Triumphrat

tomster

I knew this was going to be a problem and I also, now, know why so many of you are your own mechanics. Even though this is my second bike, I'm a newbie bike owner as I never did any service on my first bike (didn't have it long enough). So here I am with 580 miles on my bike and all I've done is wash it twice. Today, I'm gonna clean the chain (finally!). I called my dealer and I'd have to either ride the bike up and leave it for 3 or 4 days or I'd have to ride it up mid-week and wait for them to service it. I understand these options and don't fault them I'm just having too much fun on my bike and I don't want to leave it for a day. So, guess I'll have to call in sick or something and ride her up for the first check up.
But, I think after this I'll be learning how to work on my own bike. It's just too much of a hassel to take it up to the dealer. Not like a car at all.

PS - If I end up with 700mi on her before first oil change I hope that's OK?

Cheers!

bonnevillebilly

I guess if you're not comfortably checking out your bike and changing
the oil & filter then I say bring it to the dealer.
I can tell you it will be the most expensive oil change you will ever get.
One thing the dealers are very good at is taking your money.
I honestly think the whole 500 mile thing is a joke it is just another way
for the dealers to take your money.
My bike has never gone back to the dealers and hopefully it never will.
You can put a 1000 miles or more on before you do the first oil change.
Bill

__________________
2001 Bonnie
1976 Bonnie

rodburner

What he said. 19.000 miles plus.

road_dog

Good one Bill...

I paid almost $200 for that oil change. When I purchased a new bike I decided to have just about everything done by the dealer for the warranty period. I'm actually glad she's almost out of warranty now, because that decision is nearly bankrupting me.

__________________
Phil (road dog)

whoa

Have you purchased a service manual for the bike yet? I have the Haynes and the Triumph manual. Haynes is great for the noob, but I refer to the Triumph manual as well.

The only thing I've had the shop do with interval checks are valve clearance checks and exchanging shims. With a few basic tools, searching this site, and one of those manuals, doing the service interval checks is very easy.

Searching posts here will give you ideas about tools, options for oil/filter, and documenting the work you do with interval checks. Good stuff here.

Running past your interval a few hundred miles isn't a problem.

__________________
05 Thruxton

CAPTDON

Do it yourself!!! Its easy- takes 30-40 min tops. Filter readilly avail & oil too. As said up t o1000 mi ok. Dont push it too much further than that. I dont even use the jack on oil change - just the side stand. If you ever changed oil on anything- do it yourself ITS ESAY!!. Drain it, put on new filter & 4 qts oil . Easy as that. Save the sick day & a couople hundred bucks!!!

__________________
CAPT D

tomster

Thanks all for the assurance that the first 500 really ain't that big a deal. I think I'm gonna take it up this one time just to see how they handle the whole servicing thing in case I need them for something important. I can change my own oil. As for advice on this forum, yes there is plenty... and most of it good. For me it's almost overwhelming. I just need simple instructions. I was reading a chain cleaning thread and now I'm almost more confused because of all the different ways people do stuff. I'm gonna go by the Triumph book to start and stray from there as needed. BTW in the Triumph book it says to clean the chain with Parafin - that's wax right? Some folks clean with lube and lube with wax and others clean with wax and lube with lube ??? Oh, the joy!

Photo1

Modern motorcycles are not different from owning a car.
There are simply no bad motorcycles around anymore.
(Well....almost, lol....)

It's the KISS method that should be followed.
Keep It Simple Stupid.....;-).......change oil, change tires and don't run your engine like a maniac. Things will last for a long time.
The less you tinker with it the better it is.
Concentrate on riding, not monkey wrenching.
If your hobby is monkey wrenching buy a 1960's Brit Bike.

I once owned a 1970 Triumph and I put 40.000 miles on it before I ran into trouble. (That's not what I can say about my last new Harley.....)

Echoance

Wrong! :P

Paraffin (or paraffin oil) is what you in the US call kerosene. Or there are many other dedicated chain cleaners.
Chain wax is something you use to lube the chain after it's been cleaned. If you do a search, you'll find too many posts about which is best for both cleaning and lubing.

Hope this clarifies.

Neill

__________________
Photos

musicisinmysoul

I was told my warranty was void if I did not have the 500? they canged oil and filter, removed brake pads and greased/cleaned, greased all points, checked wheels/spokes, and a few other bits, cost me approx £50 at Orrell Motorcycles in Wigan UK who incidently are no longer a Triumph dealer, Oh and they did it whilst i waited, and made me a cup of tea.

__________________
And she'll have fun fun fun till her daddy takes the T-Bird away!