Very close to a box of matches and petrol...

[Tripps]

That being said, I smoked my tranny. I think anyone who buys a Rocket probably is statistically more likely to ride it harder than the average cruiser rider, hell, I ride harder than most kids on sportbikes, and you're moving 870 lbs.

 

[Neville Lush]

I've had lots of heads off and never seen a sleeve height problem, ever. Never heard of one even. You could if skilled, make a shim. Maybe measure the sleeve and see if it is short?

 

[KarmaKlown]

Ok so progress report on my problem...head off and yes it just confirms my thoughts on number 3 leaking and has leaked for a long time too...the coolant has kept the piston crown clean and the top of the liner was black almost the full circumference . Now then yet again we come to Triumphs fantastic build quality and its machining tolerances...The liner top on number 3 (the blown one) is down from the deck height by 5 thou This has been built this way and lasted 25,000, so whats the solution here except getting a 5 thou shim made for the top of the liner before i build it or just go another 25,000 with just a new gasket...

Yep after fixing the drive shaft output bearings this devil bike now presents me with a head gasket gone on number 3 across the water/oil circut...nice milky coloured oil and a nice splashing of coolant on the back of the valves from the swamped bore (see pics)..1 and 2 perfect and number 3 wet.....Will update this thread with pics as i go and swap the gasket out. BTW guys anyone have any links to a UK stockist of head gaskets or complete head sets?

Sorry for the crappy luck on this particular bike. Site called Bike bandit.com has helped me out with Trophy parts pretty reasonable a couple times.

 

[IMFASTTOO]

Ime very disappointed with the bike and its build quality matey..made worse by the fact i chose this bike over a Suzuki intruder 1800 Boss edition...having said that i know a rocket owner with 50,000 trouble free miles..

THE ROCKET has the INTRUDER beat in everyway so you made the right choice

 

[Nat67]

Just my two penny's worth Joe , but as I see it sleeve height was instrumental in the failure of the gasket , surely if that sleeve was manufactured and fitted shorter than the others then it is not " fit for purpose " , a term the British courts use often !
I once bought a new engine for a Vauxhall in which the wrong scraper ring had been installed . It took 10000 miles for the piston to fail , but once it had been confirmed by a court approved engineer for a cost of £200
and he made a report , the small claims court awarded full compensation with no questions asked from the Vauxhall dealership the engine was bought from !
If that sleeve has been down from new , I'm surprised the gasket has lasted as long as it has ?

 

[Blackthou]

Maybe if the engine has been tinkered with, whoever did the tinkering may have "cleaned up" the liner and left it .005 short?

Good luck and fortunately looks like you're have the skills to sirt.

 

[Nat67]

Thanks for all the replies fella,s...ive started building it back up today after waiting for a few parts from Triumph...the new head gasket seemed a lot thicker than i thought and was a twin skin affair so ime going down the road of if it lasts another 25,000 miles ile be happy...Today ive nailed the head back down using new Triumph head bolts and dialed the cams back in and fitted the cam cradle...hope to shoot a few pics tomorrow iff anyone is interested. Ive also future proofed this build and have got an engineering company to knock me a couple of 5 thou shims to be fitted under the offending liner in case of it failing again prematurely and have orded another head gasket and a few seals as next time the cases come apart to take out the liner...onwards and upwards and i dont feel to bad as ive just bought myself a Kawasaki ZZR1200 to park next to my FJR1300 so ime not short of rides while ime playing in the workshop

And who said there was no money in **** ?

 

[joesoap]

And who said there was no money in **** ?

56 year old roofer who 2 years ago had Cancer....now cancer free but after all that "Am i gunna die" nonsence i dont mind spending my money on toys anymore

 

[stollydriver]

56 year old roofer who 2 years ago had Cancer....now cancer free but after all that "Am i gunna die" nonsence i dont mind spending my money on toys anymore

Well said that man - Enjoy life to the full, all the best.

 

[Nat67]

56 year old roofer who 2 years ago had Cancer....now cancer free but after all that "Am i gunna die" nonsence i dont mind spending my money on toys anymore

Oh I hear that brother ! I really hear that !