Okay, so I finally got my hands on a 2001 Triumph 955i. It’s been a dream bike of mine for a while, and I’ve been itching to get it running just right. It was a bit rough around the edges when I picked it up, but hey, that’s half the fun, right?
First Look and Basic Checks
First thing I did was give it a good once-over. I checked the oil, which looked pretty dark, so I knew an oil change was in order. The coolant level was a bit low, too, so I topped that off. I also inspected the tires – they were old and cracked, definitely needed replacing. I noticed the chain was slack and rusty looking, so I marked chain and sprockets replacement on my list. Basically, I’m just walking around the bike, looking for anything that screams “fix me!”
Getting Down and Dirty: Maintenance Time
- Oil Change: This was pretty straightforward. I warmed up the engine, drained the old oil, replaced the filter, and filled it up with some fresh synthetic. Easy peasy.
- Coolant Flush: I drained the old coolant, flushed the system with distilled water, and then refilled it with the proper motorcycle coolant.
- Air Filter: The old one was filthy. I popped in a new K&N filter – should help it breathe a little better.
- Spark Plugs: The old plugs were pretty worn, so I gapped and installed new ones. Hopefully, this will help with smooth running.
- Chain and Sprockets: I ordered the new sprockets and chain. Then I spent couple hours for removing the old rusty chain and sprockets and installed the new ones. I made sure the chain tension in an appropriate slack.
The Fun Part: Test Ride!
After all that work, it was time for the moment of truth. I suited up, fired up the engine, and… it ran beautifully! The engine felt smoother, and it definitely had more pep. I took it for a spin around the block, then out on some back roads. The bike handled great, and that triple engine sounds amazing. I’m totally stoked!
Still To Do…
Of course, there’s always more to do. The tires need replacing, still waiting delivery.
And I might tinker with the suspension settings a bit. But for now, I’m just happy to have it running well. It’s a fantastic machine, and I’m looking forward to many happy miles on it.
I grabbed my buddy Jack to ride with me, and we spent an hour just enjoying the sunshine and the open road. Not bad for a weekend’s work, if I do say so myself!
