Triumphrat

dcorbell · 09-15-2005

My '99 S3 just turned 18k miles. I bought the bike with 16k on it and did fluid changes, etc - but I don't know if the previous owner did any of the scheduled maintenance. I'm going to have them do a valve adjustment, efi adjustment (tune for the factory race can), replace fork seals, etc. About how much should this run me from a dealership? Unfortunately, my normal mechanic doesn't to Triumph engine work, otherwise I'd go there for sure.

Anybody know of a good shop in the Los Angeles area? I'm in the Valley, but I'll ride out of my way for a good shop. The closest dealerships to me are the Simi Valley Cycles shop and L.A. Triumph in Inglewood. I'd rather go to a good independent shop, if there's one that somebody can recommend?

ken750f · 09-16-2005

dcorbell,

Just a heads up on the dealer I bought my bike from and went (notice the word "went') to for service. Not any that you mentioned, but just in case you found them as I did or were at all thinking of going to them.......................SouthBay Triumph in Lomita - I would recommend staying away from them at all cost. I had nothing but a bad experience with them in regards to service (charging for things not done, improper servicing etc...), and my safety was compromised on more then one occasion. I also live in the SFV but now do most of my service myself. For the stuff I can't do, I found an independent mechanic who is awesome. Only problem is he is not always available. Right now he won't be available until mid October so that probably won't help you out too much. But, he did used to work for LA Triumph and knows what he is doing. As for LA Triumph, I stayed away from them from the beginning as they are an extremely "high" volume dealer with regards to sales and service and according to my mech, they are not the best place to go for service. Don't know much about Simi Valley Cycles but have not heard good things about them either.

Wish I had someone to recommend for you right now, but as it appears none of the LA dealers are worth going too, thats why I do most of the work myself. If you could hold out for another month I would recommend trying to go to the mech I found. He is in Venice and knows everything there is to know about Triumphs, plus he explains everything and makes excellent recommendations. If you want I could give you his email addy or phone number and you could give him a buzz and tell him I recommended you try him out and see when he will be available. Let me know and I will PM you the info.

Ken

dcorbell · 09-16-2005

Thanks for the head up. I found Adrian's website by searching the older forums and sent him an email. I'm going to be out of town for the next 3 weekends so he may be available by the time I really need to get this stuff done...

The other thing is that I've got a couple recall items that need to be taken care of. The fuel fittings need to be replaced and when I called the dealer they said that there's 'an electrical box' that needs replacing on my bike. The thing that really blows is that I'll need to drop the bike off before they will order any of the parts. They're going to have it there for like a week before they get the parts, and they told me that recalls are at the bottom of their to do list because they're 'unpaid'. Total ******** - Triumph always will pay for the recall items.

I'm probably going to replace the fork seals myself. Can't wait that long for those. Anybody here done that? Any tips I need to know? I've never disassembled cartridge forks before.

ken750f · 09-16-2005

dc,

On the fuel fittings I would recommend purchasing both male and female fittings and forgetting the recall replacements from Triumph. A set of female/male metal fittings is like $75 and you could replace them your self. Well worth the money and time. My male fittings were replaced by metal ones and then the crappy plastic female one's (not replaced under warranty) ended up leaking. Just a suggestion.

Glad you found Adrian, he is an awesome guy!!!!!!!! I would talk to him about the recall/warranty stuff. Maybe he could get the parts for you or maybe the electrical box was done already. Not sure but I would at least try that before I ever left my bike at any dealer!!!!!!!!

ken

TechmanBD · 09-16-2005

You can try Southern California Triumph in Brea. I am going there Saturday. I have had 2 friends buy their tt600's there and 1 buddy buy his Duc there. And they are happy with them, and their services. Sept 24 they are having a Triumph Open House.

I have been there a few times. And they are cool. They answer questions without making you feel like you are wasting their time.

here is their site www.socaltriumph.com

dcorbell · 09-16-2005

Do you know where I can order the all metal fittings online? My female fittings are already leaking. I didn't know that the recall just covered the male ends. They don't leak when everything is connected, but when I disconnect the fuel lines they dribble.

Man, I'd love to head down for the open house, but I'm going to be out of town that weekend... Oh well..

ken750f · 09-16-2005

Got mine here http://www.rideteamtriumph.com/speed_triple.htm

Just give them a call & tell them which year your S3 is and they will hook you up. Comes with directions (suggest following them carefully), and all necessary hardware. Suggest removing the tank to do the job and also waiting unitl you get the new fittings (with directions) prior to attempting to remove the old fittings.

ezlee · 09-16-2005

Adrian is a great mechanic at a great price. But if you're having recall work done and you want it done free you'll have to take it to a dealer . . . Right?

Adrian doesn't do "recall" work as he is independent. Though I will stipulate that taking it to him and paying a good rate may be cheaper than having all the things fixed that the retards at the shop will probably do whilst "fixing" your bike.

Also, he always had my bike done in like 24-48 hours. Ridiculous in the motorcycling industry(though it shouldn't be).

If you do end up hooking up with him, tell him Lee says hi and I've been missing his skills and advice ever since I moved.

Lee

GrendelPrime · 09-16-2005

Hey 'bell you can get the metal fuel fittings at So. Cal. Triumph. I ordered mine online just so Rob (guy at parts counter, real cool dude) can tell me that they carry those. I bought my '03 S3 from them and they're great. Although..... I am looking for a place that will do a 12k service for less than $700.00. Anyone?..................Anyone?

TechmanBD · 09-17-2005

I just bought my bike today at So Cal Triumph. I met Rob today. Real Cool dude.