Parts interchangeability

MickMaguire · #1 (**permalink**) 02-24-2003

Here's a question which could lead to a very useful reference, as often parts availability for other bikes is better and sometimes the parts are cheaper from other manufacturers too:

What Triumph parts are interchangeable with those on other manufacturer's bikes?

To get the ball rolling, here are some that I know of:

1. Thunderbird levers are the same as Kawasaki ZX11 - You can save $40 on a set of adjustables by going to a Kawasaki dealer!

2. Oil filters - Triumph triples use the same oil filters as some Kawasaki and Honda bikes.

3. Seat Latch Hardware - the same as a Kawsaki ZX6R

Finally a disclaimer: I strongly believe in supporting my Triumph dealer and continue to put a lot of business their way, but sometimes they just can't get the parts as quickly or as cheaply as possible. This is all about alternatives and choices.
:-D

Hinckley · #2 (**permalink**) 02-24-2003

For those wanting better braking..... I read in the Triumph Digest where Mario had replaced his 4 pot calipers with 6 piston Tokicos from a 1997 ZX7R.
He got them from a breaker for $80.00.

That is quite the bargin compared to the Triumph 6 pots.

Will · #3 (**permalink**) 02-25-2003

The headstock bearing for a TT600 is interchangable with a superior and cheaper Honda part. I don't have part numbers right now, but I will post them if I ever get my act together. It would not be surprising if the same part fit most of our bikes.

MickMaguire · #4 (**permalink**) 02-25-2003

I guess I should add that a Kawaski ZX6R seat lock will also work on early Thunderbirds, although the finish is is a dark anodised one rather than the chrome / polished aluminium used on the TBird

MickMaguire · #5 (**permalink**) 02-25-2003

Paper oil ilter for the early triples and fours-

Using a Honda filter, you need the following:
15410-426-010 Honda Oil Filter
3600025-T0301 Triumph O-ring

Unfortunately the Honda O Rings arent the same. However, you can also use a Kawasaki item:

Kawasaki Part #16099-003.

LegendGirl said "If you put this element and the Triumph element next to each other, you can't tell the difference. The O-rings seem the same, too."

HTH :-D

[ This message was edited by: MickMaguire on 2005-01-01 09:55 ]

mabugner · #6 (**permalink**) 03-03-2003

I have been using the Fram oil filter instead of Triumph's filter in my T-Bird. Fram is $3 less than the Triumph filter. Fram # CH6012 (or 13 not sure I have a spare at home I will check out later.) I have used Fram's in all my vehicles and never had a problem.

Marty
'95 T-Bird

[ This message was edited by: mabugner on 2003-03-03 11:25 ]

LegendGirl · #7 (**permalink**) 03-04-2003

A few weeks ago, we had three oil filters lined up on the desk, doing an examination/comparison. The results:

Triumph filter (3990070-T0301): excellent quality, very expensive - $12.17 w/o-rings

Kawasaki filter (16099-003): excellent quality, reasonable price - $6.23 w/o-rings

Fram filter (CH6012): poor quality, very cheap - $3.99 w/o-rings

My personal opinion: I will be using the Kawasaki oil filter. It is identical to the Triumph filter, at half the price. The Fram filter is inferior as far as quality is concerned; even the o-rings are inferior. The one I bought is going into the trash.

HTH. LG

jefftarlton · #8 (**permalink**) 03-04-2003

Do these oil filters fit the 955 engines or just the 885 ones?
I was really hoping somebody knew what model of bike this fit. Maybe I'll get lucky and it will be the same as my hawk gt (Fram 6017). The 6017 also fits gold wings, seca IIs, and a few Kawasakis. The mid '80s Mazda truck filter will fit a seca II but hits the case on my old hawk.
Why do car filters cost 3 bucks and bike filters cost from 8 up to the 18 I once had to pay?
The Rider mag test of the sprint ST said a Honda clutch cable fit but no mention of which of the thousands of bikes big h has built. Any clues?
Thanks in advance for saving me 3 hour each way drives for parts and the teasing my wife would give me.
Jeff

mabugner · #9 (**permalink**) 03-04-2003

Now here is question in regards to the oil filters: Who is the actual manufacturer of the filters that Triumph puts their name on? Same goes for Honda, Kawaski, I doubt all these bike manufacturers actually press out their own filters, which I guess could explain the high prices they charge

MickMaguire · #10 (**permalink**) 03-04-2003

My guess would be that they are made in Japan. Most of the motorcycle component manufacturers are located there and the fact that Kawasaki are using the same filter would back this up.

My take on the high price as compare dto car filters is supply and demand... you simply aren't going to sell as many filters for a Triumph as you do for a Ford.

Looking across motorcycle brands this is the same If you sell the same filter for a Honda as a Triumph, you will shift more when placed in Honda boxes and put on the shelves of Honda dealers than you would through Triumph and their dealers simply because of the number of bikes out there (and number being used in new bike production).

Triumph will not be able to buy the filters so cheaply as other bigger manufacturers as they wont be buying the same volume. Similarly their dealers won't be selling so many, so margins for both Triumph and the dealers have to be set higher on a base unit that was more expensive from the manufacturer.