Triumphrat

propforward

I am really sorry to hear this, and I hope it can get resolved.

I have to say that the likelihood of the frame being misaligned is very small. Triumph really do have excellent quality control.

Now - I realize that doesn't help you at all. You are very frustrated and upset right now, and so you should be - I would be in the same position, my advice is to to try and keep an objective viewpoint, which is what you need to fix the problem, and also difficult to do since you just laid out some very hard earned cash.

Keep hassling the dealer - I know it's tough with them being far away, but they must resolve this for you. Get on to Triumph USA if need be - there is a post on this site with the email address and phone number, and people have reported good results after trying that route. I'm gonna dig through the posts and find the info for you. Hopefully have it by the end of the weekend.

In my opinion, which my workers tell me isn't worth much but whatever, the problem is unlikely to be the frame - more likely the wheel, forks, or head bearing. As you say, you have already looked at some of that.

Anyway - I know this doesn't help you a lot right now - but I'm going to do some research and get back to you. PLease stick with it - the Triumphs are great bikes, and when you've got it running right you'll love it.

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"There is nothing in the dark that isn't there when the lights are on" Rod Serling

dbarber

It's already time to contact Triumph USA. If you buy a new bike that has a problem soon after purchase and a dealer tells the customer it can't be looked at for over a month, that dealer has no business selling new bikes. Make sure to document the date you contacted the initial dealer and the name of the person who told you they could look at it in August. Triumph should be more concerned about this that you, since they have a huge investment to recoup and the dealers are their representatives to the customers.

propforward

dbarber is right - get on to triumph USA.

Triumph Motorcycles (America) Ltd.
385 Walt Sanders Memorial Drive
Suite 100
Newnan, Georgia 30265
Main Telephone: (678) 854-2010

The main man is Peter Carleo - ask for him.

I have heard that people who have had a tough time with dealers have got things resolved quikly by going through the Main USA office.

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"There is nothing in the dark that isn't there when the lights are on" Rod Serling

dazco

Thats why i mention that one of the 3 i had was defective right off the bat. It wasn't the headshake, but a cyclic vibration. However, who's to say what scenario can show up right away. Even trying another wheel/tire may not reveal the reason because it too if defective or used at all may do it. Realize that this is not an unusual thing and that a ton of people seem to experience it at one time or another. Dare i say "most" ! In any case, tire issues are extremely hard to determine. When i mentioned the one i had with that vibration, i didn't go into details as to what i went thru trying to trouble-shoot it and how many positive reasons i came up with as to why it couldn't possibly be the tire ! To say it's extremely tricky would be a huge understatement. But if it's a new bike you need to make the dealer fix it whatever it is. Go straight to triumph's USA offices if the dealer jerks you around.

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2005 Speedmaster, Neon Blue, Thunderbike pipes, snorkel removed, UNI filter, drilled airbox, 130 mains, TBS needles.(2 shims) And speaking of Speedmasters, HERE'S MINE

Ruxton

I too would be interested to hear your final outcome with this problem DM. My thrux has the same problem at about 80 kph (45mph). It may not be as bad as yours but it's there.

Cheers,

Russ

haggis95

Thanks Daz.

It seems we're all feeling for ya DM.

Don't give up, it's worth it when the bike is running sweetly.

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"On yer bike"

AHRMA120

First, the order of magnitude of the wobble is the question. I doubt very seriously you have headshake. The first order of business would be to check the front wheel for balance and roundness and side to side motion, this would be my guess. Dismount front tire and true wheel. All spoke rims from any manufacturer are not perfect. How close they are is the rub. If the wheel is close, put on different front tire. Test ride. If it still wobbles then the forks need to be looked at with the steering bearings. I don't really see the bearings as a problem if they have no slop left in them. Test ride. If the wobble is still there, the bike should be checked for rear axle alignment to see if hash marks are correct or if in the manufacturing process the swingarm was welded up wrong, or twisted during welding. I've seen and have a motorcycle where the has marks were off by a 3/8 ths of an inch. This will cause the drive wheel to shove the motorcycle on its front wheel and skate, at certain speeds it will cause it to wobble. If swingarm is correct and after another test ride and it still wobbles the front forks need to be looked at and disassembled. Dampening rods springs and valving along with fork oil. Increase the fork oil to at least 20. Reinstall fork tubes and ride checking alignment in triple tree clamps. Also check front axle to make sure it is straight. Reassamble and ride. All this should take about six to eight hours, with a skilled tech, of which Triumph will probably not approve anything other than checking the front rim, maybe an hour. They don't give any time for test rides, but they want us to do them, and we do. In my case I would try to put him on another bike now and save a customer and a lawsuit, with or without Triumph's help and I am sure it would be without. Unfortunately, a lot of you hit it on the head. Call Triumph North America and they will do more than they ever will for the dealer and they will authorize more time than the dealer ever can to effect the repair. But why shoud it get to that point. It shouldn't is the point.

Baltobonneville

The two things I thought of, in addition to leaning on the dealer, are to contact Triumph USA directly as mentioned already, and, if you feel up to paying for it, having a competent independent motorcycle mechanic look at and ride the bike and give you his diagnosis.

I know of one very good (by reputation) motorcycle mechanic here in Central Maryland. I don't know him personally, and I don't know how he would react to such a request, but he's a nice guy and a successful, experienced Triumph mechanic, although he works on all brands. He's the guy who put on my tires and will be doing my valve adjustment when the time comes. He keeps a lot of old British bikes running in this area, and restores them too.

My idea was to explain the situation to him, being completely honest, and ask how much he wants to inspect and ride the bike and give you a diagnosis, so that you know what has to be done. It may indeed be as simple as using a different tire.

PM me if you want his name and number, and also tell me which dealers you've used. I can't help you with the dealers, but I'm curious as to which ones you've bought from and tried for service. Some of them have better reputations than others.

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Marty
2005 Bonneville Blue 790cc, AI removed, Staintunes RC, Unifilter, no snorkel, 120/40/Thrux needle/1 shim/3 turns, fly screen, tacho, D9 gauge panel, center stand, Ikon 7610s, Hagon fork springs, gaiters, Pirelli Sport Demons, 3 seats.

Dangermouse

Thanks.

If the new head bearing doesn't fix it (and I don't think it will; this is not a shake -- it's an oscillation) then Peter is getting my call first thing.

I really appreciate all the help -- this is a wonderful community.

Dangermouse

A lot of this has already been done -- I'm starting to think I'm going to have to get a new bike because all the simple stuff (read: things they actually WILL do under warranty) has already been checked.