Triumphrat

dikman · 03-23-2008

I came across one of the spoke threads yesterday - I wasn't aware there was a potential probem with spokes. Bit of a worry.

So, out with the workshop manual. All it said was to check the spokes!! Nothing about how, or tension or anything!!!!

So, into the shed, up on the stand and, with cushion on floor, start tapping said spokes. According to the ping test, I only had one slightly loose one on the rear, all ok on the front. I wasn't totally convinced, so armed with a 6mm spanner I checked every spoke. I found five that were noticably looser, all on the rear. The front was fine. I have about a 1 - 1.5mm runout on the rear rim, but, without a jig to mount the wheel on I'm not messing with it.

Had the bike 16 months/3500kms. Looks like something else to keep an eye on.

CAPTDON · 03-23-2008

The front has never been an issue. The back has been a problem for some. Very random but a problem just the same. I have had no issues YET but 2 ridin buds have! Can be a real safety issue!! There is someone here doing a lab/ analysis thing- looking for broken spokes from members. I think if he gets some data on the spokes - he might get some relief from Triumph & help them find the problem (as if they dont know it already)? Got a broken one- look him up!! I have NEVER hada broken spoke on any bike in 40 yrs! I think this issue will go to Triumph when someone gets some solid evidence on whats the cause? I think they know but continue to pass it off as a maintenance issue! Ask anyone you know w/ a Honda now or then & if they EVER had a broken spoke (sans accident). I tink you will get the same answer as we all have? NO!

johnnyb84 · 03-23-2008

Say, if anyone wants to summarize in one paragraph the salient points to be learned from the 169 posts in the "broken spoke" thread, I'd appreciate it.

Baltobonneville · 03-23-2008

Summary: We're not sure what exactly causes the problem, but it mostly happens to the rear left outer spokes and it's probably related to the hub design.

Rumor has it that the 2008s have a new hub design. I'll be driving by the local dealer on thursday, planning a quick stop there to satisfy my own curiosity.

Panthermark · 03-23-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baltobonneville

Summary: We're not sure what exactly causes the problem, but it mostly happens to the rear left outer spokes and it's probably related to the hub design.

Rumor has it that the 2008s have a new hub design. I'll be driving by the local dealer on thursday, planning a quick stop there to satisfy my own curiosity.

Please take a camera if you do go.....

dikman · 03-23-2008

I rode Honda/Suzukis in the late 60s/early 70s, never had an issue with spokes, nor can I recall any club members ever having a problem with them, so I understand what you're saying.
Which is why I didn't give them a second thought, until I read the thread.

When I bought the T100, I went over it pretty carefully when I got home, and I remember looking at the spokes on the back wheel and being a bit concerned at how they crossed over each other and seemed to bend as they did so. Not much I could do about it, though.

uzidzit · 03-23-2008

The bikes of years ago all had plain steel plated spokes, not stainless steel ok stainless steel is not really "steel" it is a non ferrous alloy with properties similar to steel. there are some exceptions to this such as the 400 series and ph 17-4. (which contain carbon)but these are not the grades being used for the motorcycle spokes. our spokes are a 300 series alloy. The incidence of spoke failure is very small, but yes it has happened, my interest is in the manufacture of the spokes themselves not in the design of the wheel. I have been involved in the cold forming of stainless parts for some time and have seen many failures of stainless parts in tension, traced to stresses induced in coldheading, and forming operations. The older plain steel alloys while similar in charasteristics, have quite different cold working properties and this may be where the problem lies not in the geometry of the wheel design.

I have seen an '08 wheel and it was not any different but this is not the uk, and we have not gotten FI either, The press photos of the FI bike from the uk sight do not show an obvious difference but the angle of the photograph is not perfect to show this detail, however you can still see a bend in the spoke at the hub just like current. and the webbing of the hub is the same.

ps I am the one trying to get a hold of broken spokes but so far nothing has panned out, so far it seems like tracking down an urban legend, some of I know a guy with the problem I will pass along your request but no reply after. I am still looking so if you have a broke spoke let me know.

scramboy · 03-24-2008

Got two broken scrambler rear spokes, but they are on the other side of the world. NZ
The failure occurrence seems related to the specific spokes, more than hub design IMHO.
But it would be nice to see an "Inner, Outer" patterned hub.

bonza · 03-25-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baltobonneville

Summary: , but it mostly happens to the rear left outer spokes and it's probably related to the hub design.

OK. got it worked out..

must be related to the magnetic poles.

in the southerm hemisphere it mostly happens to the front right inner spokes...

modre · 03-25-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnnyb84

Say, if anyone wants to summarize in one paragraph the salient points to be learned from the 169 posts in the "broken spoke" thread, I'd appreciate it.

my uncle knew someone on the internet who overheard some people talking...the goal is to take the maintenance variable out of the equation so it's fool-proof like every other modern motorcycle for guys with no hands...and until that happens, we're pointing fingers at everything that twitches.

that should sum it up.