Triumphrat

Lifer

I just bought my 1999 Legend with 16,200 km or 10,000 miles

The guy that had the bike had service done as required plus extra service.

The service book says that he had the 10,000 km (6000 mile) inspection done in August 2000 when the bike had 10,100 km.

He had the 20,000 km (12,000 mile) service and inspection done in May 2002 when the bike had 15,100 km

He had the 30,000 km inspection done in April 2005 when the bike had 15600 km - Yeah, he rode 500 km in three years.

He also told me that he had some fluid changed last year, had new tires and a new battery installed.

The bike currently has 16,800 km - or 10,000 miles

I was in the Triumph dealer and asked them the cost for service. They suggested that I get the 20,000 km service... and said that it would take 6 hours and cost 500 Euros ($750)

I thought it was a joke!!

When they told me it wasn't a joke, I thought I better check the board and ask you guys if you think I am being taken to the cleaners.

So... what do you think?

What needs to be done to ensure myself I will be riding with a trouble free bike?

denny

My Local Dealer has Labor rate of $85 per hour.

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Cheers,Denny

Shadowofleaves

The closest Triumph dealer to where I live is about 4 hours one way. Since our bikes are no longer under warranty anyway, I take my 01 T-bird to a local motorcycle mechanic that does good work, uses quality parts, and doesn't charge me an arm and a leg ($45 an hour).

ssevy

Wow! How do you say "bend over and relax; you're going to feel a little pressure now" in German? (Und inserten my schaftohausen uppen ur exhausterhausen?)

Seriously, these bikes are a great choice if you:
1- Like to do your own work, own some tools, and have the time in your schedule to do it;
or
2- Have access to an honest mechanic.

They are not complex, being for the most part a standard "old school" design, so any experienced mechanic should be comfortable working on them. They also do not require much work to keep them happy, aside from fluid changes and chain adjustments, as well as proper lubrication.
It sounds like you may be jumping the initial hurdle, however, which most of us have encountered: that is, getting the carbs cleaned and everything running properly on a bike which has been sitting for a while.
I would shop for an independent mechanic with a good reputation if you aren't comfortable doing work yourself. Depending on what it needs now, it may be the only money you will spend on it in a long while, if you keep track of fluid changes, etc., and keep the fuel clean and the battery maintained on a conditioner when you are not riding.
Once you get it road worthy, you should enjoy many trouble free miles, and having established yourself with a good mechanic, you will have someone all set up for the more time consuming tasks when it is time to change the tires or chain, etc.. With your low mileage, you should get many years out of it.
Of course, the best plan of all is to buy the manuals and do the work yourself, as working on the bike is almost as fun as riding it. It is very satisfying to ride on a bike that you have taken care of yourself, and an added benefit is that you know the work has been done correctly every time. Of course, some might have neither the interest or the time to do their own work, and that is what the good independent mechanics are for.
Good luck!

Lifer

@ssevy - The point is that the bike runs and rides perfect!

Yes... I was reading another thread where they talked about getting the Haynes Service and Repair Manual from Amazon. I did that and have been reading it.

I used to work on all our cars when I was younger when they were more mechanical and less electronic. I'm going to try to do most things myself, partly because I know I can and partly to keep expenses down.

I was just a little surprised that a service after 10,000 miles on a bike that runs great would cost so much.

I do have access to a general mechanical team at another shop that deals in a variety of models... So I can also check there.

Now... I wonder what you call a grease gun in German?

IrlMike

That service probably includes valve clearance (shims) check/adjust which is why the price & 5hrs labour. It's not that hard to do. Either buy a shim removal tool or just lift the camshafts - latter easiest imo if there's a few shims need changing. Info in your Haynes manual & also a write up on webbikeworld.com (TB Sport, but exactly same engine). I've never used any RTV gasket sealer & found no need to renew the cam cover gasket either - no leaks. A new right side engine cover gasket will be needed as they tend to tear on removal. Do use a torque wrench.

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Legend chassis, Tbird tank/seat, Sprint fairing, tubeless wheels, Thunderbike 3-1, air box mods, 115/40 jets, DJ needles, Ignitech with TPS, ZX6R shock, ZX7R USD forks/yokes, Alcon 6 pot

epynt1050

The 20000km service is the major service and includes valve shims etc. Given the age of the bike and the limited number of services done, they may be including replacing things like brake fluids, fork oils etc which are age related not mileage.
Check out what they are proposing to do. If it includes all fluids then the price is not too bad. If it is just a basic 20000km service the price sounds high (even for Germany)
These are easy bikes for the home mechanic but you should get the factory manual(expensive) not Haynes. The factory manual is much better than Haynes and worth the extra cost.

NeilD

looks like the 20000km/12000mile service should include fork oil change (which means pulling the forks out), steeringhead bearing grease, sparkplug and clutch/brake fluid changes... I guess the frontend work accounts for a chunk of the labour.. ??

born to be mild

€500 ??, no way, it sounds to me that you have the expertise to do it yourself, spend say, €100 on the consumables, give it a good going over because that way you will KNOW that,say, the valve shims have been done, and you will KNOW that the fork oil has been changed, etc. You will save money, you will know that your bike is in good order and you will probably enjoy doing the work and have the satisfaction of doing it. I personally would recomend the Haynes and Mots website is a huge help.

http://www.mottleybiker.com/page19.htm

buckoz

wow if you know the diference betwen a ring spanner and an open end spanner and you have a mechanical mind you can do all the work yourself they are not hard to work on . Get a genuine manual much more detail and then it is just finding the time

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sun comes up sun goes down when that stops then we worry