The Triumph

[the_priest]

The race brake lines have arrived! I also have a new reservoir as the old one leaks. New one is off a 1050 triple and screws down, so a better seal I hope.

[BBB]

Looks like you had to take the plate off the tank, filter change too?

[the_priest]

Looks like you had to take the plate off the tank, filter change too?

Correct. New flange rubber seal/gasket bought. £40 delivered... but the old one may have been the original, so 20 years out of one of those is pretty good. It was still supple, but some of the embedded nuts had broken loose. Filter arrives by Friday as does seal. Then I can get the bike running again. Brake likes, air filter, spark plugs all need to be done as well. No rush.

[Count Steer]

Completely drain the tank, don't leave any fuel in the bottom while you do it (sounds obvious but it is doable) to make sure you get the water out
I poured the last dregs into a jug - after standing for a few minutes it separated and there was a good cupful of water in the bottom. Its the water that makes the tanks swell.

That's a new one to me. Plastics and water don't usually interact particularly, organic solvents on the other hand...

I'm intrigued.

[Mr. Dazzle]

Plastic loves (hates!) a bit of water. Moisture absorption in polymers is a major thing, they pretty much all do it. Even super fancy aerospace carbon fibre has a so called "Hot Wet" performance which is lower than dry properties.

It's standard practice to moisture saturate polymers as part of testing, if you boil plastics for an extended period they take up a few percent of their own weight in water. If you leave them in a 'normal' environment that's vaguely humid they still do it, but just over a longer period.

[Count Steer]

Plastic loves (hates!) a bit of water. Moisture absorption in polymers is a major thing, they pretty much all do it. Even super fancy aerospace carbon fibre has a so called "Hot Wet" performance which is lower than dry properties.

It's standard practice to moisture saturate polymers as part of testing, if you boil plastics for an extended period they take up a few percent of their own weight in water. If you leave them in a 'normal' environment that's vaguely humid they still do it, but just over a longer period.

Cheers. It's a good job I went into technical ceramics not polymers!

[the_priest]

Race Brake Lines and new reservoir installed. Bit of a fiddle!

[weeksy]

Nice work big fella. You seem to be enjoying it

[the_priest]

It is nice to see the bike coming together. Needs an air filter too. The one in there was filthy!

[the_priest]

Airbox off. Sparkplugs changed. Airbox needs a good clean, has oil inside it from overflow.



Old Sparkplugs. A bit grubby I should think.... Fitted the DPR9EA-R as recommended plugs... time will tell.


Just waiting for fuel filter, air filter and time to do indicators Heading out to a meeting in a short while, so that is it until filters arrive.

[the_priest]

You might consider replacing the corrugated air hoses they crack and leak air

Thanks, that is a good tip. I'll have a look for where I can get new ones.

[MingtheMerciless]

You're missing a spark plug!

[the_priest]

You're missing a spark plug!

Never!!! I've just gone back to a triple from an IL4 as I was missing character! Come to the Triple side, we have noise, character, sensation and real road power!

[KungFooBob]

My Triumph triple wasn't the 955 (only the 800), but it didn't have as much speed as an IL4 or as much character as a twin... it was a compromise.

I did ride a 1050 Speedtrip once, but it was back to back with a KTM 950SM, so I remember very little about the Triumph.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

Your plugs were fucked and oil in the air box is usually a sign of a blocked air filter (it sucks oil up the breather) but it could be shagged rings, oil blown up the breather.

[Dickyboy]

Either way its not good to have a cup full of water in there and Triumph and Ducati tanks are known to swell. Mine didnt blister like some but it got too long to go back on the fixings.

Same with moto guzzi, tank on the Centauro swelled and then hit the stanchions lock to lock which is MOT failure tanks I have for the 1200 sport, one is blistered and the other one touches the bar risers on lock to lock, I'm hoping a long while off the bike will shrink the better one back to shape, new tanks are £2k plus

[Dodgy69]

There's Good and bad character you know.

[the_priest]

Blocked air filter is my bet at the moment. It was really bad. The tank has been fine. No blisters or swelling. E5 petrol only. I've had triples before and am more than happy with their character!

[the_priest]

New fuel filter fitted. New gasket fitted. Put the bolts in the holes first, then offer it up to the tank. It is easier to get it lined up that way and know you don't have pinch points. I've let the tank sit for 20 minutes with fuel in that lowest point and no leaks. Just waiting for air filter now.

Fitted to the tank now.

Airbox is now back on neatly with all connections done up. Pipercross airfilter on the way.

[Mr. Dazzle]

My tank is deffo distorted and blistering, you've apparently been lucky.

A full respray is on the cards for mine anyway, so I reckon maybe I should be on the lookout for a good tank