20K Service Questions

[Mark Dunn]

Hi all,

I'm coming up to 20K miles on my 2009 Rocket (standard) and will be doing most (and perhaps all) of the work myself. A couple of questions:

1. The manual says that the headstock bearing should be lubricated. Since I live in Texas and the bike doesn't see much bad weather action, is this really necessary? I ask because it's a pain in bum to do.

2. The manual also says that the fuel filter should be replaced. Is that necessary too or can I leave it until next time (40K miles)? If it helps, I live in suburbia and the gas stations have a high stock turnover so probably no bad gas has been through her.

Thanks!

Best regards,
Mark Dunn

 

[Willtill]

Well.. when your head stock bearings get trashed from lack of lube ...Triumph told ye so....

....when your motor quits in the middle of nowhere ...well ...Triumph told ye so...

(I'd at least contemplate the filter. The head bearings; ya can get a good idea of their condition by checking for looseness via fork manipulation with the front tire off da ground....)

 

[valmacmiami]

i definitely would grease splines and drain bevel box through coffee filter but what do i know

 

[Navigator]

I had the 20k done but eliminated certain items Mark. They did not grease the headstock bearing, deferring it to 30K. The mechanic also did not replace the fuel filter. I can't recall what the test he did was but it indicated that the fuel filter had good flow and it need not be replaced. Like the headstock bearing, he told me I should definitely do those procedures at the 30K service.

 

[Mark Dunn]

Hi all,

Thanks for the input.

valmacmiami - I've been following your troubles with the bevel gear and I feel for you, - that's a major bummer! I change the bevel box oil every oil change and grease the splines when I change the rear tire (8k -10k miles). I used to own a Valkyrie and not greasing the splines caused a major failure mode with that model, so I'm always very careful to make sure it gets done.

I talked with the Service Manager at my dealer and although they're normally more than happy to take my money for service work, he said that it's not worth greasing the headstock bearings at this mileage. He did say that the fuel filter is worth doing, so I've ordered the parts.

I'll let you know if 'difficulties' arise

Regards,
Mark Dunn

 

[zimtuff]

Is the filter hard to do? My dealer said he has never had a dirty one under 100000klms,but if its not too hard I will do it myself at the 48000klm (30000 miles) service due soon.

 

[ruzzle]

Zim, ya gotta take the tank off, empty it, turn it upside down and remover the baseplate/filter/pump/float assy. I have (once) re-used the baseplate rubber (?) gasket.....

THEN the filter's easy!

If it's raining, that little water drain hole around the neck of the filler cap CAN overflow and let water into the tank when you open the filler cap. At 30,000 kms, I had about half a litre of water in the bottom of the tank - and of course the filter picks up fuel from the bottom of the tank. Wouldn't have gone much further without probs.

But other than that, the filter was clean. Depends on your fuel supply. Hippo filters his thru a funnel, every fill-up. Think he got caught sometime????

 

[zimtuff]

Zim, ya gotta take the tank off, empty it, turn it upside down and remover the baseplate/filter/pump/float assy. I have (once) re-used the baseplate rubber (?) gasket.....

THEN the filter's easy!

If it's raining, that little water drain hole around the neck of the filler cap CAN overflow and let water into the tank when you open the filler cap. At 30,000 kms, I had about half a litre of water in the bottom of the tank - and of course the filter picks up fuel from the bottom of the tank. Wouldn't have gone much further without probs.

But other than that, the filter was clean. Depends on your fuel supply. Hippo filters his thru a funnel, every fill-up. Think he got caught sometime????

I had a feeling it would be like that. As to the water in the tank,I think you can get additives that cause the water and fuel to mix ,so you use it up bit by bit

 

[REGULATOR]

filter is easy, and is cheap insurance against bad fuel, and could be impeding flow. if you dont want a triumph one check with local auto store to find a similar replacement I posted before that I found an identical one for cheaper. also posted pics