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2002 Triumph Sprint RS 955i
 | The Triumph sprint RS has been standing for the past 5 years outside in a garden. It’s in a mucky state to say the least. The tyres have algae all over them and are Greener than the grass. The bodywork was re sprayed about 3 years ago but has deteriorated due to the weather. The tyres were as flat as a witch’s tit though the tread is good on the back tyre but the front one may only just scrape in for the MOT? I put air in the tyres, got the bike home in a back of a van and had a good look around it. No chain, indicators lens, front mudguard, tail end piece that’s holds the number plate on, and the right foot peg broken in half. I cleaned the algae off and found rubber underneath though they do requires a soapy water scrub to get them back looking like tyres. (The photos are after I cleaned the bike) |
| Bill gave me a battery (was it a flat one? Ed) and I coupled it up to see what was working or not working as the case may be. All the lights worked including the back brake stop light but the front brake stop light is not working yet. The horn did not work owing to the wires being cut off from it. |  |
 | I thought before I spend money on it I will see if the engine turns to make sure it wasn’t seized up. The fuel in the tank had been in the bike for the last four years at least. I pressed the starter button to turn the engine over and it fired up instantly. It sounded sweet. The engine management light was on so there is a fault somewhere in the system. I tried to start it a few days later but it did not fire up, think it was low fuel this time. I could not undo the fuel tank lock and as I turned the key it snapped, so now I need an ignition switch and a fuel tank lock as well also the seat release lock. |
| I emailed a few triumph sites to get a price for the ignition switch and found one for £125, I have been offered a second hand tank and seat lock for £50 which is a saving. I have stripped the panels off of the bike and was surprised at the number of snail inside the frame, they were everywhere, I spent 20 minutes just getting the snails out along with dead spiders in every corner. The air filter was checked and that was fine, it was a new one, I took off the front calliper to find that the pads were in good condition although I intend to change them. |  |
 | The screen looks like it had been polished with a brillo pad; the scratches were a work of art, a new one is required but the old one will do for the MOT. |
| Once it has passed the MOT I will fit new pads front and rear, get a new screen, new front tyre and get the panels sprayed. The bike was originally orange, it’s now black so I will keep it black as it will be easier to spray and clean up. My intentions are to keep the bike for a while and ride it when I go out on my own. It will need a good blast as the previous owner never rode it hard and nursed it rather than giving it some rev’s which it needs. I will do a few miles with it myself before I sell it on as I don’t want to sell a bike that has problems or unreliable. If I like it that much I may keep it. |  |
 | I have just ordered the switches and they should arrive within the next few days then the rebuilding of the bike can begin. This Saturday I plan to fit the switches and if I have time I will put fuel in the tank and see if it fires up. Once it is running then onto the next stage of the oil and filter change plus the chain. If it doesn’t start I will be asking around to see if anyone has a trailer so I can get the bike to Bridge garage. In the meantime if you know anyone with a trailer, could you let me know Just in case? |
| Thursday 26th August 2010 The ignition, fuel tank lock and seat release switch has arrived. I have polished the exhaust up to an almost mirror finish, On Saturday I am hoping to get some fuel into it and see if it will fire up again. If it fires up the next step will be the chain and sprockets which I still have to order. I have now bought a tin of black spray paint to refresh the black part of the frame underneath the seat area that generally cannot be seen. This is just to give it a tidy up. |  |
 | I have been quoted £69 for a number plate holder and bracket. A trip over to the garage for some strips of alloy will do the trick. I am making a template out of stiff cardboard and will use that to make the parts I need (for free) although I have just seen a number plate holder for £18 which may be a bit more professional. |
| Saturday 28th August 2010 Took the handle bars off and fitted the new ignition switch, refitted the bars back on. put the tank back on and put a gallon on petrol in to see if it leaked. started the bike up and it ran smoothly. |  |
 | Next job is ordering the sprockets and chain along with the brake pads. |
| There are two bolts on the front suspension arms that hold the front mudguard on, cant shift them, any suggestions on how to loosen them? |  |
 | Monday 30th August
Rebuilt the bike except the chain, sprockets and front mudguard. started the bike up today and the engine is running lumpy, seems as its firing on two plugs instead of three. so petrol tank will have to come off again and the air box to get at the plugs. |
| Plugs will be ordered on Tuesday and fitted in the week to see if that stops the misfire. I did put a hose pipe over the bike so that may be the problem though I don't think so. it wont hurt to put new plugs in anyway, I was going to wait until it passed the MOT before I did anything like that, but I think its needed now. will let you know what its like after the new plugs go in. Busy next weekend so may have to be done the following Saturday, oil change will be done the same day. I was going to wait until the MOT to put new brake pads etc, but I have changed my mind and I am going to take a chance and do everything that's required before the MOT, this will include changing the brake fluid. found a few more snails under the bike, perhaps that's why the engine is a little sluggish!!!!!!! |  |
 | I have ordered the new chain and sprockets, I have a brand new seat lock, brake pads and plugs ordered and in the post. Started the bike up and it spluttered for a minute then it ran as smooth as silk. maybe change the plugs at a later date. a week Saturday will be the oil change and oil filter, then give it a good rev, that's what it needs. more to follow. |
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went over garage today and fitted a new oil filter and drained the old oil, filled up with a cheap oil £11 to run the bike on Saturday and to use it as a cleaner in the engine. will give it a good rev and keep it running for a while. more high revs then drain it and change the oil filter for another new one and out semi synthetic in as the oil to run on. £35 a gallon. hope to change the front brake pads on Saturday afternoon |  |
 | Old and New.
Kyoto brake pads are excellent if anyone hasn't tried them, and so cheap too £6.99 a pair on Ebay |
| The new Kyoto pads fitted |  |
 | oil change done, pads fitted. found a bad connection in the alarm system, trying to find the broken wire. needs special bit to undo cover. Looks like a security torx bolt
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| Chain and front sprocket fitted, just the chain to tap over to make it safe, rear sprocket to go on next Saturday needs a paddock stand to make life easier. |  |
 | All brakes now bled and working fine. |
| Horn rewired, new indicators about to be fitted |  |
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| Chain and sprockets fitted, |  |
 | Front mud guard on, |
| Indicators fitted.
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 | Bodywork still needs spraying but that's a job for later.
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| Everything working, |  |
 | Oil change next Saturday, following Saturday possible MOT. |
| Snails still on bike, where do they come from? |  |
 | It passed the MOT without a hitch and was bought by John Burgess a Highwaymen member. John is going to get the bodywork sprayed and finish it off with Triumph RS decals. I enjoyed doing the work on it and now I am looking for another bike to do up. |
