macjaffa

I realise that the access for the sprag (if I was lucky) would be here...an oblong case...but it isn't... I'm not going to be removing and splitting the engine for the sprag...so...if the access was anywhere, it would be here...I believe? N'awwww.....think it's game over for this little venture.

Howdy, Ooops, I read it was good to let it run for a while after it hasn't for a bit...so I let it sit for a while. I haven't been able to get back to it to try it cold again, but here are two vids...of when it started and when it was running. Someone on a FB group said it sounds like it's only running on two cylinders. Sounds like the sprag is done in the start up one, does it not? Also, just before it started, zoomed into the photo, I see a spark ON the engine, under the fairing...then it just bopped into life. That doesn't seem right to me, at all....erm, anyone have thoughts? Thanks for the triumphparts link! I'll take a look! Thank you! https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RWEVgXRuk4HJYXbiBqTx7PkDw4XhwVlY/view?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FA64YmckgCCnXi0rQ25wMlph2QctR00a/view?usp=sharing

Hey, it started. I must admit I forgot myself and indulged in a few excited revs, rather quickly, but it idled happily for 20 minutes. Didn't start again after that, but I think I've lost the sprag clutch. Would it even start with the sprag clutch gone, though? Now it has at least started, I assume it's worth a little more effort. I'll grab a Haynes manual and hopefully a sprag clutch...I guess I have to look into that now. I can take the case off the engine on the bike's right hand side, so I'm assuming I'm one of the lucky ones who don't have to remove and split the engine. There is a 1996 sprag clutch available online...is this fine for a 1995 Steamer?

Wow, thank you! That's awesome to know! I'm suddenly wondering if I needed to put more fuel in it...can you imagine if that was the bloody problem?!! And yep...I'm needing to get back from work before it's dark and I'm looking forward to trying those things....I'd really love to hear this bike come to life. :). I'll definitely let you know how it goes!

Hi....tried it on all settings, really, (off, mid and high). Just desperately knocking it to all, really. It sometimes almost fired up...it seemed so close.

Thank you so much for the reply -and the time put into it! There is so much here and I will use it as a great checklist as I get back to work on it. Thank you. In the video we were jumping it from a car battery...and before that I was using my fully charged other bike battery. I would hope those both would have had the power. I'll keep the battery on a trickle charge to ensure it's topped up, before I try to use it again...at least take it out of the equation, as much as possible. I had someone mention that if they don't have more than a quarter of a tank of petrol, then their Tiger doesn't start. I've got six litres in there now, which is bang on a quarter...so I guess I should put more in...to take that out of the equation. Mounts up on the pennies! ha But, again, thank you for the help.

Ha, I'm crossing fingers and toes....and my eyes....and just hoping I don't have to have a crack at it.

That's a really good point...yeah, I don't think the filter would have been changed...in 6 years. Although he's done less than 2000 miles on it since 2017's MOT. Ohhhhh....carbs, airbox, maybe sprag...fun times ahead. Darn it.

I appreciate any and all input, thank you! That's cool...I'll keep using this battery until it fires up...then I have the battery ready to order. Saves pennies in the moment. The air filter housing...eeesh...no, is that tough to get to? The attached pic shows what I think is the airbox...the filter is in there? It feels like I'd have to dismantle the whole bike to get at it? Ha, and rodents...really? Quite unexpected!

Ohhhh....erm....that doesn't sound great. Petcock is set to 'Fuel'....I drained the carburettors from the screw at the bottom (as I thought there still may be old fuel in it)...and then cranked it...and checked afterwards and there was fuel in them again (I assume the new fuel). But something can be blocked between that and the cylinders? Another question: (this may be a silly one), but my GS500F has a YUASA YB12L-A2 battery, which is new,...this one has a YUASA YB14L-A2, which is dead...the difference is the 12/14...although I don't know what that refers to. I've been using the GS one.....that's fine....isn't it?

Oh, darn it....Quicksilver Powertune...I've noted that down...thank you. Unburned petrol...no, not from the exhaust. With some of it's more 'almost' moments, there were some wispy fumes coming out, as though the engine was running, but it was always 'almost'. There were a couple of gutteral pops out of the exhaust on occasion. But that's it. I'm getting a little anxious about the sprag clutch going, with all these starting attempts.

Hi Ian, Yep, the socket I need is on order for Monday..and the Seafoam is due to arrive then, too. I think -weather dependent- I'll spend Monday evening draining the fuel tank again, checking spark plugs and getting Seafoam through. As I understand it...I empty the tank, put half a bottle of sea foam in....attempt to start the bike which should get the seafoam into the carbs...then let it sit. Is that right? I'm unsure how to flush out the seafoam after that....I can undo the screw at the bottom of the carbs, or does it just flush out with fuel? Good to know about the Easystart...I didn't know it was likely to cause issues in the future. Darn it! Thanks!

Thanks....that's good to know...it's a good step to take first, then. I've just ordered some on Amazon. Yeah, I don't have a tool to get into it at the moment...(socket should arrive on Monday) so I thought I could at least see if the plug lead, connector thingymajiggies were carrying a spark, which they all were. Think it is worth having a peek at them, though.

Hello! So, for anyone who saw my other post...I got hold of the Tiger...I felt tall enough. Just! But, it won't start -which I knew. It has been sitting for about 6 months, I think (it had old E5 fuel in it). It was running fine before it sat for a while. The previous owner changed the oil, spark plugs and oil filter in the last week, before handing it to me yesterday, but it still does not start. I'm getting a little worried that starting issues can cause the sprag clutch to go...so I'm getting anxious. I have drained the fuel and put fresh fuel in (also drained the old fuel from the carbs). The spark plugs (or, at least) the lead to them is sparking. I have put Easy Start down the air intake to try and get it going just a little bit, so that I can then put redex through the running engine...and clean the carbs a little. But it won't start. Please see my video links to hear it...it sounds like it's almost there. I can see the carbs...and am prepared to take them off and have a go at cleaning them -if I have to- but I'm a noob and would rather exhaust other options first. I have seen that draining the tank and running sea foam through into the carb system and letting it sit is a good alternative. On that...is pure redex a fine alternative to sea foam? I've linked to two videos of it trying to start....do you think it needs the carb overhaul or treatment? Or, the guy who was helping me thought the spark plugs might be the wrong ones and not sparking themselves...I don't have the tool to take them out at the moment. Any thoughts, please? Thanks! Video Clips: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1d5AtsKm6NTamC9AYrypLszNbHUcb-1Yy/view?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GEN4RlVN5ZymJI8U7v_Gpqo2iomQ2c3B/view?usp=sharing

Ha, yes...I feel like I've spent more time wrenching on the GS than riding it...but hopefully the Tiger would be a different story. haha. Learned a lot though.

Hiya, Ian, yep, that's making a lot of sense. He's the type to take care of and maintain it..and as for his reason for sale, it's just that he hasn't used it in a while and he feels too old now....he's backing away and just wants some money to put towards fixing his favourite car. I'd feel confident, also, that he wouldn't pass something on to me that was a problem, or unsafe. I think he's let me know of anything he's aware of and said it's needing a little tidy up...but that's okay. Could be something to snap up. Back away there....haha...but I get the point. I think I'm leaning in towards the idea. Thank you! I think I will...it's good to get the confirmation from you...I'll throw him a message to find out the little details. Thank you...just Googled this...so I should hear a concerning, metallic thud on start up, if there's an issue. I'll take a look! I think I agree....thank you! --- General Reply --- I feel like I'm going for it. I have to see it and check on the height (I'm a little short, perhaps)...but I think it's an older bike but quite a bargain. My bike is running well at the moment, but it has its quirks...I can't go wrong and it's nice to play with something new. Thanks for the help and advice!

Hello there good people!! In August I got back on the bike (after 10 years) with a Suzuki GS500F. It has been fun and frustrating step back into biking...and I've learned a lot about keeping it going, maintenance and horrid little fix jobs (thanks to you all for the help and advice). The GS has just tipped over 50,000 miles. It runs okay...but I've given it a new battery, sparkplugs, put carb cleaner through it and it seems quite happy for the moment. It will need front sprocket and a chain soon, I should think. MOT in May. It's just about running quite reliably, but I know I need a bigger bike for motorway miles. I'd also like to do some fun miles like the NC500. I've got a friend of my parents who is happy to part with a Triumph Tiger 900 (1995)...for £500. It's way older...I don't yet have details like the mileage but I'm sure it's waaaaay below my GS' 50,000. It has a small hole in the exhaust manifold, apparently, and the rear disc break needs replacing. MOT in June. It's an older bike, but I kind of figure that a bike is as old as its mileage. I'd definitely like to get that style of bike, but until I win the lottery (which I don't play) I won't get something like BMW 1200 just yet. I don't know if it's a clever little move or silly. I'd have to sell my GS. But I also can't help but think that the resale of the Tiger must be well over £500 and might be worth the investment. Any thoughts, please? Thanks!

haha I am enjoying mine..but I look forward to getting a bigger bike next year. Used to have a VFR 800...was rather nice.

That's great...thanks. I will do...I have the axle tightened to spec torque so I can adjust the plate nut and make it all snug.

Ohhhhhhhh....okay...that's awesome, thank you! So....this looks like a happy ending! Everything has a bow on it...and all's well! FFFANKS EVERYONE! I'm using the bike to go and finish some Christmas shopping, then.

Ha, I say that..."Well, the sky didn't cave in, so I'm winning!"...but sorry..to clarify...which way? Just from the middle up or from low to high? And do you have any thoughts on the adjuster plate being loose, like in the link, by any chance? Thanks!

OH! So many vids on youTube push the chain down, take a measurement, then push it up (past the midpoint where it usually sits) up to the farthest point and then take a measurement...the gap being the slack. But this is incorrect? Haha...have I done all this to double the slack that was actually okay? Got to just laugh, if that's the case.

Sooo....thank you everyone.... An update...I was able to loosen the chain using the adjusters...even the bent one allowed enough turns so that I now have an inch chain slack, measured from near the centre stand, when it is up. I have an inch from a low to high measurement, which is correct...I rolled the bike back and forth and remeasured...it seemed pretty consistent. I figure that as long as the chain is adjusted well, I can ride it...and I can take my time getting a cheaper, second hand adjuster...have returned the £50 one! I tightened the axle to 50lbs...as I believe is in spec?? I then remeasured the chain and it made it tighter (why?) but I repeated it all, tightened the axle and it's a good slack now. The last part of this job is to ensure I had the wheel aligned after adjustment...(I did the same amount of turns on the nuts, but...yeah). I measured from the centre of the swingarm pivot cap to the centre of the axle nut, on each side. It measured the same, although measuring alongside the exhaust was awkward. I went for a little ride and (apart from judders that I think were my imagination) it seemed fine. However....the adjuster plate on the right side is loose. Should I be worried? Here's a vid of it (in a Google Drive link). https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bgNNR4CV5mq8qn9Zi2v1MAP73Btwrei3/view?usp=sharing In my mind it indicated that the right side of the wheel should move forward....to make it snug. But so far....thanks so much for all the info and advice...I did take advice on avoid riding while the chain was tight...and this has all saved me money too! Thanks!

Ohh, dear....well...looks like I can't ride for a bit, then...until I sit out on the pavement and sort it. Thanks for your help and advice....I'll get to it. Fun times!

Update...I have one on the way now....£50....was that or wait until New Year for secondhand. Darn it. But now...how to replace.....and can I ride the bike in the meantime?