Triumphrat

EriePark · 10-09-2008, 10:45 PM

I took my 99 Sprint in for the full 24,000 mile service with a focus on starting with the rear wheel. I notice getting on the bike last week that the rear wheel was loose on the axle. I had no way to get home the 5 miles other than ride, so I limped home as careful as could be. Next day got the appointment at the local dealer in Denver where I bought my black baby and trailered it in today. After waiting all day to hear what the diagnosis on the rear wheel is, I finally called and got the bad news. It appears that the rear wheel nut was not properly torqued and had worked loose. I know now that I should have checked things more often and better, so lessoned learned there. What they have told me is I need a new rear wheel and all the bits and pieces. The quoted me a new wheel at $812 and the parts would be somewhere around $500 more (they wouldn't know for sure until they were fully in to the work and it could be a bit less or more). So this repair, the service advisor tells me, is likely to be "a couple thousand dollars". I'm really not sure what to do at this point and hope that someone here can give me some guidance. I am so stunned at all of this that I can't even think clearly. Needless to say, I have put the 24k service, for nearly $900 more, on hold and need to get back to the dealer in the morning with my plan. Please help!

pelon717 · 10-09-2008, 11:07 PM

I'd slow everything down and make a rational decision. There's the possibility of a used wheel if it needs replaced.

The last thing I'd do is rush into it. Why do you have to tell them tomorrow am? If they won't store it for a bit until you figure out what to do, go get it back. Use logic, not emotion.

caddydaddy · 10-09-2008, 11:21 PM

I'd try and find a used wheel and go from there. Was the hub damaged? If so, I'd search for a low mile one, or if a new one is within your price range, go with new.

EriePark · 10-09-2008, 11:29 PM

Sounds like the hub or cush assembly is damaged. Totally ready to do a rear wheel, not sure where to look that is realiable nor how to tell if one is in reasonable shape. Odd question; is this something I could ask the dealer to look for?

caddydaddy · 10-09-2008, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EriePark

Sounds like the hub or cush assembly is damaged. Totally ready to do a rear wheel, not sure where to look that is realiable nor how to tell if one is in reasonable shape. Odd question; is this something I could ask the dealer to look for?

I'd check a local bike salvage yard if there's one near you. You can always try eBay, but that's not always the best place to find parts. I'm sure some folks here know of reputable used bike part shops!
Dealers don't usually deal with used parts, since they can't offer a warranty, or most won't accept any liability for the part. An independent shop might install used parts, but I doubt any dealer would.

deller4210 · 10-09-2008, 11:54 PM

EriePark, you have gotten some good advise from those that have posted. Keep an eye on ebay motors you might find one there. Also, you never know when someone that is a member of this fourm will part out a bike with the parts you need. If not you might consider the following:

I took a look at the parts break down, see attached illustration, for the final drive of a “99” Sprint ST, and wonder what the dealer is doing. It looks like a wholesale replacement of parts due to shop liability. If you are at all mechanically inclined I would think about getting the proper manual for your VIN, take that puppy apart and do a good inspection on all of the drive parts involved. Here is one suggestion which may save on the cost of a rear wheel, I have done this on a Kawasaki 900 that I once owned and it worked for the remaining life of the bike; the wheel is keyed to the axle via pins (31) so if it became loose enough the pins and the wheel, where the pins engage, may be damaged due to them working back and forth. Inspect the wheel and if the damage is confined to the pin receptacles you can take the wheel to a machine shop and have them clock the wheel, drill new holes evenly spaced between the original holes and shave off any high spots that might exist. You will need to replace the pins but it’s a lot cheaper than buying a wheel.
Next, you need to take a close look at the axle for any scoring or other damage that might have been caused by the axle backing out. I would think this would be minimal as the areas where the bearings seat on the axle are pretty wide so the axle would have to back out to the point where either the threads were riding on the bearing within the eccentric or it completely fell into the rear hub and off of bearing (19). I think if this were the case you would not have been able to ride the bike at all.
The holes in the axle flange, where pins (31) are nested and key the rear wheel to the axle, may be damaged leading the dealer to think the axle requires replacement. The same re-indexing and drilling technique can be applied here as with the rear wheel, install new pins (31) possibly saving on the cost of a new axle.
Look at this illustration closely (albeit fuzzy), the bearings in the rear hub can be replaced and they are not that expensive, so it sounds like they want to sell you entire assemblies which may not be necessary if you are willing to have some machining done. Of course all of this depends whether or not the nut fell off completely and the axle backed out enough to fall into the rear hub. Take a close look yourself and assess the damage because most of these components, like the bearings in the rear hub can be replaced without buying an entire assembly. Good luck and keep us posted.

redmosquito1 · 10-10-2008, 12:05 AM

eBay eBay eBay. A used rear wheel is less than $200 and if I recall correctly a rear swing arm assembly, thats the whole bit, is less than a $1000, and the hub assembly much much much much less. Provided you have some mechanical aptitude it shouldn't be that hard. A socket set, torque wrench, and 43mm socket will still be less than having the dealer fix it. Plus the upside is that you not only have a learning experience but it is so much fun and ridiculously satisfying knowing that you made your bike better.
Tom

sc1966 · 10-10-2008, 01:38 AM

I could ask the Triumph shop near by. They have a whole garage of parts bikes. I'll just ask if they have the whole assemby.

Stan

KitNYC · 10-10-2008, 03:55 AM

Worse comes to worst, I'll sell you a complete rear wheel & swingarm for a grand. I'll be out a Winter project, but I'll have gotten twice what I paid for the broken Speed Triple...

Seriously, used parts are out there. No need to spend the Blue Book value of the bike replacing 9-year-old parts with new.

Cheers,
-Kit

pushr0d · 10-10-2008, 10:59 AM

+1 on the used parts.

Do a 'completed items' search on eBay. You might find parts that did not sell.

Just a note on the axle (wheel side) nut. My dealer lassoes the axle nut safety clip with a small zip-tie. He says the chance of the clip coming off is slim, but he doesn't take any chance.

Good luck!