Triumphrat

Tone in't Fens

Over the last 40 years I've probably done every possible job on bikes and cars and as an engineer I'm fairly confident when armed with the correct info and tools. Unfortunately I haven't serviced a vehicle for a few years, for a range of reasons (mainly to assuage my shame):

• Lack of the more sophisticated gear
• desire to support local specialist industry
• increased affluence
• trying to keep a good service record for resale
• keep with warranty rules
• increased value of my time

But I'm ****ed if I'm going to pay the £500 - £620+ that I've just been quoted. What makes it worse is that one of the supposed mechanics confessed that his Triumph garage had never had a Triumph in for shimming!

I figure it's worth taking 2 days out to gave Tigger the once over, how many out there have done this? I'm even tempted to buy a Triumph stamp to overcome the hassle of resale. (It isn't hard!)

I love the bike but this overpricing is going to do nothing but damage to the franchisees; I've heard a few bikers even try to justify the cost.

Any comforting advice will be gratefully received.
Tone

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iansoady

It's easy enough provided you take your time - I did the 12K on mine last winter. But then I have the luxury of not having to use the bike in the winter if I don't have to so there was no rush to get it back on the road. There isn't anything that a competent home mechanic can't deal with IMO. No special tools either except for a set of star bits for the socket set.

My valve clearances were all OK although a couple were only just so - but I thought I'd leave them as I'm not a particularly aggressive rider. I've bought the shim tool from mustang on this forum as it's about 25% the price of the Triumph tool - it's very well made and I'm looking forward to using it(!).

I also bought a Tuneboy for about £200 with some of the cash I saved by not going to the dealer........

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Ian
2004 Tiger 955i
1955 Velocette Viper.

john taylor

Hi to all you Triumph lot, I have been reading about DIY servicing and have a question for IANSOADY about the tuneboy! IAN could you tell me a bit more as to it's functions please.

MrGromit

It looks like it depends where you have it serviced as even official Triumph dealers differ. I paid 300 pounds for a 12,000 service on my 885i and that included two new shims. My 955 only needed plugs, oil and filters and that was 280.

Tone in't Fens

A Triumph map of service costs would look good and pull 'em into line. Where are you?

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iansoady

John, it's basically software that runs on any PC (I use a cheap IBM laptop from ebay) and allows you to do everything the dealer's "gameboy" can do plus loads more.

Rather than try to explain it, have a look at the website. You can download the programs and play with them on the computer to get an idea of how they work. Wayne Macdonald, the developer, is a very helpful chap.

I got mine through a group buy on the Triumph 675 forum which saved me about £50.

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Ian
2004 Tiger 955i
1955 Velocette Viper.

geordie955

The servicing is not hard if you are competent but it is best to get a manual at least to see how to do the valves.

You need to change the fork oil by removing the legs and inverting them (over a bucket) and then refilling
Change air and oil filters and plugs and maybe fuel filter.
Change brake fluid
Check pad and disc wear
Check head bearings when the forks are out.

The hardest thing is the valve clearances. Measuring them is easy and replacing the inlets is not too bad using the tool. I got one off ebay for a modest sum. The exhausts can be more difficult - may be easier to take out the camshaft. There is a weblink that shows how to do it on the older Triumphs - very similar to the newer ones

http://www.webbikeworld.com/t2/valves/


let us know how you get on

Tone in't Fens

Suitably reassured now. Thanks for the positive advice. the webbikeworld link is excellent and there's a valve tool on order. The Tuneboy sounds like loadsa fun; I may treat myself. The only downside is the lack of a genuine dealer stamp, still, I don't intend to part with this machine for a long time.
]
As with the author of webbikeworld, I immodestly reckon I'm going to do a better job than the shop mechanic.

Thanks all, Tone

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robbie

Saturday afternoon took the lid off for a look
no3 exhausts a little on the tight side. 0.0055 / 0.005
after a bit of should I / shouldn't I and some incoragement from Marky
left the bike overnight and sunday made a simple tool from a bit of bar

pushed the buckets down and flicked out the shims

swaped one over and found the correct size in the shop for £4 exchange

job done in about 2 hours

needed an extra pair of hands but dont know why i was so worried about doing this without the tools.

now I just have to see about throttle body balanceing and a tune boy and i am sorted

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

MAX21

I am a great beleiver in doing it yourself i have been for the last 25yrs. I really do think that no one will look after your pride and joy better than you can. Just take your time and if in doubt ask. Have fun