Hi All, Just about to start my barn find of a 1200, its one of those where I'm stood back scratching my head wondering where to start. Its a non runner currently and hasn't been on the road for around 10 years and has just under 18000 on the clock. Not sure if its an import as there is an age certificate from 2001 with the paperwork. In my head I have the basics - Carbs off strip and clean, check for spark etc. I guess most hoses and seals may need changing. I was 50/50 if i should restore or cafe racer but opted for restore. Any tips or advice welcome as this is my first Triumph and im sure there are things that may be common issues. Cheers, Mike
I'd drop and inspect the oil for metal etc. Replace oil and filter, fasten a battery source to it (spare battery or jump leads) and see if it cranks. Yes, good, see if oil light goes out easily and check around for leaks and flow. No, potentially seized so resolve this first as the lump may need to come out. Once happy with above, resolve fuel supply.
Will try all, thanks. I can see someone has had the fuse box apart so may be some deeper issues. I will pop out and buy a battery later and see what happens. Cheers, Mike
Good old bikes so enjoy, My advice is most of the above, Decent battery -separate fuel supply(not from fuel tank on the bike) give it a prod to see if she tries to fire up? BUT one thing i`d make sure of is to replace the brushes in the starter motor & clean it out asap. As it`s under the carbs you don`t wanna tare it down again just to do this & it`s only £30ish from memory. When pi$$ing about with my Daytona`s bad starting & flattening no end of batteries i bought a kit from Sprint & now it starts like a new bike even after standing. Also make sure NEVER try starting it with a weak battery as this will help bugga your sprag clutch!!!!! Once sorted it should be Prime-choke-NO throttle- starter button & she fires up. Good luck & have fun & everyone likes photo`s
It’s completely dead with no warning lights or start or anything. Fuses intact, battery fully charged. Ignition switch maybe? Any ideas? cheers Mike
Yes I was meant to update. After a bit of testing and head scratching I found that the fuse box was the issue, I swapped it with a used one and all lights worked and it span over on start. next project will be the carbs, I’m in 2 minds if I should do it myself or send them away for vapour blasting etc. while the carbs are off I’m going to change the rear shock as it’s really bad. For the time being I’m going to use one of the YSS shocks but may change it at a future date.
Great stuff Mike, I was gonna suggest that & also dodgy/broken battery leads which mine had both! Carbs are not difficult to deal with, i maybe got lucky? I bought new slow jets, blasted the carbs with carb cleaner & that worked a treat. Have some brake cleaner handy to use on the "O" rings as it swells them a little to re-seal carb bodies back together. Dont miss the two gauze filters in the pipes!!! The manual will show you. Have a go & it may save you cash? Be careful here removing in photo 2 . This part of the float kinda "snaps" in & out. Be gentle when pulling it & you`ll see what i mean. To re-fit use carb cleaner on the "O" ring to swell it. I`ve had mine apart 5+ times & not bought new o rings yet & no leaks. Inside the float tubes from memory is another mesh/filter to check when blasting carb cleaner through.
Also the starter, As you can see, crap in the starter but not that bad? Brushes were not that bad to me but a clean & new brushes from Sprint made a helluva difference!!!!!! Also Also lol your fuel pipes will be buggered due to age but Sprint do these too. £50 is not cheap but i tried with normal pipe & failed Maybe just me. Hope this lot helps & have fun
it’s all fun and games. Space is my enemy, I’m not sure I would get away with having the carbs across the dining table but might give it a go. Never done thes types before or banks of 4. I’m more used to the carbs on my RDs never touched them on other bikes or they had injectors. I need to get the alternator off as it looks scabby so will have a look at the starter too. cheers, Mike
Nice evening so I sat outside and stripped them, had a couple of quotes for rebuilding but decided to give it ago…..not so good internally.
Blimey they are nasty! Doubt my brake cleaner method will save those "o" ring seals on the carb bodies either but worth a go? Any photo`s of what they look like after a blast of carb/brake cleaner??
not yet, we have a sonic tank at work so I’m taking the bodies in today to see how they come up. If that works then I’ll take the other bits in.
Well hit the main bodies with 30mins in the tank, we only have a generic detergent in the cleaner at work but it hasn’t done too bad. Carb 4 is still a bit crusty I’m going to hit it with carb cleaner and a toothbrush and see if it will come up better. I noticed when I was checking all with an airline that the fuel inlet T piece seals were bubbling so I may need to split them (eek not sure how that will go).
Wow, that`s better eh Splitting them will be a chore, maybe just build them & put fuel in to see what happens? Yes i am a cheapskate. Worth a try.
