Triumphrat

fenderbender

I've had my '99 Tiger for three years, taking it from about 22,000 miles to 31,000 miles. Along the way it's been in for two services at my local Triumph main dealer, with another one due in a few weeks.
Both times it's been in for servicing, I queried whether it was due a check on the valve clearances and they insisted the official service schedule said not. It runs sweet as a nut and the mechanic at my dealer said you can generally tell from the tickover whether there are any valve adjustments needed. I'm a mechanical dunce, so I don't know whether to take his word for that, but the shop has seemed very good up to now.
So, is the servicing schedule on the 885i different from the 955i, or has my dealer got it wrong? Do I need to worry that, presumably, the bike has gone 19,000 miles since the valve clearances were last checked?
I'm touring in Norway in July, and I could do without engine problems.

MrGromit

I think that the official Triumph website has a technical section which gives the servicing schedules for all their models.I'm pretty sure that the valves should be checked on the main services at 12,000, 24,000 etc etc. Where do you have your bike serviced.?

fenderbender

I go to Robinsons in Rochdale...a good dealer with a long association with Triumph, I believe

Pickaxe

I'd be advised by the dealer. After all, it's in their interest to create business and it doesn't come much better than checking and altering valve clearances. It's labour intensive and bumps up the cost of a service quite considerably.

If the dealers got a history with Triumphs, they might even feel, that because of past experience, you can extend the valve checks.

superfour

Pickaxe is spot on a long expensive job.Generally an expirenced tech can tell by listening whether they need adjustment.

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Currently riding a black Tiger 955i

Stuart

MrGromit

I agree with the other posters.If Robinsons say its OK I'd go along with that.In fact they seem to be doing you a favour and saving you money which sounds like they are looking after you as a customer.

iansoady

I must say I differ from the other opinions - if it was my bike I'd want to know the clearances were OK. Yes you can hear them when they're too slack, but too tight? I doubt it*.

Best to have a look yourself. You don't need any special tools to check them, just to change the shims. It is a bit time consuming as Pickaxe says but you get to know the bike better.

*And I'm sure in Pickaxe's professional capacity (if I've guessed right) he'd rather have speed measured by the proper kit rather than a guess based on the sound...........

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Ian
2004 Tiger 955i
1955 Velocette Viper.

Pickaxe

Ian

Sounds close enough for me.

Dave

miker

It's actually a fairly quick job to check them, not so much to adjust them. So, if you want peace of mind, just ask them to do it anyway, it's your cash.

If they tighten up, they will burn the valve out, because it's not closing properly, but this takes ages to happen and it would exhibit other symtoms before that. The way you can tell is a slight drop in power, or a hunting at idle, much like if the throttle bodies were out of sync. AFAIK it's nothing to do with the clatter you might be hearing. They rarely loosen up as far as I know.

My 99 Speed Triple went for 40,000km without a check (previous owner didn't get it done at 20,000) and exhibited no ill effects, but, when they were checked again at 60,000 they were quite out of spec, leading me to wonder if I had have had them checked earlier would they have been less out of spec than they were? I'm not a mechanical whizz really, but I do wonder. The S3 went on to do 110,000km before I sold it for the Tiger, and the valve clearances still had some left to go before a head overhaul would be required.

Mick

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"We may not be able to change the direction or strength of the wind, but we can always trim our sails"

robbie

Can we use this on the M5 then?
"Honest officer it sounded like 69mph to me! it must be my new helmet"

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Robbie and 'Mohan' the original Silver Tiger
TIGER 955i 2003
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