2013 TRIUMPH THUNDERBIRD Engine Problems

AT 1ST VALVE CLEARANCE INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE RIGHT-SIDE EXHAUST DECOMPRESSION MECHANISM BROKE OFF OF THE CAMSHAFT AND SHATTERED, LEAVING METAL PIECES LOOSE UNDER THE CAM COVER WHERE THEY COULD POTENTIALLY INTERFERE WITH INTAKE OR EXHAUST VALVE OPERATION. NOT ALL PIECES ARE ACCOUNTED FOR. IT IS UNKNOWN WHEN THIS DAMAGE OCCURRED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS SHOWING NO SIGNS OF MALFUNCTION. AN INTERNET SEARCH TURNED UP AT LEAST 7 SIMILAR INCIDENTS OF THE SAME PART, SAME SIDE ON THIS MAKE AND MODEL MOTORCYCLE, DIFFERENT YEARS.

WHILE DRIVING DOWN LONG STEADY HILLS WITH CLOSED OR PARTIAL THROTTLE, THE ENGINE BACKFIRES, STALLS, AND WOULD NO LONGER RESPOND TO THE THROTTLE. IN TWO CASES, THE ENGINE WOULD RESTART AFTER TURNING THE IGNITION OFF AND BACK ON WHILE STILL MOVING. IN ANOTHER INSTANCE, REPEATED ATTEMPTS HAD TO BE MADE TO GET THE ENGINE RESTARTED, AFTER COASTING TO A STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. *TR