could be to blame. But it doesn't feel like it's missing at all, it's just starting to feel like a vintage bike now. :wink:
Another factor that could be related is that for a while now, it has been knocking a bit with the 89 octane so I switched up to 91 and it seemed better. But since the vibration started it's starting to knock a bit with the 91 at lower RPMs. Mostly just pulling away from a stop.
To me that could only mean change in compression (carbon build up....not likely...plugs look OK) or poor timing (bad ignition????)
I don't know.
Anyone else ha

vertwrks · 07-04-2007

No booze???? Sounds like a pint or two may be required!!! Sorry to those who oppose.

This is a good one, sounds challenging initially but with proper problem solving technique it aught not be too bad.

First off what happened just before it started? Was anything adjusted, tweeked, added or otherwise messed with? If you have not messd with anything had you been riding hard or filled up with gas? Has anyone else been messing with it? Had you been running the snot out of it? If you messed it up running it too hard I would be suprized, mine will not die and I ring its neck every time I ride it.

Does it just vibrate or does it also run like manure? With such a drop in mpg something is defintely amiss. Clogged jet in carb, bad coil, ignitor, pick up coil, coil. Just no that much it could be. Carbs out of synch???

Step back, think about what led up to the vibe and share, chances are its not that big o deal to solve. At least I am hopeful this is the case my friend.

sweatmachine · 07-04-2007

bad fuel, crud in something?

It should not knock period. Something is wrong, and it's weird.

Mine is higher compression and doesn't knock at all, even on low-octane, although I run high test now.

I can't think of what could make it knock and vibrate, looks like since it's an '06 it should still be in warranty, take it in, better yet, have the dealer send a trailer for it.

sweatmachine · 07-04-2007

on second thought, have you lost a vacuum cap or something?

(and another vote for a few pints....) :-D

bonnieblackinfl · 07-04-2007

Here-Here, alas a few more pints :-D I have never experienced it, but some members have complained about bad vibrations when their carbs are out of sync. I guess it's worth a shot and you can drink a pint while doing it :chug: Plus, it gives you a chance to find that vacuum plug.

mecscc · 07-04-2007

Just to set the fun record straight. I have no objection to a few pints, and, although I no longer drink, I once knocked back more than a few myself - and had the hangovers to prove it. And I TRIED to work on bike problem solving while drinking many times -- and it never went as well as it did when I did my celebration AFTER solving the problem.

So, my recommendation, based on long personal experience is: no booze until you get your bike running right, and then drink yourself into oblivion as you please.

Cheers, girls and boys. I'm going to bed.

Monte :-D :-D :chug: (that's Rolling Rock for you boys; Diet Cherry Pepsi for me)

sweatmachine · 07-04-2007

good point Monte. Boozing and wrenching do not mix.

I never wrench and booze, unless it's raining and I'm changing the oil or something simple.

Wrench, then ride, then booze.

(and it's Sierra Nevada for me tonight, a departure from my usual Lone Star)

[ This message was edited by: sweatmachine on 2007-07-04 00:25 ]