Re: Engine Break-in (was Re: Gearbox Stiffness)

[Robert Smith <robert@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Neill, Gerrit,

OK guys, here's the sccop on break-in, based on related experience and some
inside knowledge...FWIW.

Before a new Triumph is shipped from the factory, the oil is drained out.
(Seen it done.) The dealer is supposed to fill the bike with break-in oil
(mineral, not synthetic) which helps break in the bike over the first 600
miles/1,000km. At the first service, the mineral oil is replaced with
synthetic, which is what the bike should use from then on.

The main reason for not using synthetic from day 1 is that synthetic is too
slippery to allow the piston rings to seat properly in the bores. The rings
need to scuff off the surface imperfections in the bores so that the bores
conform to the surface of the rings. If not, the bores trap oil allowing it
to bypass the rings and get burned off in the combustion chambers--hence
the smoke.

(BTW, a Daytona does not have the same engine as the ST/RS/S3. The Daytona
has nikasil alloy cylinder liners, forged pistons and shot-peened rods. The
others have iron liners, cast pistons and plain rods.)

Seating the rings is critical to avoid excessive oil consumption. Many
racing engine builders assemble the pistons into the bores *dry* (no oil at
all) to ensure the seating takes place as quickly as possible. One dealer I
spoke to recommended using a semi-synthetic for as much as 5,000 km before
switching to full synthetic for the same reason.

If your dealer put synthetic in from new, you'll have a bugger of a job
getting the rings to seat. I recently rode a Daytona that was still smoking
at 5,000 miles after having synthetic put in too early. The problem should
cure itself over time, but burning all that oil in the meantime won't be
good for your engine.

If your dealer screwed up, get in touch with Triumph.

HTH,

Robert Smith--Freelance Writer
'00 ST (mineral oil to 1,000km, semi-synthetic to 3,000km, Motul now)
www.smith.bc.ca
"Live to ride--write to live"

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