Triumphrat

blackfly911 · 09-08-2007

This is a bit of a tale, I've asked a few questions in past threads but have hit dead ends on all. So, I figured I'd ask here again and see what the consensus is.

I have a 98 TBS, great bike. Only "issue" I've had since I bought her has been weeping fork seals, which I had replaced. When the mechanic replaced them he stated he had to clean up some pits on the rt tube and thought as long as I kept a light coat of oil on the tube to prevent further pitting, they should be fine. Well, despite my best efforts, the leak has returned on my rt tube, so I looked at:

- Forks by Frank, he has listings for TB but not TBS, I can't seem to confirm if a TB will work on a TBS.

- local Triumph dealer, he says they can't get tubes alone, only as a complete fork assembly.... at about $800 each side

- hard re-chroming, I've only read about it on the net, but I wonder about the cost or it vs replacement!

- Motorcycle recyclers.... it's not easy to find a TBS at the best of times and like the vast majority of bikes, front end damage is usually the problem anyways: and

- full front end suspension swap, which I considered but I'd rather keep the bike as original as possible.

Can anyone help me out with some advice, how they overcame a similar issue, or what would be the best fix in this situation! I'd rather not cause any more damage or jeopardized safety by continuing to ride her in her present condition and I'm getting tired of telling the guys I can't go ride cause' the bird's got a broken wing, HELP!

I also received some advice to go the epoxy fix route, but would really like to get this issue sorted out "long term".

denny · 09-08-2007

Doesn't Forks by Frank manufacture fork tubes?

If so what if you send him one of the originals to copy?

That would be my first approach.

WoodsieIII · 09-09-2007

Hard chroming is also an option. I dont know the cost, but I get hydraulic cylinder rods done all the time. I am in Australia so that will be of no help to you. It definitely is a permanent fix though. I dont think it is cheap as my boss usually screams and holds his head when he gets the bill.

Emanthehorse · 09-09-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by denny

Doesn't Forks by Frank manufacture fork tubes?

If so what if you send him one of the originals to copy?

That would be my first approach.

I concur, give Frank a call and ask him.

He shortened a couple of wideglide tubes for me last year, great service, quick turnaround and perfect work.

The only drawback with Frank is he's stuck in the 70's. No email/website or even Fax.
He sends out hand-typed pricesheets!

Woody1911a1 · 09-09-2007

try these guys . a friend of mine uses them to reline snomobile jugs .

http://www.uschrome.com/

meinschaft · 09-09-2007

When I bought my Legend in '05, the right fork seal was leaking. The Triumph dealer replaced the right seal twice, but it kept leaking. After much consternation, I took it to another mechanic who removed the right tube to check it for 'trueness' (i.e., was is straight) and for nicks. When I came to his shop, he had it on a run-out jig and had marked several areas where it was nicked. Apparently these gouges had raised edges that chewed up the new seals the dealer repeatedly installed. He said he could try to remove them but wouldn't guarantee that would work.

I opted to replace the right stanchion (fork tube) which, alone, cost $330. While he was doing this, I asked him to replace the fork oil with a heavier weight. It wasn't cheap, but the forks haven't leaked since and I think it handles better with the heavier weight oil. I'd call another dealer about ordering the parts. My mechanic got a single stanchion, no problem. If you want, I can give you his name/number and you can talk directly to him. He's an old dude (my age) and owns 2 Legends, one of which is heavily modded (6-speed tranny) miles - it is fast as snot, too.

blackfly911 · 09-09-2007

Thanks fellas,

I contacted Forks by Frank, he defiantly has Tbird tubes, reasonably priced to boot, but he (and I) am unsure if TB forks will fit a TBS. I posted earlier for help in confirming this but Mick figures they are not the same. however, I didn't know he could reproduce from an original.

I'll defiantly be hunting other Triumph dealers within a few hundred Km to see what they say, I know there's supposed to be a small but very knowledgeable shop in Montreal, probably my next destination. Triumph can be expecting owners to replace a full side for the sake of a fork tube!

I'm going to call around Monday for prices on hard Chroming, I'm hoping for the best but prepared for the worst.

When I do eventually get this issue sorted, I will be going for a heavier oil.

MickMaguire · 09-09-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackfly911

- local Triumph dealer, he says they can't get tubes alone, only as a complete fork assembly.... at about $800 each side

Your dealer is BSing you - my guess is they don't want to take the fork apart.

Another option would be triumph-ant in the UK for a used one - the exchange rate is against you right now though.

wagonboss · 09-09-2007

www.bikebandit.com shows that as a separate part - 10: TUBE, INNER ASSY
INNER,9 5569074-001 . $345. They have exploded view charts for parts.

denny · 09-11-2007

T2045041 Tube for Thunderbird
T2045082 Tube for Thunderbird Sport

I checked my Fiche, they are different part numbers.

Your dealer didn't look very closely at the parts diagram.