Author Topic: 1959 triumph speedtwin  (Read 8214 times)

Offline 567riley??:

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1959 triumph speedtwin
« on: November 13, 2017, 04:17:02 PM »
hi,
my triumph speed twin is very difficult to start and when it does eventually start is  smokey.
it has been used very little during the last 10 or so years.
have put new plugs in and also new petrol but starting is still painful.
I wonder if the valve timing needs checking?
any help with problem appreciated
thanks

Offline mini-me

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Re: 1959 triumph speedtwin
« Reply #1 on: November 13, 2017, 04:58:20 PM »
Didn't you ask the same question a fortnight ago?


check the valve timing as much as you like it won't make a bit of difference. Its fixed, immovable.solid

If you are in the south I can sort this out for you.

£25 per hour +parts

« Last Edit: November 13, 2017, 04:59:57 PM by mini-me »

Offline TGR90B

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Re: 1959 triumph speedtwin
« Reply #2 on: November 13, 2017, 05:59:36 PM »
As said previously, wet sumping would cause the smoke, but you don't say if you've addressed that aspect. I'd remove & thoroughly clean the jet block in the carb. It has a lot of small passageways that can get easily blocked through non use.
If you want further help, you're going to have to stick with it, try the suggested cures & report back on progress. It won't fix it's self.
Getting grumpy, but not as grumpy as mini-me.

Offline 567riley??:

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Re: 1959 triumph speedtwin
« Reply #3 on: November 13, 2017, 07:19:10 PM »
hi
yes I did post 2 weeks ago but unfortunately dated the bike 1958 instead of 1959.
I followed the advice regarding new plugs and petrol but as I am 70 years old this
year I am struggling to get under the bike to locate the sump plate.
I will gird my loins and try again.
thanks
stuart

Offline TGR90B

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Re: 1959 triumph speedtwin
« Reply #4 on: November 13, 2017, 07:55:21 PM »
You're not alone in being 70 Stuart. It's easy enough to get down on the floor, you just need someone to help you up.
P.S. Hasn't the sump plate got a plug in it?
« Last Edit: November 13, 2017, 07:57:02 PM by TGR90B »
Getting grumpy, but not as grumpy as mini-me.

Offline mini-me

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Re: 1959 triumph speedtwin
« Reply #5 on: November 13, 2017, 09:10:58 PM »
Now I know you are one of us, I might be kinder to you, we have a 70s clique on here,stiff knees and all.

The 5TA does not have a sump plate it has a plug and guaze filter  needs 7/16 whit spanner if I recall.

The sump will  likely be full of oil, so you need to get that out. As regards the smoking,if its a matter of sumpoil it will smoke for a bit but will clear after a run.
Then again you might have stuck rings; if compreession is low, chuck some redex down the bore  for a week.

Modern plugs do not like being cleaned or oiled up. see if you can get some half decent old ones and use those for starting/running till its all clear; and if the plugs you bought have an R suffix, chuck them.  Right plug ofr yours is a champion N4 or equivalent.

tappets clearances ok?

taken for granted you have a fat spark? These engines are so soft they should never be hard to start.

As for getting down and under it, some kind of bench to get it up is a must at our age. I have in the past resorted to a block and tackle to lift the things up. [and a bell to call the missus to help me up sometimes].

where-abouts in the country are you?

Offline 567riley??:

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Re: 1959 triumph speedtwin
« Reply #6 on: November 14, 2017, 10:02:59 AM »
hi again,
thanks again for your replies and sympathy.
will follow up on your advice and let you know how it goes.
stuart

Offline iansoady

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Re: 1959 triumph speedtwin
« Reply #7 on: November 14, 2017, 10:21:25 AM »
I am 70 years old this
year I am struggling to get under the bike to locate the sump plate.
I will gird my loins and try again.


I'm only 68 but struggle to kneel / bend down to get at low bits on the bike. If it's on its wheels it's often easier to lie down beside it but then as said getting up can be a struggle, plus of course the tendency to nod off when you're down there.

If I'm doing serious work I have the bike up on a lift but it's too much hassle for running repairs.

As others have said, valve timing doesn't move unless someone's had it apart. Ignition timing, points gap and carb jets are a different matter. I would go back to basics - drain crankcase, remove carb(s) and check for muck in / around the jets, check points gap(s), check ignition timing and operation of centrifugal advance / retard (if fitted).

Nice easy jobs and they will help you to get an understanding of the bike.
Ian
1952 Norton ES2
1986 Honda XBR500
1958-ish Tre-Greeves

Offline 567riley??:

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Re: 1959 triumph speedtwin
« Reply #8 on: November 14, 2017, 01:38:22 PM »
hi ,
thanks for advice.will crack on with it..
stuart

Offline iansoady

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Re: 1959 triumph speedtwin
« Reply #9 on: November 14, 2017, 01:49:26 PM »
Keep us informed.....
Ian
1952 Norton ES2
1986 Honda XBR500
1958-ish Tre-Greeves

Offline 567riley??:

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Re: 1959 triumph speedtwin
« Reply #10 on: November 17, 2017, 08:41:00 AM »
hi again,
have drained sump of oil (lots).put 4 lots of redex in bores and with new N4C plugs the bike started
at 3rd kick.miracles do happen..
bike probably needs a run as it is still wet sumping or could the oil pump be the problem?
thanks for your continued help..
stuart

Offline mini-me

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Re: 1959 triumph speedtwin
« Reply #11 on: November 17, 2017, 09:41:46 AM »
just give it a good run,it will take a while before all the smoke from'the redex,sump and what's coating the exhaust system gets cleared.

just make sure the oil is returning to the tank, if it comes in spurts the pump is ok, if its a steady stream its still clearing the sump.
« Last Edit: November 17, 2017, 09:43:28 AM by mini-me »

Offline Rex

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Re: 1959 triumph speedtwin
« Reply #12 on: November 17, 2017, 10:10:51 AM »
Triumphs aren't known for wet-sumping (drain-down) as the double plunger pumps aren't prone to it. As the man above says, go and give it some stick for a few miles and see how it is.
Non-use never improved any machinery.

Offline 567riley??:

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Re: 1959 triumph speedtwin
« Reply #13 on: November 17, 2017, 10:11:58 AM »
thanks again for your advice.
regards
stuart

Offline iansoady

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Re: 1959 triumph speedtwin
« Reply #14 on: November 17, 2017, 10:28:26 AM »
miracles do happen

Nothing to do with miracles, just taking a methodical approach.
Ian
1952 Norton ES2
1986 Honda XBR500
1958-ish Tre-Greeves