Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge America/speedy Maintenance?

Greetings Peeps! Considering buying an 08 or (09 EFI?) America.....was wondering how difficult the maintenance was? Would probably have the dealer service the bike while under warranty then id like to maintain it myself...whats the Bikes maintenance requirements?...does the bike require valve adjustments? Im pretty decent mechanically...

Thanks in advance!

Maintenance is much easier than the inline 4s from across the other ocean. The valves are shim adjusted and require the cams to be removed to change the shims. This is not near the problem it is on some lesser brands because Triumph uses an idler shaft so you don't have to restring the cam chain when you're done.
The oil filter is located below the engine so there is little or no mess changing it. You do have to be careful to use the correct size filter though, there is another one that will work but it is too long and can be punctured by road debris.
The factory installed chain requires occasional cleaning and it should be sprayed with chain lube at least every 300 miles. Every second tank of gas is a shorter interval than that, but better more often than not enough.
Access is good with the tank and seat removed, and those come off easily.
There is a factory manual available as well as a Haynes aftermarket one. If you can, it's best to get both because the Haynes has better pictures of how things go together, but the Triumph one is more accurate on specifications.

I've been wrenching under the shade tree for a while now. I've always found that English machines are a little easier to work on. You'll be amazed how strait forward and simple the BAs are, especially after working on something japaneese. It has always seemed to me that our English engineering cousins give some thought to how this machine is going to be worked on in the future. And, like me, I think that simpler design is usually a better design.

I have never owned a bike before my 07 America and aside from that first service that the dealer did all mods and tinkering have been done by me.
I have not run into any problem so far and have:
rejetted, reomoved the air box, removed the carbs twice (once for the jet and once to paint), removed the seat many times, removed the tank many times, balanced my carbs, ran wires through my bars, wired up aftermarket driving lights, lubed the chain a few times (I really should do this more), adjusted the chain tension.
I will be:
changing my oil, upgrading brake lines and control cables (for looks), removing front and rear wheels (cant tell you why yet ), checking and adjusting valves near the end of the winter and basically doing all aspects of maintenence not only on my but also on my girls America going forward.

These bikes are a pleasure to work on. Easier that working on a Honda car...which is really easy!

bike is very easy to work on, and now that i have my engine in pieces i appreciate it even more how simple it is.

Frank

22,300 miles, no defects to this point, except lost an igniter at 11,000, dealer had fixxed post haste...I have disassembled the bike and applied di-lectric grease to all electrical connections, just because I was bored...If you remove the tank, TRIPLE check that the tank is engaged in rubbers....I have a nice "ding" from not having tank properly engaged in correct position..and handlebars dinging tank...will happen if your not careful...Watch for the tank chrome piece too, nut plates have to be perfectly positioned, or they will cross thread...Speedo loop on front fender will break almost within 1000 miles. Kimmys bike is broke already, while my bikes is still intact after 23,000 miles...dont know whats up with that...Other than that..she's a sweety.....

Merry Christmas! And thanks all for the great information...am definetely getting one now...though the 6 month wait is going to kill me! lol (moving from NY to FL mid may)

Thrilled to have found this site...just awesome! thanks again, beebbop