Triumphrat

DaleE · 10-12-2005, 08:05 PM

I'm finally about to pick up the '01 T-Bird that I bought two weeks ago and ride it back home where it belongs. I can't wait. But I don't know much about the history of the bike, including its last oil change, so I figure I'd better tend to that before driving it two hundred and fifty miles.

This may sound kind of dumb, but I have no idea what kind of oil to put in this bike. During the time that I was shopping around, several of the sellers I spoke to talked about using pricey synthetics, or synthetic blends. Okay, whatever it takes, because I hope to keep this beautiful bike for a long, long time.

Any thoughts? Other things I should keep in mind as a new owner?

Thanks.

rayhyland · 10-12-2005, 11:18 PM

Triumph Specify Mobil 1 4T fully synthetic 15W50 for my Adventurer, I assume yours will take the same.

Ray

bobshields55 · 10-12-2005, 11:29 PM

Hi DaleE

Ditto what rayhyland says about the oil spec. I use a different brand but same specs and there are lenghty threads on this site about oils.

Don't forget to replace the crush washer on the oil sump drain plug, o-rings on the filter and reinstall washers on the filter as they came off. I mention these as they have been issues discussed here in the past.

Not knowing the history I would recommend that you change the coolant right away.

There is a maintenance schedule in the downloads section on this site. A Haynes manual or a factory manual are indespensable for doing your own work. You can quite often find them on EBay.

HTH. Enjoy your new bike. Ask anything you want.

ClassiclyMobile · 10-12-2005, 11:41 PM

Mobil 1 MX4T synthetic 10W40 is available at Auto Zone. I've been using it for 30,000 trouble-free miles. Check the manual but I'm pretty sure it recommends 10W40. The cost of the synthetics ($8/quart for the MX4T) is not bad considering it lasts 6,000 miles or one year.

robtroll23 · 10-13-2005, 12:11 AM

Stop by your local BMW dealer and pick up four quarts of BMW 15w50 Super Synthetic. It is made for BMW Motorcycles and you can get it for $5-6 us dollars a quart.

legend21 · 10-13-2005, 12:39 AM

Quote:

On 2005-10-12 21:18, rayhyland wrote:
Triumph Specify Mobil 1 4T fully synthetic 15W50 for my Adventurer, I assume yours will take the same.

Ray

????

BtW Oem spec for T 300 series is 10 W 40 semi-synthetic

jimmyj900 · 10-13-2005, 12:44 AM

Well, you can use 15W50 but my experience is that it will cause clunky shifting and encourage false neutrals.

The heavier oil can also encourage the engine to run hotter and will eat a lot of horsepower through transmission and crankshaft drag.

Jom

bobshields55 · 10-13-2005, 01:58 AM

JimmyJ is right about the 15W/50W oil, I missed that last time and missed it here again.

Use the 10W/40 oil.

My apologies for getting it wrong.

legend21 · 10-13-2005, 05:35 AM

The first digit indicate the viscosity at low temp, T° mesurement and visco range vary depending the grade..

5W-- , mesurement at -30°C, visco has to be below the range 7448/7580 mPas

10W--, mes.. at -25°C, below 7173/7241 mPas

15W--, mes.. at -20°C, below 7079/7205 mPas

In fact the first digit is relevant when you strart your your engine, keep in mind that the effort and the friction is the most important when your engine is cold..

BtW it is not a major concern to use a 15W-- if you are driving in Singapour or Florida, but if you are in Quebec or Sweden you shold use a 10W-- or a 5W--

2nd digit is the lamnation index at 100°C; unit is mm²/sec

--W40 12.5 - 16.3

--W50 16.5 - 21.9

This indicate the capacity of the lubricant film to be accurate at high temp...

This is more crucial on air cooled engine, than on liquid cooled , where the T° regulation of the engine is normally better

robtroll23 · 10-13-2005, 09:29 PM

To confuse everyone even more - my manual calls for 10W40 semi-synthetic or 15W50 full synthetic.

http://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcyc...oil/tbsoil.htm