Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Valve Adjustment and various service questions....

Folks, hello again. Been a member for years but haven't posted much over time. Never got completely out of riding, but cooled off for a while due to a riding friend fighting cancer and eventually losing and getting new hip hardware on my side of the fence. I'm glad to say its good to be getting back. So my 2005 America is due for some routine service and I'm curious if this can be DIY or is a Triumph mechanic/dealer needed. I asking to see if I can keep the service cost down, but don't want to be stupid about it. I'm good at following directions and have a the Service Manual, but have never done anything besides changed the oil and brakes. Right now I see the following work that should be done:

1) Valve adjustement check. Engine is running fine but is close to the 36K mile on the ODO. Dealer is quoting $300 - 400.

2) Carb rejetting. Wife bought me a pair of BC Bomber exhausts for my birthday last week. Dealer is quoting $300 - 400.

3) New tires, Metzlers. front and rear.. Dealer is quoting $600. (This is definitely a dealer item)


Thanks in advance for the advice.

Those quotes all seem on the high side to me, however I do most of my own work, so what do I know

If the "carb rejet" includes actual dyno tuning to optimize, that must be factored into the price...to simply change the mains & adjust the pilot screws, though? Thats high.

I normally buy tires direct, & pull the wheels off the bike & bring them to a competent tech to mount & balance them, & I reinstall; that way is much less expensive. Expect to pay more if it is s turnkey job though. Even so, they must have included gold dust in the rim lubricant c

I suggest that you do yourself a favor & go with Michelin Commander II or III tires instead of those Metzeler 888's, though.

I agree, those quote sound high. Especially the tire quote. Valve adjustment isn't too bad and jetting is just behind the tire quote. All can be done yourself if you are mechanically inclined. Doing the valves it is important to lock the valve lash gear in place to avoid having to reset it. Most important of all is be absolutely sure to mark the bearing caps for position and direction so that they go back on the way they came off. The actual adjustment is simple, measure the clearances you have now do the math to figure out how far out they are. Measure the shim you take out and add or subtract the amount you are out and get the proper shim for that valve. When measuring the old shim use a micrometer not a caliper since it probably won't be flat.

Ian, I agree with you, however, for someone who has only done oil changes it can be a pretty big leap to remove & replace the cams. That said, checking valve clearances on this motor ought to be doable for someone with sufficent workspace, the right tools, reference materials, supplies, & a willingness to learn.

The_Dog33 and B02S4, thanks for the input. I'm pretty good at following directions but, after watching a video with the valves, I'd like to watch someone do this work in person once before I try it. Checking doesn't seem too bad, it scared me to perform the work if I find one set out of spec.

I'm thinking the carb jetting may not be too bad. I've looked at Dinqua's jet calculator, but don't see Brit Custom's Bombers on it. I live just west of Philadelphia (Coatesville Area). Would you guys have any recommendations for which jets to try first? Thanks again for all of your help.

I am not familiar with those pipes and you would have to let us know what intake changes have been done as well since both effect the A/F mix.

Jetting is not hard to do but you are only guessing if you have no access to a dyno or have an O2 sensor installed in your pipes to get a reading of what the engine is doing. The days of reading plugs are pretty much over with the ethanol and unleaded gas. Plugs don't color like they used to. You can still see way lean or way rich but not fine tuning. Be sure you have screwdrivers that fit the jets very well so you don't strip them. If your carbs still have the original phillips screws holding the bowls on you should get some stainless allen head screws to replace them because those phillips strip very easily. Have some needlenose vise grips ready to turn them out if needed. The screws are 4mmX0.7. You may need a D tool to adjust the mixture screw, one can be made with a piece of brake line and just flatten one side. If they have never been adjusted you have to remove a blank that covers them at the front of the carb bowl in the carb body. Jetting can be done on the bike but it's easier to do off the bike. On the bike you may want a small mirror so you can see them. If you are doing this you should probably balance them too after you jet. You can easily make a manometer to do the job.