Regular Maintenance

DH88UK · Jun 1, 2019

Hello All,

My 2007 bonnie had a sad 1500 miles on the clock when I got her in August 2017 and almost no service history just a few receipts for oil changes, but based on the fact it had covered less than 600 miles since it's 3 year MOT back in 2010 I wasn't too concerned by the lack of history.

Recently I have:

Changed the Oil & Filter
New Spark Plugs
New Tyres
Flushed fresh brake fluid through
Checked air filter looks clean

Regularly check tyre pressure and clean / relube chain

I have found a guide online from triumph saying what items should be done at what interval, some of them listed above I'm happy doing but others I haven't got the foggiest about:

Balance carbs
Headstock bearing - check / adjust / lubricate
Renew fork oil
Check secondary air injection system
Valve clearances - check /adjust

How critical are all of these? Any how-to guide would be appreciated

DH88UK · Jun 2, 2019

Thanks for the reassurance, I was worried that someone would come back with 'omg do that xx right now or your bike will explode'

The bike runs lovely except it's a bit rattley at high revs, but I put that down to the nature of the bike instead of any kind of defect

Callumity · Jun 2, 2019

Service history? It hasn’t turned its wheels sufficiently to qualify for one!

The issue is less maintenance than ‘time expired’ which comes down to oil, tyres and battery. Everything else is about cleaning and lubricating......fuel system, cables, chain. Bearings head, swingarm and wheel ignore for now. The grease will be fine.

Carbs might well need blasting with carb cleaner as evaporated fuel will leave a gummy residue. Check all the wee rubber vacuum caps for splits. Balancing need be no more complicated than removing the rubbers to the airbox sliding in a mirror and checking they full seat and lift simultaneously. At 1600 miles I would probably not even worry.

Mischa Vladivostok · Jun 3, 2019

Get yourself a Haynes Manual for your model/year. It lists the exact maintenance items you should do, at which interval. It also gives very detailed instructions on how to do them. Unlike typical workshop manuals, it is easy to read, not daunting in any way.

I usually go through a combination of reading Haynes plus watching a lot of (p*rn) bike maintenance videos before attempting any job on the bike.