Call me paranoid but I've been thrashing about on my Bonny until it started making VERY strange noises from the top end, what started of as a bit of 'ticking' from the engine quickly developed into a deep 'burring' sound, vibrating through the frame!! Not good, as 2 years ago I blew up the top end which ended up costing me over £1500 to get fixed. Anyhow the upshot is, it's going to be in good hands as it's booked into BSD it'll get a cheeky tune up and a bit of re-jetting as well... I'm hoping it's something as simple as a sticking valve or something but it looks like I'm off the road until the end of the month as they're fully booked up until then.... Bugger.........................
I'll keep you posted, Good point, I checked every mount and everyrhing seems tight, however, I do have my ignition mounted to the top engine mount and now you've got me wondering whether that could be the gremlin...
Just dropped the bike off at BSD. Sods law it ran like a top with just a bit of valve rattle so they're going to take a look at the valve clearances and check for any 'float' that may cause vibrations. They said that as standard, the Bonnies carb set up was a bit weak out the factory so it's going on the dyno for a tune-up and maybe some up-jetting plus I'm getting the oil changed whilst in in there...
Got the bike back today from BSD There was a lot of play in the valves which they cannot understand as I've only done 400 miles since they were done last. They asked if there's a problem with 360 Bonnie heads, I can't remember hearing any problems with them. I think I'm gonna keep my eye out for another cheap engine / Bonnie just in case this one goes bang majorly again... So they re-shimmed the valves, did a quick service on the bike they also removed the baffles so the engine can breath a bit better as they found the bike impossible to dyno with the baffles in, so baffles out and a re-jetting and it's so much more responsive.... Total cost £115. Not bad and highly recommended...
Sometimes I'd be happy if it's found knackered so I would have had a result. This way it still needs nursing. Oh well, play it by ear
OK... Been riding the bike to and from work for the past 3 weeks and........................ The rattle is back. I've had it looked at by a top tuner, it's been shimmed and dyno'd I flushed the engine (controversial) changed the oil, oil filter and sump plug. I gotta confess I do cane the bike but it now seems worse than ever !!................. Link to video below. (How do you post videos?)
If it sounds as bad as the video in real life I would not run it again until a top end/barrel strip down at least. JMO.
I phoned Webbs of Peterborough today for a price to work on my bike. They told me that it's not something that they would do in the summer as it's more of a winter thing !!!. Do companies want to earn money ? Useless Triumph dealership, they don't deserve the license !!...
UPDATE: Found a local mechanic who is going to take a looksy at it, he seems quite upbeat (well a lot more than me) about sorting it out... I'll keep ya posted...
Thanks, it's getting annoying especially because there's a lot of shows coming up, I'm missing riding my bike already...
Dropped the bike of today, both mechanics couldn't place exactly where the noise is coming from. One thought it might be the cam chain, that said, we decided the best way forward is to strip the engine down bit by bit starting with the obvious (and cheapest) options first. I did feel a whole lot better looking around the workshop, seeing a couple of Thunderbirds, a 70's Bonnie and another T100 all in various states of work so I guess these guys know their Triumphs... I don't think it'll be cheap but as I can't find another engine for under £950 it's the only way forward...
