Trident Starting Probs

So do you mean youre starting it with the choke off altogether ?

How does it run once its warmed up ?

My trophy's both start on full choke but, don't touch throttle for a minute or so after starting.

Also if its been left for more than 24 hours I always turn fuel tap onto prime ( fuel tap pointing up ) and push in for a few seconds to ensure the carbs are full then return to normal running position ( fuel tap pointing to the right ) to start.

 

Has the bike had its valve clearances checked recently (should be at/every 12,000 miles)? Mine was noticeably quicker to start after they were done around 48,000 miles.
If the bike has been stood for a while - and with only 16.000 miles on the clock it probably has been - stick some Redex, or similar, in the petrol to help clean out the carbs etc, and to keep them that way.
Make sure the battery is kept fully charged in order to preserve the life of the starter sprag clutch - if it turns over slowly and tries (weakly) to start, it could 'kick back' and wreck it. Fairly rare but not unheard of. Just be aware!

 

You didn't say if youre using the choke or not ?

Lever pulled towards you is on, pushed forward towards front of bike is off for reference

Does it smoke at all on startup ?

 

Just seen this, all good advice, they got there first. My sprint used to be a cow to get going,had a service ( the air filter was like a nest) and i used to twist the throttle..........never ever twist until the engine is running as it over rides the enrichening of the fuel mix( so I believe)
redex makes a great difference but not straight away. I use it every tank full now and my bike actually ticks over below 1000 rpm , whereas it never did before, it needed 1200 or more.
the advice on sprag clutch is very good too,it can be a very expensive job, tho yours is a 94 so you should have an inspection cover which later bikes, grrrrrr, do not have.
always have a top notch battery and never let the starter labour

 

Sounds like the carbs and all associated filters could do with cleaning. These bikes should start on the choke with no issues. I had a 93 Trident and it always started first time - all good advice above. Watch out for a weak battery when starting, keep headlight off and clutch lever pulled in - it all helps! Bikes with grey engine casings have the access panel for the sprag clutch but ones with black engine covers do not.

 

Not knocking anyone else's recommendations but my personal choice for cleaning carbs is Motul Systems Cleaner, just tip the bottle in when you fill up with petrol and ride the bike. I've used it on everything from Fireblades to elderly Volvos that have been left standing and it's worked a treat on all of them

 

Apparently Cosworth were involved in assisting with a redesign on the crankcases ( introduced in 1994 ), this is when the access panel disappeared and also if you look at early and later motors the direction the major amount of bolts are fitted from was changed from bottom to the top iirc as well as accomodating the sprag clutch mod

 

You are right mate - the later bikes have the black engine covers but they did away with the access panel on them.

 

Black engines also can have access panel.
And with the later engines they still have sprag problems inc Mk1 t5 engines.
that's the main reason why Clive Wood does the t300 maintenance courses, to show people how to strip the motor and change out the sprag and reasons for their failure and how to avoid it again.

 

Yes your all right and ive got a gun metal grey engine 94 with no access panel and the start of 6 speed gearbox as stock being fitted