Featured What you been doing with your TRIUMPH today??

A bit more work on the STRS, removed the rear drop link to re grease everything, low and behold the needle rollers fell apart, water ingress was the cause. I ordered a complete drop and drag link repair kit, and a new drop link, I intended having the original Cerakoted, however a new OEM link was just as cheap. Also found a slightly tight thread on the heel guard fastner, so re tapped both threads along with the fasteners. I'm just doing a few hours here and there on the bike as I am busy with other jobs. Interestingly though, I only re greased the rear suspension prior to going to the IOM S100 in July. It was the worst weather I have seen though on the Island, I guess riding in those conditions saw water getting in to the bearings. Oh and I managed to get a replacement OEM coolant expansion bottle for the original that was split at the fitting holes, at £5 a real bargain that makes a change.

 

A lovely sunny day today and I was able to take the opportunity to get out on the Speed 400. I took a quick trip to Minehead and an ice cream on t he sea front. As it is half term here there were quite a few people about and even a couple of hardy - or foolhardy folks actually in the water!!
Picture looking along the front towards Butlins.

 

Changing oil and getting the bike ready to be put away for the winter. Today it’s looking like the riding season is coming to an end here.

 

Nice ride, company, and food

 

Most monoshock road bikes, at least the ones I've owned, have suspension linkages in direct line of fire from spray and debris from the rear wheel. High speeds in wet weather is like pointing a jet wash at the linkage, small wonder that water gets in. I've made spray guards or rubber boots from sheet rubber, that plastic damp course stuff or even old inner tubes and they certainly work and protect the linkage from the worst of it.

 

Another job completed, a new OEM suspension link arrived today, fitted new bearings and seals, greased the bearings copiously, interestingly all the old seals had no springs installed, these are essential in securing the seal lips tight onto the sleeves once in place, the new ones have the springs in place thankfully. the bearings and seals in the rear Ohlins shock were like new so just needed cleaning and re greasing. Just waiting for the suspension links being Cerakoted, then I can complete fitting it all, before moving on to re installing the header pipes, rad etc etc. In case anyone is thinking of replacing these bearings, then make sure you have access to a press, initially I used a manual bearing removal/installer tool, however they were in that tight the tool failed to budge them, I went to the family workshop and used a hydraulic press, less than 10 minutes and old ones out and new ones installed. Making sure they were installed to the right depth (the width of the seal) so it sits flush.

 

A couple more jobs completed, I collected the suspension links this morning after being Cerakoted, all now rear drop and drag links installed, noticed a C clip missing from the riders footrest location pin, a sort through a few boxes and I found the right size, a temporary measure until I get some new stainless steel ones next week.

 

Why not just stainless lockwire the footpeg clevis pin?

 

Just been going over bike to make sure it's ready for the ole boys ride to 'somewhere' next week .. all good, only chain to be adjusted.
Must do a mileage check, I read somewhere that it's reckoned the 1200 Bonnies are good for around 60 miles per gallon ?
All I can say is the last few times we've done some reasonable mileage, it's a surprise how much is still in the tank ?
Anyone done fuel checks, it's quite interesting compared to the Speed triple ... (yes,yes, I know the problem there !) ... who can help themself though ????

 

I lockwired all that needed to be done on my sons Supertwin Road Race machine, it always passed scrutineering, however I don't see the point in lockwiring anything to a road bike, firstly you either have to drill the parts you want to lockwire, or buy race bolts that are pre drilled with multiple holes, to do it correctly you also need to lockwire it to another fastner, or appropriate part. I do have plenty of lockwire but I never use it for road machines. Whilst I am on with the work I am also removing the footrests and numerous other parts, for a degrease and coating with anti corrosion treatment. We are all different with what we prefer to do with our machines, mine is only a personal preference. Ride safe all from an ageing Rocker.

 

Totally agree with your points, but I was thinking just a one lap and neat twist to replace the c clip.

Lockwired this and that on a road bike is just pointless bling like you say @Iceman a bit like people running someone elses track tyres for the worn edges.

 

I don't think I've ever seen anything wired on a road bike other than on those that have been raced. A dab of thread lock or a locknut is a better option if required. On items like the footpeg a good quality C clip is more than adequate or maybe a R clip, as used on some calliper pins, if I was intent on drilling a hole in it!

 

While the Scrambler tank is away at the paintshop I'm taking the opportunity to give the whole bike a good clean and Winter prep with Corrosion Block. It's surprising how dirty the area under the tank gets on naked machines.
With the bike running sweet at barely 5k miles I'm resisting the urge to take the valve cover off, just for a look.
There's quite a lot of emissions crap on new bikes. In addition to the usual CAT and AIS there's also a load of pipework, a charcoal canister and an electrically operated "purge" valve to capture fuel vapour from the tank and feed it into the air box for combustion instead of, God forbid, just venting the tank to atmosphere as on my ZZR and Enduro bike. Dirty, environment killing machines!

 

I attended the Yorkshire Ride of Remembrance today.
Such a fantastic way to show respect to the fallen and continue the commitment to never forget.

Me and my mate rode up Squires a little early and was the 3rd bikes there aside from the Marshalls. Once all gathered and Squires was very packed we all observed 2 minutes silence before riding over to the small town of Hemingbrough for a great little service.

Cheeky diversion to Strawberry Fields for a bit of lunch afterwards before heading back home.


At the going down of the sun, and in the morning - We Will Remember Them!