2023 Razorback Classic Catastrophic Failure

[trophied]

Made the 660 mile trip to the get together without incident and the first day's riding in Arkansas found the Trophy performing well, idling really smoothly, no unusual noises, and great fun while using a lot of the sides of the new Road 6 GT's that were so inspiring.  So just coming around the curve and up the hill outside Norfolk, Arkansas after a really fun day riding some great roads my freshly major serviced 2013 Trophy (by me) had a catastrophic failure of the top end of some sort, as the best guess.  Member crabroper was following and reported a puff of smoke from the exhaust, and from the rider's seat there was a cough and a couple of heavy rattles before the clutch was disengaged and it immediately went dead.  I coasted down the hill to a point where I could park it off the road in front of a residence, and set about a tow for the 26 miles back to Jack's Resort on the White River.  It's home now thanks to a UHaul truck and the best riding friends anyone could ever have, the Twisted Trophies members 2slowtrophy, crabroper, swilkins65, and ciscomoto, to load it, along with some sage advice from coastisland and Swat.  The resort where we stayed was so accommodating and allowed us to park all the Trophy's under cover during inclement weather and were more than helpful in every way.  Arkansas is one of the best places to ride with great routes and really good smooth paving for the great majority of the routes.  Now to think about what to do for a day or three while I just stare at the Trophy and decide if I really want to dismantle it to try to diagnose what sounded very serious and could end up costing well more than what the ride is even worth.  I do not have the capability to remove and replace the engine with another complete used unit if I could find one, and if there is any damage beyond just the top end it would require removal to repair.  Not sure where I end up just now as far as continuing to ride, we'll see.  I'll post up as I find out anything, but don't expect to hear from me for a few days as I'll be drinking heavily and crying incessantly!

[HACKLE]

 I feel for you trophied. And as you correctly state, when all else fails, consume alcohol. Another possibility might be a "slightly used Triumph Adventure" engine. Trust you'll make the right decision going forward. 

[digital]

I am very sorry to read what happened, I hope it is not much and with little money I can repair it soon.

Keep us informed…

[Coconut]

Sorry to hear of this - Fingers crossed it is not too serious, and can be repaired at a reasonable cost.

As always, let me know if I can do antthing to help from this side of the pond 

Cheers 

[TriumphTwo]

Oh my word, that sounds horrible.
Keeping my fingers crossed that it was just more noise than damaged and you can fix it.
Best wishes!

Kind regards
Michael

[trophied]

Thanks all.  If it takes replacing the engine I'm not sure it will be possible, from a cost perspective or physically possible.  I do not have the capability to remove the engine.  First on the list is drain the oil through a strainer looking for metal in the sump.  If nothing is there I may try to send my bore scope up the exhaust pipe to see if I can at least get a look at the exhaust valves or a look inside.  Not sure if the scope would make it through the cat, but I can watch as I go to see how it's made.  Those are the two quickest easiest things I can do to help me decide how to proceed.  If any of the pistons are ruined, or the cylinder liners a damaged, or the head is damaged, it will be borderline to repair it since the engine would most likely need to come out.  There was only about 40 miles put on it after the tank was filled, so LOTS of fuel to drain.

[geoffyboy]

Gutted for you Trophied. And after all that "get together" planning. As a fellow 2013 owner I too feel the need for a drink whilst contemplating your dilemma. Please let it be a simpler and cheaper fix than it sounds. All the best. G

[janfmiller]

Sorry to hear that. Slow but sure and methodical fill find the problem. I'd proceed just like you were doing a valve check, and when you've inspected all visually turn it over slowly, etc. Hopefully the damage is minimal.
I had the head replaced on my '13, and they basically had to disassemble the entire rear end, not a job for the timid, and I expect special tools are required at some point.