The Triumph

[the_priest]

Picked up a rear shock with only 8k on it, so that will make a difference over the 58k rear shock. Should arrive sometime this week, along with the bits to repair the bike and make it roadworthy again. I've taken Tuesday off, so will try and do some work then. Bits are arriving today.

[the_priest]

Parcels arrived today. Shock is in good condition. May not fit it tomorrow as I've decided to give myself a proper rest day. Mirrors fitted, indicator fitted and all looking good. Will have to sort out bar ends at some point when I have the right tools to get the old ones out and new ones in. Not quite straight forward.

[the_priest]

Right ignore what I said about resting and not doing any work on the bike.... this is my way of resting and I was bored, the sun was shining and I just wanted to get on with it. Rear subframe on the way out.



New to me shock put in temporarily



Drag link bearings are all shot and falling out! No wonder it felt rather rubbish. Replacement shock will make a difference, but the bearings need replacing. Got a special hardened set on the way and lots of seals and sleeves. £110 later for just that bit.... but it is necessary.

[weeksy]

That's the new shock?

[the_priest]

Yes, but I have to clean that whole area out. I just put it in the bike to get it moveable again. Photo of old shock coming just now...

[the_priest]

Old rear shock...

[the_priest]

New one has been given a good wipe with ACF50 as well. So will hopefully last a bit better than the last one. This is destined for the bin.

[Big Red]

Can I ask what is the advantage of using the abba stand the other way around? as the handle is usually on the l/h side with the supporting legs of the stand pointing forward.
It looks like you fitted it from the r/h side.

[the_priest]

The ground slopes away, so it was safer using Abba stand in that direction in this instance. On a flat surface it would be the other side.

[Druid]

The suspension linkage bearings are a weak point on these. They don't apply much grease at the factory and even though they are a service item - every 3 years/18000 miles- they are often ignored. One of the first things I did to mine was to clean and grease the bearings and fit new seals

[the_priest]

The suspension linkage bearings are a weak point on these. They don't apply much grease at the factory and even though they are a service item - every 3 years/18000 miles- they are often ignored. One of the first things I did to mine was to clean and grease the bearings and fit new seals

I did these on the BMW straight off. They were in decent enough nick. Sadly my earlier Triumphs were also rubbish with lack of grease etc. But, at least it will be done and make a good difference!

[A_morti]

Drag link bearings are all shot and falling out!

Yep, very common fault. The bearings live *right there* in the spray from the rear wheel.

Googled pic:


What's really fun is that (unless it's been done before) the bolt at the bottom of the shock link won't come out without removing the exhaust headers off the bike. More common to cut it off and put a new one in from the other side, since that avoids touching potentially-troublesome exhaust studs and replacing exhaust gaskets. Apart from that, getting the long bolt out of the swingarm can be an absolute swine of a job, since it corrodes and seizes in the sleeve.

Good luck!

[Hairybiker84]

I took my headers off but getting the old gaskets out was hard work.

[the_priest]

Yes that is going to be the nightmare job. I don’t feel like taking the headers off as the nuts look to be troublesome and sometimes things should be left alone. I will sort the drag links and take it from there.

[Hairybiker84]

Cutting the bolt would be the way for me, the headers where definitely a bit risky and my bike had done nothing like the miles yours has (and led a pampered life with only the original purchaser and then his nephew as previous owners to me). I've still got the special tool for the steering stem nut if yours has the holes in it? You're welcome to it if you haven't got one.

[A_morti]

However you go at it, I'd suggest go straight for the big guns. Smack it a good few times with a big hammer to loosen any corrosion. If you have heat, use it. Do these things on your first try before rounding the bolt due to trying without them.

I've still got the special tool for the steering stem nut if yours has the holes in it? You're welcome to it if you haven't got one.

It's a really useful thing. Don't recommend to do what I did before getting one - trying to use the wrench from a grinder. Its pins were the right offset, but weren't long enough to get a good purchase, so it slipped and scratched the nut and top yoke.

[MrLongbeard]

Apart from that, getting the long bolt out of the swingarm can be an absolute swine of a job, since it corrodes and seizes in the sleeve.

I remember that dance with my 1050.

Smack it through with a hammer until the shoulder shows, put spanner on shoulder and lever, keep adding spanners as more shoulder shows and keep levering, if it binds solid put a spanner between 2 spanners and hit with hammer slowly forcing the bloody thing out, repeat until out or you run out of spanners

[the_priest]

Cutting the bolt would be the way for me, the headers where definitely a bit risky and my bike had done nothing like the miles yours has (and led a pampered life with only the original purchaser and then his nephew as previous owners to me). I've still got the special tool for the steering stem nut if yours has the holes in it? You're welcome to it if you haven't got one.

I have the funny nut tool for the steering stem. One of the things I bought from a fellow flogging off all his Triumph bits and pieces.

I'll have to get a new bolt for that bottom joint as if I cut the old one off, ah well, may as well do it properly. Thankfully the nut moves fine and I will be able to get the bolt shifting as it is spinning freely at the moment.

[the_priest]

This not not fun. Top sleeve is corroded in place. Need a M15 bolt to ease it out. Time to shop around. Also the bottom bearings and sleeves are shot. The one sleeve is rusted in solid. The other came out as the needle bearings had fallen out. Still, going to have to keep trying.

[MrLongbeard]

Need a M15 bolt to ease it out. Time to shop around.

Have a look at that bolt at the back end of the swing arm, the one you have to loosen to adjust the eccentric do dad for chain tension