Triumphrat

littonlad · 10-21-2004

Having spent my hard earned (lol) cash this year on a shiney new, blue (cos blue is fastest) Sprint ST, and.....cos I live in the UK (wet) I'm now getting caught out in the rain more and more.
So....what do I need to keep my eye on? Which bits are prone to rusting? Also any recommendations on waterproof oversuit? I've got winter touring type gear but still prefer to wear my leathers when I can.
tia.......JC

REGULATOR · 10-21-2004

yes indeed Blue is the fastest color.
The only spot of rust I've seen on mine is the side stand bolt, I've cleaned it and coated it but it just seems to stay red. haven't noticed anything else, But thats why I bought the Triumph before moving to England, I figured my Harley with all the chrome and bits would have rusted apart or I'd always be polishing it.

littonlad · 10-21-2004

You moved to England!!!!! Oh my god, are you mad man!!!!!
;-)

10-21-2004

In addition to the side stand, I would check the center stand. I've notice where paint gets chipped off there could be a bit of rust-prone area.

Also take the seat off if you've just been through a torential downpour to help things dry out underneath.

As far as a rainsuit, Triumph came out with a two-piece Chevron suit that looks far superior to the one piece (which took too long to put on).

I use a store-bought two piece rainsuit (Eddie Bauer I think) that works great.

10-21-2004

In addition to the side stand, I would check the center stand. I've notice where paint gets chipped off there could be a bit of rust-prone area.

Also take the seat off if you've just been through a torential downpour to help things dry out underneath.

As far as a rainsuit, Triumph came out with a two-piece Chevron suit that looks far superior to the one piece (which took too long to put on).

I use a store-bought two piece rainsuit (Eddie Bauer I think) that works great.

SpiderTex · 10-22-2004

I live in Belgium, which is only marginal drier then blighty.

Things that can get rusty are, as already mentioned, center and side stand.

I commute every day, rain or wet. At night my, slightly faster, because silver :razz: , ST 04 sleeps outside under a roof. I would not cover it, the damp will stay in much longer. Better to leave air circulation at it to dry.

Hein Gericke make excellent waterproof gear. They have their main stream line with Sheltex and a bit more expensive stuff with goretex membrane touring suits.
Good CE protection as well and almost all with enough reflective material that you can use them as XMas decoration (when not riding off-course)

*** oh NO I must be the first to refer to XMas ***

dolson · 10-22-2004

Don't forget the fork tubes. If they rust they'll pit and wipe out the seals.
Brake pins. Keep them clean but don't get anything on oily that can x-fer to the disks and pads.

The brake fittings and banjos need a bit of care.

And don't forget that aluminum can corrode too.

Don

AAA · 10-23-2004

If driving through winter and salt I would be very careful with the laquer on the rear footpegs, and the 'hel shields' around the main pegs.

These have completely coroded and flaked off on mine (one winter in Manchester, one in Aberdeen at the time).

According to Triumph this was normal wear and tear, and nothing to get on the warranty.

So - if it rusts it's your own fault for driving it.

PS! I used to hose it down every day when wet & salt were combined.

Otherwise, mine's held up quite well, though.

ctballos · 10-23-2004

I am fortunate I can keep my Sprint garaged. None the less every time I get caught in the rain I spray all the moving parts and in the nooks and cranny's with WD-40. The product other than being a great lubricant displaces moisture very well.

ctballos

AAA · 10-25-2004

It's great if you can keep it garaged...however - if in the UK and planning on driving all year you will still hit a fair bit of wet stuff, and they salt like buggery over there, so corrosion is a worry even if you can park the bike dry.

That said - when I was living in Scotland it was outside - poor thing!