Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge The only thing I don't like about my TBA is....

Having had the chance to ride the bike for a few days, I find that I like it more and more. I was a bit skeptical at first having riden only tricked out, large, power cruisers. I love the looks and I love the feel of the bike. I am amazed at the number of conversations I have had on the road with other bikers in the few short days I have had it. They are scarce enough, that people tend to ride along side of you and ask you questions. The one thing that I am not nuts about is the "whirring" sound that the bike makes when the noise of the exhaust is insufficient to override that sound. There was a post a few days ago where an owner was asking how to get rid of what I believe was the sound that I allude to. My other wish would be to have a decent dealer in the St. Petersburg, FL area. These guys don't even seem to be cyclists, and they sell zero accessories in their rather large store - not even windhshields and bags are on display - amazing.

I am with you on the dealer thing. I think alot of it is due to the ammount of people riding our bikes. My dealer sells more modern triumphs than classics. They also are a BMW dealer and seem to be catering to a different crowd. The info and aftermarket parts on this site can help you customize your ride. You don't need the stinkin' dealer. As for the sound you are speaking of, I have forgotton about that sound due to my pipes. Our bikes sound better with a little less back pressure (alot less on mine).

Just don't take you helmet off, the noise is even worse then. It's just the valves. Since you've never owned a Triumph twin before you will eventually get used to it. Take a couple baffles out of your pipes or get after market ones and you won't even notice. Welcome to the family

i think i may have been the guy that started the thread about that engine sound. coming from a fuel-injected daytona to this twin was a little jump and that sound was foreign. unfortunately, i've come to realize that the only way to get rid of the sound is lower your idle rpm slightly, make your pipes a little louder and wear a full-face helmet. it seems that "whirring" sound is just the nature of the beast.

thorn

When I first got mine, my daughter said it sounded like the Jetson's car.

I do have the Triumph off-road pipes which are loud enough to sound great, but not loud enough to ****** off the neighbors. Of course with highway riding and accelerations, the exhaust drowns out the sound. Yesterday was the first day I just tooled around town very casually, and that is when I became aware of it. I'm sure it's like living by the railroad tracks - after awhile you no longer hear the trains. BTW, I notice just some minor oil seepage at the bottom of the chrome tube (not sure what the part is - I have a service manual ordered) that runs between and in front of the jugs - is that any cause for concern?

I have also taken out a couple of baffles, but it's not enough to get rid of the sewing machine noise. Someday I hope to get some Thunder Bike pipes. As for the oil leak, I would get it looked at. There were some who had that problem and found that the tube was of an improper length or something. It was corrected under warrentee.

Dave

I run short SS pipes. Unless I get on it they don't mask the noise either. Just something that you have to get used to I guess. As far as a dealership goes, seems like the good ones are few and far between. After a questionable experience when I first got my bike I started doing most of the work myself. Had no clue to begin with but learned on the job. A shop manual and the folks on this site did wonders. About the only thing I'm hesitant about now is tearing into the internal engine. Also gives a certain feeling of satisfaction to turn my own wrenches.

Thanks Dave. Perhaps someone who had the problem will show up.

There's two things that could be wrong. Either the tube is too long as stated or it is not seated correctly. Bring it back and have it corrected. It should not leak a drop.

Thanks Phil - what is the tube BTW?

Mine seeped for a few hundred miles then stopped. May just want to keep your eye on it for a while.

The whirring sound is a bit reduced with an high viscosity semi-synthetic 20w50 oil.

H-D owners know the are some oils to reduce the pushrods and valve noise that engine makes.

It's a breather tube

Actually Phil, it's the oil return line from the heads back to the lower cases. I understand when they were designing the engine, they purposely designed that chrome tube to resemble the old Triumph Twins's front(exhaust) pushrod tube.

According to the microfiche, it's a:

tube, air
Part # T1161000

According to the manual, it's a breather tube.

Let's see, who should I believe? Dwight or Triumph?

Well, I COULD be wrong. Maybe the terminology might be different, but the guys down at Triumph shop also call it an oil return line. And if (Sandy's) pedalpusher's "breather tube"(inferring air only) is leaking OIL...what does that tell ya?

If ya crack the oil fill cap, you'll leak oil. What does THAT tell ya?

Here's a hint!

tells ya there's oil in there.

No, duh.

Missed my point, eh?

no sense of humor

smilie = humor
no smilie = serious

What kind of oil tastes the best?

(psst...hey phil...I wonder which oil Mechano thinks tastes best, huh?!)

good one!

My daughter said the EXACT same thing! She thought it sounded like the Jetson's Car, until I fit the Thunderpipes, still like 'em.... no more Jetson's

^^^^
Now thats a funny post
Thanks

It could be cosmoline too.