Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Whats up with these cush drive rubbers

I am going to replace mine for the second time and have only 6800 miles on the bike (speedmaster). I do not beat on ol speedy so i dont understand why they keep going bad so fast. I must have a good half inch of play again. On the up side im still under warranty but i understand these are about $75.00 or better for new ones and my warranty is almost up and i do not want to buy new ones every 3000 miles. So anyone have any info on whats up with these darn things (dealer just looks at me stupid) not many answers there. Has this been a big problem with other speedmasters or has anyone been checking, just grab the back sprocket with the bike in N and move it back and forth if it moves a lot its no good. I do not hear of this with other brands of bikes these never let go in other bikes ANYWAY whats up anyone know Thanks Duane

That's an unacceptable rate of wear. I would push the dealer for a permanent solution, and contact Triumph if it isn't resolved. Sounds like you could be in for a whole new wheel. Take a look at this thread from the archives:

Cush drive woes!

I haven't seen many complaints lately on the board about this problem, but ya never know when it can crop up on the odd bike or two.

FWIW, I have just over 30,000 miles on my Speedmaster and I'm starting to get a small bit of play in the cush drive. Wehn I take it in for the valve adjustment at 32,000, I'll get a new one.

Quote:

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Wehn I take it in for the valve adjustment at 32,000, I'll get a new one.

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Take it IN???
Geez Sal, ride over to Dinkville in two weeks, we'll do it for ya. As an added bonus you will be just about the correct mileage after the trip.

My dealer replaced mine with a Tbird sport csh drive, and I've had no problems with it.

I just meant that I'd order the part and pick it up when I take the bike in since the dealer is 120 miles away. Lord knows I have enough experience removing and re-installing the rear wheel since I've had about 7 or 8 nails in my rear tires over the last 30,000 miles. I think that puts me up to tire #7 on the back, and I always take the wheel off to get a new tire installed.

edit: If you meant you'd do my valve adjustment for me, I'm all for that. Wish you were closer though. It's only about 2,500 miles from me to you.

anyone have contact info for triumph in case the dealer gives me a hard time

Customer Service: (678) 854-2010, extension 2064

That's Triumph USA Customer service. Since you don't post your location, I don't know the number for the specific country you might be in.

Somebody else might help with a particular person to contact(the name Peter Carleo rings a bell). Since I haven't had a major problem with my bike, I don't have any experience in that area.

This has been a problem with many Triumphs, TBA, Speedys, and Triumph have not got a permanent solution. (shame on them.)
Mine went after 1500km from new and they had no real solution for this, just said some bikes do it some dont. after a few loud words and some pestering they replaced my cush drive rubbers with the T,Bird rubbers also and has been ok since, now at 15500km . still get some clonking into gear but that seems normal for a Trumpy.
you might want to insist on the T,Bird cush drive rubbers being fitted instead.
Good luck
Herb

Aybody got a part # for that T-bird cush drive rubber?

Duane,

I seem to have the same problem with my 2005 SM (865cc).
I noticed it in May 2005 after I had the bike for approx. 6 months.
I spoke to my dealer (in fact the National distributor in Greece) last week and he will be taking a look at it during my next service (in approx. 3 weeks).
These guys have proven quite competent (until now) so perhaps they'll give us some sensible info.

I just spoke to my dealer here in massachusetts after work today and they are going to call Triumph tomorrow. The dealer said the same thing i did that blowing out the rubbers every 3200 miles or so is totally unacceptable BUT

oops hit the wrong key BUT its on them if they are going to replace the wheel so i guess i will find out tomorrow what the verdict is on that. I will let everyone know how i make out, i cant see why not obviously this is a pretty big problem and i can not see another way to resolve it except to keep replacing the rubbers (not fair to me )at $100.00 a pop. wish me luck Duane

Hey Duane, where are you in mass? Which dealer? Got mine in Shrewsbury...

Also, how do you all tell if they have "gone bad"? That's all I seem to get, they "go bad" but I don't know what to look for. Thanks!

whats up Benny
I am in Swansea i got mine at Swansea Auto who is also a Triumph,Suzuki dealer, really a nice bunch of guys there. Well anyway they told me today when the rubbers come in they are going to check the wheel if its the problem and he already said it is, they are going to order a whole new wheel,Hub,rubbers the ones that come in will be a temporary fix until the other parts come in COOL that makes me happy. Ok now how to check it, grab the sprocket and push and pull it in a rotational direction /clockwise and counterclockwise i guess is the best way to describe it. It should not have any free play mine moves at least an inch stop to stop it clonks,clanks,chatters,vibrates,and a variety of other strange noises and drives me bonkers. Anyway i think everything is going to be ok the guy at Triumph USA admitted to there being a problem to the guy at Swansea auto with the cush drives they just want him to check the wheel to make sure its the problem before he orders the wheel but hes been working with me and he said hes going to get me the wheel regardless he knows how i baby ol speedy, now its time to sit back have a beer and wait for the queen to swim here with the parts thats another story all together Later Duane

Thanks for the tip Duane. I'll have to check it. I assume you would do this with the chain off or loose?

I'll let you know next time I am in Milford for work, maybe grab a beer or something.

no you do not have to loosen the chain just put the bike in neutral and that should do it, the chain moves with the sprocket and look forward to grabing a cold one some day

Duane

Cool thanks Duane.

Yeah we can grab a burger and compare Epcos

My bike has about 700 miles and i alreayd have alot of play back there, I was wondering what this actually does and is it on all other bikes?? My dads bigdog has 35000 on it and its tight just like its bolted to the hub. Has anyone thought about making somthing to delete the rubber in the hub and make it solid?? thanks Also Any pics of the inside would be great...

Hi Tomstrump
Have a look at some older posts on cush drives, there are some good pics there on some worn rubbers (cush drive rubbers that is) it should give you some idea of whats going on. many are having or have had this problem, Triumph cant seem to come up with a permanent solution for this.
you should have very little play on your back srocket and some indication will be clonking gear changes.
if there seems to be quite a bit of movement take it in to the dealer and demand they look into it. some here including me have had them replaced under warrany with the T,Bird cush drive rubbers abd they fit tight as you can get and in my case cured the problem. well so far so good, now about 14000 km with the T,Bird rubbers and still ok.
Good luck let us know how you go.
Herb

I can't seem to open any pictures I find they just time out.. But I was wondering? What would happen if this cush drive was replaced by somthing metal to do away with all this wearing out?

Tom
Hmmmmmmmmmmmm, thats a thought. dont know mutch about that, the rubbers are there to take up the load.
you could always see if you can convert to a shaft drive, phew! now that would be something.
keep flicking through the old posts you should find something soon.
Good luck
Herb

Clicking on this link will take ya to a gallery where you may view the area noted.

Click_here
Samples:

I think you'll stress the crap out of the sprockets if you don't have the cush drive... We always used them in the hydraulics buisness.

Still looking for that part number on the TBird cush drive rubber. Since ordering parts from my local dealer is a PIA, I want to make sure I have the right part # going in. I'm not too familiar with the TBird and any changes it might have had in it's production.

Might try the hinkley classic forum on triumphrat.net...

I thought of that, but since I didn't know if all the Tbirds had the same cush drive rubber, I didn't know if a part # from there would be of any help. I'll just PM herbz and bug him till he spits me out a part #.

I doubt there are many differences between similar models. If it makes any difference, I have a Tbird front wheel on my bike! Triumph will save money where they can using the same part, I think you're fine. Also, Mick Maguire knew of a site that had all the bike's specs... knowyourbike.com or something along those lines. Maybe that will help.