Triumphrat

Vox · 04-15-2008

Well, the shifting felt a little clunkier than usual today, so when I got home I checked the oil level again. It read a little over max, but it also smelled pretty strongly of gasoline. Which can't be good. Is this as bad as I think it is?

I can't think of anything that I did out of the ordinary that may have caused real damage. I come near the red line every now and then, but not until the bike's fully warmed. I checked the oil about 2 rides ago. It was just a little low, so I topped it off with some 10w40 synthetic blend (SH as indicated by the manual) I had laying around the garage, while promising myself and the bike that I'd do a full change soon with some 4T. All in all, I probably put in less than half a quart of the stuff.

I'd like to hear from you guys as to what might cause this, how bad it might be, and what I should do to fix this and keep any (more?) damage from being done. Thanks!

Oh, the bike only has about 3,000 miles on it. No noticeable power loss. No blue smoke.

oldndumb · 04-15-2008

Is it still in warranty?

If it is more than the normal blowbuy, I would suspect a leaking injector(s). However leaky injectors usually will cause an oil level rise.

BTW, a half a quart is not a little low. Does the bike still have the oil that was put in it at the 500 mile change?

Vox · 04-15-2008

It's got the standard warranty, which I believe is two years from purchase. I got it just over a year ago. So, do you think it's bad rings (oh please no)?

Calliway · 04-15-2008

It doesnt matter what it is. Its still under warranty so get it to the dealer and let them worry about it. Really, rings, injectors, whatever it may be just get it in so you can have your mistress back and running.

Vox · 04-15-2008

That's good advice, Calliway. Right now my ignition switch is secured by zip-ties, so I suppose I'll get a two-fer. I'll probably change the oil and keep the old stuff for the dealer to sniff.

Vox · 04-15-2008

OND: It was *at most* half a quart low. The bottle was already open with a little gone already so it was hard to tell exactly; I would say it was more like a half pint to fill to the max line. It's now a little over. I sat in a traffic jam yesterday for some time, I'm not sure if that might make any difference.

The oil from the first service is still in there, which was a little less than a year ago. I believe they put in Motul full synthetic. I ordered some Triumph/Mobil 1 to do a change myself, I planned to do it in about a week.

oldndumb · 04-15-2008

I never said it was bad rings.

If it was me, unless it was a high concentration of gas in the oil, which I doubt, I would take it to the dealer without changing the oil.

Why do I get the idea that your bike would appreciate some TLC?

Vox · 04-15-2008

OnD,

Thanks for your feedback. I never said that you said it was bad rings.

I live in Colorado, where we had a particularly bad winter this year, so I didn't get much riding in. I don't think waiting 2,500 miles to swap out full syn oil indicates my bike is neglected. That oil top-off was probably the most questionable bit of maintenance or lack thereof that I've done. I just washed her and tightened her chain. But I'm sure she'll be happy to know you're looking out for her!

Edit: The ignition switch is secured by zip-ties because the shear-bolts are vibrating out. Being the forum guru that you are, I thought you probably read my post yesterday about that. If you hadn't, I could see where you would get the impression my Sprint is held together with bailing wire and duct tape.

Calliway · 04-15-2008

Hey Vox,
Your break in oil change should be done between 500 and 800 miles. 2500 miles is way to long to wait to do your oil change from break in. You might actually have warranty problems because if this. I do not know what Triumphs policy is but Kawasaki's policy requires you to get your oil changed done after 800 miles at the dealer.

Don't change the oil and get it to the dealer.

Vox · 04-15-2008

Calliway,

Sorry if I misspoke. I had the oil changed (first service, partial syn to full syn) by the dealer at 500 miles, the bike has a total of 3,000 miles, and I was planning to do the second oil change in about a week. 3,000-500=2500 is what I'm getting at. I'm taking your advice and getting it to the dealer.