Re: [ST] wheelie/oil starvation

["Rick & Joyce" <rnjwes@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Matt,
I viewed the remains last Saturday(2-7).  What I saw is a bike which
did a
back flip during a wheelieing attempt.  Hopefully it landed on the
b*st*rd's 'privates'.

Several thoughts come to mind:
- - Does a relatively stock RS (or ST for that matter) have enough
'oomph' to sustain prolonged wheelies?  This isn't about bragging
rights but rather a request for data.  Let's have some from those who
are wheelie-inclined.

- - Will a sustained wheelie result in oil starvation?  I've heard this
can be a problem on some bikes but what about ours?

- - Contrary to a previous posting, I'm inclined to believe that oil
starvation would damage the much higher-stressed rod bearings before
anything showed up at the cam journals.  And in that case, its likely
that there would be an audible knocking noise.

- - I can't share the conviction that there has been extensive engine
damage due to prolonged wheelies when the engine hasn't been run.
What's the harm in trying?  Since the bike ended up on its left side,
its possible there's oil in the airbox so don't be alarmed if it
smokes.  Worst case, you'll hear engine noise and in that event, I'd
be inclined to pay for a tear down to determine the extent of the
damage.
- --
Rick in Oregon
'01 Sprint ST


> My stolen/recovered RS was clearly used for at least a bit of
wheely-ing.  The back of the muffler and the bottom edge of the mud
guard below the license plate are both scraped, and the entire back
end of the rear panel, from the seat rearward, is snapped off.  My
dealer says this may have starved the motor for oil, and even if the
motor can be started, and appears to run OK, it may have severe
bearing damage, & start smoking and wear out pre-maturely.  Assuming
the Insurance  company "Totals" the bike, I'm interested in buying it
back & making a rat bike/streetfighter out of it - an authentic "Speed
triple" so to speak. - but only if the engine's going to last at least
several thousand miles.
> SO, does anyone out there have extensive wheelie time on their
bikes?  How can I tell if the engine is toast or not?
> Matt
> crashed '00 RS



     *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *
      The ST/RS Mailing list is sponsored by Jack Lilley Ltd.
          http://www.TriumphNet.com/st/lilley for more info
   http://www.TriumphNet.com/st for ST, RS and Mailing List info

=-=-=-= Next Message =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

End of st-digest V2004 #86
**************************


 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

                      End of Triumph ST/RS Digest
            ST/RS Digest is sponsored by Jack Lilley Ltd.
          http://www.TriumphNet.com/st/lilley for more info
   http://www.TriumphNet.com/st for ST, RS and Mailing List info

          This digest Copyright 1999-2002 TriumphNet.com