Triumph Trident 900

[Top Notch]

I have a 1993 Triumph Trident 900, a few weeks ago a hole occurred in the radiator and I changed it. The engine was misfiring and I had to change the number 3 of the starter coil, this then gave the bike a new lease of life.

Within a few days my bike now has trouble starting, when I press the starter switch it sounds like it wants to start and continues to turnover but doesn't click to switch on. Sometimes there is a noise in the engine what only sounds like like a piece of metal whacking the engine. When I stop pressing the button, there is a click and a whizzing sound. I'm confused as to what it is.

The only way I got my bike to turn on, was when I run it down a steep hill. I get a good rideout with it and can stop for a few hours and the bike seems to start first time. However, when left overnight, it does the same and it won't start, if I didn't have my mobile battery starter, it would keep draining the battery.

Does anyone have an idea with what could be the problem?

[MarJay]

These have a terrible reputation for starter clutch problems. If you try to start the bike with a less than fully charged battery, the starter clutch can wreck itself. I think (if this is the case) that it's an engine out job. From what you say, it sounds like it could be the problem.

https://www.triumphrat.net/t3-sport-touring-forum/101299-sprint-starter-clutch.html
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[davebike]

Triumph notable the old 900's blow head gaskets if they over heat
Get a compression test done

Unless you real good with the tools and time no object low compression or sailing starter clutch is the end of life fro a 900
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Dave
NC750Xdct + others at work !
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[Hahadumball]

starter clutch is weak as fuck on these
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Fin: no matter how much I look at It I can't understand what was going through my head, all I remember is going about 80 and redlining it to stop it seizing.
360 Deg... Five 1/4 turns. :- Teflon-Mike 18 Jan 2015

[Top Notch]

Thanks everyone, it looks like I am going to have to get a starter clutch. Is this also called a sprag clutch or clutch sprag or something like that?

I had a compression test and all was ok before

[Major Doss]

[davebike]

[Rogerborg]

Agreed, that sounds like a shagged sprag. They're piss weak on Enfields as well (genuine British heritage), I've heard that ominous clatter and whizz a few times.

Sorry, but I'd part it out, spares-or-repair it, or Gumtree it as "absolutely minted appreciating classic, was running fine until it wasn't, easy fix for someone who knows what they're doing."

2nd choice would be an engine swap (since replacing the sprag is an engine-out job anyway) although you may want to consider why someone would be selling one of these engines.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[stevo as b4]

You should be able to find a used 900 triple or 1000/1200cc four secondhand to swap the engine with I would say.

To those that are pricing up £1000's for a diy starter clutch replacement, what exactly are you including in your parts quote? Can you not do the work by splitting the cases and leaving the barrels and head on, and just removing the gearbox and crank from the upper case half on these?

[Major Doss]