increase in low rpm clonking

Mike Sands · Sep 4, 2016

The huge amount of torque that the bike produces has always let me 'tootle' around at low revs in a relatively high gear, but lately it seems this is causing a clonking which I can feel through the footpegs - it feels like the clutch is disengaging and then engaging again or maybe some effect of the cush drive. I'm talking about 1200 to 1500 rpm on an almost closed throttle. The problem disappears if I add a touch of throttle or if I ride at higher revs.
Any ideas? or does it seem normal. Bike is a 2012 Roadster with 14k miles
Mike

budman · Sep 5, 2016

sounds like your lugging the bike..don't let rpm's come down below 2,000 no matter what gear you're in, unless you're coming to a stop.

Mike Sands · Sep 5, 2016

rkt88 said:
sounds like your lugging the bike..don't let rpm's come down below 2,000 no matter what gear you're in, unless you're coming to a stop.

I suspect you are right. But previously it lugged quite happily. What is actually clonking when the engine lugs - is it misfiring in the engine or something in the gearbox or shaft drive or clutch?
Thanks
Mike

budman · Sep 5, 2016

probably all the collective slop in the trans, driveshaft and final drive....

'tootle' around at low revs in a relatively high gear

why do you ride around like this anyway?..this bike commands to be ridden with authority..this ain't no scooter..

JRock · Sep 6, 2016

The answers in this thread explain it.

http://mechanics.stackexchange.com/questions/9364/lugging-the-engine-manual-transmission

If you are really lugging it, lots of stress is being put on engine parts that will break stuff if it is done repeatedly.
When I lugged my old 65 bus (forgot I was in 4th at 20 mph and floored it)
it would make a sound like low pipe organ tones and buzz in a nasty manner.

Mike Sands · Sep 6, 2016

Hmmmmm .... you may be right but I don't think that's what is going on. My understanding of lugging an engine is being in the wrong gear so that if you open the throttle to try and accelerate it bogs down and only accelerates slowly. When my bike is making these noises I can easily accelerate in that same gear without the slightest hesitation. From what I can see of the torque curves - even at 1200 to 1500 revs our bike is producing 110 ft lb. Wouldn't that be enough to avoid 'lugging'?
Mike

DCRocket · Sep 6, 2016

That's because this bike has the power to compensate. Keep the revs up, the bike actually likes it!!

Mike Sands · Apr 8, 2017

mike5100 said:
The huge amount of torque that the bike produces has always let me 'tootle' around at low revs in a relatively high gear, but lately it seems this is causing a clonking which I can feel through the footpegs - it feels like the clutch is disengaging and then engaging again or maybe some effect of the cush drive. I'm talking about 1200 to 1500 rpm on an almost closed throttle. The problem disappears if I add a touch of throttle or if I ride at higher revs.
Any ideas? or does it seem normal. Bike is a 2012 Roadster with 14k miles
Mike

Just thought you guys would like to know that a PROPER throttle body balance completely cured this problem. Driving at low speed on low revs is now creamy smooth and a real pleasure. I paid to have them done by the dealer a couple of years ago and tested them afterwards outside the shop with TuneECU. They were not right but the dealer said they were according to Triumphs equipment - and got very annoyed. They went bust last year. I tried to do it myself with a friend who is a motormechanic, and we thought we'd done it but it didn't feel right. This time an ex Triumph workshop engineer visited the house (he does mobile servicing) and I watched him do them in less than an hour which he only charged me £20 for as he was doing the service. He said they weren't out by much according to the Triumph software, but it has made all the difference in the world.
Mike

Mike Sands · Apr 8, 2017

DCRocket said:
That's because this bike has the power to compensate. Keep the revs up, the bike actually likes it!!

Hmmmm ..... IMHO the Roadsters since 2012 do not actually 'like' keeping the revs up. I'm not saying they aren't more powerful than the earlier machines but my own 2012 and a 2014 one I rode both got very fussy and buzzy above 3200 rpm. I cannot remember that being the case on my 2009 model.
Mike

Schmoogdaddy · Apr 8, 2017

mike5100 said:
Just thought you guys would like to know that a PROPER throttle body balance completely cured this problem. Driving at low speed on low revs is now creamy smooth and a real pleasure. I paid to have them done by the dealer a couple of years ago and tested them afterwards outside the shop with TuneECU. They were not right but the dealer said they were according to Triumphs equipment - and got very annoyed. They went bust last year. I tried to do it myself with a friend who is a motormechanic, and we thought we'd done it but it didn't feel right. This time an ex Triumph workshop engineer visited the house (he does mobile servicing) and I watched him do them in less than an hour which he only charged me £20 for as he was doing the service. He said they weren't out by much according to the Triumph software, but it has made all the difference in the world.
Mike

This is very good information. Thank you. I have this problem, too. I have a 2007 Classic I got with 6,000 miles on it and now has 15,000. I haven't had the throttle bodies balanced and I assume the previous owner also did not in his 6000 miles.

During my commutes to work and other realities of the road, I can't always keep the revs up and when I can't, the clunk is quite bad.

Anyone know what the dealer typically charges to do the balance? Are all dealers capable?

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