Re: Dreaded Sprag Clutch Failure

Sorry to hear John.....i have a meeting Sunday evening in Mnpls at 7:00pm....but maybe we can say hello.

Bob Clark

Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4GLTE smartphone

----- Reply message -----
From: "John F" <mailman93060@...>
To: <TriumphTrophy@...>
Subject: [TriumphTrophy] Dreaded Sprag Clutch Failure
Date: Fri, Sep 16, 2011 3:59 pm
Hey Everybody,

This has been a very sad week for me and my beautiful Big Green Beast.  My sprag clutch let go; it has been in the process of disintegrating for a few weeks.  A bad, clattering noise lasting 30 seconds was my the symptom.  This was several weeks ago.  The noise never reappeared so I kept on riding, including my 860 mile jaunt down to Memphis.



Last week I changed the oil at the fabulous garage of fellow Trophy owner Jim Miles.  When we cut open the oil filter, we found lots of small metal fragments in the folds of the filter.  When I spotted the fragments, I was hoping they were combustion by-products (carbon), but I now know they were evidence of the catastrophy occurring in my sprag clutch assembly.



Earlier this week the sprag clutch assembly finished flying apart.  I was coming off the highway, downshifting, when a terrible noise rose forth from the gear box.  It sounded like someone had dumped a bucket of bolts in there.  For those of you who have a garbage disposal, drop several large pieces of metal in it and fire it up.  That was the horrifying sound emanating from below.



I towed the bike to a friend's house here in Memphis.  (Thank you Progressive for the timely road side assistance.) I'm going to trailer it home and assess the damage.  If it is cost effective to rebuild it, she'll take to the highway next Spring.  If not, let the vultures circle because I will part it out.  I am hoping to rebuild it.  With expert help from Bones and others, she will ride again if it's at all possible.



I'm very sad.  She had been running so beautifully.  I believe the Universe is telling me to get another motorcycle so I have one to ride while rebuilding my True Love.  Luckily, the new Triumph dealer here in Memphis has a wide selection.  Or I may look at a Ducati (the dealer in Minneapolis is just 5 minutes from my house.)  Decisions, decisions.  



Thanks for your support.  I'll keep you posted.  I have already snapped the first photo:  the bike on the back of the tow truck.  The driver was an expert at tieing down bikes.  He was very careful and taught me a couple of things that will come in handy when I trailer my beautiful Big Green Beast back home.



John F

Minneapolis

1996 Triumph Trophy 1200

British Racing Green

56,875 miles with hope for many more











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