Triumphrat

06-10-2006

In about a month I'm going to embark on my first major touring trip, about 4k miles from NYC to Rapid City, SD and back (all part of a charity ride). I bought the bike (2000 ST) in march with about 19k miles and sadly have put a few battle scars on her since so I was thinking about having the 24k service done before leaving but when getting quotes for the service at around $1200 I figured I might put that off for a little bit. So what work do I really need to have done and things checked out? I've got new tires on order (Avon 45/46 - I don't trust the Sporttecs that are on there now to last the entire trip). I figured an oil change, get brakes, chain and suspension all checked. Anything else that I'm missing? Anything else I need to know before taking off to the Midwest with a British bike?

Thanks,

-Fitch

[ This message was edited by: Fitch on 2006-06-10 12:04 ]

DaveM · 06-11-2006

What about a coolant check and a brake bleed?

If I was doing a decent trip I'd carry a fuse as well and if you change the oil how about chucking a new filter in too?

my 2 c worth.

Davem

Fitch, have a safe trip.

JR57 · 06-11-2006

and a can of chain lube. enjoy the trip.

b50bsa · 06-11-2006

A list of the Triumph shops along your route.
Have a good trip!

SaddleTramp · 06-12-2006

$1200? :???: That's nuts. What the hell are they planning to do for that kind of money? All that's really needed that requires any mechanical ability is to inspect the valve clearances. And yes, they'll rip you off on that too, but it shouldn't be more than $3-400 ... Everything else you should be able to do yourself.

I own a '02 Sprint ST and a HD Road King. I'm amazed at what Triumph owners will pay for routine services. I love the bike, and do everything but the valves myself, but it'll be the last Triumph I ever own, I think.

06-12-2006

I had already planed on the can of chain lube as I figure I'm probably going to need to lube every morning when doing 500 miles days.

Ya, I thought $1200 was way ridiculous too. They are saying 8 hours of labor at $80/hour minimum plus all parts. They were saying the rear bearings, fork oil and head stock bearings were where a lot of the cost came in. Unfortunately, living in NYC doesn't really give me the option of doing the work myself as I don't have a garage nor a place to really store a good set of tools. But oh well, that's why I'm going to go to the ma and pop shop and not the dealer and just get what I need done.

-Fitch

2ndSpace · 06-12-2006

Avon suck IMO bad in the rain.

Coolant, oil, check chain stretch, the normal blah blah blah.

$1200 for a 24k is about right. RTFM Triumph suggest that you pull the steering head to inspect and grease and the swing arm. Swing arm is pretty simple. Streeing head is a PITA. 19k just ride it.