1958 triumph speedtwin

[567riley??:]

hi
have had above bike for ten years but unfortunately it is rarely ever used due to difficulty in starting.
followed instructions in manual but I can spend 30  mins  and bike still will not start.
on the few occasions bike  eventually starts it is smokey and loses oil via pipe underneath.
have changed plugs and oils but problems still exist..
any helpful advice appreciated.
thanks
stuart

[iansoady]

Sounds as if it could be wet sumping. Try draining the oil from the sump before you try to start it (square plate under the crankcase held on by 4 studs).

[mini-me]

and then put some clean plugs and fresh juice in it

is this a unit motor? with distributor?

[567riley??:]

thanks
.will give it a go.
stuart

[iansoady]

58 would be pre-unit for the 500 I believe.

[Rex]

Should be, but knowing definitively would be a help.
Sometimes owners go by the seller's description, or even the V5C, and it ain't always right.
A pre-unit fitted with a mag would need different solutions to a unit with a dizzie, as we all know.
A pic would be good...?

[567riley??:]

hi,
have put new plugs in and fresh petrol and bike started after a few kicks but unfortunately i stalled bike and the bike would not restart so i just left it and will try again another day..
sorry but i gave the wrong info in original post:the triumph is actually a 1959 model with distributer..
any help will again be much appreciated..
thanks