Nostalgia - I have begun to look at Early 90's Triumph triples

[ogri]

The sprag issue is why they eventually used the ecu to prevent starting if they battery voltage was below a certain level.

[Mr. Dazzle]

My 97 Big Eye Speed Triple has been pretty reliable. At various times in my life it's been my only transport through all weathers.

In the 17 years I've owned it I've had the following problems (other than pads etc.)

- Fourth gear parted company with the rest of the gearbox. Fixed under warranty.
- Been through quite a few sets of 'dry break' push fit connectors on the fuel tank. The fuel pump is in the tank so said connectors see full fuel pressure. They have a strong tendancy to break. Later metal ones fix it.
- Fuel tank front cover is a twat to get back on 'cause the tank has distorted.

Other than that it's been pretty good. Deffo needs more than a refresh now though.

Very early ones also had issues with frame cracks. Mine's been fixed under recall.

[Druid]

Always always wanted an old school Triumph speed triple, sometimes it was the black, sometimes it was the lime green one i wanted. I can certainly see how they'd attain 'classic' status.


Looking at it now.. i'd probably go black.

I've always liked the green ones, not enough to actually buy one though. Still time...

I like triples, I've had a silver 955i and a black 1050 - the 1050 is a better bike all round. Others have mentioned the fuel tank connectors and sprag clutch, which is a pita to change on the earlier bikes but easy enough on 2002 models onwards.

I found the clutch heavy on the 955i, and the seat wasn't very comfortable, The Triumph gel seat improved things a bit.

Of course none of this is relevant to the early 90s bikes which have different frames, engines, bodywork ...

[Couchy]

Always always wanted an old school Triumph speed triple, sometimes it was the black, sometimes it was the lime green one i wanted. I can certainly see how they'd attain 'classic' status.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Triumph-spee ... SwywBfCLBM



Looking at it now.. i'd probably go black.

One of the worst bikes I’ve ever ridden tbh, heavy feeling and slow. Completely devoid of fun

[Couchy]

One of the worst bikes I’ve ever ridden tbh, heavy feeling and slow. Completely devoid of fun

When was that though? When you were still into new race reps?

Back when I was racing a TZ250 every other bike I rode just felt like a slow heavy old lump, I didn't like any of them, even my mates new road legal RGV250 felt like an under powered tourer, whereas if I rode one now it would feel like a scalpel.

I can remember it clearly, front end felt like it had a ton of lead holding it down and another ton on the rear. I was expecting a lively wheelying fun bike it was all a bit meh tbh. Even with what I like today it wouldn’t be on my list as a fun bike

[Dodgy69]

I'd still go for the the original 1994/5? A mate had one brand new in 1995, at the time there was a one make support series at BSB (or may have been WSBK) for them which meant there was a lovely Yoshi 3:1 (one of the very few mods that were allowed for the race series) available which sounded glorious- I still think it was one of the best sounding bikes I've ever heard. They still look good in a brutal kind of way I reckon, and as you say prices are on the rise but still available for reasonable(ish) money:

I had a 96 thunderbird in green. 885cc engines were great, never had any issue and went well. The sound with the open pipes was superb.

My mate has the speed triple as per pic. Think 94. I've road it and that 885 is a great motor, but if you have legs longer than a midget, it's bloody cramped. Wouldn't want to go far on one. I've seen 900 trophys with huge mileage. If I saw a nice clean one I'd be tempted.

He was on about selling the speed triple...I'll make enquiries.

[Dodgy69]

and these...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/154038855824

[Horse]

One of the worst bikes I’ve ever ridden tbh, heavy feeling and slow. Completely devoid of fun

When was that though? When you were still into new race reps?

Back when I was racing a TZ250 every other bike I rode just felt like a slow heavy old lump, I didn't like any of them, even my mates new road legal RGV250 felt like an under powered tourer, whereas if I rode one now it would feel like a scalpel.

I can remember it clearly, front end felt like it had a ton of lead holding it down and another ton on the rear. I was expecting a lively wheelying fun bike it was all a bit meh tbh. Even with what I like today it wouldn’t be on my list as a fun bike

It's a relative. A mate bought a 900 Trophy when they first came out. Let me have a go.

Compared to my BM it was faster, more comfortable, handled and braked better.

But I doubt either would fit the 'fun' category. Although there's often fun to be had from a totally unsuitable bike

[A_morti]

Sprags normally get buggered when they turn the wrong way.

If there's not enough juice in the battery to fully turnover/start the engine and it kicks back, that's what kills the sprag.

So just keep it charged/well used.

Doesn't hurt to fit thicker starter cables too.

[Mr Moofo]

I'd still go for the the original 1994/5? A mate had one brand new in 1995, at the time there was a one make support series at BSB (or may have been WSBK) for them which meant there was a lovely Yoshi 3:1 (one of the very few mods that were allowed for the race series) available which sounded glorious- I still think it was one of the best sounding bikes I've ever heard. They still look good in a brutal kind of way I reckon, and as you say prices are on the rise but still available for reasonable(ish) money:

I had a 96 thunderbird in green. 885cc engines were great, never had any issue and went well. The sound with the open pipes was superb.

My mate has the speed triple as per pic. Think 94. I've road it and that 885 is a great motor, but if you have legs longer than a midget, it's bloody cramped. Wouldn't want to go far on one. I've seen 900 trophys with huge mileage. If I saw a nice clean one I'd be tempted.

He was on about selling the speed triple...I'll make enquiries.

Let me know

[Dodgy69]

Not for sale anymore.

[Mr Moofo]

It now has re-sprung and valves forks care of MCT ( who did a great job - but if I had know the cost to start with I might have tried to sort myself).
I did a track day at Brands on it - and the the front end was very soft, so hence the rework. Also the forks were positioned wrongly, and need dropping through the yokes by 29 mm . It now handles a lot better ....
Corrosion sanded back and painted on the rear wheel - when the tyre gets changed I will have it re powder coated.
Slightly low foot pegs on ...
New / up rated battery on order ( to save the sprag clutch)

Now need to decide what to do about the bodywork - accept the patina of 25 years - or get it detailed or repainted ?

[Mr Moofo]

And a new rear shock sitting in the garage. Which kind of mystifies me, as the old one seems quite good.
Bit of a spontaneous purchase !

[the_priest]

I had a Daytona 900. I actually regret selling that bike as it was a lovely bike with superb thick paint. Easy to work on. Heavy bugger in traffic, but really great on open roads. And such a good looking bike.

[KungFooBob]

My mate has just bought a 1993 1200 Gaytony, Triumph made some interesting engineering decisions, he had to strip half the bike to get to the front sprocket and one of the side stand bolts runs the full width of the bike and doubles as an engine mount.

[Tricky]

Always always wanted an old school Triumph speed triple, sometimes it was the black, sometimes it was the lime green one i wanted. I can certainly see how they'd attain 'classic' status.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Triumph-spee ... SwywBfCLBM



Looking at it now.. i'd probably go black.

One of the worst bikes I’ve ever ridden tbh, heavy feeling and slow. Completely devoid of fun

Pretty much my view too, was a very uninspiring ride for me,shame as I thought (and still think) it looked so cool in black with that high level carbon can and seat cowl and it made a lovely sound, so that helped a bit , but it was still just dull to ride really- this was mine



Wasn't all bad though, had it fora couple of years and sold it for more than I bought it for

[weeksy]

That's a terrible shame. I really really wanted one in the day.

[Tricky]

Do you still hanker after one though, i.e. if one like my old T509 above came up now, would you buy it ?
I wouldn't, but still think it looks cool.

I would, however, buy one of the original T309s (same as Mofo's one in the OP) though if a decent unmolested one came up at sensible money

[weeksy]

Do you still hanker after one though, i.e. if one like my old T509 above came up now, would you buy it ?
I wouldn't, but still think it looks cool.

I would, however, buy one of the original T309s (same as Mofo's one in the OP) though if a decent unmolested one came up at sensible money

Nah mate, i'm a simple boy in the world and i don't hanker for many bikes at all. I can actually only think of 2, there'd be no prizes for guessing.

I know some people think "ooooh that V4 Ducati"... or "oooooh that MV Agusta" but i'm not like that at all.

If someone gave me a garage and £50,000 i'd struggle to fill it with bikes i WANT.

[bevvo]

IF we're doing early speed triples here's mine. Not 90s though, sorry.

The post-2002 ones had more grunt and the engines were quieter they reckon.

I quite liked it after a few tweaks - smaller front cog, fast action throttle. Never got round to changing the front MC but it needed it.