Bike Service - Advice Please

Yes, I intend doing my own servicing once the warranty expires. IMO a bike serviced by a caring owner that knows what he's doing is preferable to sometimes shoddy dealer servicing. However if you trade in you might be offered slightly less than with full dealer service history. As long as you keep the bike for a while you're going to offset that by what you've saved in servicing costs.
As an alternative to the DealerTool you can also reset the service indicator using the free software TuneECU provided it's loaded on an Android smart phone or tablet and connected via bluetooth.

The connector is where the optional Triumph/Datatool alarm is fitted (in place of what's presently there), if you remove that bridge connector the bike won't start.

 

Bought my KTM Enduro with no dealer history, but I did get a folder full of receipts for oil, filters, chains, etc, and a jotter recording all the service work done.

Happier to receive this with a bike, than to get a book with some stamps in it, shows last owner looked after the bike and knew what they were doing.

I do the same with my bikes, whenever I buy anything for the bikes, receipt goes in the folder and will pass this on when I come to sell. Only ever took my SV650 back once, for 600 mile service, all rest was done at home and I always felt happier, I knew it had been done properly by myself.

 

Will agree with the valve clearance job, maybe best let the triumph stealer or local independent do that. Done loads of cars, but never attempted it on a bike yet. Easy access on the America, so think I'll be doing this one myself.

But everything else on a bike is easily do 'able.

 

You might consider checking the valve clearances yourself first, only then if they're out of spec may be get the dealer to do it. Last winter I checked the valves on the wife's 675, they were in tolerance so job done! It's no big deal going as far as checking them, just gets a bit more scary if they need changing as you're then in to removing the cam shafts. Checking yourself has the added bonus of knowing for sure what the actual gaps for each valve are, then when they next need checking you can see if there is a trend of wear. Also good information to pass on when you sell.

 

on a speed I recommend you look at the rear stub axle and linkages.
These are known for their lack of lubrication and really needs doing on time rather than mileage basis.
They can be costly to renovate. deffo a case of preventative maintenance.
With the right tools a straightforward job, without a right pain

 

I'm not looking to persuade anybody to do something they're not comfortable with , but if you're happy changing the air filter and plugs (so you've got the tank off), then you're half way there!
A few more bolts removes the cam cover, you then just rotate the engine (in gear, by the back wheel) and see what size feeler gauges you can get under the cam lobes. It's not rocket science and potentially saves you wasting a few hundred quid.
Admittedly if you then find them out of spec (usually the gap has closed), then I'd most likely put the cover back on and take it to a dealer. At least then you KNOW they need doing.
Perhaps somebody can advise the going rate, I'm guessing we're talking about £200 to check and probably another £100 or so if they need changing?

 

+1 on what t552 says, good advice!
In particular the eccentric for chain adjustment is well known to seize up, although I think it does depend a lot on how much wet weather the bike sees.
I've now had 3 Hinckley Triumphs with the eccentric adjuster over about 15 years, only had one that came close to being a problem.
Suspension bushes are even easier to strip and re-grease and worth doing every so often.

 

You should really try using all the road and cutting corners

 

google trimoto in Greenwich, I've heard loads of good things about them, cost and service wise

 

Or if you want to go a little farther Clive Wood. With Clive you can watch what he does and learn if that's your thing and you are interested.

 

Think yourself lucky you're not trying to do the valve clearances on a VFR vtec
Cams out, stop plates in, cams in, measure gaps, cams out, change shims, cams in, measure, cams out stop plates out, cams in. Oh, and that's four camsahfts and two cam chain tensioners every time. Make no wonder you see so many vtecs for sale with just under 16,000 on the clock. Seriously tho just read your sig and you'll be fine.

 

No problem.
For early Triumphs Clive does maintenance courses showing full engine strip and sprag replacement. These prove very popular. And a great excuse for a weekend away talking bikes as we all go up the pub when the course is over.
Some have done the course multiple times just because they had such a good time lol.
Btw his no is 07752477738
He is easily found on google "clive wood triumph".
https://www.google.co.uk/?gws_rd=ssl#q=clive+w00d+triumph