Other than changing the oil, if you have a good dealer, you don't have to become a mechanic. Your bike will need nothing else before 12,000 miles other than lubing the chain regularly and checking tire pressures and replacing tires occasionally. Spend your $$$ on an expensive and accurate tire gauge. A center stand helps a bunch for oil changes. If you don't want to take that route, buy a Baxley stand. http://www.baxleycompanies.com/Chocks.html

Others will disagree but if you're not mechanically-inclined, I'd pass on outfitting a workshop. You're likely to do more damage than good. In "ye olden tyme" I used to do everything on my bikes..., but I now no longer have any desire for "therapeutic tinkering". Was also in the $$$ car biz for 40 years and NEVER touched my own cars. I'm fortunate to have a local shade tree Triumph specialist who's semi-retired and he's fully equipped and more careful than any dealer has the time to be. He's also got quality tools. Maybe by word of mouth you can find someone similar. My nearest competent dealers are 100 and 125 miles respectively. It will be years before the new, local dealer is up to speed, if ever.

Anyway, if you need a specific tool, buy just that from the local NAPA. Triumph uses some weird Torx stuff. You could probably rebuild your whole bike at a dealer for what a decent tool set, lift, etc. would involve. If the dealer screws something up, he's liable. If you screw something up...

Take it from someone who's seen it all at the dealer level. Don't cheap out on anything. It's pennies relatively and not worth the risk. Buy OEM parts and use the best oil, tires, etc. It's YOUR hide.

Personal preference for oil is Mobil 1 V-Twin or Red Line 20W50 M/C. For chain lube I use Dupont Chainsaver. It's great and doesn't fling. Hard to find but at least ONE Walmart locally will have it. Lube the chain ~ 300 miles and learn how to do it properly, Triumph chains and sprockets can last 30,000 miles! Find the Chainsaver online as the Walmart employees have it but are clueless. One in four Walmarts will have it in a tiny motorcycle section. I buy a few cans at a time to save the long drive.

Just my :2cents

 

I am going to disagree with a lot of what is in the post above, Triumph OEM parts are a Huge rip off, any co selling you inline Fuel Filter for $60 has 1 thing in mind, their bottom dollar.
If you spend $300, first $99 on a decent lift, $40 on the Haynes manual and the rest on tools (and many people like to fancy themselves Pros by buying Expensive Mac or Snap On etc...Tools, unless you plan on becoming a Tech a modest priced tool set with torque wrenches etc... will be fine) they will pay for themselves in no time. This bike is a breeze to do work on, Brakes will cost you $100 at the dealership, do it yourself in 15 minutes, tires? Order on line and take the rims in to have the rubber mounted, most places do it for $20 now, Oil changes? Simple, don't buy the Triumph $$$$ filter ( or their Crush Washer), there are plenty of posts here with after market brands that work just as well or better for less $$, Spark Plugs? Take 30 minutes of your time. As far as digging Into the motor I don't do that, I go as far as clutch swaps as I know my limits. I am not one of those dopes who spouts idiocy like "No One Will Ever Touch My Bike" blah blah blah, It's a very easy bike to Maintain on your own and you will be better off in the long run knowing what makes it go.

I know plenty of people Like those jacks mentioned above but any jack that requires bracing one of the 2 wheels is useless in my opinion. I have one of these pictured below, they are always on sale at Pep Boys or Sears etc... and have used it on all my bikes and makes everything easier, way easier. (IT paid for itself just doing my first chain clean and lube, bike need to be off the ground to do things to it.)

 

I am going to disagree with a lot of what is in the post above, Triumph OEM parts are a Huge rip off, any co selling you inline Fuel Filter for $60 has 1 thing in mind, their bottom dollar.
If you spend $300 on a decent $99 lift, $40 on the Haynes manual and the rest on tools (and many people like to fancy themselves Pros by buying Mac etc...Tools, unless you plan on becoming a Tech a modest priced tool set with torque wrenches etc... will be fine) they will pay for themselves in no time. This bike is a breeze to do work on, Brakes will cost you $100 at the dealership, do it yourself in 15 minutes, tires? Order on line and take the rims in to have the rubber mounted, most places do it for $20 now, Oil changes? Simple, don't buy the Triumph $$$$ filter ( or their Crush Washer), there are plenty of posts here with after market brands that work just as well or better for less $$, Spark Plugs? Take 30 minutes of your time. As far as digging Into the motor I don't do that, I go as far as clutch swaps as I know my limits. I am not one of those dopes who spouts idiocy like "No One Will Ever Touch My Bike" blah blah blah, It's a very easy bike to Maintain on your own and you will be better off in the long run knowing what makes it go.

I know plenty of people Like those jacks mentioned above but any jack that requires bracing one of the 2 wheels is useless in my opinion. I have one of these pictured below, they are always on sale at Pep Boys or Sears etc... and have used it on all my bikes and makes everything easier, way easier. (IT paid for itself just doing my first chain clean and lube, bike need to be off the ground to do things to it.)

Ditto, although I love doing my valve clearance check and re-shim if needed as well as carb balance. Gratifying.
Cheers Lux. :beerchug

 

There are no "known issues with a Scrambler". These things are bullet proof.

8000 miles on mine with nary a hiccup. I live in the northernmost tip of Michigan and my dealer is about as far away from me as could be all the way at the bottom of the state. If the bike wasn't so reliable it wouldn't be worth it to me.

I did exactly what you are planning on. I set myself up with a good set of tools and learned to do the simple stuff. I am not very competent mechanically but luckily have some folks that are that I can consult.

Enjoy the new ride and dont worry too much about the rest. . .

 

There are no "known issues with a Scrambler". These things are bullet proof.

Good to know!! I have a Bonnie now, but currently Scrambler shopping.

 

I'm at almost 2 years with my scrambler and almost at 24k miles... no problems at all.. I'm not very mechanically inclined... but.. I did my own oil and filter change.. swapped the air filter and I'm thinking about doing the brakes on my own soon... my biggest issue is that I go thru tires pretty fast...

 

If you would stop riding all the time you wouldn't go through so many tires! lol (having a new front mounted today).

 

No known issues other than occasional igniter (mine 06 @4500) maybe a pick up coil but nothing extreme. Change the oil, normally once the valves are done @12,000 they stay in spec for ages.
Very very good machine not to worry, buy ride smile.

 

It just had the 500 mile service which cost $212. I think I need to learn to work on it myself.

I think you are right. These people did absolutely nothing to your bike but the oil change. My first service (I did my own oil change) was $70. That was the price to change the tune for the TOR pipes. Some will say I got screwed for that price but I got the tune for my pipes and I got my book signed by the dealer saying they did the first service. I watched the mechanic. He hooked up the computer plug to change the tune, then he smoked a cigarette and stood and looked at the bike. I assumed that was a professional inspection.

Check everything when you get your bike back from a dealer.
I had my headlights not plugged back in on my Sprint. My wife had her seat thumbscrew on her Bonnie replaced with mismatched bolts. No matter how much gas was in the bike you always got it back with one gallon in it. I think I already mentioned warranty book taken from under seat. One of the seat rubbers replaced by a stack of rubber washers taped together.

Most of these happened at one dealer which is no longer in business. One happened at another dealer that is no longer in business. I guess most people would say it is not the norm but it has been for me.

There are good dealers out there. I have had great luck with the one in Douglasville GA. Only problem is they are a couple of hours away

 

I'm literally a shade-tree mechanic. I totally lost interest in cars decades ago now, but still do nearly everything that doesn't require a machine shop on my bikes. It's remarkable how few tools you actually need, and I always buy the best I can get for the job at hand - but just the individual tool, not a set. So I have very few sockets, for example, but very expensive sockets that will outlive me no matter how hard they're worked.

I've got no workshop, and all of my tools would fit in a medium-sized cardboard box. But I can change oil, tires, shocks, etc. There are some jobs I only avoid because I've only got the one bike and don't want to find myself needing something I can't get out here in the boonies and unable to ride. But if we just got three feet of snow...

I find that working on my own bike, like a barnstorming Sopwith pilot working on his biplane, completes the experience for me.

 

I've had all three classics and three different triples. The only Triumph left in my garage is my Scrambler. It's my favorite of all six and is dead reliable. Approaching 10K miles without a problem.

As mentioned before, once the valves are set at 12K they rarely change, leaving nothing for you to do other than oil/filter changes, spark plugs, chain adjustments and tires. All simple stuff even for the untrained wrench.

Have fun and welcome to the forum.

 

Just as this thread has been unfolding, I lost a battery. Thought it had to be something more complicated, and used this forum to learn everything there is to know about Triumph "classic" starter systems. I can now hot-wire my bike with a quarter and a paper clip! I love this place.

But yeah, after eight years of excellent care and treatment, battery's toast. Ordered one of them there Lithium-Ion thingies from Amazon at no small expense, for guaranteed Thursday delivery. Gotta make it to Triumphs in Taos on Friday, after all!

 

Sure wish this forum had "like" buttons.

 

I like that idea.

 

Yeah there is only one Oklahoma dealer. Tulsa. I've never been there. The OKC dealer closed. But the BMW dealer is back. Someone that I'm sure doesn't know said they may start carrying Triumph. I doubt it. I did my first oil change myself very early (450 miles) and had the dealer do the expensive second oil change. Then I've never been back. 46,000 miles. I checked the valves and they were fine so I've never been back into it. I do all my own work but I am a car mechanic. I buy my tires from Road and Track and pull the wheels and take them in to have them mount and balance them. A good frame lift works great. So good luck. You CAN do this yourself. I live in Edmond.


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Another vote for wrenching yourself- I really enjoy working on bikes- I am completely self taught, and a long time ago someone told me that the only difference between a professional and an amateur is the time it takes to do a job. I am fortunate enough now to have a shop and most of the right tools, and my experience so far with Triumph dealers has not been good. So it all works out in the end. Get a shop manual and enjoy knowing your bike that much better. Resources like Triumph Rat make it that much easier!

 

Well, I can also see I'm going to need a second bike at some point. Just so I'll have something to ride when I'm changing the tire on the other.

 

I know plenty of people Like those jacks mentioned above but any jack that requires bracing one of the 2 wheels is useless in my opinion. I have one of these pictured below, they are always on sale at Pep Boys or Sears etc... and have used it on all my bikes and makes everything easier, way easier. (IT paid for itself just doing my first chain clean and lube, bike need to be off the ground to do things to it.)

[/QUOTE]

Im a Scrambler owner and I am not the slightest bit mechanical. That being said I did grab the jack and manual just in case. Im up for the learning if anything! My problem is the jack. Ive damaged my spring with it and it now has no tension now im constantly worrying where im placing it. Do you have any advice on this? I have a skidplate also. Is there a method to this? Foolproof jacking location? Always feels tenous at best. Thanks!

 

I know plenty of people Like those jacks mentioned above but any jack that requires bracing one of the 2 wheels is useless in my opinion. I have one of these pictured below, they are always on sale at Pep Boys or Sears etc... and have used it on all my bikes and makes everything easier, way easier. (IT paid for itself just doing my first chain clean and lube, bike need to be off the ground to do things to it.)

Im a Scrambler owner and I am not the slightest bit mechanical. That being said I did grab the jack and manual just in case. Im up for the learning if anything! My problem is the jack. Ive damaged my spring with it and it now has no tension now im constantly worrying where im placing it. Do you have any advice on this? I have a skidplate also. Is there a method to this? Foolproof jacking location? Always feels tenous at best. Thanks!

Skid Plate comes off when using this jack, the kickstand is in the way of the jack if you don't place it just right. I keep the kickstand Down, Always Down so I do not get a surprise when I lower it and start to lean it over.

 

25000 miles.
Oil, filter, gas, tires.
that's it that's all folks.
No issues what so ever.

As an aside, I'm very mechanically inclined and this bike is a breeze to work on. I'd have no qualms about recommending you learn how to do basic maintenance on this bike.
Plugs, carb cleaning, fork oil changes, chain replacement, brake pads etc etc.
all of those basic maintenance tasks are dead simple on this bike.
Go for it.
I've worked on tons of bikes, multi cylinder sportbikes mostly, and the Scrambler is simple like a hammer.
Owen

 

Kickstand down, approach bike from right hand side and stand up bike with right hand bar grip. Roll jack underneath bike.
Rear jack support surface lines up with the rear part of the frame that a center stand would bolt up to, ( it's not flat but works fine ). I leave my skid plate on and have done so since new. Skid plate flexes up to meet the frame, no harm done.

 

Thanks for the advice guys.

 

Are EFI scramblers generally more expensive to service than carbed?

Does anyone know of threads about what to look for when buying a used scrambler?

I've tried searching this stuff but I can't find anything.

 

And EFI would be more expensive to repair than a carbed bike. As far as maintenance. I suppose replacing a filter is easier than a carb cleanout every 5 years or so (depends on how often you ride and quality of gas I guess).

I can tell you this, if your bike ****s the bed on the side of the road chances are you will get it running good enough to get you home with carbs vs EFI.

My only bike with EFI is my Duc and when it doesn't work, you don't go no where (speaking from experience here). If a carb doesn't want to work, chances are you can worse case limp along on one carb for quite a ways (been there done that).

 

2012 Scrambler here. No issues to speak of. Rock solid since the day I purchased it. As others have mentioned, get yourself a good mini lift or a set of stands. Oil and brake changes are very easy. I'd also get a Hayne's manual for anything more technical than routine maintenance.

There are plenty of good videos on Youtube for maintenance, repairs and such for the Scrambler.

Also, invest in a good tire pressure gauge.

 

Well, I've got a 2014 Scrambler and it has been perfect except ...

I've got a leaking main seal (sometimes called a countershaft seal) - the one right behind the main sprocket. It drips a few quarter sized drops after a ride. Apparently very rare, but does happen. $10 part and will be fixed under warranty.

I also noticed that the bolts behind the starter are also seeping oil. Dealer says they'll fix that when the bike comes in for the main seal. I had the same sort of thing on my Thunderbird 1600. I think most guys don't crawl under and look at their bike carefully... and don't notice the odd drip or seep until it becomes an issue.

I guess my bike was assembled by a limp wristed mechanic at Hinkley

Also, I got Oxford Heated Grips installed and mine do not have an auto shutoff feature. First ride they were left on ... and came out and my bike wouldn't start. Dealer is going to hook up a relay to make sure that doesn't happen again.

But, I'm VERY VERY happy with my Scrambler. It is absolutely fantastic and I have no concerns about the little oil leak.

The Scrambler is like a Jeep.

You don't buy a Jeep to compete with Range Rovers crossing African Rivers, or with Corvettes in the tight road corners, or with mini-vans when it comes to hauling kids. You buy a Jeep because it's super cool and gives you huge smiles on gravel roads, twisty highways and riding with your girl and the top off.

Same thing with the Scram. Sure there are guys who trick it out and cross Africa but if you drop one you'll be paying $$$ to fix bits. And you won't compete with a Hayabusa in the twisties, although guys do fix them up and race Scrams. And you won't tour with comfort like a Goldwing - you'll just have more fun than the Goldwing guys while touring!

I've had a bunch of bikes, and the Scram is my all time favorite.

 

Yes, indeedy!

 

Sears has that lift on sale right now so I just picked mine up

Also ordered the Haynes manual

I'm putting a "down under" 2-into-1 exhaust on mine - hope it works out. I know that screws up the whole scrambler image but routing the exhaust below my foot - and my passenger's foot - seems like a better choice than going up and inside our legs.


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Invests in a center stand...

I was just perusing Scrambler threads and thought I'd add my two pence... i've got an '06 with almost 60,000 trouble free miles...aside from the TOR's to make her sound as good as she looks, the single best investment on a Scrambler is a center stand as it makes basic maintenance and wrenching infinitely easier...

 

I sure like this thread as I have my own 2013 Scrambler purchased only a few months ago and I've made a couple of runs with it here in the Southeastern US. I enjoy the extreme spectrums of motorcycling as I also ride a Goldwing 1800. The Scram keeps a big smile on my face! That's what it is all about!