Bottom Tripple Clanp - held on by ONE bolt ?

[gavinb]

I've been away for the last few weeks and was really looking forward to having a nice ride, the bike got it's 20,000km service before I went on holiday so both it and I were all set.
Firstly go to the service station to check tyre pressures and fill the tank with fuel. All set now and pointing in the direction of the hills with a big smile. Hold on, as I was sitting on the bike checking it over and ready to go I spotted the head of a bolt hanging out of the bottom tripple clamp. On closer inspection there were 2 other bolts missing URRG the smile is beginning to go! get off and have a closer inspection.
Yep, the clamp is held on by one bolt, how dodgy is that? Tomorrow first thing I am off to the dealer to ask a few questions.
I know he is going to blame the suspension company that replaced the valves and fork springs some months ago and with some justification but shurly the bolts should be checked at all major services.
I have had a similar experiance once before on my last Sprint when the bolts holding the front axle screwed loose.
GavinB

[K8]

As a matter of interest Gavin , where do you get your bike serviced ?

[smegin]

Gav

I can see another chapter unfolding in the servicing of Triumphs in Melbourne. We need to get that group maintenance up and running before somebody gets hurt. At least we will know things are being done and checked properly.

[DaveM]

Smegin was it ProMeca that did your forks?

If so you should be giving them a size 15 up the clacker as well!

That is disgraceful not to mention down right dangerous!

DaveM

[Simmo]

I have had some bad experience with Promecha. As for Triumph service Gary McDonnel and his crew at Triumph are very receptive to constructive criticism and seem to follow up. Generally I would have no fears asking for a reputable Triumph dealer to service my bike. It is a bit of a pain though when you pay full labour rates but often only get the apprentice on the job and then the apprentice gets interupted in the work - a recipe for a disaster.
Good luck and obviously don't forget the pre ride checks.
Cheers, Simmo

[Tankman]

Gav,
when I lived in Vic there was only one person I'd let near my Daytona. That person was Charlie from Turn-one Motorcycles. He is in Kensington and his Ph 93721299. Give him a try I think you will be impressed and say hi from Dutchy. As for those other so call dealers the best way to deal with them is to tell them to stick their service and take your business elsewhere.

Good luck mate The Tankman

[Niltime]

+1 with what the Tankman said...I learnt the hard and expensive way not to go anywhere near PS service in Melbourne.

So, I have been taking my cycles to Charlie ever since, and the bike is just fine. (Let's see....mmm over 9000 km in 5 months...)


Cheers.

[gavinb]

K8 Service was by Peter Stevens Ringwood however in their defence I did tell them not to service the suspension (ie renew the fork oil) as the new springs, valves etc had been fitted by Promecha.
However I still would have thought that they would notice/ check all important bolts during a major service especially when you look at the cost - $800 to give the bike a major service.
I have decided to buy new bolts tomorrow and fit them myself making sure that they are torqued up to scecification.

[K8]

Thanks Gavin.
I've also heard great things about Charlie from Turn-one Motorcycles from other trumpy riders and though Kensington is a trip I'm thinking seriously of going there . The people at Peter Stevens haven't given me cause for concern mind you , but the last bike I had , a kawasaki, was serviced by apprentices and I'm not really impressed with that too much. On that bike I also had screws coming loose or simply not there , and a lot of what should have been checked was not. When I looked out the back at PS the site of apprentices working on those bikes filled me with dread.

[Smoothlennie]

Hi K8,

I was emailing a work colleague in Melbourne who has a Speed Triple that I had just ordered a new 06 Sprint ST. He gave me a recommendation for Charlie at Turn-One even though it's highly unlikely I'll get my Canberra bike serviced in Melbourne. He spoke highly of his abilities.

One bolt in a triple-clamp - disgraceful negligence.

Safe riding!

Dave