Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech warranty work

I have finally reached my first check up for 500 miles. In waiting for this i noticed when i bought my 05 new there was a sound comming from the chain. Being a new bike i waited for the tune up which i would imagine a lube or an adjustment would cure the problem. Well on my ride home from service the noise was still there, you really hear it when cruising 5th gear under power. Again it sounded like the chain. I returned and first asked if they test drove it. I got a week yes and asked for them to ride it again. The mech. Pete did hear the noice and checked it all out for an hour and he said it sounds like a week link or front sprocket.
I have been waiting for approval from triumph for the cost of this repair. This has been 48 hours now and i was told i am waiting for some person from triumph to read his email concerning this claim. I can't beleive it takes this long for an answer. Has anyone had this problem with triumph, and is there a way for me to contact them directly. Please if you have any info please pass it along. I just have no faith in the dealers once the bike is sold. Thanks for your time, Doug

This may or may not apply - hard to know just what you are hearing - but the chains on these bikes will "sing" under different loads/at different speeds... It seems to be the nature of the beast. Assuming everything is aligned and adjusted properly, a heavier chain lube like Chain Wax may quiet it down some.

As far as the response from Triumph, I have no experience, but it sounds like this is something your dealer should be able to make the call on if he knows what he's doing......it's a chain, not an engine overhaul.

Every bike I have owned makes a different chain noise. All similar but different. My SM definately makes some chain noise like grump said, depending on speed, load, etc. Chains can actually be kinda loud. Have you ridden chain driven bikes before?

"Finally", does that mean you have had it for a year and just reached 500 miles?

My 05 was a left over and i have it for 6 months. Still i have not driven it other than local. I understand different noises from chains you can have. This noise is mostly heard when crusing. What made it worse was the dealer saying it was not normal. They said the sproket chain or bearings could be the problem.
By the way a friend at another dealership found out my request from triumph was turned down. My dealer has yet to tell me. That tells you what i am working with. Where i go from hear i don't know. Thanks for your replies.

I think warranty work is done at a preset dollar amount per task, reimbursible to the dealer from Triumph NA. Also heard it's a lowball amount and is incentive for the dealer to push off warranty work since it doesn't pay, or to tell you it's not covered so you'll pay.
I would suggest you document everything! This includes notes, who you talk to, what is said, dates and times. Put your complaints in writing and keep a copy for yourself. Be sure to obtain a copy of any Warranty Repair Order or Work Order. Demand a copy if necessary and if the dealer will not give you one, be sure to document that fact. When you pick up your bike, get an invoice. The dealer may claim that you are not entitled to an invoice because there were no charges (you were not invoiced for any repairs). You should be able to get a copy of something that says what the problem was, who confirmed it, who said it wasn't warranty work, the estimate for costs since warranty was denied (and you should have to OK anything that you'd have to pay for), and that you turned down the work. It is up to you to prove repair attempts if it comes down to legal action. The final invoice shows what was or was not repaired.
Make absolutely sure the dealer records your complaint on the work order exactly as you describe it. In 500 miles, just about anything should be covered by warranty and tell the dealer that. If they insist that Triumph corporate told them it was not covered, tell them you plan on writing a letter to your state attorney generals' office, and then do just that, and send copies to Triumph corporate, and the dealer. It may do no good, but at least you'll be on record where it counts.

Chains should be lubed at least every 500 miles. Since it took one-half a year to roll 500 miles, you might consider lubing every month. Riding on wet roads, in rain etc will wash away lube and rust your chain. Especially since you don't apply lube to it but for every six months? Every three hundred miles is betterer. Use Maxim Chain Wax. Spray on wipe off.

Chain noise could be due to misalignment as well. Too tight too loose. Do not rely on the dealer to inspect anything on your bike or to lube anything or to sync your carbs. You would be well advised to check the oil plug to make sure it is tight and to observe that the stealership did not overphil your oil too. grrr. The best thing a dealer can do is to say NO. No they don't want to work on your ride. No they can't work on your ride, and NO they do not have OEM parts in stock. After all honesty is the best policy. All most stealers want to do is sell bikes. Well dealers can do what they are good at. They can kiss my hairy buttocks cheeks.

I so love dealers.

Just to let you know about what me dealer is doing. First off chains are not covered under the warrenty. You have to deal with the chain maker for coverage. Strange. Well any way after meeting with the owner of the dealer things are moving along. Some how a chain is being shipped in,and they will start from there. They will further inspect the sprockets and if need be also check the bearings. These items are covered. As i said earlier i hated to go over their heads, but it seems it got things moving. Since my meeting i have received two call backs from my dealer. So far the communication has greatly improved. This is really all i was asking for. We will see what happens. Take care guys