Hi, I hate myself as I type this out, but I hope to seek advice on my next steps here. After five months, I was finally ready to get back into riding, and yesterday fixed my battery back into the bike, and I got "ABS fault" on display. Tried the horn, which was also weak, so I assumed it was the weak battery, so I proceeded to use the trickle charger and left it for 12+ hours. Fast forward to now, considering I had no indication whether the battery was fully charged, I decided to plug it in temporarily with the seat open and a quick setup- biggest f up. Here's the rest of the situation in points: 1. Tries to connect the battery 2. I saw some tinny sparks while connecting, which seemed unusual 3. Looks at the key and realizes it was not entirely off 4. Proceeds to turn off and take the key out 5. Continues to connect the battery. Once done 6. I tried to turn it on, but nothing happened; gives it another shot, but still nothing 7. This is when I look at the battery and realize it is connected to the wrong ends 8. I reconnect it to the right end. Tried to turn the key all the way... still the same, nothing at all. 9. Grief I tried to look at the fuse box (just above the battery) and saw nothing fried or burnt. https://www.manualslib.com/manual/2012269/Triumph-Trident.html?page=124 Going through a hard time lately, and I was hoping to hop on the bike and ride into freedom, but here I am.
Can't help you, but I know that feeling. Sorry it didn't go to plan and I hope you're enjoying the bike again very soon.
Are you able to check if your battery still has voltage or works. Maybe you "killed" your battery and its dead now!
My guess is you've taken the main fuse. Not in the fuse box, normally in a rubber holder somewhere around the starter solenoid. It is generally 30A. It's there for exactly this scenario-massive short, such as a battery being instantly grounded by incorrect connection. Good luck
I would have expected there to be a main fuse but non is evident for your bike? My Speed Triple has a 30A main fuse next to the battery which is not in the fuse box and is a stand alone item.
I don't know that bike, but can advise basic electrics to check what may have happened. You will need basic tools and a multi-meter. With bike turned off (take the key out to be sure!) Disconnect the battery completely (-ve connection first) and remove. Test for voltage on the battery (healthy should be around 13.5 -14v) anything less is dodgy, nothing means it's probably knackered. With the battery out and using the handbook or a Haynes manual, remove and test the fuses individually for continuity (you can't always see if they've blown). Try and start with what would seem to be the main fuse and work your way down through the circuits from most important/powerful to accessories. Put each fuse back before moving on to the next one, that way you won't muddle them up. Hopefully its a fuse or at worst the battery. If you can't find anything look at the wiring to make sure (as best you can tell) that nothing is shorting to anything metal. Carefully refit the battery and reconnect (+ve first), again ensuring that nothing is shorting the battery terminals or connecting the positive to anything metal (other than the main +ve lead of course!) Hopefully by the end of the above you'll have found the fault, or got it all back together again properly and working. Hope this helps and gets you back on the road.
Checking other similar mishaps with fitting the battery the wrong way around on motorbikes. All were fixed by replacing the main fuse. Obviously that is what it is there for.
This is maybe like your starter relay. Clear plastic holder contains fuse hope the link works, waiting for mods as l'm new....
The owner's manual just shows the fusebox but it has nothing above 20A. Couldn't find Trident's service manual either to look further into it.
I did check the battery with the multimeter, it had a voltage above 12 as you mentioned. And individually checked the fuse in fuse box 1, and they seem to be fine as well. I didn't check fuse box 2, it has ABS ECU and diagnostics I will try looking at the wiring, I hope it is something to do with this.
The "main" fuse, which is 30A, was fried. The problem was finding this bad boy's location; the owner's manual did not specify such a thing. For anyone who runs into this issue - ALWAYS FOLLOW THE +VE CABLE; it will lead you to the starter, which in most modern bikes will also have a main fuse. It might be hidden, but it is worth poking around until you find it. On Trident 660, the main fuse is just across the fuse box (check the image) Thanks, everyone!
Glad you got it sorted. Always pays to do some careful inspection, and these are always good learning opportunities. Hopefully you can get on the road now and get that two-wheeled therapy you were hoping for. Enjoy the ride.
