Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Breaking In/Running In

Hi All,
I've tried searching for some info on this but can't find a thread. Just wondered if you had any advice on running a new bike in.

Traditional thinking is to take it easy and progressively work up to full loading after 500+ miles.
But I've just read Motorman's info (http://mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm), suggesting bedding the engine in under quite some load as soon as possible.
I've heard this before but wondered what you guys think.

New BA comes Friday and would like to give it the best start.


Cheers

Larry

5 days and counting…

I broke mine in with the take it easy for 500 miles methond.(1 good ride on a saturday) Now I ride it like I stole it. I never bothered with that on the old bikes,I used to just ride it hard right after I put it together. So far I see no difference but personally I would err on the side of caution and break it in according to the book.

If I recall this is the method Pat used in his big bore saga.

Willy

Welcome.
I took it easy for the first 500 miles as per the owners book instructions, no rev counter but never used more than 1/2 throttle for the first 400 miles, this can be anything from 60 - 70 mph depending on conditions so its not that bad. Up to 500 miles I gave it a bit more, and after the 500 mile service a bit more. Now have 750 miles and everything is fine, using just over 1/2 throttle more or less and up to 80mph for short times. These engines are not like your jap 600cc where all the useable power is well up the rev range, they are quite torqey low down so running is is not so bad.
Main advice would be.
1 Allow the engine to warm up before use.
2 Dont let the engine labour in to high a gear.
3 Avoid constant engine speeds ( stick to B roads ).

I should add I removed the Air injection first thing and chrome on pipes is fine.

Thanks for the advice Guys.
I think I'll stick to the instructions then. After all, I guess Triumph would probably know best.

Dealer is removing the AI, fitting long TOR's and re-jetting for me which is really helpful. From the posts I've read I understand this stops the exhaust bluing and provides a little more power? Not sure how much though.

Anyway, maybe keeping it easy for the first 500 is a good thing, It's been donkey's years since my last bike.

4 Days left. Jezz, this is a long week already.

I never paid any attention to the "take it easy for the first five hundred miles" I just rode it as fast as I wanted the only consideration to taking it easy was I never held one throttle position for two long a time. I still do that today 16,000 plus miles later, also I was told this once by an old Triumph mech. While traveling at high speed to once in a while quickly snap your throttle closed and then open it up again. It is supposed to create a vacuum that sucks more oil up to lube the cylinders. I have always done this on all the motorcycles I have ever owned, not just triumphs, and I have never had a problem with any of my motors.

I just rode it right out of the box. Same as usual unfortunately the motor had to come apart to get new cases @4500 miles. The tech said that there was no wear in the drive train.

I ran it in as hard as my nerve would allow, this being my first cruiser and first bike in 5 years. Took it to 7k RPM in 2, 3 and 4th on the 30 mile trip home. Still wind it up now-it's booked in for it's first service in 2 weeks.
The Triumph tech at our local dealer agreed with running in hard, as does someone one here who's recently taken his engine apart. Not sure who it is but I'm sure it's someone who's just fitted a BB kit (sweat, maybe?)-they said the internals were almost perfect.

I will add that I changed the oil at 70 miles and I'm glad I did-twas full of junk!! I replaced with a cheap, fully-non-synthetic (eh?) 10/40W.

Only time will tell.

Hey Yet another Brit!!!

I'd run it in as the book. Take it stady for the first 500. Then take it for the 500 mile service. You should only pay for the consumables (oil, filter etc) I did. And the 06 is doing fine... Now up to 4263 miles since Nov 17th...

And yeah the worst bit is waiting for collection day...

Not long now... Sad but yep I'm down to counting hours.... Any prayers for keeping the rain at bay appreciated.

I'm picking the BA up in the smoke on a Friday, I guess the traffic will dictate how the run back goes anyway.
I'll try and stick to the instructions.... Honest.

Thanks for the advice and the oil change tip.

Larry