 maintenance
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 500 Likes: 5
Adjunct
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OP
Adjunct
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 500 Likes: 5 |
So.....fiona (my 2002 TBA) has 8500 miles on her. She had 7700 when I got her about 2 months ago. Since I don't know her history, I decided to drop off for an oil change - want a new front tire as well (getting a little wobble, and the tire is at least 2/3 through it's life). There are no triumph dealers in reasonable distance to me - but there is a well-reviewed yamaha dealer near me that got great reviews on service in general. I have asked them to give it a good going over - chain lube, adjust if necessary - check other adjustments/cables, etc. Is there anything quirky to triumph that I should look for, or advise them to look for that they may not realize? (they haven't seen a lot of triumphs in there). Am I insane for giving fiona to a yamaha dealer?  Thanks for any feedback.
...you're gonna feel a little pressure....
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Re: maintenance
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 500 Likes: 5
Adjunct
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OP
Adjunct
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 500 Likes: 5 |
(so, I guess my real question is, other than things you do yourselves, are you comfortable taking your bike to a non-triumph dealer?)
...you're gonna feel a little pressure....
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Re: maintenance
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 109
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 109 |
Most mechanics, whether they work on cars, motorcycles or lawn mowers will tell you that many things are very common among engines regardless of brand. One of my good friends used to be a mechanic for a Kawasaki/Suzuki dealer and he's comfortable doing nearly all things, but suggests I get hold of a Triumph shop manual before he would tackle something like valve adjustments. I'll be buying one long before it's time for him to get to the valves.
No telling whether yours would need adjustments just yet since the manual says you can go to 12000 miles before one is prescribed.
No question that a 9 year old bike with only 7700 miles on it was neglected at least a bit, so I'd change out the fork oil, get the chain cleaned and adjusted, have the air filter and brake fluid at least checked.
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Re: maintenance
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,382
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,382 |
Hasso, I personally would not be shy using a Yamaha dealer for routine maintenance on a Triumph. Bikes are bikes as far as tires, oil, filters, chains etc go.
If you have a Triumph or Haynes service manual to give them it would probably help with torque settings and other procedures.
Valve check and shimming would be another story. There are an awful lot of bike brands out there using shim under bucket setup.
Ask if you can hang around and watch him do the service.....everytime I did this I learned something about my bikes that I never knew.
Tony G
'03 America
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Re: maintenance
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 500 Likes: 5
Adjunct
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OP
Adjunct
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 500 Likes: 5 |
thanks guys. I was feeling a little queasy.....I feel better about it. just routine stuff at this point. but since I don't know the bike, I am hoping they can do a good once-over.
yeah - I thought about the valves....I think I want them done before 12k, from what I've read on here. but I'll prob go to the dealer for that one - just a huge PITA to get there.
thanks again.
...you're gonna feel a little pressure....
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Re: maintenance
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,847
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,847 |
The local yamahaKawaHonda dealer here will not touch my bike for any repairs / maint. They site insurance and liability concerns. Only way they would sell me a tire is if I bring the wheel in off the bike... grrrrrr 
Warren
04 Caspian Blue and Silver America
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Re: maintenance
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 63
Member
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Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 63 |
I am picking up my 07 BA tomorrow from our local dealer. I hit 14K and had the 12K maintenance completed which included the valve adjustment. I usually go to a local shop that specializes in HD's for my oil changes, brakes and tires. They are closer to my home and cheaper than the Triumph dealer by $30.00 on an oil change. They would not look at the valves and I appreciated their candor on their comfort level as to what they would work on. Total cost of the service was $404.00 which included valve adjustment, oil change, air filter, new plugs, chain lube and adjustment and brake fluid change. All things considered I feel good I took the bike to them and they went over it, I have a few long distance rides coming.
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Re: maintenance
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Quote:
... but since I don't know the bike, I am hoping they can do a good once-over.
The best way to get to know your bike is to go over it yourself. The work you want done (except the tire change maybe) is low tech stuff and with all the guidance and expertise you find here, you wouldn't be doing it blind, or even alone for that matter. Watcha think?
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: maintenance
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,146
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,146 |
Quote:
They are closer to my home and cheaper than the Triumph dealer by $30.00 on an oil change.
Wait, wait, wait. They are cheaper by $30 on an oil change? How much is either place charging for an oil change? It's not like there is a ton of body work to remove. My TBA is the easiest bike I've ever had to change the oil on. It takes all of 10 minutes. Seriously, what are these guys charging?
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Re: maintenance
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1 |
Quote:
The best way to get to know your bike is to go over it yourself. The work you want done (except the tire change maybe) is low tech stuff and will all the guidance and expertise you find here, you wouldn't be doing it blind, or even alone for that matter. Watcha think?
That works for a lot of us wrench heads but you have to know your comfort zone and be happy there. My local Yamaha dealer is the finest kind and their service dept. is ace...which is very good because local Triumph dealers are scarce in these parts. If you're not going to do it yourself you should choose a dealer you're confident about regardless of brand affiliation.
I do feel that you should be familiar with the basics like chain adjustment and oil changes, especially if you plan long trips, because sooner or later it's just going to be you and the bike out in the hinterlands and you're going to need to be competent.
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
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Re: maintenance
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 500 Likes: 5
Adjunct
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OP
Adjunct
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 500 Likes: 5 |
I've done some work on it. But as a starting point with a new-used bike, I feel better having a professional establish a baseline of "at this point everything was good".
I rebuilt my first car from nearly the frame up. But, I definitely haven't done much bike work. Learned a bit from this site already. As my comfort zone expands, so will my repertoire of service I'll perform myself.
I appreciate all the interesting comments on this topic. Thanks!
...you're gonna feel a little pressure....
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Re: maintenance
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 63
Member
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Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 63 |
I will check the bill today when I pick up the bike but using Mobil 1 synthetic the Triumph dealer was charging $80.00 plus tax and the other HD specialty place (not a certified HD new and used dealer) was charging $49.00 plus tax.
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Re: maintenance
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
Quote:
Am I insane for giving fiona to a yamaha dealer?
Thanks for any feedback.
Heck no. Any motorsickle shop should be able to change a tire. And look things over. The only time I've had either of my pre-fires into a dealership for a tire change was back on September 18, 2007 when I was rolling on the Blue Ridge Parkway and stopped to change out the headlight bulb. Looking down at the front tire was one of those omg moments as I saw a slick with rubber snot balls in concentric waves flipping me the finger.  I ended up getting a tire at the Lynchburg VA Honda Suzuki Dealership.
There was a Triumph dealership right next door (Millerbuilt) but they had no front tire and didn't want to take one off a floor display. grrr.
Ah the days of yute. Thought I could get to the 2007 Nor'East Rally and back on a well worn set of Pirelli MT66 Route skins. And a worn out chain. What I did get was a lot more sight seeing as I rode through Jefferson NC and heck even into Mt Airy NC (Mayberry). Ended up er I digress.
Use local shops. Most times the older mom and pop shops know trumpets better than you would guess.
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: maintenance
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,419
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,419 |
Quote:
I will check the bill today when I pick up the bike but using Mobil 1 synthetic the Triumph dealer was charging $80.00 plus tax and the other HD specialty place (not a certified HD new and used dealer) was charging $49.00 plus tax.
Ummm, how much is Mobil 1 synthetic where you are? I would suspect that the $49 oil change is not Mobil 1.
Cheers, Richard
~~~~~~~~~~~~
09 America, Staintune Pipes, K&N, Breathe, Hagon Nitros, AI & O2 removed, tune 20184 (modified), MTX-L a/f gauge
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Re: maintenance
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,726
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,726 |
I just picked up some oil from my Triumph dealer. I found out that Triumph has changed their recommended oil. They are now recommending Castrol RS 4T 10W-50 instead of the Mobil 1 4T 15W-50. I didn't pay attention to the viscosity change only the brand. I bought 3 quarts as I had one of the Mobil left from my last change. I assume there is no problem mixing 3 of the new with 1 of the other. They are both fully synthetic 4T. The new Castrol oil is supposed to be a better wet clutch oil (RS - reduced slippage) proposed to get more power out of the bike.
Anyway, I guess I'm going with Triumph's change. The cost was about $11. a quart.
Bob
2005 America, 904cc - sold. 2014 Trophy SE.
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Re: maintenance
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 189
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 189 |
Quote:
I just picked up some oil from my Triumph dealer. I found out that Triumph has changed their recommended oil. They are now recommending Castrol RS 4T 10W-50 instead of the Mobil 1 4T 15W-50. I didn't pay attention to the viscosity change only the brand. I bought 3 quarts as I had one of the Mobil left from my last change. I assume there is no problem mixing 3 of the new with 1 of the other. They are both fully synthetic 4T. The new Castrol oil is supposed to be a better wet clutch oil (RS - reduced slippage) proposed to get more power out of the bike.
Anyway, I guess I'm going with Triumph's change. The cost was about $11. a quart.
So that would be $44 + a filter correct?
07 TBA, 32" Turnouts, DIY Freak, hard saddlebags, 18" screen, dresser bars, highway pegs, floorboards, fog lights, amber run/turn lights front, red run/turn/stop lights back, blue speedo/tach lights, LED console lights
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Re: maintenance
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,726
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,726 |
Quote:
So that would be $44 + a filter correct?
Yep, I forgot what the dealer charged for the filter. I usually do my own oil changes and buy the stuff from my dealer. This time I bought 3 qts. of oil (had one), 2 plugs, oil filter and washer.
Bob
2005 America, 904cc - sold. 2014 Trophy SE.
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Re: maintenance
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15 |
No worries blending the oil.
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