Triumphrat

Dangermouse · 07-20-2008, 10:26 AM

I don't know if any of you have been following these threads, but I thought I'd give another update.

My Thruxton had a wobble in the front end when it was delivered to me. By the end of this week, it will have been in the shop for a month. It's already been in the shop longer than it's been in my garage.

The mechanics -- who, by the way, seem to be intent on winning a world's slowest people award -- have attempted balancing the front wheel, adjusting the head bearing, swapping out the front wheel, and putting in a new head bearing. The mechanic seems absolutely fascinated with head bearings. I've told him repeatedly that I didn't think it was the problem. Anyhow, he put in a new head bearing on Triumph's dime (and my time) and whaddya know? The wobble is still there, bad as ever. He has checked the chain alignment and checked the front/rear wheel tracking doing a roll-it-on-tape method.

On the bright side, the dealer gave me a loaner Thruxton for a couple days (already returned). Having ridden two of them for hundreds of miles, I know this problem isn't in my head. There is something SERIOUSLY wrong with my bike. It shakes violently at certain speeds, making short rides miserable and long rides impossible. I was able to ride from Baltimore to Philadelphia on the loaner bike without any problems. On my own bike, I can barely make it to work before my wrists and shoulders are burning.

I've lost my patience. Triumph is completely indifferent to the problem (Peter Carleo told me "Hey, these bikes just do that.") I can't get the mechanics to understand that a defective new bike is a higher priority than some dude coming in to have accessories bolted on a used bike.

It's looking like this is headed to the lawyers. The only question is if I want a re-purchase or a re-place. Right now, re-purchase sounds better. I don't trust Triumph or their dealers. If you're reading this and it's making you doubt whether you should buy one -- all I can say is be very careful. If they sell you a bad bike, you will be treated like you have a problem and it's your fault. It's pretty much ruined my summer.

Thanks for everyone's help.

CAPTDON · 07-20-2008, 11:16 AM

Make them replace it w/ a new ome!!! This has gone on long past reasonable time!!!

roxythruxton · 07-20-2008, 11:47 AM

I have this problem . My wobble is around 95-105 though. Triumph is just going through the procedures with the warranty process . The problem isn't really a serious one line a bad frame or anything so don't worry. It can be a variety of things .
- Tightening the headbolt ( or whatever they call it ) - The bolt under your triple tree. They'll wait to do that because it takes a while to get to it . They have to actually disassemble most of the top ( yolk , clip-ons , and other stuff ) to get to that one or two bolts . THat might be the problem , it might not.
- Tightening and trueing your spoked wheels . Loose spokes will make the bike wobble.
- Bearings .....They covered it . Obviosly it wasn't the problem .
- Have them check your suspension . Especially if you're a big dude. The suspenion on them are as if they were made for a 120lbs Chinaman . You might either need an adjustment or heavier springs in front . My front was tight and I lightened the adjustment on the front fork springs and the shake went away a lot .
- A bad tire . Yep . That Lasertec it a piece of sh!t. They cup easy . I know I had to replace mine early. Replaced them with Avon RoadRiders . They're no better come to find out .

I've talked to a few Triumph mechanics . Real good ones . And about the same deal you're going through. IT's any warranty with ANY bike . They have to diagnose and repair each thing by the cheapest remedy to the more costly . They all do it. I too understand you frustration since I've gone through it too. And with the same problem. You can't be pissed at the mechanics though. They're just doing what they're told and what they can.

Have them check your tires and spokes and see if they spin true . I know it you ride like a complete twat like I do things will at time fall out of adjustment. It all might seem major when you're riding fast and the bike seems like it suddenly wants to throw you off but it just might be remedied by twisting a few bolts and nuts .
As for any adjustments : LET THEM DO IT IF YOU DON'T KNOW HOW ! YOU MIGHT MAKE THE PROBLEM WORSE !
Hope this helps . Obviosly you're new to the bike and haven't had it long . They're great bikes . Don't let these bad experiences put a bad taste in your mouth early. It'll eventually get figured out and chances are it's something minor.

MudTub · 07-20-2008, 12:03 PM

I just started noticing within the past week a little wobble on my Thruxton, feels like your riding over uneven pavement or a seam. Bike has been fine since purchase, have just over 3200 miles on it. Figured maybe it was just me being a little zoned, have been working 18 hour days for the last 2 weeks straight, but last night on way home from work started to think maybe it's the spokes on front tire. Actually got some sleep today and am going to check it out on this afternoon and go for a nice long ride, taking the day off. Thanks for the heads up on the other items to take a look at, maybe I'm not going crazy!

CAPTDON · 07-20-2008, 03:02 PM

My Bonne has been rite on since new. I put a new RR tire on it & it had a wobble/ hopping of sorts. I had a concern but its all gone now ! To the ton & beyond! It showed up @ 50-70 & was gone. All gone now so NO problem any more. This is a new bike & should be "Rite On" ! Thank god mine went away! W/ a tire change or you can possibly expect some changes? A new bike should well "BE New"!! & ride rite on!! Stay on it!!

Dangermouse · 07-20-2008, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roxythruxton

I have this problem . My wobble is around 95-105 though. Triumph is just going through the procedures with the warranty process . The problem isn't really a serious one line a bad frame or anything so don't worry. It can be a variety of things .
- Tightening the headbolt ( or whatever they call it ) - The bolt under your triple tree. They'll wait to do that because it takes a while to get to it . They have to actually disassemble most of the top ( yolk , clip-ons , and other stuff ) to get to that one or two bolts . THat might be the problem , it might not.
- Tightening and trueing your spoked wheels . Loose spokes will make the bike wobble.
- Bearings .....They covered it . Obviosly it wasn't the problem .
- Have them check your suspension . Especially if you're a big dude. The suspenion on them are as if they were made for a 120lbs Chinaman . You might either need an adjustment or heavier springs in front . My front was tight and I lightened the adjustment on the front fork springs and the shake went away a lot .
- A bad tire . Yep . That Lasertec it a piece of sh!t. They cup easy . I know I had to replace mine early. Replaced them with Avon RoadRiders . They're no better come to find out .

I've talked to a few Triumph mechanics . Real good ones . And about the same deal you're going through. IT's any warranty with ANY bike . They have to diagnose and repair each thing by the cheapest remedy to the more costly . They all do it. I too understand you frustration since I've gone through it too. And with the same problem. You can't be pissed at the mechanics though. They're just doing what they're told and what they can.

Have them check your tires and spokes and see if they spin true . I know it you ride like a complete twat like I do things will at time fall out of adjustment. It all might seem major when you're riding fast and the bike seems like it suddenly wants to throw you off but it just might be remedied by twisting a few bolts and nuts .
As for any adjustments : LET THEM DO IT IF YOU DON'T KNOW HOW ! YOU MIGHT MAKE THE PROBLEM WORSE !
Hope this helps . Obviosly you're new to the bike and haven't had it long . They're great bikes . Don't let these bad experiences put a bad taste in your mouth early. It'll eventually get figured out and chances are it's something minor.

They've ruled out the front wheel -- they swapped front wheels with a showroom bike that rides perfectly (but has an oil leak). With the new wheel from a good bike, my bike still wobbled.

So it isn't the head bearing because that's been thoroughly ruled out.

It isn't the front wheel or front rubber.

I doubt it's the frame, since you can roll it down a line of tape and the front/rear aligment looks fine.

It wobbled from day one, so it isn't tire cupping.

It's under warranty, but the shop is looking at it whenever they have free time. At this rate, they won't find the problem until next Spring. Put it this way -- it took them literally an entire month to rule out the head bearing.

Because of their total indifference to the situation, I'm kind of forced to go through the lemon law procedure. I'd really rather not, but they've given me no options.

ga_skyline_rydr · 07-20-2008, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dangermouse

They've ruled out the front wheel -- they swapped front wheels with a showroom bike that rides perfectly (but has an oil leak). With the new wheel from a good bike, my bike still wobbled.

So it isn't the head bearing because that's been thoroughly ruled out.

It isn't the front wheel or front rubber.

I doubt it's the frame, since you can roll it down a line of tape and the front/rear aligment looks fine.

It wobbled from day one, so it isn't tire cupping.

It's under warranty, but the shop is looking at it whenever they have free time. At this rate, they won't find the problem until next Spring. Put it this way -- it took them literally an entire month to rule out the head bearing.

Because of their total indifference to the situation, I'm kind of forced to go through the lemon law procedure. I'd really rather not, but they've given me no options.

You know I really thought you had this problem straightened out. Let me ask this, have they ruled out any frame problems. I have kept up with this thread and I can't help but wonder if you have a frame problem, bent or otherwise.

theoldtrout · 07-20-2008, 03:57 PM

I'm sorry to hear that your bike is still not sorted. In the UK we have a local Government organisation called 'Trading Standards' that can help in a case against dodgy dealers and products. I used them last year to sort a 5 month old problem with a Dyna Wideglide and unhelpful Harley dealer, have you a similar system in the USA?

This tale may help or be a 'red herring': I restore old Triumphs and a couple of years ago bought and abused Trident to restore. I rode it for a couple of weeks to suss it out before stripping it down. I had this front end wobble at about 60-70mph. Checked everything at the front end like your dealer has done, checked wheel alignment - OK. Lifted the bike and grabbed the swinging arm to find the swinging arm bearings loose [worn] Replaced them and wobble problem gone. No, I don't know why either.

Dangermouse · 07-20-2008, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ga_skyline_rydr

You know I really thought you had this problem straightened out. Let me ask this, have they ruled out any frame problems. I have kept up with this thread and I can't help but wonder if you have a frame problem, bent or otherwise.

I'm not a motorcycle mechanic. I am pretty well-versed in physics and engineering, though. Regardless, when it comes time to work on bikes, I typically give it over to people who should know what they are doing. I'm only saying that because I don't know if the test they did for frame alignment is a good enough test or not. I'm not saying it isn't good enough -- I'm saying I don't know.

What they have is a strip of checkered tape that runs perfectly straight down their garage floor. You do your very best to roll the front wheel straight down the middle of the tape. When you stop, the front and rear should be on the same spot of the tape, left-to-right. This is enough to get you through Maryland state inspection; but it seems pretty rudimentary to me.

So if the question is "is the frame bent?" Then the answer is honestly, I don't know -- and further, I don't think they have a robust enough test to find out.

ga_skyline_rydr · 07-20-2008, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dangermouse

I'm not a motorcycle mechanic. I am pretty well-versed in physics and engineering, though. Regardless, when it comes time to work on bikes, I typically give it over to people who should know what they are doing. I'm only saying that because I don't know if the test they did for frame alignment is a good enough test or not. I'm not saying it isn't good enough -- I'm saying I don't know.

What they have is a strip of checkered tape that runs perfectly straight down their garage floor. You do your very best to roll the front wheel straight down the middle of the tape. When you stop, the front and rear should be on the same spot of the tape, left-to-right. This is enough to get you through Maryland state inspection; but it seems pretty rudimentary to me.

So if the question is "is the frame bent?" Then the answer is honestly, I don't know -- and further, I don't think they have a robust enough test to find out.

Seems to me their idea of checking the frame is arbitrary at best and lends itself to human error. Putting tape on the floor and eye balling it can present itself with a % error that is over and beyond the norm. I would say what is needed is a computerized frame straightener test that uses laser ray with the proper specs placed into the computer, this would lessen the hassles of human error.