Triumphrat

datapimp · 05-09-2006

I'm considering buying my second Tbird Sport. Last time was a 98, in 2000, so there were still lots of them out there new, as well as the TB, Legend, etc.

Now that they are doscontinued I'm curious how people are finding getting repair parts. I'm not a huge gear head, and I didn't have my 98 long enough to really get to know how much was TBS specific etc.

I'd really like another (got a line on a sweet '03), but I just thought I'd check and see what people's experiences were.

I could always get an 05/06 Thrux. but I really want the triple.

oh- and I am in the US, so there is that caveat.

thanks in advance!

-nmb

(dangit, can't edit the subject line typo. . . 'TBS' of course.

[ This message was edited by: datapimp on 2006-05-09 10:10 ]

glgavin · 05-09-2006

I've not had a problem getting any parts for my 98 TBS, but then the only parts I've needed are oil, filters, chains and tires. The expendable stuff.

Accessories for a 98/99 may be a challenge.

lancashirelad · 05-09-2006

Freely available in the UK, so I would suppose that they should be in the US.
I supose its a luxury for me having 3 Triumph dealers within 30mins ride, if Triumph have it in stock & they reckon 95% + is then if ordered one day its here the next, it sure worked prior to my recent Scottish tour when I ham fistedly snapped the gear linkage rod...

Slinky · 05-09-2006

I do believe there is a law that vehicle manufacturers have to supply spares for a period of time after production ends, something like 10 years.

datapimp · 05-09-2006

cool cool. thanks for the input. i figured it shouldn't be a problem, but it seemed like something worth looking into incase it factored into the decision.

now to see if I can get him to come down a tiny bit on the '03, and I hope to be back on two wheels soon.

NCB · 05-09-2006

Well, yes, Manufacturers are supposed to have a supply of parts for seven to ten years, but I think the way it works, is they get enough spares for what they think will last that long, based on common replacement items and how many bikes they sold. Having said that, some items won't be available, like for instance, mufflers. The stock mufflers for the first generation TBS were dropped from inventory around 2000-2001. At least when I tried to get a pair from my dealer at that time, they told me that Triumph USA could not get them. My theory is that since Triumph no doubt felt that the demand for stock mufflers would be low, they didn't make many as spares. If anyone knows differently, please let me know.

Now, I still have my TBS, and it's true, the soft parts that require replacement from time to time, gaskets, grommets, filters and the like are readily available. Just make sure that you know the correct part number. If your dealer lets you see his microfiche or CD-rom when you're ordering a part, you will have much less problem than if you're ordering from just the noun name. This recent thread illustrates this problem nicely. Recent post

[ This message was edited by: NCB on 2006-05-09 22:52 ]

vonbonds · 05-10-2006

NCB, I think there is a difference between accessories and parts. Parts like gaskets and wiring harnesses should be around a lot longer than the solo seat or offroad pipes.