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What's a fair price for the BB Kit???

9K views 71 replies 15 participants last post by  joey1970 
#1 ·
I called 3 local dealers this morning to get quotes on having the BB Kit installed on my 2012 Tbird. Two of the 3 dealers told me they'd get back later today or tomorrow with a price, but one of them quoted me $2600 parts and labor. Since the kit itself sells for $850-900ish.. that's $1700+ for labor. Much higher then I expected.

My question to those who have done it.. what is a fair price? I'm looking to do it in the next month or so.. while it's still cold and the service techs have availability. If I wait til the season starts.. it might take longer to get done since the work load is likely to increase.

Oh.. and I'm in Boston MA.

Thx for any help.
 
#2 · (Edited)
While I haven't yet had the kit installed, I am interested in doing so and so have paid attention to threads that have mentioned cost in the past. It seems to me that I recall the cost to be around $1500? But that is when one has the kit installed as part of the 12,000 mile service, which brings the labor cost down since the engine is already apart.

You're right -- your estimate does seem awfully high. If that is truly the cost of kit and installation when one doesn't do it as part of the 12,000 mile service, I'm kind of surprised they sell any kits. I am already wavering at $1500; I sure wouldn't spring for $2500. Not for just 12 hp.
 
#3 · (Edited)
I'm due for my 12k mile service. That's why I'm looking into it now. I don't think it necessarily brings the cost down.. rather it combines the cost of the BB Kit and the service. If anything.. combining the two would be slightly higher then either would be on their own.

I guess I was expecting the total cost to be around $2000-2200 parts AND labor. But $2600 seems a bit high to me. I doubt that you'll get it done for $1500 tho. That's only $600 in labor. I can't say I'd trust anyone who says they can do it for $600.

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?
 
#4 ·
I just got a call back from another dealer's service department and they gave me a similar price. It'll cost about $2500-2600 total. They broke it down for me like this:

* $979 for the kit (I've actually seen it for less. British Customs has it for $899).

* $1200ish for labor on the BB Kit

* $300-400 in other parts (oil and other fluids, fuel filter, plugs, etc. that are needed to complete the 12k mile service).

Still sounds a tad bit high to me. I'll update when I hear back from the other dealers I contacted.
 
#5 ·
If I recall there is a standard labor hours estimated for the BB install. I would ask the dealer what they charge for labor per hour and what the estimated man hours is. If they don't match the Triumph labor quote (which I think is around 10 hours), I'd search elsewhere. BTW, you can get a list of the 12k service parts and buy threm yourself and save a lot of $. Especially on the oil, which doesn't need to be full synthetic since it'll be changed soon anyway. I'm thinking about doing mine as well so I'm interested in what infor you come back with. Good luck!
Adam
 
#6 ·
Flat rate for swapping 2 pistons on that bike is 13.5 according to our SMP. (that may be 1.5x the actual, so 9hrs) Most shops will charge a flat rate multiplier for customer pay work, so it's safe to be that they are billing 10-12 hrs for the BB kit since I'd assume it's essentially the same job.
 
#7 ·
I just got another quote from the dealer where I purchased the bike. He was also in the $2500 range (parts and labor).

He told me there was only about 2-3 hours or cross over labor with the BB Kit and the regular 12k mile service.. so I'd only save about $300-400 if I combined the two.

Basically here's what they told me:

* BB Kit ($979)
* Labor ($1200ish)
* 12k mile service ($700ish)

The total for the BB Kit and 12k service would be about $2979.. minus $400ish for the cross-over work of the two jobs. So he's at about $2500 total.

If I were only doing the BB Kit and not the remaining work of the 12k service.. it would be around $2100.
 
#8 ·
Allthingstriumph.com - 20% off triumph parts typically. Email Cristen.

They quoted $719.99 + $20 surcharge to me back in November.

I'm at 11,500 miles now, All Balls wheel bearings coming in from Dennis Kirk today. So yeah, I'm looking at a distinct possibility of dropping a few grand on the BBK, 12k, installing my wheels & tires, etc in one shot.

I'll call my local dealer & get a quote. Joe, if you want, perhaps we can get a discount going to the same shop & bringing two? I'm on the RI / MA line & will be calling Precision in Pawtucket, and Triumph of Swansea MA as well.




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#9 ·
Waykinyan.. that's a terrific idea re: a discount for doing two bikes. I spoke with Triumph in Swansea yesterday. They're in the $2500 range as well.

Let me know that you get from Precision? I've never been there.. but I've spoken to them in the past.

It would be killer if we could work out a deal together and save some $.
 
#11 ·
You guys are likely talking to the same shops as I am since I'm on the Cape , my 2010 is rolling up on 11k & I was thinking about BB too. I also have reservations about the $ per HP value, I noticed a slight difference with Hogslayers & KN filter so I'm skeptical as to how much more it will benefit me. Like you mentioned before Joey I have too much in this bike set up for me to move on to another. Maybe a 3 fer @ Precision could help us all, 1
thing that one dealer told me was that you need to come back at 1200 miles after BB install for valve adjustment, didn't give me a # but I believe it's in the 450- 500 range
 
#12 ·
Redtop.. who told u that a 1200 mile service is required after BB Kit install? I've been researching this for a long time and I've never heard that. Also, I got quotes from 3 different places this week and none of them mentioned it.

As for power increase.. I've ridden a Storm back to back with my 1600. There's a significant power increase.
 
#13 ·
There should be one at every 12,000, not at 1,200, just like the factory bikes. If the BBK required it, the original would too. I still find that hard to believe the 12k is "needed", too. My old Porsche 911 was every 15k, with the threaded screw / nut kind of adjustment; the V6 Taurus SHO was 60k with the shim-in-bucket direct contact type, like the Bird is.

If anyone had theirs out of spec by more than .001" (0.05mm) either direction, I'd love to hear it.

Triumph also has you remove the camshafts to replace shims - this is problematic because disturbing the camshaft can affect the reading when re-torquing. The SHO used a tappet compressor to squeeze the spring down (looked like a spanner with a pointed end instead of a "hook"), a tappet holder, a dental pick to remove the shim from the bucket, and a magnet to catch the shim & extract. Removing the camshaft could mean finding an "in-spec" clearance becomes marginal / out of spec, with only .001" tolerance either way.

Kurt Metros still has his SHO 60k page up at www.kurtmetros.com/valvelash.html for anyone who wants to see that process.


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#17 ·
Finally heard back from Precision.
Swansea gave me the numbers over the phone when I called. Precision took a day and a half, which is about right for them, from experience.

$2000 P&L - BBK
$500 - 12k Service (no overlap in labor allowed)
$250 - mount & balance tires on wheels & swap out.

Assumes both doing the BBK concurrently for pricing given.

"Must do "like now" - I assume because a) they're slow, and/or b) not being able to get BBK parts soon because of closing the Triumph dealership half down.



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#21 ·
I have to think that's a typo and is missing a zero.
 
#22 ·
No it's a typo, 12k is the service interval. Now that being said, I have a hard time with 12k valve service intervals on a modern engine and using synthetic or any oil for that matter. Seems like a revenue source as opposed to any mechanical justification. The other thing that bugs me is why make adjusting the valves so stupidly complex as to have a price tag of a grand to adjust - totally absurd!!! I'm doing my own 12k service right now and thankfully the valves were in spec. My total cost for everything on the list - under $100. Includes valve check, plugs, fuel filter, fork oil change, coolant change.... I am of the opinion that if the valves are out of spec at 12k, and you follow recommended oil Chang interval, that they were never in spec from the factory. Jmo!
 
#25 ·
For the record, my Thunderbird 12k service found ALL the valves but one out of spec. and a lot were, unfortunately tight. Not good. It looks like this bike came out of the factory with the valves not properly adjusted. In some cases, the valve service interval, at least the first one, can turn up surprises.
 
#28 ·
So I just came back from the Northeast Motorcycle show. One of my good friends has been looking for a bike for a while.. and loves cafe racer style bikes. My local dealer who typically services my bike.. had a display.. and a beautiful limited edition Triumph Thruxton Ace on display. My friend fell in love. One of only 300 made.. and only 4 in all of New England.

With a little bit of nudging from me.. he put a deposit on it. And included with that deposit.. we struck a deal to give me a discount (or referral fee) that I can use toward the installation of my BB Kit. He said it should be about 20%. I haven't received a quote yet from this dealer, but based on the three other quotes I received (all around $2500).. I should be able to get mine done for around $2000 now!
 
#29 ·
Congrats! I went too. My girl wants those gripend mirrors :)

I told the guy I was disappointed the didn't have the NightStorm or Rocket X there on display.

Did you see the blue 1951 Triumph more toward the back? Talked with that guy awhile, told it was a '50 paint but otherwise a pretty accurate restoration.


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#30 ·
I did see that triumph. It was pretty nice. The expo this year was far better then last year. A lot of very nice vintage bikes.

I've gone 3 years in a row.. and triumph dealers never bring a Tbird or Rocket. You'd think they would.

The Thruxton Ace is one of the nicest looking Triumphs I've seen. It really is a beauty. But.. the riding position is not my thing.
 
#32 ·
I'm reviving this thread because I'm once again thinking about the BB Kit. I thought I was gonna get to it last summer, but an accident prevented me from doing much riding so I didn't bother. I only ride about 800 miles total last season.

Anyway.. I just got a quote that was better then all 3 quotes from last year. $2130 out the door.. parts and labor.
 
#36 · (Edited)
Oh I def think it's a fair quote all things considered. I'm just reviving the thread because I know there were others looking but $2500-2600 seemed to be the norm last year. $2130 is much better. I'm mulling it over.

Anyone have experience with getting the BB kit installed.. any issues with the bike after the install (ex: leaks, or other issues minor or major)? Some people will say opening up a motor that is otherwise in good shape is just asking for trouble.
 
#41 ·
Well if you think about it.. the price I was quoted is about a $1000 (labor). You also have to account for parts which Triumph is now charging $1040. So I suppose the price is reasonable all things considered. I keep going back and forth. I just can't make up my mind. Lol.
 
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