Triumphrat

MickMaguire · 10-09-2003

Triumph Triples are generally oil tight unless you either overtighten the chain or overfill with oil. The former can cause a leak from the sprocket oil seal. The latter can aslo cause a leak from that area, but more usually causes oil to get into the airbox. The only other 2 ways oil can get in there are a faulty breather or dropping the bike on it's left side.

Once oil is in the airbox it doesnt come out very easily, initally you can drain it, but the box and filter remain wet. You basicly have to wait for it to seep out unless you want to dismantle and clean it all out.

If you think that your bike has been overfilled by Great Bay and caused these problems you should take it up with them.

Thunderbirds are very easy to overfill or underfill as the sight glass is small and you have to make sure the bike is ded level in 2 directions in order to read the glass correctly.

MickMaguire · 10-09-2003

Triumph Triples are generally oil tight unless you either overtighten the chain or overfill with oil. The former can cause a leak from the sprocket oil seal. The latter can aslo cause a leak from that area, but more usually causes oil to get into the airbox. The only other 2 ways oil can get in there are a faulty breather or dropping the bike on it's left side.

Once oil is in the airbox it doesnt come out very easily, initally you can drain it, but the box and filter remain wet. You basicly have to wait for it to seep out unless you want to dismantle and clean it all out.

If you think that your bike has been overfilled by Great Bay and caused these problems you should take it up with them.

Thunderbirds are very easy to overfill or underfill as the sight glass is small and you have to make sure the bike is ded level in 2 directions in order to read the glass correctly.

shedds · 10-09-2003

if the bike is on centerstand only with rear tire off ground oil level is a tad below middle of site glass is this the propper procedure ? the part that gets me is a guy at work has the same exact bike color year and everything his oil level is covering the glass when he is on centerstand but no leaks at all, i told him about the overfill and he was going to take care of it before he starts to leak one more question when is a good time to change oil 3000 miles? or sooner my oil is brown not black with 3100 miles on it

shedds · 10-09-2003

if the bike is on centerstand only with rear tire off ground oil level is a tad below middle of site glass is this the propper procedure ? the part that gets me is a guy at work has the same exact bike color year and everything his oil level is covering the glass when he is on centerstand but no leaks at all, i told him about the overfill and he was going to take care of it before he starts to leak one more question when is a good time to change oil 3000 miles? or sooner my oil is brown not black with 3100 miles on it

shedds · 10-09-2003

if the bike is on centerstand only with rear tire off ground oil level is a tad below middle of site glass is this the propper procedure ? the part that gets me is a guy at work has the same exact bike color year and everything his oil level is covering the glass when he is on centerstand but no leaks at all, i told him about the overfill and he was going to take care of it before he starts to leak one more question when is a good time to change oil 3000 miles? or sooner my oil is brown not black with 3100 miles on it

jbhotchkiss · 10-09-2003

You sure its the airbox that is wet on the bottom? On my 02 Daytona CE I noticed what I thought was oil leaking from somewhere around the front sprocket cover. Noticed the box-shaped bottom of the gas tank was wet, and traced it to the fuel fitting plate on the right side of the "box". One of the many bolts was gooey, and they all were loose. I carefully tightened them all, and so far (knock on wood) so good.
A fellow on the t595net board experiened the EXACT SAME problem, and the advice was to not overtighten the bolts, and replace the gasket.

Check that plate!

jbhotchkiss · 10-09-2003

You sure its the airbox that is wet on the bottom? On my 02 Daytona CE I noticed what I thought was oil leaking from somewhere around the front sprocket cover. Noticed the box-shaped bottom of the gas tank was wet, and traced it to the fuel fitting plate on the right side of the "box". One of the many bolts was gooey, and they all were loose. I carefully tightened them all, and so far (knock on wood) so good.
A fellow on the t595net board experiened the EXACT SAME problem, and the advice was to not overtighten the bolts, and replace the gasket.

Check that plate!

jbhotchkiss · 10-09-2003

You sure its the airbox that is wet on the bottom? On my 02 Daytona CE I noticed what I thought was oil leaking from somewhere around the front sprocket cover. Noticed the box-shaped bottom of the gas tank was wet, and traced it to the fuel fitting plate on the right side of the "box". One of the many bolts was gooey, and they all were loose. I carefully tightened them all, and so far (knock on wood) so good.
A fellow on the t595net board experiened the EXACT SAME problem, and the advice was to not overtighten the bolts, and replace the gasket.

Check that plate!

MickMaguire · 10-10-2003

Good advice Jb, but it's only relevant to the fuel injected bikes. Shedds' Thunderbird will not have this plate.

Shedds:

I would just keep an eye on it like I said, if it gets any worse, or doesnt get better get it to the dealer for a new breather and seal. alternatively if you are under warranty get it in to them to be checked anyway.

Triumph recommend oil changes every 6000 miles. 3000 is better if you want to spend the money. Personally I only do about 4000 miles per year so I just change it before the winter layup.

MickMaguire · 10-10-2003

Good advice Jb, but it's only relevant to the fuel injected bikes. Shedds' Thunderbird will not have this plate.

Shedds:

I would just keep an eye on it like I said, if it gets any worse, or doesnt get better get it to the dealer for a new breather and seal. alternatively if you are under warranty get it in to them to be checked anyway.

Triumph recommend oil changes every 6000 miles. 3000 is better if you want to spend the money. Personally I only do about 4000 miles per year so I just change it before the winter layup.