 Cracked crankcase
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6
Complete Newb
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OP
Complete Newb
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6 |
This may not be the right forum but I didn't know where else to post this. I Took my 2005 Speedmaster to the local dealer to find out why it wouldn't start. They are telling me that my crankcase is cracked in a place that holds a pin in place that holds the idler gear in place. I am now looking at over $3000 in repairs on a bike that has 2500 miles. My options are to fix it for $3000, sell it back to the dealer I bought it from let them fix it and sell it or have a nice decoration for my garage. Any suggestions?
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Re: Cracked crankcase
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,721 Likes: 5
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,721 Likes: 5 |
Is this the problem where the starter gear engages? They should have a service bulletin about that, I'm sure others will chime in.... you should be covered by Triumph.... 2500 miles, that blows
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: Cracked crankcase
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,537
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,537 |
Doubt they'll cover it under warranty on an '05, which stinks. Quote:
Is this the problem where the starter gear engages? They should have a service bulletin about that, I'm sure others will chime in.... you should be covered by Triumph.... 2500 miles, that blows
Al
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Re: Cracked crankcase
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,721 Likes: 5
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,721 Likes: 5 |
I didn't think the year was an issue on these, wasn't it a case fault where there were multiple bikes having that problem? I know I've seen this happen, I can't remember who though.
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: Cracked crankcase
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,061 Likes: 8
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,061 Likes: 8 |
I'm sure most of the fellows who have had this problem were covered under warranty, even those whose warranty was over. The broken starter idler gear bushing is a known issue with the starter circuit which is usually due to backfiring on startup (my opinion though). If the dealer won't help you, contact Triumph direct and state your case. It can't hurt and only help. 2500 miles is peanuts.
I'm sure some of the guys will pipe up concerning what they went through with this problem.
12 Rocket Roadster
03 Bonneville America
69 BSA Firebird Scrambler
73 Yamaha TX 750
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Re: Cracked crankcase
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,048
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,048 |
Quote:
This may not be the right forum but I didn't know where else to post this. I Took my 2005 Speedmaster to the local dealer to find out why it wouldn't start. They are telling me that my crankcase is cracked in a place that holds a pin in place that holds the idler gear in place. I am now looking at over $3000 in repairs on a bike that has 2500 miles. My options are to fix it for $3000, sell it back to the dealer I bought it from let them fix it and sell it or have a nice decoration for my garage. Any suggestions?
Call Triumph directly and explain your issue. They were very helpful the few times I spoke with them. I would hope they don't want bad publicity from this.
Clay
01010100 01110010 01101001 01110101 01101101 01110000 01101000 <3
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Re: Cracked crankcase
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6
Complete Newb
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OP
Complete Newb
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6 |
Thanks for everything guys I've gone from despair to hope in about 5 hours. I'll call Triumph in the morning!
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Re: Cracked crankcase
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,194 Likes: 56
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,194 Likes: 56 |
This issue worries me since I have an older bike and so does Wendy. No way I could afford to fix that if it happened. I would be relegated to pop starting my bike unless it was repaired by them at no cost to me. I have 20,000 on my bike so far and it hasn't broken yet, I hope that means it isn't going to. All the old bikes should be covered since it is a known flaw in my opinion or they should have done a recall and I know the cost of that would have been prohibitive. My bike is 5 years old now and I hope they would still fix it if that happened to me.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Cracked crankcase
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 373
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 373 |
Contact Triumph directly at their main US office here in GA, they do care about their customers and will not ignore you.
'06 America, Raask foot controls, the bike use to be Graphite and Silver, now its Red and Black.
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Re: Cracked crankcase
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1 |
RamSound had this happen right after he installed a BB kit. He knows the process well enough to give you some sound advice. Pinwall's got a complete one for $1295 http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Triumph-A...#ht_4933wt_1763
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
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Re: Cracked crankcase
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,726
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,726 |
It did happen to mine not long after installing the BB but it's just coincidental. Triumph made a design change in about 07 to correct the problem. The inside socket (part of the engine casing) for the idler gear shaft was weak. The newer engine casings have a beefed up socket.
My bike was off warranty almost 8 months, but my dealer was able to get Triumph to cover it. It took a long time (over a month) to get a new casing from England. My bike was in the shop almost two months. The starter broke just as I was picking it up from a follow up service check after a 1000 miles on the BB.
I guess I was lucky. Triumph claims there is only a 2% failure rate, but have done a lot of replacements out of warranty. Get your dealer to help.
Bob
2005 America, 904cc - sold. 2014 Trophy SE.
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Re: Cracked crankcase
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 325
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 325 |
Last edited by EDG1911; 04/18/2009 1:09 PM.
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Re: Cracked crankcase
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,721 Likes: 5
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,721 Likes: 5 |
so all three cases in this thread that cracked happened on an '05 
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: Cracked crankcase
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 21
Complete Newb
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Complete Newb
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 21 |
Hey y'all. I recently purchased an 05 Speedmaster from an individual who was the only owner. He had put roughly 16000 miles on the bike when I purchased it. I had the bike for 3 days and had put less than 200 miles on it when this happened to me. I had been looking for a speedmaster for over a year, this was my first motorcycle, so obviously I have been heartbroken over the experience. I was convinced I was going to have to shell out several more thousand dollars to have this bike I had been dreaming of. Finding this post gives me hope that maybe I can get this taken care of rather easily. My only concern is having a bike with so many miles and the warrantly obviously expired. I will contact a Triumph dealer first thing tomorrow and hope for the best. Thank you so much for posting this information and I will let y'all know if I have any luck.
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Re: Cracked crankcase
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,721 Likes: 5
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,721 Likes: 5 |
Dang Kyle, I really feel for you. I know I would be completely gutted if I were in that situation. What I find intriguing is that you also had that failure on an '05. Four cases in this thread alone.
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: Cracked crankcase
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 380
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 380 |
I have a 05! thats currently fine anybody want to TRADE???
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Re: Cracked crankcase
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,194 Likes: 56
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,194 Likes: 56 |
Every time I see this I cringe. We have 2 04s.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Cracked crankcase
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,048
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,048 |
apparently these aren't as reliable as we first thought? Triumph USA should see this thread. 
01010100 01110010 01101001 01110101 01101101 01110000 01101000 <3
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Re: Cracked crankcase
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,061 Likes: 8
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,061 Likes: 8 |
You wonder if they shouldn't press a steel bushing over each idler gear boss to keep the aluminum from separating. If the bike backfires hard enough on startup, it could happen to any bike.
Does anyone have a picture of the updated case/cover? Is there much difference?
12 Rocket Roadster
03 Bonneville America
69 BSA Firebird Scrambler
73 Yamaha TX 750
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Re: Cracked crankcase
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 605
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 605 |
Shoot... man I've got an 04, and recently had the side cover off for clutch spring replacement. I was also doing a valve clearance adjustment, so I was rotating the back tire to get the timing correct. Hopefully, I didn't stress that point since it had no support on the other side with the side case off. 
Aaron
04 "Green Bean" Freaked, AI removal, Bafflectomy, 6" Risers, and 30" Drag Bars.
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Re: Cracked crankcase
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,753
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,753 |
my 05 seems to be doing good with 20k on it. if it brakes hopefully triumph does the right thing, but i think an 1100 would be in my future if it did. but thats a lot of money i dont have right now and the bike runs good
(Former)05 BA tbike pipes, ai removed, Freak, mikuni hsr 42's, 904, ported/polished head, 1mm oversized valves
NOW-2010 silver and black tbird
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Re: Cracked crankcase
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 48
Greenhorn
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Greenhorn
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 48 |
The broken crankcase at the starter idle gear; happened/happens to the bikes build from 02-05, early 790 motors with the old style crankcase breather.
They redesigned the crankcase breather and bridged the block in that particular area in the second part of 2005.
So in 05 there are bikes with the earlier crankcase breather style and the newer/current style.
Having said that, my Bonnie is an 03,the same situation happened to me when I was out of warranty back in January 06 and Triumph covered the expenses.
Carburetors backfiring was the cause of my crankcase failure.
1087cc's- 115RWHP-81.5RWTQ.Nuff Said
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Re: Cracked crankcase
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 48
Greenhorn
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Greenhorn
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 48 |
Quote:
my 05 seems to be doing good with 20k on it. if it brakes hopefully triumph does the right thing, but i think an 1100 would be in my future if it did. but thats a lot of money i dont have right now and the bike runs good
It will not happen to you Frank.
You don't have enough power 
1087cc's- 115RWHP-81.5RWTQ.Nuff Said
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Re: Cracked crankcase
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,540
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,540 |
Its a rare but not unheard of issue. My is on the 3rd set of cases.All have been covered by triumph but its been down for 2 months per break.
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Re: Cracked crankcase
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 380
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 380 |
can one reinforce with JB weld??
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Re: Cracked crankcase
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,726
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,726 |
Mine happened at 12000 miles in March '08. Because Triumph was giving some race support to my dealer (D&D Cycles, Pensacola), the owner/service manager showed me a number of engines Triumph had sent them with the same exact break. They didn't need the starters - take them out anyway.
Don't know about adding weld support. It's always the top part of the socket that breaks off - when the starter torques.
Bob
2005 America, 904cc - sold. 2014 Trophy SE.
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Re: Cracked crankcase
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,753
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,753 |
Quote:
Quote:
my 05 seems to be doing good with 20k on it. if it brakes hopefully triumph does the right thing, but i think an 1100 would be in my future if it did. but thats a lot of money i dont have right now and the bike runs good
It will not happen to you Frank.
You don't have enough power
oooooooo u wanna be like that. thants ok. one day
(Former)05 BA tbike pipes, ai removed, Freak, mikuni hsr 42's, 904, ported/polished head, 1mm oversized valves
NOW-2010 silver and black tbird
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Re: Cracked crankcase
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 786
3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 786 |
1087:
How you Know Which style crankcase breather you have on an 05? Is there an easy way to tell?
05 TBA Mulberry/Silver, Thunder Bike pipes, K&N single Filter, 132 main Jet's, Snorkles Removed
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Re: Cracked crankcase
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 112
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 112 |
My buddy has an 06 speedmaster and the whole case is beefier than on my 04. It seems they added where the breather hose comes out of the case. If I am looking at the right lace it is very esy to spot. 04 slopes off fast where the 06 has a bulge by the breather hose.
Black 04 sm freak AI removed TORs 152 jets
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Re: Cracked crankcase
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,194 Likes: 56
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,194 Likes: 56 |
If you look at the top of the primary there is a large casting that goes back under the carbs on top of the tranny. That is the new style breather.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Cracked crankcase
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 48
Greenhorn
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Greenhorn
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 48 |
Quote:
1087:
How you Know Which style crankcase breather you have on an 05? Is there an easy way to tell?
Dog33 answered for me.
1087cc's- 115RWHP-81.5RWTQ.Nuff Said
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Re: Cracked crankcase
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,194 Likes: 56
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,194 Likes: 56 |
oops, sorry didn't notice it was directed to you.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Cracked crankcase
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,586 Likes: 1
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,586 Likes: 1 |
Mine did the same thing at bb time, had six hundred miles on it.The boys at echo gave me a brand new BA for a loaner,don't think you'll ever see that at yer local hog shop.The paper work said $8200,free fer me tho.Mine was also an 05.
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Re: Cracked crankcase
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 48
Greenhorn
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Greenhorn
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 48 |
Quote:
oops, sorry didn't notice it was directed to you.
No worries Sir, yours was an excellent answer!
1087cc's- 115RWHP-81.5RWTQ.Nuff Said
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Re: Cracked crankcase
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 232
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 232 |
okay, this whole crankcase breaking caper has scared the sheet out of me. Ever since I did my big bore about 10,000 km ago I have had the occasional Carby backfire on start up followed by a loud metallic bang. I think this has happened about a dozen or so times, and it did it this morning as well. My bike is an 03 model and is well and truly out of warranty. It has also just ticked over 40,000 km. I'm concerned that triumph will not want to know me when the thing eventually breaks which I'm sure that it will. Now that I know that there is a problem in this area I would like to try to prevent this breakage from happening. For you guys who are familiar with the internals of the starting system, is there room for me to a press a reinforcing bush over the suspect part without interfering with any of the other mechanicals in there? If there is room in there I could push the bush on with an interference fit and then weld it to the side of the crankcase. This in theory would substantially reinforce the shaft housing. Any input from those experienced with this fault would be most welcome.
Brett
Growing old disgracefully.
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Re: Cracked crankcase
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Quote:
okay, this whole crankcase breaking caper has scared the sheet out of me.
I'm scared too with my '03 TBA... is it just a matter of time?
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Cracked crankcase
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,194 Likes: 56
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,194 Likes: 56 |
Quote:
Quote:
okay, this whole crankcase breaking caper has scared the sheet out of me.
I'm scared too with my '03 TBA... is it just a matter of time?
That's how I feel.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Cracked crankcase
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 222
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 222 |
Dog33...the large casting on top of the primary that you are referring to: is that the square casting? If not, I'm not sure I can locate it. Can you post a picture pointing this out? You will be relieving some folks, and warning others.
thanks
'06 Speedmaster, Long TORS, rest is stock (for now)
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Re: Cracked crankcase
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937 |
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
okay, this whole crankcase breaking caper has scared the sheet out of me.
I'm scared too with my '03 TBA... is it just a matter of time?
That's how I feel.
Forget about it !
Y'all need to stay focused on the Bird Flu !
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
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Re: Cracked crankcase
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,726
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,726 |
Another thing for 05 and earlier bikes to look out for: failure of the rotary breather and/or seal. This set up was eliminated in the newer models. See my post on "Using Oil". At least this repair takes only a few parts and 1 hr. shop time.
Bob
2005 America, 904cc - sold. 2014 Trophy SE.
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