Rattle After Start Up

Was the rattle from the starter or from the engine as it was running.

 

Hi!
Did you restarted the bike since?

 

Brian Oliver.
Well firstly welcome to the family. Sorry to hear you are having problems. Those early models had dodgy starter motors well some did. Mine snapped the shaft. So do get that checked. If it is from the engine probably clutch rattle especially if it has stood for some time. Do keep us all in the know.
Joe.

 

Brian Oliver.
Probably just a bit of clutch rattle. Or at worst the old sprag clutch but do get it checked over for peace of mind.
Joe.

 

If the bike stays a long time without running, the petrol ageing can cause rattle, smoke and difficult start.
Some water can also condensate in fuel lines.
I would drain old petrol, put some new.
Check oil level
Restart

 

Hi Brian,

Probably need a bit more information on the extent/locality/nature of the rattle but, from the picture you've painted, I wonder if, perhaps, it maybe the cam. chain tensioner being stuck or sticking? (I'm assuming the T'bird has a similar set up to the Trident etc.) Check the workshop manual (or search online) for something like "T3 cam chain tensioner rattle" and see if this comes up with some further advice or suggestions for next steps .... it might be possible to back off the (automatic) tensioner to allow it to auto-adjust ...... HOWEVER be sure that you are confident in what you are doing before you do that.

 

Salut Brian

 

Sounds like a job to do during lockdown and before the nice riding weather arrives.

Start as you suggest with the easier (and most probable causes) like the chain tensioner.

Stripping down the engine (with the right tools) is easy. I always struggle putting it back together in the right order and making it run again

 

Are these bikes know for having issues with the camshafts? Why would a complete engine be cheaper than repairing this one? What exactly does the dealer mean by "the camshaft is buggered"?

 

Hi @Brian Oliver ,

Just a thought , maybe the balancer shaft has spun a bearing ? It's located across the front of the motor , you access remove it through that nice chrome cover above and to the front of your water pump !

I had this happen to my 94 Trident. From memory it went @ 60 or 70 thousand km ? It made a very audible knock ! New bearing's and in my case required a new shaft ! Although I believe it can be run without !! JCS dealers in Perth did mine under 'partial warranty' parts were supplied but I paid labour , as it was just a little out of the 2yrs and some bikes had done similar.

Bike ran fine for many km's after the repairs. The balancers do vary between the different motors. They couldn't get a Trident one easily , so put a Thunderbird one in ! Lighter than the Trident one , so I believe.

Hope this helps ... ?

 

Hi Brian!
An engine change is maybe easier than put engine in parts.
But like another poster, I wonder about a buggered camshaft?