I was doing some general maint and clean-up of my Tiger and noticed that the chain looked like a limp dish-rag and was hanging down way too far. After cleaning it and adjusting it, I noticed that it looks like it might be the original chain that came on the bike 30,900 miles ago. Everything seemed like it was tight and there is still plenty of eccentric to tighten it. What determines if I need a new chain???? What do I look for (wear, length, etc???) Also, what about the sprockets? When do I replace them?
thanks ron :?
Quote from: "TigerRon"I was doing some general maint and clean-up of my Tiger and noticed that the chain looked like a limp dish-rag and was hanging down way too far. After cleaning it and adjusting it, I noticed that it looks like it might be the original chain that came on the bike 30,900 miles ago. Everything seemed like it was tight and there is still plenty of eccentric to tighten it. What determines if I need a new chain???? What do I look for (wear, length, etc???) Also, what about the sprockets? When do I replace them?
thanks ron :?
if its a regina chain its the original
measure 20 links from pin center to pin center it should be 12 1/2 inches
do this in a couple of spots anything other than 12.5 inches means you need a new chain
new chain = new sprockets at the same time
also when you do a chain job do the rub block and rub strip at the same time
well maintained you should be good for another 15-20 k miles
ps . the chain likes to be loose on a steamer you should have between 1 1/4 and 1 1/2 inch play when its on the sidestand with no additional weight on the bike
these links will help
http://tigertriple.com/forum/index.php/topic,5024 (http://tigertriple.com/forum/index.php/topic,5024)
http://tigertriple.com/forum/index.php/topic,5260 (http://tigertriple.com/forum/index.php/topic,5260)
Thanks Mustang, appreciate the great info. I checked on EBAY and chains (530-114) run between $39 - $129,,, regular roller, O-ring, X-ring?? Which should I get?? Higher cost doesn't always equal better, though it does most of the time.
This is by far the best forum Ive ever used. Thanks for the great help...
stay far far away from the ebay chains .................
use this
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/2/ ... =SLIsearch (http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/2/9/185/5467/ITEM/EK-530-SRO-O-Ring-Chain.aspx?WT.ac=SLIsearch)
it will work just fine on a tigger
114 link in black is 92 bucks
kept well oiled it will easily see 20k miles
sprockets can be found online too
if they aint listed for a tigger ones for a trophy are the same thing
stock ratio for steamer is 18 tooth front 48 tooth rear
Thanks Mustang, I'm ordering it tonight. Checking for sprockets now..
Rode this afternoon after adjusting the chain and pumping up the rear shock ,,, I love the way this bike handles. Drug my hard pucks on a couple of corners. Cant wait to get all the past due maintenance completed. Im going to pull the spark plugs tomorrow, they look like they have never been changed either. Next week will be checking the valves. I hate to see people own a nice bike and never take care of it. The previous owner was the original owner and he never did anything except change the oil and put gas in it. What a moron...
Appreciate the help.
Ron
Welcome to the previously unloved Steamer club :roll:
Tiger Ron
I like JT sprockets heres a front one listed for trophy at motorcycle superstore it's 18 tooth 22 bucks
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/ ... Parts.aspx (http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/5/85/7789/17863/PITEM/JT-530-Front-Countershaft-Sprocket-1995-Triumph-Trophy-900-Parts.aspx)
it's what a steamer takes
Dennis kirk has the rear JT sprocket for 56 bucks
https://www.denniskirk.com/jt/rear-spro ... 530548.sku (https://www.denniskirk.com/jt/rear-sprocket.p805305.prd/80530548.sku)
Thanks Mustang,, Ill check em out
Ron
Thanks for invite Sin Tiger.... This forum rocks,, I posted a couple of message on one of the other Triumph forums and got a lot of blank stares (I guess they were blank stares).
I hope that I can return the favors in the future. I believe in the universal law of reciprocity. :shock:
Reciprocity definitely describes this place in a nutshell, speaking of which I have been a bit lax lately :oops: better get busy at the weekend.
Quote from: "Sin_Tiger"Welcome to the previously unloved Steamer club :roll:
I think if you give it some love, you will fall in love. I got mine in 1997. Haven't found a better ride yet.
http://fishnbiker.smugmug.com/motorcycles
Hey Mustang, I would like a little more low end grunt on my tiger, Im going to go with a 17 tooth primary instead of 18. I dont do a lot of high speed driving, so the loss of top end wont bother me any. Ill stay with stock rear sprocket.
thanks ron
The 17 is fine , I run a 17 on the sidecar tigger , really helps to get the tug moving especially on the hills of NH
you will see about a 500 rpm increase at 60mph , it really gives the steamer some added hot rod power . she'll still pull clean past a 110 pretty friggin quick (http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee47/2uoykcuf/emoticons/132254541_FAksy-Ti.gif)
Quote from: "Sin_Tiger"Welcome to the previously unloved Steamer club :roll:
Nice one Sin. Is there anyone with a steamer that does not belong in this club? They all seems to have had at least one careless owner. Has anyone bought one from new and kept it, I wonder? (and kept it well? Mustang maybe?)
Good question Nick, My 95 had virtually no maintenance. It was however, kept inside a heated and air-conditioned garage, was waxed and polished, but other than cosmetic, not much was done. Im getting all the past due maint done and Ill have one nice lice little tiger.... gotta love it.
Tigger 1 from new had 6 miles on it at delivery still a creampuff
tigger 2 from new had 1 mile on it at delivery used well but not abused
tigger 3 second hand but in very decent loved condition
You can pick em Mustang 8)
It does suggest how well they handle abuse and neglect, I've already listed what mine had been through :roll:
Well, my little steamer is growling like a real Tiger now. I did the following:
1) Royal Purple sync oil change and filter
2) new NGK plugs
3) new renthal front sprocket 17 tooth and JT rear 48 tooth
4) new DID X-chain
5) new front brake pads
6) 140 PSI of nitrogen in the shock, my tire guy did it free, still holding after 2 weeks, so far so good.
8) carbs vatted and rebuilt, new gaskets, etc.
Sweeeeet,,,, this thing hauls butt,,,,no hesitation now,,, just wheelies on demand...I think the 17 tooth front is perfect for the hilly, twisties here in North Georgia mountains,,,.gotta love it.
Used the maint guide published here on this forum for the chain swap, thanks for all the help you have given me. Thanks Mustang....
Have a great Christmas, Xmas, Hanukkah, or whatever you prefer to celebrate. Ron
Where did you put the transmission fluid? :roll:
Did you put english air in the shock, too?
Quote from: "JetdocX"Where did you put the transmission fluid? :roll:
Did you put english air in the shock, too?
One must have the best don't you know :wink:
Quote from: "JetdocX"Where did you put the transmission fluid? :roll:
Did you put english air in the shock, too?
That was a redundant statement, eng and tran oil are the same.da....my bad
Quote from: "TigerRon"Hey Mustang, I would like a little more low end grunt on my tiger, I'm going to go with a 17 tooth primary instead of 18. I dont do a lot of high speed driving, so the loss of top end wont bother me any. Ill stay with stock rear sprocket.
thanks ron
Have it both ways.
I did the "cut" through the sprocket cover. Now I can run on pavement all day on a 19 tooth, then change to a 17 tooth (for multiple days of gravel) within 15 minutes, then back in another 15. Well documented somewhere here under "sprocket maintenance" or similar.
Also some info at http://tigertriple.com/forum/index.php/topic,5024 (http://tigertriple.com/forum/index.php/topic,5024)
Another consideration is the brand of sprocket. Genuine Triumph pieces & some others have 2 rubber bumpers that minimize handlebar vibrations under 3,400 rpm. Solid steel sprockets have more vibration.
Ken, I seem to have a little more vibration after changing to the 17 tooth sprocket. My mirrors are not usable over 55 mph. The vibration shakes them to the point that I have to touch them before I change lanes. :cry: I like the extra torque, but dont like the vibration. Any suggestions??[/quote]
Quote from: "TigerRon"Ken, I seem to have a little more vibration after changing to the 17 tooth sprocket. My mirrors are not usable over 55 mph. The vibration shakes them to the point that I have to touch them before I change lanes. :cry: I like the extra torque, but don't like the vibration. Any suggestions??
[/quote]
First, which type of sprocket do you have ? The plain steel or sandwiched rubber? The rubberized one is the best bet.
Choice of rpm range may help out when at a steady speed. You may have to experiment with engine speeds to find the comfort zone.
My mirrors usually do the same on the 17 tooth sprocket. Shoulder checking when lane changing is always a good idea anyway.
My riding style on Felix is typically 500~1000km of pavement to get to a site where we do 5~8 days (2,000+ km) of logging/mine roads. I only use the specific sprocket for my chosen rides. I went the route of many others by cutting the sprocket cover free of the oil reservoir, making sprocket changes a short easy 15 minute task. I can ride pavement with a 19 tooth, then change to a 17 tooth when entering the gravel. This works best when doing one or the other for several days, not so much for an afternoon jaunt. This changes the fuel consumption too. Max 270 km to reserve on the 17 tooth (usually in 2nd to 4th gear for hours at a time), 340 km highway on the 19 tooth. I use the 19 tooth around town & general near home riding. The same chain will do both sprockets with a slack adjustment.
If thinking about this, you might search out a spare sprocket cover to work on while keeping the original in the bike, as this does require parts cutting & welding up a new oil filling spout. I got mine for $50 off Ebay. The second photo is my version of this upgrade. Lots of info here on that subject.
I think I found my culprit. I noticed that one of my spoke weights on my front wheel is missing. I put new front tires on a couple of weeks ago and when they balanced the tires, they used spoke weights, which I dont really like, since if they are not crimped correctly, they can sling themselves off. I ride on a lot of gravel/dirt roads and I think the rough roads may have ate one of them. Im going back to the dealer this week to get it rebalanced.
thanks ron