Hello Tiger owners,
The reason for me wrting this post, is the fact that I am a nOOB in the knowledge (or lack there-of) of Tigers and would like some advice from you competent Steamer owners!
I'm looking into getting a used Tiger 900 (T400 - March 1995).
See linked image below:
(http://www.motorradhandel.ch/kunden_occasionen/896/97357431798964342521.jpg)
It has around 20'500 miles on the clock, has a valid MOT (road test) and has a standard :roll: 3 months guarantee.
I will be going to look at it in person - tomorrow, so my question(s) to you are:
- What should I be looking at? -beside when the last service was
-- Chain set/cogs wear
-- Oil leaks
-- Front forks
-- Cables
-- etc.
- What costs could I expect to come up in the near future?
- Are these bikes as 'solid' as they say they are?
- Is this a resonable bike to start looking at taking up some easy enduro tours?
I don't want to fork out a shed load of money on something like a wizz-bang F800GS to find out it's not what I like...
I enjoy getting my hands dirty so a bit of mechanical work is always a highlight for me! It helps bond man with machine!
I've just gone throught the STICKY threads:
- Maintenance Guide
and also
- Steamer Wisdom and Illustrated 'How-To' Threads
Thanks for your advice in advance - it's greatly apreciated.
I'm sure the posts will cover all the typical things such as DAR, coils, sprag etc... One thing I would say as a fairly recent convert to Steamers is have a look at the fasteners. Torx heads, odd 18mm bolts, big allen key sizes... There are quite a few slightly unusual tools required to maintain this bike. Best buy them at the same time as the bike or you'll spend the first few weeks going back and forth to the tool shop.
I would want to know that the valves have been adjusted too. Saves a big bill at the dealers.
I wasn't certain I'd like it when I bought it, but for all the eccentricities I have encountered with the bike, it's very probably my favourite ever. Bike, solid, comfy, safe with some real muscle.
nickcalne has covered the main issues, and if you have done your homework in the threads there won't be much else to know. DAR is probably the trickiest as the triples sound a bit mechanical on idle anyway a bit hard to tell if your not used to sound of an OK vs not OK engine.
There is a rub block on the swinging arm that wears unlikely to have worn through at that mileage but an easy check.
It certainly looks original and good condition as far as you can tell from the picture if it seems a genuine un-abused bike go for it.
I love mine - off for a ride once I have written this and finished breakfast :D
ADE66
The deed is done - I'm in the Tiger club... :D
Went for a test ride yesterday morning. Looked over the bike and only saw the rear cog was worn (meaning a new chain set was required). Other than that it was dry all over - no leaks or sweating.
I asked about the DAR element, the dealer assured me it was solid.
Question: Could I not take it appart and fix it with some locktight anyways?
On the test ride I found that it pulled evenly all the way to the point I my tears were running horizontally AND I didn't want to go faster! :lol:
Good enough for me...
So we ended up making the deal that he'd fit a new chain set and take it for a fresh MOT (road validation test) for the asking price of Sfr 3'500.00 (£ 1'400.00).
That fresh MOT will give me 2 years allowance on the road before I have to go and show it again.
Just hope the bike keeps together - but I feel sure she will! Failing that - I KNOW I'll enjoy getting my hands oily and fixing her.
Off now to order the Haynes Manual.....
Quote from: "Birdy68"I asked about the DAR element, the dealer assured me it was solid.
Question: Could I not take it appart and fix it with some locktight anyways?
If it isn't broke don't mess with it ................you'll know when it needs doing . It will be noisier than a diesel truck at the stoplight s .
Very nice looking bike. Good luck and happy riding!
Very nice and a bargain :lol: a lot better looking than the nancy tractor sitting next to it :oops:
Welcome to the steamer pump room 8)
Congratulations, you are now part of the steamer brotherhood.
Quote from: "Birdy68"I asked about the DAR element, the dealer assured me it was solid.
Question: Could I not take it appart and fix it with some locktight anyways?
In most cases when the dar goes, it is not a bolt backing out, but rather snapping due to excessive torque, so loctite is unlikely to help.
Due to the standard noisiness of the engine, some people get confused about how it is supposed to sound.
At idle, my steamer sounds exactly like the FedEx truck (actually tested one--I shut the bike off, and the sound continued, turned around and there was FexEx about to deliver a package.) The DAR sounds very different. On my bike, idle wasn't changed a whole lot, but under load up to 2500 RPMs it was a loud rattle that you could hear for a couple of blocks away. But the rattle shut off like a switch at about 2500 RPMs--it didn't gradually fade out, but at 2400 it was there and 2600 it was gone.
The quickest check is removing the alternator and checking for in/out play on the shaft. It is a 10 minute procedure to test. Just don't pull the shaft out while testing the freeplay.
Geof
Quote from: "Mustang"Quote from: "Birdy68"I asked about the DAR element, the dealer assured me it was solid.
Question: Could I not take it appart and fix it with some locktight anyways?
If it isn't broke don't mess with it ................you'll know when it needs doing . It will be noisier than a diesel truck at the stoplight s .
I have to disagree. There are three bolts that can break and cause the DAR. I think the most common is on the alt shaft. I would rather upgrade before that bolt breaks, than have to extract a broken bolt from the shaft of an $800 alternator. If we are talikng about the opposite end of the drive shaft then I agree, leave it alone.
I would also suggest any Tiger get some engine guards to protect the bike from tipovers. The plastic is not available anymore if I'm not mistaken.
Welcome to the Steamer fraternity! May I suggest two simple mods. First, re-locate the fuse box to under the seat, and secondly, use brackets to lift the windshield as described in this thread:http://tigertriple.com/forum/index.php/topic,5350
congrats bro. i love my 95'. i just got back yesterday from the "isle of vashon" poker run/ classic bike event, and i was the only steamer there out of thousands of bike's. welcome to rare bike ownership. people will come up to you and ask - "what is it?", or "that dont look like no triumph i ever seen before", or i alway's loved the older tiger's, wish they still made them". you will love your bike, even if it has a few maintenance issues in the future - what bike wont? ride hard.
Thanks a million everyone for the warm welcomes.
A special thanks to harre for the introduction tips!
Lord knows I'll be needing them.... :wink:
Once I've got it polished up and set-up for my likings, I'll post a picture or two.
PS:
It sounds like the DAR situation is an open can of worms!
I'll take the cover off and just have a peek into it - widen my knowledge, so to say! :lol:
Are you ALL ready for a good laugh? OK then...
To fill you in with the background info:
The fact is I had a Speedmaster 900i - until last night - when I brought him to the dealers where I have ordered a new Thunderbird 1600.
I'm exchanging the Speedy for the Birdy and will collect the Birdy mid October.
In the mean time as you all know, I have bought myself a 1995 Tiger!
So.....
I finally got around to collecting the Tiger from the dealer last night after dropping the Speedmaster off.
The guy at the garage explained everything to me in great detail! Good guy. He warned me about weak batteries and the starter motor... About draining the cards if I let the bike stand too long... etc.
So - After a half-hour training I got myself kitted up (it was raining) to start the 1 hour ride home. I started the bike and off I went... This is G-R-R-R-REAT! I thought - just like Tony the Tiger!
Then - half a mile down the road - the bike dies!
I had no idea what it was - simply brrrrrrmmmmmmmmmm - mmmm - mmmmm! Gone! Dead as a Dodo!
I tried the starter again - motor turned over, but nothing!
So I walked back (it raining remember) to the garage and asked someone to come and have a look for me! No problem - the garage was happy to come and look.
Got to the bike - dripping wet - and the guy just smiled at me!
Yes - you guessed right! Being an EFI rider until now I have NEVER needed to deal with a 'Fuel Tap'
*plam-plant*
What a plonka!
Anyways - The rest of the ride home was OK. Wet, but OK.
Now the Tiger is sat in my warm garage drying off:
(http://x00.xanga.com/712f5b3b57633254822364/m202589671.jpg)
Hope you liked it! You can bet I wont be doing that again![/i]
Me too first time :ImaPoser fortunately the previous owner dropped it off at my place. Next morning I left it running to warm up while I checked things over, fortunately it died before I managed to get moving. Had a good look around to see that nobody was looking before I nonchalantly reached down and turned the tap on :party felt a right tit :oops:
I would simply like to say:
This 14 year old bike rides, feels, shifts, responds better than my 2008 Triumph Speedmaster 900i! :shock:
I can't believe it!
It's great!
I can't keep myself off it!
FANTASTIC bike - great fun.
I'm having a great time fiddling with it too! :wink:
I've ordered new rubber washers for under the tank fixing screws (5 each side) as the origional ones have finally perished!
I've also relocated the fuse box:
(http://tigertriple.com/forum/album_pic.php?pic_id=343)
(thanks harre).
I've also removed that windshield thingy! I tried all different positions, but at the end of the day riding without it is best for me.
(http://tigertriple.com/forum/album_pic.php?pic_id=342)
My self made adjustable fixings! Very strong...
But I just couldn't find a quiet position - always buffeted around!
(http://tigertriple.com/forum/album_pic.php?pic_id=344)
Even in the lower position - from full forwards to fully layed back... No joy!
(http://tigertriple.com/forum/album_pic.php?pic_id=346)
(http://tigertriple.com/forum/album_pic.php?pic_id=345)
I have the Hepco & Becker Tank- & Motor-Protection Bars to fit next - they're hung up in the garage as I didn't have a big enough Torx socket bit!
Now - a quick question:
- Is it normal that there is a hidden 'Neutral' between 5th and 6th?
I've managed to select it 2 or 3 times now. :?
When riding nice and relaxed, I don't go putting loads of pressure on the shifter stick to lift up into 6th and then rrrRRRRRRRRRmmmmmmm - no gear - hit the hidden Neutral!
Lift a little firmer on the shifter and 'click' - in she goes!
Is this normal - or should I start to worry?
They are great bikes I love all three of my black steamers !
yep false neutral between 5th and 6th , they all do it , you will soon learn to pull the lever up higher every time you go to 6th .
Good move getting rid of that ugly windshield , .
The only one I have ever found that actually reduces the buffet is the one made by powerbronze . It's small and keeps the wind over your head
(http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee47/2uoykcuf/ADV%20Tag/101_2134.jpg)
Last weekend I tried different distances (angles) of the MRA windshield and could not find a position without buffeting. The best position was with a short distance ( approx 5 cm), with the air hitting the upper part of my helmet. I compared the wind protection to a friend's BMW 1150 GS Adventure, which has a really good windshield with no buffeting. The leaning angles were almost indentical, but the windshield of the 1150, was about 2 cm higher, and it was also a few cm wider. Apparently this does the trick. I have also experienced that leaning the windshield to much forward, creating a steep angle, would cause nervousness of the front wheel at higher speeds (130-140 km/h). Previously I have tried the Secdem (now Bullster) windshield, and it worked better. I had no buffeting with that. I looks similar to the powerbronze, but is wider. Looks great on. Sadly, I sold it! :(
I also have found the "neutral" between 5'th and 6'th gear, but only once this year. Perhaps due to the replacement of the sloppy shifter linkage to a modified shifter (see pic). :P
Nice new positioning of the fuse box, will save you some swearing over Triumph engineering. :evil:
Steamers are great. After each season, trying others bikes, the end result is the same: Great value for money, crisp engine, stable handling on all surfaces. But be aware of the sprag clutch issue when cranking, fresh battery highly recommended!
@ Mustang:
Pleased to hear that the hidden Neutral is 'normal' :?
Like the photo you inserted - which has now lead me to ask the following questions: :roll: :)
1) What type of rear suspension are you currently using?
(I see you have an Öhlins sticker on your swing arm & a reservoir tank on cylinder side!)
What would be your recommendations for a new suspension set-up (front & rear) as I have seen that I am still riding the origionals and most people here say they are rubbish!
2) Have you rotated the 'chain adjuster' 180°?
Is this to lower the ride height?
Does it have any occurences when you do this?
3) What side case mounts are you using?
I see that Hepco & Becker do not provide any for the Steamer! :(
My Tiger came with a GIVI mounting plate! I might just keep that for when using a small box with rain cloths in.
But - I would like to have some more 'substantial' (alu) boxes for when I plan to go up into the mountains - food, camping gear, spares, tools, etc.
4) I have seen that you have an oil pressure gauge fitted! Where did you install it on the motor (I've seen it replaceses the clock).
I'm looking into replacing the stock Water Temperature gauge with something along the lines of one of these 'Dual Water Temp / Oil Pressure':
(I'm just waiting for my Haynes manual so I can find out what the operating pressure / temperatures are)
(http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/resources/images/zoom/r_ppt1011.jpg)
http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/products/ProductDetail.asp?cls=ROAD&pcode=R/PPT1011BLA12
or 'Dual Oil Pressure / Oil Temp'
(http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/resources/images/zoom/r_ppt1014.jpg)
http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/products/ProductDetail.asp?cls=ROAD&pcode=R/PPT1014A7
@ Harre:
Like the home-made gear shifter! I suspect it was relativly easy to put together.
How is the shifting now? Is it not too 'sharp'?
I could imagine the origional 'softer' shifter allowed for a more smooother shift.
That's right, shifting is more direct now, but was really easy to get used to. Rebuilding the shifter was simple. I cut loose the shifter arm, adjusted length and angle, and had it welded. Don't remember which bike it was for, but I have the original packaging somewhere.
Quote from: "Birdy68"1) What type of rear suspension are you currently using?
(I see you have an Öhlins sticker on your swing arm & a reservoir tank on cylinder side!)
What would be your recommendations for a new suspension set-up (front & rear) as I have seen that I am still riding the origionals and most people here say they are rubbish!
Ohlins is whats on it ............you used to be able to buy one from Jack Lilley in England , Ohlins is not making them for tigers anymore , a lot of folks go with Hagon .Quote from: "Birdy68"2) Have you rotated the 'chain adjuster' 180°?
Is this to lower the ride height?
Does it have any occurences when you do this?
Lowers the rear end by about an inch and if you pull the forks up in the trees to match she rides real good , just helps me touch down a foot easier on off camber off road stuff .Quote from: "Birdy68"3) What side case mounts are you using?
I see that Hepco & Becker do not provide any for the Steamer! :(
My Tiger came with a GIVI mounting plate! I might just keep that for when using a small box with rain cloths in.
But - I would like to have some more 'substantial' (alu) boxes for when I plan to go up into the mountains - food, camping gear, spares, tools, etc.
homemade you need to be crafty if you want stuff for a steamer Quote from: "Birdy68"4) I have seen that you have an oil pressure gauge fitted! Where did you install it on the motor (I've seen it replaceses the clock).
I'm looking into replacing the stock Water Temperature gauge with something along the lines of one of these 'Dual Water Temp / Oil Pressure':
(I'm just waiting for my Haynes manual so I can find out what the operating pressure / temperatures are)
put a tee in where the original oil pressure sender is , then you will still have the idiot light on dash . On the 95 tigers the oil pressure sender is on the bottom of the motor next to the oil filter cover .
on later steamers it is behind the #3 cylinder on top of the block .
You need to get one that can go up to about 120 psi as when cold the oil pressure is right up there at 5k rpm , but having said that , at normal operating temp the oil pressure varies from next to nothing at idle up to about 60 psi at 5-6 k rpm .
Quote from: "Mustang".... put a tee in where the original oil pressure sender is , then you will still have the idiot light on dash . On the 95 tigers the oil pressure sender is on the bottom of the motor next to the oil filter cover .
on later steamers it is behind the #3 cylinder on top of the block .
....
:?
Doesn't sound good having a T junction/split hanging down under the engine - waiting for the first big rock to knock it off!
I had a look under the bike and saw what I believe to be the oil filter cover and one or two screw next to it. I take it that one of these is the idiot light sensor (I'll look in my Haynes manual once I'm allowed to open it - can't open it now as it's a birthday present and has to wait till 7th October).
If it is one of those - then I'm sure it's asking to be knocked off!
Behind the #3 cylinder sounds perfect... but alas! It is not to be :cry:
On the shock, most of the folks here who have changed it go for the Hagon or Traxion (sp?), or have Sasquatch(?) (who owns a bike shop) rebuild their stocker. I just want to add that Wilbers makes top notch shocks for any bike ever made. I have a wilbers on my Transalp and love it. They have adjustable rebound, and high/low speed compression damping adjustments. And you canorder it with remote hydraulic preload adjustment; so when you take a passenger or luggage, just crank up the knob. Yu can also order a ride height adjuster. I have no affliliation, just passing along a comment. I plan to get one for the Tiger when the stocker wears out.
Quote from: "Mustang"homemade you need to be crafty if you want stuff for a steamer.
Seen these from Hepco & Becker: http://www.kappaluggage.com/hepcobecker-black-pannier-rack-triumph-tiger-up-to-1998-ple-p-10383.html?osCsid=f9e461d7734f1ab6f2e78778868d25d0
Would anyone have any experience with them?