Saul

I know have only done 40 miles on the Sprint, but it was a blast, Bike comfy and fast enough, I really liked it. It feels like the big old 1980’s bike that I can’t afford. I know when these T300’s were current they weren’t real dynamic competition for the Japs of the day but now they fit in a whole different niche. I can’t wait to get it right and pile on the miles.

How did you get on with the bike once you sorted it.

Been having a Triumph group chat and the consensus is that the Clutch slave needs a rebuild and that should hopefully fix the clutch probs. Looking like at least carb clean and balance is on the horizon so I may well be bending your ear @Clive. Going to order some new rubbers before even attempting to get them off though.

Went out for my first proper ride on the Sprint today. I had been out before but only did 6 miles. Anyway turned out to be eventful. The bike started and ran well up to Damerells motorcycles which is 20 miles from me. No particular reason for going there just a destination and a chance to look at some shiny things. I was quite chuffed with the run up but the bike didn’t tick over when I pulled up to Dameralls. I tried turning the tickover knob clockwise but it just turned like it wasn’t attached to anything. Not ideal, it had worked before. I headed off after mooching around Dameralls and the bike started fine with a hint of choke. Apparently T300’s are quite cold blooded, it didn’t move far off the bottom of the temperature gauge unless I was in slow traffic. As I used the acceleration lane to join the A30 out of Dameralls I felt a hint of clutch slip. But rode normally up to and maybe a little more than the national speed limit without issue until I left the A30 10miles later. Then I noticed clutch slip again just a hint but it was there. A few miles on the bike cut out, I switched to reserve and it fired right up again. So two things the fuel tap appears to be working fine but the fuel light doesn’t. It will come on when you turn on the ignition but that appears to be the only time. I went a topped up and the bike took 15 litres. Leaving the fuel station clutch started to slip again worse than before in the lower gears now as well. The following 5 miles home it genuinely felt like touch and go if I would make it. So I can see a carb strip In my future and a new clutch. Not to worried about doing the clutch as I had planned to take the covers off to paint them at the next service. Think I have some research to do on the carbs but I have watched a couple of vids and it doesn’t look to onerous. I have cleaned and balanced carbs in the past. We shall see. Still really like the bike just got to get it reliable.

It’s a 10 footer mate, but presentable. I bought it to ride although I have enjoyed getting it the way I like. Problem is I have got the T300 bug now and have been fantasising about a Daytona 1200.

Got the Sprint all back together today and clean with everything working so it’s time to ride. I’m happy with it cosmetically now, still loads to do but that will come in time. The thing I am most pleased with is the passenger grab handles. Makes it so much easier to put the bike on the main stand. I reckon I have spent around £200 so it now has cost me £710, whether that is a bargain or not is yet to be seen but I am going to get a 1000 miles on it first before I plan to do anything else. That maybe famous last words but we shall see, depends if it breaks or not. I believe the bike has been serviced in the last 1000 miles as the oil, coolant and brake/cutch fluid is clean. It starting well and sounding sweet, charging well also. Tyres are good but I am suspicious of the forks seals. Hint of misting about them but I will monitor them. I have new ones on the shelf for when they are needed. put to bed for the night.

Nah ones a bath for Midgets

Had a few more hours playing Sprints today either side of a two hour Zoom meeting with a Psychologist for one of the brood. TBH tinkering with the Sprint is doing a good job of keeping me happy. I started off tidying up the bodywork and painting the mirrors, also swapped the Kawasaki mirror for a Triumph one. You would probably never notice that the mirror was Kawasaki but I knew so it had to go While that was drying I stripped the dash and decided to paint that as well Looking a bit tired to me so need freshening up. Then moved on to replace the rear brake light switch and wire it in as I couldn’t find a Triumph replacement. Also replaced the cheapie chonky indicators with some more but this time with smoked lenses. I thought about getting some original Triumph indicators but they were £80 and butt ugly. I actually quit like the look of the smoked out ones. Took a surprisingly long time but I had to de-bodge the wiring and get busy with the dielectric grease. Also got the old faded beat up clocks off and got some nicer replacements, don’t care about the mileage change, no intention of selling and if I was ever to do so it would go with both sets. Had this come in the post, don’t know if I will use it but I am seriously tempted. I saw one with a black plate the other day and I thought it looked cool but don’t know if I want to risk getting stopped which is pretty unlikely given where I live. Tomorrow should get it all back together. I have to sort the tickover out then I can do some getting to know it rides.

I am not sure you can be that, bit like saying you are half gay

Thanks Lyn, already got a box of gloves at the ready.

I get what you are saying but I where’s the fun in that.

Made some progress today. Got the silencers back on and fitted a new rear brake switch. Got a fair bit of cleaning done and started stripping the from fairing. I have a new screen to fit, plus I want to paint the mirrors and replace the Kawasaki mirror that is fitted with a Triumph one. Also fitted LED bulbs to the Headlights, I have ordered some LED side light bulbs as I didn’t have the right ones.

Has anyone one had much experience of black oxidising steel hardware, bolts and the like. I have hot quenched a few bolts to blacken them and I like the results but I am interested in doing it chemically as well and have bought a kit to do the same. I am blackening any thing that is rusty on my Sprint going with the Darth Vader theme. Just wondering if anyone else has tried this and have any info to share.

Strong argument Bob. I miss the silly fucker though

@Pedro gets my vote with his great ride reports and does a good job as a Moderator. Also his patience in running BOTM.