Death of the Triumph Speedmaster

It was a beautiful sunny spring day, the first truly sun soaked day of the year, and Speedy decided to go out for a trundle.
She hadn't been out much for 4 months so really appreciated being played with. Then, out of nowhere, the mood changed and she started to misbehave. No words of encouragement or gentle love making would get her juices flowing...
To be continued…hopefully…fingers crossed 🤞🏻

[@Ian-bq7gp]

I prefer a 1600 or 1700cc t bird. Fantastic bikes, so comfortable, torquey and true quality. Most underated bike.

[@fozbox]

Good choice

[@guyfuller1369]

Well that’s a bummer. Hope you’ll get the problem sorted quickly and inexpensively. Glad to have you back, though. Cheers!

[@fozbox]

I hope so too! Thanks for the message 👍🏻

[@guyfuller1369]

@@fozbox Hope you will share the outcome.

[@frankieu2598]

Look forward to the remedy. I’m in the USA and am planning on a 2024 model before end of Spring. Back in the 70’s I rode a 1959 BSA A10 Lightning chopper with struts. Hard to find parts back then. Can’t imagine riding that now at my age/condition. Was a trip.

[@antonvandermerwe9852]

Watching from South Africa. We also ride on the correct side of the road, and our climate allows for more riding however. 🙂

[@fozbox]

Your climate would be so much better right now…currently there is a hail thunderstorm going on 😂

[@antonvandermerwe9852]

@@fozbox We also have the potholes and road flooding problems during rainy weather. But that accounts for less than 50 days a year most of the time. In Johannesburg and Pretoria, we dry winters, making riding awesome throughout the year.

[@fozbox]

Jealous!!!

[@jag1963]

My Speedmaster gets a full tank of Petrol before winterizing and a fuel stabalizer. Defo sounds like fuel your battery was cranking no problem.

[@fozbox]

It was a faulty spark plug cap but i'm definitely putting her to bed with a full tank this year!

[@GaryShellberg]

U got some tainted fuel ( water and or debris ), battery is ok as it was cranking the engine over just fine.

[@fozbox]

Thanks, yea I reckon water / condensation has got in over winter

[@AaronWaffling]

ACF-50 is the anti corrosion stuff developed for the Aero Industry.

[@fozbox]

That’s the puppy! Knew it was something like that 👍🏻

[@TommieTrumper-TFC1200]

Interesting it started to stall after you filled up, is it shit fuel? Did you put all new fuel in or a mix of new and old because if you did not stabilise your fuel properly over winter modern fuel can start to break down after a month and ends up at a much lower octane it also breaks down into water which is bad for the fuel system. The higher the ethanol content the worse it is. Just a thought and good luck 👍

[@fozbox]

Thanks 🙏. This is a possibility…I’m thinking I need to burn through a tank of fuel to get it behaving again.

[@Ian-bq7gp]

I dont understand not riding in the winter but im a biker not a car driver.

[@fozbox]

I find ice and snow quite tricky on a bike 😂

[@dhc8guru]

I have 2023 Tiger 900 and 2023 Speedmaster. The Tiger 900 has the characteristics of a fax machine. I rarely ride it, not that it’s because it’s not a great bike because, it is phenomenal. But the Speedy is so comfortable and has so much character. I’ve owned several motorcycles and I will never sell the Speedmaster. I’m a victim of falling for the “Adventure” bike hype. Funny the old gals still beat you into the parking lot. I think some of the Speedmasters have a tank ventilation issue.

[@fozbox]

The Speedmaster does have a lot more character that’s for sure. I would be keen for something more long distance touring - the Tiger 1200 gt explorer is right at the top of my wish list!

[@markiesmith4537]

@@fozbox Ewan McGregor has a lot to answer for! - I have to ask myself how often I want to ride down to Marrakesh - er... Never! ... I had a BMW 1200 GS and don't miss tippy toeing at traffic lights and the sheer top-heavyness of the thing - u turning and tight traffic work a nightmare! I had to only fill the tank 1/2 way as I couldn't stand the extra weight. Apart from the range I bet a Speedy would cope easily with long trips - and your backside is comfortable! ...Going out on long group runs/some green laneing my mates Kawasaki z400 coped better than my Beemer and he could U Turn in car parks!

[@fozbox]

Damn that Ewan McGregor 😂

[@asacarrick1385]

I've had this on my T100. Put a pint of paraffin into a low filled tank and run it through. It's as good as any more expensive filter cleaners, then do it once in a while, always on a low tank.

[@fozbox]

New filter is first step I think 👍🏻

[@jerrywines382]

Stumbled across this video and immediately recognised that road into Frome, even though I haven't been on it for over 20 years! As for the bike, if the battery was completely knackered it wouldn't turn the motor over, so it's probably either fuel or ignition. If it was running perfectly before you refuelled then that's where I'd start, but of course that could just be a coincidence. Hope you get it sorted soon.

[@fozbox]

Thanks. Yea it’s one of those for sure. I hope. Maybe 🤔 😂

[@Robinbamv]

The stuff is ACF 50, it is one of a number of anti corrosion compounds approved for aircraft.

[@fozbox]

Yup that’s the stuff 👍🏻

[@MrBillgiles]

3 months with no trickle charge, but you charged before taking it out for a ride didn't you? Modern systems are very tuned in to the state of the battery.

[@fozbox]

We shall discover …

[@badgerwheels8832]

Foxbob, have mine sat out for Canadian winter, think in the handbook recommends a full tank if she’s going to sit and adding a fuel stabilizer. Done this last 3 years no issues as of yet. Best of luck hope she comes good !

[@fozbox]

Thanks, fingers crossed 🤞🏻

[@geraldfitzgibbon7428]

😂love that. "Riding on the corect side of the road" i agree

[@fozbox]

🤣

[@robertkollath8929]

Nov--March, par for the course in Wisconsin, except this year 60 degrees in feb.

[@fozbox]

Never had it so bad over here…such a bad winter ❄️

[@user-lo9ng5jv8f]

Owned a Speedmaster for 1 year - bought from new. Couldn't wait to get rid of it. Clunky gears, foot pegs scraped all the time and rusty rims and spokes even though bike was under cover all the time.

[@pod-puretone]

The gear box is smooth as butter - I've not yet scrapped a peg - and you must treat the chrome, spokes and all bolts, fittings etc, that's mandatory maintenance. And never leave a bike dirty in the shed any longer than a few days.

[@fozbox]

I love the gears…they give a satisfying thunk when you change. I agree the pegs are quite low…depends how aggressively you ride it 😂😂

[@mijoizagas3747]

I am also thinking the fuel is not what it should be.

[@fozbox]

Turns out fuel and everything was fine…it was a faulty spark plug cap 🤯

[@666chunky1]

will be interesting to find out what the issue is, fortunately i've not had that problem, but i did have to charge the battery in January when i checked on it

[@fozbox]

I reckon it’s probably battery related. Maybe fuel injection? We shall see…it probably just hasn’t enjoyed the winter (much like the rest of us 😂)

[@666chunky1]

@@fozbox hope it's something simple and you can get out riding again soon in hopefully better weather, it's seemed a long miserable winter

[@fozbox]

@@666chunky1 thanks 🙏

[@rabukan5842]

Just sold my 2022 Speedmaster. Absolutely loved it as it is an amazing bike, but will buy the Tiger 900 as I enjoy off road riding and want to do longer tours. Had hard saddlebags on my Speedmaster, but the tank is a bit too small for long distance touring. Tough decision, but both bikes have their place, and Triumph really knows how to build a great bike. Looking forward to finding out what went wrong with yours.

[@fozbox]

Thanks! I’d love a Tiger but not ready to get rid of this baby yet 😂

[@bruceknights8330]

I had a Tiger 900. Very competent but so tall and utterly bland. Great suspension for potholes though.

[@fozbox]

Tall isn’t going to be an issue for my giraffe legs - but do agree that it’s a bit soulless

[@mikem597]

There's 12 minutes I won't get back

[@fozbox]

But what a 12 minutes eh 😂

[@bobbryars8672]

Hope fixing isnt to time consuming/expensive. Keep us all in the loop !

[@fozbox]

Thanks! I hope so too 🤞🏻

[@mar0364]

I hope you get it sorted.

[@fozbox]

Thanks!!

[@phils2180]

I'd expect any issues with the engine management to throw up a light on the dash but it does sound like fuel starvation. I had a blocked in-tank fuel filter on a dirt bike which gave exactly the same symptoms.

[@fozbox]

Yea no engine lights, info messages on the screen or helpful things like! General consensus seems to be accumulated water condensation after winter…the hunt continues 😂

[@RichardRow-hi4ph]

Well that was a disappointment. I haven't ridden for two years ever since my trusty CB 650 of 40 years died unexpectedly so I've been watching your videos every once in a while to satiate my own passion for bugs in my teeth and until I purchase my own Bonneville. Hopefully your issue is simply winter storage related and nothing more. I do enjoy your little 'trundles'. Good luck.

[@fozbox]

Thanks!! Me too 🤞🏻

[@TheSpectre223]

Hopefully an easy fix, possibly as simple as a fuel tank drain and a jerry of premium as others have suggested. The indicators might just be a bit of residual grime and ACF in the switch itself, so that'd probably sort out with further use as the connector cleans back up. Nice video regardless though; I found you through this one and it's definitely a sub for me. I always love a Triumph as a former Bonnie owner, and the relaxed pacing was nice.

[@fozbox]

Thanks, didn’t do many videos last year so need some better weather and indeed a bike that works 😂

[@TheSpectre223]

@@fozbox Know that feeling, I'm in Cornwall myself and it's been a dismal start to the year weather wise

[@fozbox]

I’m in Cornwall this weekend…tomorrow looks like it could be decent ☀️

[@raybrensike42]

What do you use for fuel injector cleaner? I have found anything with PEA in it to work well. It works fast, but I also found that regular automotive AFT (automatic transmission fluid) will get the stuff that the other stuff didn't, but it takes many miles. I've been adding more than a few ounces of ATF per tank for a few tanks and found the bike to seem to like that quite well.

[@fozbox]

Haven’t done anything for the fuel injector so will look into that

[@Happy357mag]

It seems like you ran out of gas, but that would be easy to figure out, so it's probably a clogged fuel filter or fuel pump. Have you figured it out/ gotten it back on the road yet?

[@fozbox]

Haven't had the time to fix it yet - hopefully this week or next weekend

[@grahamtricker4103]

Mine has done that occasionally, but only when the engine is very hot and the bike has been in traffic. It's never not started though...

[@fozbox]

Yea I don’t think it was that…had only been riding about 20mins and no traffic 🤔

[@jinnxish]

nice video :)) im in cornwall the roads are nasty potholes the size of caverns i am on a 2012 speedmaster my only mode of transport been a long winter

[@fozbox]

It’s a beaut of a bike but not ideal for winter riding in Cornwall! 😬

[@splodge5714]

Probably need a new battery as it's been laid up 4 months connected to the bike and not on a trickle charger (but worth checking the terminal connections are clean first.)

[@fozbox]

Thanks…good suggestion about the connections

[@normanddavid3426]

Hi, i have the 2020 model, the season is just starting here in Canada, never had any problem with my bike yet, did you find out the problem and the cost to fix.

[@fozbox]

Not yet, haven't had a chance to sort it yet - I've never had any MAJOR issues either so this one was unexpected!

[@oldfella4096]

Battery knackered four months without a trickle charge ,,,,,some new bike batteries won't last a fortnight,,,my dealership fits optimate leads on all new bikes as batteries go flat if siting showroom for a few weeks, and personal I would not take my bike out after Winter lay up without changing oil and filter,,only saying 😊

[@fozbox]

Checked oil etc and it started fine first go as mentioned at the start of the video so I’m still working on it 😂

[@85waspnest]

Rather coincidental she coughed, spluttered and expired a few minutes after filling up. I suspect crap fuel..... possibly water or the pump's dragged up some crap from the tank if it's getting low.

[@fozbox]

Yea I think it may have got a bit clogged sitting around over winter

[@85waspnest]

@@fozbox More likely the petrol you'd just filled up with was contaminated with either water or some other muck in their storage tank. To avoid condensation forming inside your bike tank during Winter storage, fill it to the brim first so there's no empty space for condensation to form. I made this mistake with a carbed 2004 Bonneville a few years ago after it sat in the garage with 1/3rd of a tank of fuel for 6 months. It fired, ran for a few minutes, coughed and stopped. Long story short, there was water in the carb. float chambers.

[@fozbox]

Yea mine’s sat for 4 months with a near empty tank so I reckon this could be it. Mine is fuel injection to obvs not a carb issue but condensation could definitely be the problem

[@m2menuiserie540]

@@fozbox If there is ethanol in your petrol when the bike was idle a phenomenon called 'phase separation' can occur. Ethanol is hygroscopic, attracting water. Over time, the ethanol/water mix will sink below the petrol. When you filled up with fresh fuel the nastiness was impelled into the injectors. You will need to drain the whole system and refill with fresh fuel. To stop the problem reoccurring next winter, move to the south of France, where although we ride on the wrong side of the road, we do so all year round.

[@fozbox]

Haha! I love your suggestion for an easy fix! South of France would be amazing about now…hasn’t stopped raining for months!

[@brunothepug8807]

Yank here, well more of a Confederate really, with a 2016 America. Gave up my HD bagger for her. Needed a lighter bike due to age and bad knees. It's been a gem of a bike and the last bike for me. When I can't handle the America, I will go to a scooter. I never fully experienced your issue. But after one year where I didn't winterize her she sputtered and was dying at stop. Buddy recommend Sea Foam and fresh gas. After 50 miles she was back to purring again. Now every Fall she gets Sea Foam run in her before storage. I am not into cold weather and rain I admit. If she had belt drive I would love her even more. My HD riding friends admire her because she is a rare sight over here. Triumph built me a darling of a bike and she is staying with me to the end. Enjoy your dialogue, very entertaining 😅

[@fozbox]

Hi! Thanks for the message. Apparently there is a blet drive conversion kit out there somewhere? I definitely need to give her a better winter bed but the fault this time was a spark plug cap of all things!

[@raybrensike42]

Be very careful about crossing a road with standing water on it, especially if it's less than an inch deep. It may be covered in slippery clay, as slippery as grease. I've met with that before..

[@fozbox]

A few days of sunshine…it’s bike weather again 😍

[@badgerwheels8832]

What’s the latest mate? Get her fixed up ? What was the issue ?

[@fozbox]

She runs fine until she doesn’t…still working on her. 🤯🤞🏻

[@mathiasjohanson1360]

You are sure you did not fill her up with diesel?

[@fozbox]

Hahaha! Yea sure 😂😂

[@raybrensike42]

Have you changed the fuel filter?

[@fozbox]

Changed the filter at last service

[@mikerider58]

Funny how it happened after you fuelled up. Wrong fuel ⛽️ doubt it. The old fuel ⛽️ in the tank may have contributed. I'd have been tempted to check fuel filter or simply check fuel line from the tank before checking anything else.

[@fozbox]

Thanks. Will do 👍🏻

[@Getting-On]

What was the issue???

[@fozbox]

Not sure yet…still working on it 😂

[@johng4991]

I got same bike would not start ( water in tank) cause E10 petrol left in tank over winter.

[@fozbox]

How did you fix it?

[@Robinmuk]

@@fozboxYou can buy fuel treatments which can sort condensation logged fuel, it's become a thing with E10 left over-winter as there's a fair amount of 'water' content in fuel now. Ethanol is soluable in water, petrol isn't.

[@fozbox]

Thanks 👍🏻

[@BlakesPipes]

well that sucks on any given day sir. that would really suck if you only have one bike. if you only have one, time to get a honda trail 125 for back up! that is my next bike.... or KLR still not sure. already own 2 and i feel like you cant own to many.

[@fozbox]

Oh if only another bike was an option! I really really want a Tiger 1200 GT Explorer 😍

[@simongilbert2704]

don't use e10 fuel ;;

[@fozbox]

I considered that but it’s a modern engine so really shouldn’t be an issue 🧐

[@frankieu2598]

fuel with ethanol corrodes all the fuel lines and gels up in the carburetor. Wont even use the stuff in my lawnmower.

[@paulyflyer8154]

​@frankieu2598 Correct. E5 only. Huge difference in economy and performance too.

[@simongilbert2704]

@@fozbox correct , but i see a lot of bikes with issues , it's just a case of every little helps ;

[@Tim9999999991]

His bike is injected and rated for e10. Mostly in the vid, it sounds like it is starving for fuel, low level/pump/blockage/kinked line sounds most likely here.

[@nickaxe771]

Hat the way these guys secure a heavy bike from falling...one poxy thin strap. Hope its not to big a job to fix your machine. Sound electrical going by the indicators acting up at the same time.

[@fozbox]

Thanks 🙏 . I’ve fixed the indicators…that was battery needing to be at full strength. The rest of it I’m still working on 😂

[@GlennO1961]

Hope it's nothing serious. New battery needed? Sounds stupid but it's usually something that simple 😂

[@fozbox]

I reckon it’s going to be that…fingers crossed it’s not something more serious 🤞🏻🤞🏻

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

I have less trouble with my 1965 Triumph Tr-6 with a hard tail and magneto than the new ones. Today's motorcycles are a collection of government regulations on 2 wheels.😢 Old school rules, new school drools.😂

[@fozbox]

Some truth there! Though I am rather fond of the ABS 😂

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

@@fozbox When the ABS breaks it is a $2,400 repair. ABS and TC make riders not develope the skills that they need. They depend on technology to save them when they do something stupid.

[@fozbox]

I don’t agree with this. I learnt to ride on non-abs bikes so do have a vague idea what I’m doing. But the ABS has defo saved me when a car came straight out in front. Without that modern tech I’m 99% sure I’d have crashed so even though it might be an expensive repair I’ll take the 1% survival every time!

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

@@fozbox When a car pulls out in front of you leaving you 2 ft to stop even ABS can't save you.

[@richardmassey2699]

That didnt look real for some reason, you ran out of gas in the bike parking area.🤔

[@fozbox]

Full tank of fuel as shown in vid…just stopped?!

[@sandybroon1962]

Got to laugh at the comments, is it this is it that, might be this might be that, take it to a feckin professional.😁

[@fozbox]

No doubt that will be what happens but it’s fun to have a tinker first and also the comments are useful to make me and others aware of the potential problems and perhaps how to avoid them…you’re welcome to add your own 😂😂

[@m2menuiserie540]

Some of those commenting are indeed professionals. And their suggestions are foc.

[@sandybroon1962]

@@fozbox totally agree, tinkering is great on older bikes but there's not much you can do on modern stuff, apart from air in the tyres, but I like the posts for their amusement factor ❤️

[@pisstinpete4700]

Electronic ignition wont work without 12 volts

[@fozbox]

It starts (sometimes) it just won’t stay started 😂😂