Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Taking the TBA to a Triumph Dealer for Tune Up

Ive only had her for about 6 months now. As Ive mentioned in other posts, Ive had some problems with wheel spokes and will be taking it in for work in about a month. While its in the shop I want to get a tune up done as I dont think ones ever been. It is a 2003 with 1000miles on it. But its sat outside a bit and has never had the oil changed, battery replaced or tires replaced.

Whats a good list of items to have checked, replaced or maintained while its there? If there is a post or thread that already covers this let me know. Thanks!

hey steve,

tune up for our rides is more of a component check than a points/condensor etc thang. do have the oil and oil filter changed.

Things that rattle
inspect the brake linings. inspect the brake fluid levels. Check the headset bearing play. Chain tension. Put a wrench on everything. The ‘header pipe to jug’ nuts loosen up over time. The chain guard gets lose too. But the biggest concern is to determine and correct the spoke nipples breaking issue.

Things that suck
Inspect all squirrel condoms. Carb to manifold rubbers, air box to carb rubbers, Slip on to header pipes connections. Crossover pipe. And those four nuts referred to above.

That black stuff
Your tires are old. Get over it. If you get 50 mpg ride em till they have little to no tread left. if you are getting 35 +- 3mpg, change em NOW. They are hard, cracked and will not afford very much traction in the wet or in corners. But if you are riding mellow, no worries eh?

Electron shuffle
The battery is either good or not. Don't change it out till you have to. The issues that arise with a motorbike being left outside is one of rust. Get a tube of dielectric grease and using same rework all your electrical connections. Huh? Unplug, clean grease replug. Same goes for fuses. The battery is especially prone to lose connections.

The Toyota syndrome
Another issue for your older iron is the air gap for the pickup coil. Should be .8mm where it was allowed to have an upper limit of 1mm. Don’t worry about it till you start blowing ignition coils. The rear brake reservoir had a recall to relocate it up the right down tube. Not too important imho. The starter had a recall to inspect and reroute the power cable should it be rubbing against something untoward.

Lunch time
I’ll see you at the Mill pond bakery

I would actually get the brake fluid flushed (front and rear). Brake fluid should be replaced every two years maximum as it does attract water over time, and causes corrosion within the braking system.

Check the production dates on the tires. There is a thread on the site that helps decode them. I believe 7 years is a maximum from date of manufacture. I wouldn't be riding on dry, hard rubber if I could help it.

Make sure all the linkages, (cables, levers, etc) are lubed and move freely.

Enjoy the ride
H.

Change out the brake fluid? Well I'll be...Might as well do the whole kit and caboodle then. Repack the headset and change out the fork oil. Pull and clean the carbs. 1000 miles over 7 years? Sounds like a beautiful amber colored coating been going down slow. Chances are the condoms and rubbers are dry-rotted. and the float needle seats are a bit on the Andromeda strain side (the original). Bet the tires are stock (maybe the skins are new being as how the front wheel was repaired by Buchanan) and if so, even Burt Munro couldn't get enough shoe polish on em.

Hey Steve. Since I helped you find this bike I don't want you to think I left you high and dry. I think Moe has given you a really good idea of what to check. The rubber stuff of course with sitting will tend to go bad. I'd run some dielectric grease in those connections. Change the oil(I like Amsoil 10W-40 and K&N model #204-enough said about oil!!). I'm sure a dealer would charge you a lot for some routine stuff you can do. But honestly, as I recall it was your first bike, it would give you a feeling of relief to know a professional has gone over her one time.

I hate to tell you to drop another chunk of change, but having the rear tire re-spoked would be a good idea too.

The rear brake relocation was an issue with dropping the bike and air getting in the fuel line. I would guess the dealer would relocate it for you for no charge. Or plan on not dropping the bike

In case you don't know, because I didn't, squirrel condoms are on your carbs, little nipple looking pieces of black, plastic/rubber. Gotta check your rubbers!

Oh and one more thing. Take her to Detroit Triumph. IMHO I think you'd get better service there than here in Kalamazoo. Of course we can catch lunch if you come over here!

Brett

Yes, I'm not kidding. Changing the brake fluid regularly is an important thing to do. You WILL feel the difference.

H.

Thanks for all the advice guys! Yeah 08America, shes going to Detroit Triumph as soon as I save up enough extra $$ to get everything done (poor college student at the moment).

If its a good idea to get the brakes flushed then ill do that. I really dont want to make multiple trips to the dealer since I have to rent a Uhaul to do so.

Ill have the tires done too. Should I just get the OEM tires? Also, same battery on her since the beginning, is that something that should be swapped out at this point or can that wait? Thanks again!

I'm pretty sure the bikes take DOT 4, which is hygroscopic in nature.

H.

My Haynes said DOT 4 for our brake fluid.

it is DOT4, pints of which are readily available at your local wally world