Triumphrat

JWoodsie · 08-08-2005, 04:57 AM

OK I was at the local Bikeshop the other day, not the guys I normally deal with. The workshop dude there was telling me that they had a thunderbird in with 160,000 klms on it, and all it needed doing to it was a cam chain.
I'm thinking how long before I'm gunna need a new bike again,or rebuild this one. At this stage Ive got close to 50,000 klms, two years last month, If it will last that long, I wont need another bike for about four years.

Thoughts anyone??

TBSstunta · 08-08-2005, 10:53 AM

I have 65k miles on a 2000 TBS, I have no reason to believe I wont get another 65k from her.

Spooner · 08-08-2005, 11:26 AM

They're like the old 70's Volvos...to the moon and back baby!! :-D

....just change oil once in a while.

jimmyj900 · 08-08-2005, 11:31 AM

I remember reading somewhere that Triumph bought one of their bikes back from a messenger service after it had about a quarter-million miles on it.

As I recall, no major repairs had ever been done -- just regular maintenance and oil changes -- and the folks at Triumph were somewhat surprised by the excellent condition of the engine and the lack of internal wear.

Jim

Wombat · 08-08-2005, 01:18 PM

I was told by one of the managers of TMA that one of the design criteria for these motors was 100,000 miles minimum before rebuild.

Spooner · 08-08-2005, 02:39 PM

Quote:

On 2005-08-08 11:18, Wombat wrote:
I was told by one of the managers of TMA that one of the design criteria for these motors was 100,000 miles minimum before rebuild.

Good, that means I've got another 85,000 miles on my bike before I need to get worried. :upthumb:

brgsprint · 08-09-2005, 10:02 PM

104,000 miles on my '95 and still going strong. Not even using oil. Just a timing chain at about 75,000 miles. I change the oil every 5k w/ Mobil 1.

shortys · 08-10-2005, 11:54 PM

Mate of mine up in Dorrego sold his with 120,000Ks and never a bit of drama. bought a bmw cause he got tired of tightening chain.

thunderscot · 08-11-2005, 12:05 PM

I have just come back to triumph after 2 years with a BMW R1200c and am really enjoying the return.
Power is much better, handling is much better and as it only has a fly screen I don't go any faster than the BMW just get to every speed faster, fun fun fun.

I had bought the beemer on the reliability and shaft drive, bit of a mistake as the shaft seal went, spewing oil over the back wheel and destroying the bearings just before I was going to Europe for a holiday. Cost was more than two sets of chain and sprockets for the TBS. The seat needed modifying as it was too soft and you ended up sitting on the seat pan after riding for half an hour or so. Bmw do sell a comfort seat but at £240 it was to rich for me, I am of the opinion that it should have been fitted as standard in the first place. The fuel injection led to interesting slow speed jerking and to cap it all the bike tried to kill me by throwing us down the road, It did look gorgeous though (Before the Accident )

BigVinny · 08-12-2005, 07:00 AM

As part of the deal back in 97 when I bought my TB I got a freeby tour of the old Hinckly factory (the one that burnt down).

The climax of the tour was the "nitriding" department where they proudly boasted that they put a thicker nitriding layer on cast cranks and cylinder liners than Porsche. They reckoned provided you kept the oil ok and didnt cook the engine, the engine internals would see you out, and you could pass it on to your grandkids to see if they could wear it out. I assume they still make them the same.

Most interesting bit was the 3 cylinder one piece cast cranks (not pressed up like jap stuff) which cant be cast 120o, 120o, 120o (which is a re-enterant shape). They have to be cast 0o,0o,120o. They then heat and twist the last flywheel before machining and nitriding.

Unless ive been a willing gimp like victim of marketing bull**** these things should last a very long time. I dont know anyone who has worn out a crank or cylinder liner do you ??? Obviously a rebore or a crank grind is out of the question due to nitriding. You never hear of a broken con rod do you !? (not like and old Ducati)

Big Vinny