 Triumph America Stored 18 months
|
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 26
Greenhorn
|
OP
Greenhorn
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 26 |
Had a look at a Triumph America 2007 carburettor version this afternoon with the view to buying, it is in mint condition and very low mileage, how ever once it was started up it ran on just one cylinder for 5 mins before second cylinder fired up, and only after a plug was removed and adjusted even then it needed persuading, chap said it was because it had not been ridden for a long time. has anyone else had this experience I just wondered is this normal and how much damage this may have caused if any 
|
|
|
Re: Triumph America Stored 18 months
|
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,668
Learned Hand
|
|
Learned Hand
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,668 |
Sitting for long periods is a bad thing. You'd think that if someone was trying to sell a bike they'd actually make sure it's running properly before showing it to you. That said, it will probably be just fine after a little TLC. Fresh plugs and fuel, etc.
Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come; He will guide you in all truth:
|
|
|
Re: Triumph America Stored 18 months
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,459 Likes: 1
Learned Hand
|
|
Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,459 Likes: 1 |
welcome. It would probably be the carbs needing cleaned out, a good run and fresh petrol may fix it. Isn't that the wrong flag you have 
|
|
|
Re: Triumph America Stored 18 months
|
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 896
phoenix
|
|
phoenix
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 896 |
Quote:
Sitting for long periods is a bad thing. You'd think that if someone was trying to sell a bike they'd actually make sure it's running properly before showing it to you. That said, it will probably be just fine after a little TLC. Fresh plugs and fuel, etc.
You are definitely right on that . And any motor driven vehicle, tool that sets any amount of unusually long time will be a pain to get running like it did when it was shut-down without abit of tinkering..I have to many to keep going and am a firm believer in ..at least start and move[thru gears] to keep it mechanically good.Cars, bikes , lawn mowers sno-throwers etc. you will not be sorry . 
You would be surprised, at how many guys jus turn them off, and forget them til the next time.If the bike was stored outside-thats a whole different story!
that bike is most likely. good condition,MO
Last edited by bsa_bob; 02/04/2011 9:57 AM.
bob s
|
|
|
Re: Triumph America Stored 18 months
|
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,971
Loquacious
|
|
Loquacious
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,971 |
The fuel bowls on these engines are extremely efficient at causing condensation and fuel breakdown. I would chalk it up to a combination of airspace, an aluminum bowl and it's inherent rapid heat transfer characteristics, and I wouldn't be surprised if some dissimilar metal voodoo had something to do with my bad fuel. If memory serves, there are at least three different metal / alloy types within an inch of the bowls - the aluminum bowl, brass jets, & steel springs and parts, and maybe even some stainless in the bowl screws? Just a theory... Due to my schedule last Summer riding herd on Gus Boy, I had the bike parked for two months. It wouldn't start right, and so I drained the bowls. The fuel was visibly off color, had a wrong odor, and a few drops of water & algae were swimming around in there too. The source fuel was no more than 3 months old in the tank. Not that you asked, but, if a length of tubing is not at hand, a cut down plastic soda bottle can be helpful in draining the bowls. Pour the nasty fuel into a whole / uncut capped bottle, and it's good to go to the waste oil tank. Gravel driveway dandelions like bad fuel too. 
|
|
|
Re: Triumph America Stored 18 months
|
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 896
phoenix
|
|
phoenix
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 896 |
Quote:
The fuel bowls on these engines are extremely efficient at causing condensation and fuel breakdown. I would chalk it up to a combination of airspace, an aluminum bowl and it's inherent rapid heat transfer characteristics, and I wouldn't be surprised if some dissimilar metal voodoo had something to do with my bad fuel. If memory serves, there are at least three different metal / alloy types within an inch of the bowls - the aluminum bowl, brass jets, & steel springs and parts, and maybe even some stainless in the bowl screws? Just a theory...
Due to my schedule last Summer riding herd on Gus Boy, I had the bike parked for two months. It wouldn't start right, and so I drained the bowls. The fuel was visibly off color, had a wrong odor, and a few drops of water & algae were swimming around in there too. The source fuel was no more than 3 months old in the tank.
Not that you asked, but, if a length of tubing is not at hand, a cut down plastic soda bottle can be helpful in draining the bowls. Pour the nasty fuel into a whole / uncut capped bottle, and it's good to go to the waste oil tank. Gravel driveway dandelions like bad fuel too.
It sounds like you might have gotten "old gas"to begin if it only lasted 3 months. Fuel should stay very good.......... over like...one michigan winter.if fresh when purchased the previous fall. but the life of gas falls off considerable faster after 8,9, months. if its a shade of orange, or smells like "varnish"at all, it should be disposed of. dandelions etc  HTH
bob s
|
|
|
Re: Triumph America Stored 18 months
|
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720
Check Pants
|
|
Check Pants
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720 |
Sounds like a great bargaining chip to get the purchase price down, run some Sea-Foam or StarTron mix through the tank after draining old gas and drive her home.
|
|
|
Re: Triumph America Stored 18 months
|
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
|
|
Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Hey Paul, just a couple of questions I'd be wanting to ask...
- How long did it sit without running?
- Did the owner drain the petrol from tank AND carbs or not (is this old or fresh fuel)?
Also, with low mileage like that... maybe it's sat for long periods several times leading even further to the suspicion of varnished fuel in the carbs.
Live to love, love to live.
|
|
|
Re: Triumph America Stored 18 months
|
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,616
Check Pants
|
|
Check Pants
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,616 |
Yeah, what they all said already...
and to add my two cents... drain the tank, drain the bowls, add Seafoam, fill the tank, change (or at least clean) your plugs, remove - inspect (for corrosion) and clean the contacts on the plug wires (both ends) and electrical contacts on the coils. Fire her up and run that tank of fuel through her. Add Seafoam again and run another tank of fuel and enjoy moving forward.
Based on what I learned about Seafoam on here and another site for my Montero, Seafoam works miracles. I add it to a full tank before I put the bike away for the bad/cold weather. I have no need to "store it for the winter" as I may get lucky and ride but if I know she may sit for weeks on end I get that Seafoam flowing and let it sit.
SOLD: 07 Black BA, 39mm FCRs, TPUSA stage 1 head, TPUSA 813 cams, TPUSA 10.8:1 pistons, TTP #3 igniter, Specialty Spares Long Cannons, Tsukayu Hard Bags. 82HP/55tq
NEW: 19 Goldwing Tour DCT
|
|
|
Re: Triumph America Stored 18 months
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
|
|
Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
5 minutes without a spark? The oil should be changed immediatley. Oil dilution by the gas slipping past the rings and such. And for age too.
Blowing gravel off rural roads
|
|
|
Re: Triumph America Stored 18 months
|
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,063 Likes: 8
Loquacious
|
|
Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,063 Likes: 8 |
If not already stated, I'd drain the fuel in the tank and carb bowls, then put some new stuff in along with some Seafoam to clean out the carbs. Take it for a run. You should notice the idle and run characteristics improve over an hour typically.
What were the miles on the unit?
12 Rocket Roadster
03 Bonneville America
69 BSA Firebird Scrambler
73 Yamaha TX 750
|
|
|
Re: Triumph America Stored 18 months
|
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 75
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 75 |
When I bought my America, it had been sitting for 2 years without being started. When we started it, it did exactly the same thing (one carb, bad idle etc). I realised that he hadn't started it prior to me coming around to look at it. It also leaked fuel from the overflow tube.
I bought it and before leaving his place pulled the carbs and cleaned them out (blew the jets, used a wire from a wire brush to run throuh them etc). I also changed the oil!
Runs like a demon now and hasn't missed a beat since.
Softens your hands while you do the dishes - You're soaking in it!!!!
|
|
|
Re: Triumph America Stored 18 months
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,240
Oil Expert
|
|
Oil Expert
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,240 |
I'd use that to get a better price, but I would not be too afraid of any damage that could not be quickly and easily remedied. If the price is right, I'd jump all over it! You never mentioned what year model it was. I'd be checking the production dates on the tires, too.... Drain the tank at the petcock, drain the carb bowls, change the plugs and oil, add fresssh fuel and a little SeaFoam. All relatively inexpensive and easy to perform. All except the tires, that is.... 
Keith
Houston
Ridin'Texas
'04 Speedmaster
AI removed, Pingle, UNI Filter, 1 shim, straight-through slash-cut TORs, Stage 1 DynaJet, 140 mains, 3 turns, 16/42 final drive, 115K
2020 T120 Black
|
|
|
Re: Triumph America Stored 18 months
|
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 26
Greenhorn
|
|
OP
Greenhorn
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 26 |
Amazed at the feed back, lots of info and advise thanks. think I'm going for it, flush it through give a good service and a good run which goes without saying. Has just 2800 on the clock needs to be used. Am English so is the flag 
|
|
|
Re: Triumph America Stored 18 months
|
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 26
Greenhorn
|
|
OP
Greenhorn
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 26 |
Am actually from Bristol and moved to Cornwall 3 years ago, that's why the English and not Cornish flag, but I may change that "directly"
|
|
|
Re: Triumph America Stored 18 months
|
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,738
Learned Hand
|
|
Learned Hand
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,738 |
Welcome to the site Paul. Get the price down like everyone has suggested and go for it.
|
|
|
Re: Triumph America Stored 18 months
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,204
Learned Hand
|
|
Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,204 |
Clean both carbs with carb cleaner(B-12 is what we used for our racing motors), then put it back together and go ridding. I know you'll enjoy that new toy.
1200CC BIG BORE, W/WISECO PISTONS,.250 STROKED CRANK, PORTED/POLISHED HEADS AND LARGER VALVES, CUSTOM WELDED EXHUAST, DUAL 42MM MIKUNI CARBS.
|
|
|
Re: Triumph America Stored 18 months
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,643
Monkey Butt
|
|
Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,643 |
Quote:
Am actually from Bristol and moved to Cornwall 3 years ago, that's why the English and not Cornish flag, but I may change that "directly"
Get intouch with Gina, she's in your neck of the woods and is very up on the ins and outs of the America, having two herself... you could PM her off this site...
Also checkout the link to our 4th meet "HERE"
Ray(UK)
|
|
|
Re: Triumph America Stored 18 months
|
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,586 Likes: 1
Learned Hand
|
|
Learned Hand
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,586 Likes: 1 |
Well, did ya get the bike?
|
|
|
Re: Triumph America Stored 18 months
|
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 26
Greenhorn
|
|
OP
Greenhorn
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 26 |
Decided not to take the chance, but found a 2009 model with just 1600 miles on it, is being delivered Tuesday can't wait
|
|
|
Re: Triumph America Stored 18 months
|
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,063 Likes: 8
Loquacious
|
|
Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,063 Likes: 8 |
Glad to hear. Have fun and ride safe. Keep in touch.
12 Rocket Roadster
03 Bonneville America
69 BSA Firebird Scrambler
73 Yamaha TX 750
|
|
|
Re: Triumph America Stored 18 months
|
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
|
|
Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Quote:
Decided not to take the chance, but found a 2009 model with just 1600 miles on it, is being delivered Tuesday can't wait
Congratulations!
Live to love, love to live.
|
|
|
Re: Triumph America Stored 18 months
|
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 26
Greenhorn
|
|
OP
Greenhorn
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 26 |
He,s a harley dealer, the bike was advertised on ebay, said it was stored for 18 months, only tryed to start it when I showed up, he had a day and a half to get it ready but battery was flat, don't think he had done anything to it. doesn't matter now have seen and bought another, one wonders why it had been stored for 18 months
|
|
|
|
|
