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RE: [ST] Closing Triumph Dealers/Parts

Wow, I thought I was a pessimist (don't trust cell phones, pda's etc.).  I 
actually carry a larger tool kit than you listed when ever I ride - maybe 
age has something to do with it.  I started riding in the 60's, when bikes 
seemed to break down all the time.  But, to be honest, I think bikes are 
made much better and more trouble free today (maybe I just don't ride as 
hard as I used to).  Now, I also have the money to maintain my bikes and to 
buy the correct replacement parts rather than jury rig things, as I used to 
do.  We're pretty much aligned on the things we carry (although I don't 
know what a See-Bak jacket is).  But, if you really want to see a worry 
wort, check out the suggested  tool kit on the IBA site.

I'm glad to hear someone else uses a tank bag.  I seem to be the only one 
around here (Atlanta).  I recently installed the Jastek (sp?) electrical 
connector to my bag.  I'm pretty pleased with the unit.  If you use GPS, 
radar detector, cell phone, etc., it's an easy, inexpensive way to power 
them from the bike.  If you call Jastek rather than use the web and tell 
them you're an s-t.net member they'll give you a 10% discount.

Here's the basis for the 46mm socket: I buy my tires through a local 
motorcycle tire shop.  I was making pre-trip arrangements to have tires 
shipped to me in the event I needed one on the road and couldn't find a 
suitable replacement (OK, I am a pessimist).  The shop owner told me that 
unless I can find a Triumph or Ducati dealer, very few dealers will have 
the proper socket to remove the rear wheel.  He said they'll just use a 
large Crescent wrench, which will bugger up the nut.  He also said that 
most dealers will not be able to balance the Triumph rear tire because they 
won't have the proper adapter for their balancing machine (this I can live 
with).  He said the adapter for his balancing machine is $650.  He 
suggested I carry the socket to loan to the shop that's taking off the 
wheel.  It seemed like pretty reasonable advice to me.  I'm far more 
concerned about tire repair than a few bulbs - most of which I can do 
without.

At 01:46 PM 9/11/2003 -0400, you wrote:
>I don't trust cell phones and PDAs. They tend to fail when you most need
>them. During my recent trip back from Texas, I had cell phone coverage only
>about half the time.
>I carry the list of Triumph dealers in the US in a plastic sheet taped under
>the seat, with fuses, tire repair kit, spare bulbs with the OEM tool kit.
>There's room under there !!!
>In the tank bag, there's an air pump, headlamp, pocket knife, duct tape,
>flares, a set of Allen keys, See-Bak jacket, plus a spare ignition key in my
>pocket. I take the tank bag every time I venture more than twenty miles away
>from home.  I don't see the use of carrying the 46 mm socket. If you can't
>repair the flat with the kit and the pump, you're better off calling the tow
>truck (provided the cell phone works) than taking the wheel to some dealer
>and back to the bike.
>My 2 cents
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: owner-st@xxxxxxxxxx [mailto:owner-st@xxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Craig
>Tate
>Sent: Thursday, September 11, 2003 12:53 PM
>To: ST@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>Subject: Re: [ST] Closing Triumph Dealers/Parts
>
>Good point about the monster socket!  I'm planning for a cross country trip
>next spring and the advice I've been given is to carry a 46mm socket with
>me at all times (which I now carry).  I should also add that while
>discussing the trip with my local Triumph mechanic I asked what spare parts
>he thought I should carry for the trip.  He said he'd probably carry a few
>spare fuses and bulbs, but other than that, Sprints have very few
>mechanical problems.  He didn't think it was worthwhile to carry spare
>clutch and brake cables.  It's interesting but I found that no one (dealer
>or auto parts stores) seems to carry the 40 amp main fuse.  My dealer was
>surprised that he didn't have one, but now has several on order (2 for me).
>
>I tend to be a worse case planner (former helicopter pilot) and will carry
>tools and prep my bike well prior to departure.  But the reality is with
>cell phones, a good dealer relationship,  and over night shipping a
>breakdown will probably only delay you a day or two at most.  I wouldn't
>look forward to that, but I can live with the odds.  I also wouldn't
>discount the assistance members of this group (or AMA, HSTA, etc.) can
>give.  I think a call for help using the internet (available in most public
>libraries) and leaving a phone number for call-back would receive many
>responses and offers of help from members.  Although we tend to bicker over
>little things, I'm constantly amazed at what a good bunch of guys
>constitute this group of riders.
>
>In case you haven't noticed, the Triumph website has a listing of all their
>dealers by state/city with phone numbers.  I converted the list to a pdf
>document and spreadsheet and carry it in my pda.   I think a little
>pre-planning goes a long way.
>Craig
>
>At 08:49 AM 9/11/2003 -0500, you wrote:
> >On Wed, Sep 10, 2003 at 08:17:31PM -0500, Steve Duncan wrote:
> > > But I think Dan makes the most relevant point here.  How many dealers of
> > > ~any~ brand is likely to have some obscure part you may need on the
>road??
> > > (1000 to 1).  On the other hand, how many dealers will have a generic
>part
> > > for ~any~ motorcycle when in need? (i.e. brake pads, tires, cables,
>light
> > > bulbs, etc....)  these generic parts are what is most likely to fail,
>not
> > > your freakin cam chain, or valve spring.  And if one of those DO fail,
>you
> > > are phukked no matter where you are.
> >
> >Of greater concern to ya'll should be whether or not generic bike dealer
> >has a monster socket to change the rear wheel.  Also, I doubt the clutch
> >cable is a generic one, though I'm sure in a pinch you could rig
> >something up.
> >
> >Laters,
> >Brian
> >--
> >Euless, TX
> >'97 VFR 750 (red, of course)
> >'99 Sprint ST(black, RIP)
> >
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>
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>       The ST/RS Mailing list is sponsored by Jack Lilley Ltd.
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>
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>       The ST/RS Mailing list is sponsored by Jack Lilley Ltd.
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