Luigi's Chroming Skills.

[merv]

Gingas are everywhere mate.................

The crack I was really trying to make was that people say how these "foreign" bikes have character compared to our beloved Japanese bikes. Usually its about how they run roughly or won't idle or break down or some such so I thought premature rust fitted the "character" mould as well - kinda rustic wouldn't you say.

Your CX500 or GB just couldn't possibly have this amount of character.

[Bonez]

The crack I was really trying to make was that people say how these "foreign" bikes have character compared to our beloved Japanese bikes. Usually its about how they run roughly or won't idle or break down or some such so I thought premature rust fitted the "character" mould as well - kinda rustic wouldn't you say.

Your CX500 or GB just couldn't possibly have this amount of character.

Definately not. Psss I did get get your meaning btw.

"Character" appears to be a rather subjective thing though. Cb550fs don't have "character" because the rims last more than 20 years before you replace them , but it does leak oil, brakes squeal, the new oem headers I fitted 20 years ago are still in good shape, and its "old". The CX smokes, vibrates, things fall off it, keeps falling over, it leaks oil and it's "old". The GB is simple and fun to ride dispite being under powered but does not leak but it's not so "old". It vibrates and rattles like hell at 7500rpm-red line though. But none of them has "character" bud.

Started a thread a while back on the subject- http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ight=character

Edit- sorry for being completely off topic.

[zaq]

Like your blog write up zaq. Looks like the Bonnie is getting you around the country comfortably.
Those Italian wheel assys are a disappointment, and Triumph UK need to do a safety recall soon as

Hi mate... well, the folk at Triumph UK rejected the warranty claim that I asked my dealer to put in on my behalf to Triumph NZ, who then forwarded the claim to Triumph UK. So Triumph NZ suggested putting a claim in again... ??? I really wasn't interested in taking part in all this finger-up-the-arse business, so I decided to forget about it. I then got a rear wheel puncture, and took the opportunity to clean up the rims and paint them. Incidentally the rear rim was rust-free, and looked new - like it should!

Anyway, here are the rims after cleaning, scuffing, priming and painting. They better bloody well stay like this now!

Hope your claim was successful.

Ride safe.

PS - thanks for your comments on my blog. NZ sure is a fantastic place to explore

[Devil]

Just noticed this thread and thought i'd stick my oar in.

I've NEVER had to wait more than 3 days for a part after a warranty claim was processed with Triumph (I always find it hilarious when people talk about 6 weeks for stuff from Japan!). Always had incredible service by Triumph NZ. I find the claim process lacking, with everything having to be approved by Triumph UK. This has taken as long as 5 days.

Holeshot motorcycles has always made it bareable with providing great loaners whenever I had an issue. Even going ahead and straight away fitting parts before Triumph had approved it (in cases where it was an obvious fault).

I will be buying Triumph again.

In your case it seems that a large production fault has really fucked things up when it came to the logistics of fixing a widespread problem (being out of stock etc).

[Pixie]

Buy Japanese.

[Pixie]

I have owned some old Trumpies. Bonnies, Tigers etc. But they were the "real deal". Never really warmed to the new ones. And this info was the nail in the coffin for me re "modern" Triumphs.

What? The old ones weren't Crap?

Must've been just bad luck that made their bike industry go down the crapper in the sixties

PS "Tommy" would have specified what standard of chrome "Luigi" applied to the rims.

"We putta da best triple choma plate on dees rims.Yes?Magnifico!
"Na,mate,Too expensive.Just once over lightly,the punters won't know the difference."

[Conquiztador]

What? The old ones weren't Crap?

Must've been just bad luck that made their bike industry go down the crapper in the sixties

One word: Unions.

[tri boy]

Bit of an update. Triumph Uk has approved the Rim Claim from what I have been told.
Thanks to Mike at Hamilton M/Cycles for his efforts. I'm sure the Kiwi Dealers feel frustrated by the Big Brother approach that Bloor (triumph Uk) insists on using with regards to warranty claims, as I guess time is lost with triplicate + paper work. However, I can look forward to next week, getting the front wheel changed. I will see if they can Fishelene the new one also.
With regards to the brake operation fault......Even after the truing of rim/disc etc, it has resurfaced, and seems to be more noticable when the brakes get warmer, rather than cold. This could be a Red Herring, but over this Summer I will try Stainless Hoses, Different Pads, A different brake fluid, and if that fails, I will think about aftermarket Disc/Caliper/Master Cylinder.
Its kind of fun, tracking down faults, like being back in the bike industry all over again.
Stay tuned.

[tri boy]

So, I've got the bike back, with the new front wheel assy.
All good, (still with a bit of brake fluctuation, but I plan on further mods to that at my own pace).
Mike and the boys were as helpful as usual, so good result all round.
Got home, and out of interest I checked to see who made the new wheel.
Seems Triumph has changed suppliers, as it is a "Union Manufacturing Rim"
So did a wee search on them, and this what I found:
Est 1982. 98% owned by Okaya + co Japan.
Head office, and main plant is based in Thailand. Plant also in the Phillipines.
Suppliers for: Honda, Kawasaki,Ducati, Yamaha, Triumph.......most except for maybe BMW, but the company is German "TUV" certified, so that may change.
They are also a huge electroplating company, so hopefully the rust issue has gone (at least up front).
So it seems Triumph has either run the Borrani stock down to zero, and are using what ever they can get, or are consolidating more manufacturing in Asia. I pick it is the last. Either way things are looking up.

[Bonez]

Stay tuned.

Waiting in anticipation. Its good to get feedback from owners about upkeep/problems/issues of their various machine.

Good to see Triumph came through with the warrenty claim.

[Max Preload]

In your case it seems that a large production fault has really fucked things up when it came to the logistics of fixing a widespread problem (being out of stock etc).

They're already got the tooling, so another manufacturing run to fix a known and clearly common problem should not be an issue at all, especially considering that it appears to be more of a preparation or finishing problem than a flawed design. It's not like they have to start from scratch.

Anyone know where the rims are actually made?