Triumphrat

CRACK

My 2005 SM with about 10.5k mi. died on my ride tonight. About 30 mi. into the ride I noticed the tach jumping back & forth from 0 to 3500. I don't know how long this had been going on, I wasn't paying attention. I was looking for a place to pull off & the motor quit running. After about 45 mins. of waiting for my pick-up truck & a ride home, I hit the starter & it sounded like a dead battery. When on the PU (another 45 min.) I hit the starter again & it fired up. I quickly shut it down, I don't know much mechanically but I didn't want to do any damage. I called a freind of mine (rides a chopper) who was at his watering hole, he checked around & came up with a bad crank sensor. Anybody else experience this or have any ideas. This is the first time the SM has had any issues at all.

PS. 1 rider (HD) & 1 PU stopped to see if I needed a hand, hundreds passed me by. I didn't think I looked like a hooligan!

dazco

It does sound like ignition. First thing i'd check is the easiest to check and most likely ignition problem.......loose plug wire at the coil. The stock coil/wire connections on these bikes are notoriously buggy because the hole in the coil is not deep enough (oooh, that sounds naughty ) to hold the wire securely, and consequently they often come loose and are either intermittent as the hang loosely in the hole or come out altogether and the engine dies. If thats not it, then there are a lot of possibilities and i wouldn't know where to start. I just mentioned this one because it's so common. Also make sure the connection at the plug is secure while you're at it.

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2005 Speedmaster, Neon Blue, Thunderbike pipes, snorkel removed, UNI filter, drilled airbox, 130 mains, TBS needles.(2 shims) And speaking of Speedmasters, HERE'S MINE

speedblastr

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"At times Ya' have to hold a candle to the Devil." ~06' Blk-SpdMstr~130/40,TBS Ndls.-1Shm.,3T,AI out,Plrs-Blmth,UNI,Th-Bi.-pipes

singring

From what I have researched in the past from other postings, if your tach needle is jumping around, that is a sign that the CDI is failing. They are heat sensitive, and once a faulty one get heated up from the engine, it will fail altogether. Notice how the bike started up when the engine had cooled down. I built a heat shield using foil insulated bubblewrap, that is used to insulate ductwork. So far no problems, but then again maybe my CDI is OK to start with. I took the protective measure anyway. If you can borrow a friend's CDI from a SM, or TBA, and try switch it with yours, then see how your bike runs.
Your best bet is to talk to a Triumph service manager, and ask him what would be the symptoms of a CDI failure. Try calling a few dealerships around the country, so you get a consensus of their answers.

trashcanman

First things first. Check your battery connections and go from there. A bad igniter would not cause it to sound like you had a dead battery. If it wouldn't turn over its mostly likely a battery connection problem.

FL_Rat_Matt

I agree.

The stalling out and not starting, most likely are the same problems. I have read a lot of posts lately about failing batterys, and the goofy troubles they cause. I would check the battery, and cables.

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HOG=Harley OWNERS Group
RAT=RIDERS Association of Triumph

captstp

I had a a problem just like that a few years ago. Replaced my battery and bought a battery tender and I have not had a problem since.
Scott

oldroadie

Battery first, clean posts and tighten connections. Check the pickup coil connection; check plug wires, both ends; check coil wire inputs and CDI outputs. If it's not the battery it's likely the pickup coil going intermittent (around $80 from Bike Bandit). There have been a few of those failures at BA.com as well as some failed ignition coils so I suspect the CDI last.

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2001 Bonneville
2004 Bonneville America

CRACK

Gents,
Thanks for all the responses. Took it to an old freind who is a part time bike mechanic, but from sevral sources the best around. Battery & alternator checked out fine while I was there, but he won't be able to get into it until this weekend. I'll let you all know the results.

speedblastr,
super sorry for your loss, makes me appreciate your response in a special way. Altough you were going & going thru what is one of the toughest things in life, you tried to help someone else who needed help! Thank you very much.

Thanks again, Rick

srm8950

Crack I am from north east Ohio also. If you need to test parts or compare anything let me know, I have a 07 speedmaster.

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06 Harley, Custom Built rigid, 07 Speedmaster
Ride hard and ride fast!