Triumphrat

welshrob · 02-04-2008, 04:36 AM

More questions, sorry. I have also looked at an 04 T-bird, which I quite fancy, with 41,000 kms on it. It has instant gasket on the rocker box covers, what do you think, home mechanics valve clearance check?

Also, the chrome cover on the very front r/hand side of the engine has instant gasket on it, what lives in there and why would the owner have had that cover off?

The standard pipes have been 'opened up' so it sounds nice but will it need re-jetting or anything similar?

Does anyone still make aftermarket pipes for them?

Wombat · 02-04-2008, 05:15 AM

The mechanic at the dealer ran a bit of 'Gasket in a tube' around mine when he did the valve check, so I would not worry about it.

Are you sure it's a '04?
The last standard Tbird was '03 and the '04 was a Tbird Sport.
Is it a silver or black motor? What colour is the tank?

welshrob · 02-04-2008, 05:21 AM

It has an 03 compliance plate but was first registered in 04. Probably sat on the shop floor for a while. It has a silver motor, with chrome covers and the tank is red and silver, rear and front mudguards are red.

Tbirdnz · 02-04-2008, 05:26 AM

Sounds Ok Rob, previous owners done some riding, about 10k a year, I do more but most don't. My 4 year-old TB had only done 24k when I bought it.

They're getting hard to find, all depends on the price for that one I think.

---------------
Ride on !

Slinky · 02-04-2008, 05:39 AM

The valve cover gasket is re-usable, but the manual calls for a little silicone sealant to be used on the ends of the gasket, that is probably what you are looking at.

The little engine cover would have been taken off to check cam timing when the valves were done, assuming the cams were removed.

tridentt150v · 02-04-2008, 06:26 AM

Why would you want to check the cam timing when doing the valve clearances?
Either the cam timing is good or it is a non starter?
Maybe the cam chain broke? Otherwise factory cam timing would still be good to go.

welshrob · 02-04-2008, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tbirdnz

Sounds Ok Rob, previous owners done some riding, about 10k a year, I do more but most don't. My 4 year-old TB had only done 24k when I bought it.

They're getting hard to find, all depends on the price for that one I think.

---------------
Ride on !

The asking price is $10,990 + on roads. Redbook guide price is $9000 - $10,700. It`s in a Guzzi dealership in Brisbane called Pro Euro but it`s been sat on their forecourt for 3 months and I`m sure they`ll do a deal. I think they might have overtraded on it against a new Guzzi.

There`s about 15, including 2 TB Sports for sale at the moment on various Aussie websites and all the newer ones, 2 x 03`s and an 02 have a $12,000 asking price. Here`s a sample, there are others on other sites...

http://www.bikepoint.com.au/DesktopD...as=bikepointau

I think 12 grand`s a bit steep for a 5 yr old bike, especially when you consider that`s more than a new Bonneville or Street Triple.

gregp · 02-04-2008, 08:17 AM

The front right side engine cover may have been removed to turn the crank over as the valves were being inspected/adjusted.
Some bikes do run if the cam timing is off. Yamaha YZF's have the same cams, installed in different timing specs, as the WR models. I do not know if this applies to our bikes, but I have come across cams that were out of correct time, usually by 1 tooth.
I would not worry too much about the gasket sealant. Some mechanics favor it, some do not. If the bike sounds good and runs good, that is all you look for without doing some disassembly to inspect the internals, and most sellers will not allow that.
Good Luck!

Slinky · 02-04-2008, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tridentt150v

Why would you want to check the cam timing when doing the valve clearances?
Either the cam timing is good or it is a non starter?
Maybe the cam chain broke? Otherwise factory cam timing would still be good to go.

I did say, if the cams are removed. When I first did mine I found that it was impossible to line up the timing marks exactly, it was a toss-up whether I installed then inlet cam slightly retarded or slightly advanced, presumably because of wear in the cam chain.

Wombat · 02-04-2008, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by welshrob

I think 12 grand`s a bit steep for a 5 yr old bike,.

I think I would tend to agree with you Robbo.

That is more than I paid for mine brand new.

If you look on the Trading Post site, there is a '04 TBS for sale in Melb for $10k obo.