Mine happened at 12000 miles in March '08. Because Triumph was giving some race support to my dealer (D&D Cycles, Pensacola), the owner/service manager showed me a number of engines Triumph had sent them with the same exact break. They didn't need the starters - take them out anyway.
Don't know about adding weld support. It's always the top part of the socket that breaks off - when the starter torques.
