Hi Fellow Triumph owners. I have a 1967 T120R which I have owned since 1992. I have used it over the years but never done a lot of miles. It now has a problem. it has started running very badly and now wont start. It has a good spark, the ignition timing is perfect, tappet clearance correct and fuel getting to the plugs. Other things I have noticed. 1) oil foaming 2) strange squeak from the RHS cylinder when I turn the engine over. I took the head off and and there is nothing obvious wrong. Any thoughts? Regards Colin
Hi Colin, welcome to the forum. Not an expert on your issue but sounds like timing of spark if you have a.spark and fuel!
Colinj Welcome to the family. Did you remove the barrels. If the bike has stood for a long time the rings may have seized up. Trying to kick it over may have broken one of the rings which will score the barrels if not repaired. Joe
Hi Colin try doing an oil change, it can be caused by moisture in the engine particularly if it has only done short journeys or just been run up. Also it may be the cause of the squeak as the foamy oil is not lubricating correctly. Worth doing that oil change if only to eliminate it as a possible cause
Is it points or electronic? Have you checked points and condenser (just bung in a new one given how much they cost), tested coils? Is battery ok? Oil foaming, I assume you mean water in the oil tank. Probably condensation in the crankcase due to not a lot of use. Is the primary oil ok or is that the same. The squeak is a bit more concerning which may be the big end (as you've had the head off and it's the right side away from the primary) or could be timing pinions I suppose but I've never known a squeak in there. More than 30 years (since 1992) would have me getting into the sludge trap to have a clean out and a general rebuild of the engine.
Iron says it spot on, personally I would not attempt to try and start it again, even if it did fire up it may result in a catastrophic engine failure, what you describe sounds like emulsification, and inside the engine it may be a build up of sludge, this could be solid in places, as disheartening as it is a strip down is the answer, also the clutch plates may be stuck, condensation does fuse them together, regarding the squeak it does not sound good, hence the don't try and re start it comment. Any machine laid up and only ridden infrequently will suffer some problems, especially if they live in an outside garage or shed.