In Big trouble I think.......Triumph Thunderbird 900

From what I have seen before in the Sprint forum there is a spacer washer that has probably fell into the engine. Sorry mate but it dont look like good news to me. It says earlier engines had a female thread either end of the shaft,later ones ,and yours being a Tbird is probably gonna be the later one,didnt.
Here is the thread , post 2 by greg.

http://www.triumphrat.net/t3-sport-touring-forum/610338-alternator-question.html

Hope I am wrong and you get lucky mate

 

I dont have experience of it myself ,just seen it happen in the forums a couple of times and it stuck in my head.
Who knows, you may go to look this weekend and it is a simple fix, I hope so .

 

Hi Wayne, sorry to hear your troubles mate. Even more sorry that I can't lend a hand, but I've not done this work before so I don't know what to suggest.

If you have to split the crankcases it's not the end of the world though - they are designed to come apart after all - just do your research and work methodically.

 

Unlucky Wayne, get over the kicking yourself, what's done is done, hope you get some good luck

 

I understand that mate, but don't worry too much. It was made by a man, it can be re-made by a man.

 

Good luck Wayne, I hope you get lucky and save the situation,

 

Do a bit everyday.

 

To quote your Avatar - Bummer....
Chiari1's advice is spot on - take pictures of everything as you go - that way you have a reference point to go to if you can't remember where something came from. You'll also have some pictures to look back on with pride once the jobs done.
It's also worth popping to the pound shop and getting a couple of cheap plastic boxes with dividing sections in. You can store the fiddly little bits in them, label them and there is less chance of things getting lost.
I've only ever split and rebuilt two stroke Vespa PX engines in the past, but the advice I would give is - the moment you start getting frustrated or wound up, walk away and leave it until the next day. It's better to approach these tasks at a calm methodical pace than with the red mist up and risk FUBARing something.
Good luck.

 

Oh DEEP POOO!.
Sounds like you've really screwed the pooch Wayne. Sorry I can't give any other advice than, take deep breaths and a nice slow and steady approach and you'll probable sort it. If all else fails remember Cpl Jones and, "Don't panic"

 

If you remove the spark plugs, put the bike in gear and turn the engine over by turning the back wheel.