New Upper Forks.

[goody]

Hi Guys,
My 2012 Tiger Explorer developed a oil leak in the left hand fork . That developed into
It req a new pair of upper front forks and seals . Dealer was great they have a great rep with locals and were fantastic on this occasion . Apparently its a design fault with the coating on the forks. Thoughts ?

 

[Qship]

I have never heard of it, but perhaps there is other places to source some info about the first gen 1200 Tigers.
Was the fork oil changed out before?

 

[goody]

I have never heard of it, but perhaps there is other places to source some info about the first gen 1200 Tigers.
Was the fork oil changed out before?

Ok Thanks. No no oil change before .

 

[atomsplitter]

Let me make sure I'm reading that right. The upper fork tube had to be replaced? That would be the larger diameter tube that slides into the triple tree? According to the specs the 2012 Tiger Explorer was fitted with 46mm Kayaba upside down forks. Usually the only thing that can go bad on upside down units is the stanchions (3/4 in picture below) become pitted and cause seal/bushing failure. I've never heard of the upper tubes being an issue. You'll have to enlighten us on the specific problem with the upper housing.

Exploded view of your forks:

 

[goody]

So . The coating on the bushing failed the bushing then wore out the coating on the inside of the tube causing a oil leek . The head of the workshop a really nice guy checked for any manufactures upgrade but there was none . He tells me when i asked his opinion that it was a design flaw. I decide to do both forks so as not to pass on the issue to the next owner , bike feels like knew . I discovered the oil and did not ride the bike afterwards .

 

[atomsplitter]

That's weird. The bushing is usually teflon coated on the inside and the teflon wears out over time. I've never heard of the bushing wearing the fork tube out. The bushing is usually fixed in place (normally item #15 above) but in this case it's called a "piston" in the parts fische which leads me to believe it's a moveable 'wear' item. Interesting indeed. Thanks for the post.

 

[goody]

That's weird. The bushing is usually teflon coated on the inside and the teflon wears out over time. I've never heard of the bushing wearing the fork tube out. The bushing is usually fixed in place (normally item #15 above) but in this case it's called a "piston" in the parts fische which leads me to believe it's a moveable 'wear' item. Interesting indeed. Thanks for the post.

 

[goody]

Yes its a strange one . Tec said he has never seen it before . Teflon coating wore away damaging the anodizing causing a oil leek . My Tiger never seen rain , is always garaged , mechanically and cosmetically maintained to a high standard . Ive gad it 4.5 years and it now has 52500 klm on the clock and is a toy/Hobby. cheers Triumph

 

[goody]

First Triumph ive owned

 

[goody]

Cost

 

[atomsplitter]

Would seem to be a case for preventive maintenance to replace the piston after x miles. Did the maintenance schedule you got with the bike have any 'renewal' requirements for the fork internals?

 

[goody]

Would seem to be a case for preventive maintenance to replace the piston after x miles. Did the maintenance schedule you got with the bike have any 'renewal' requirements for the fork internals?

This is the only mention of fork maintenance I can find in the service Manuel.

 

[atomsplitter]

Well you checked for leaks and found one. That's pretty poor engineering when the internal wear can cause major dollars flying out of your account. Makes you wonder if they should add some Slick 50 to the fork oil.

 

[goody]

Well you checked for leaks and found one. That's pretty poor engineering when the internal wear can cause major dollars flying out of your account. Makes you wonder if they should add some Slick 50 to the fork oil.

Yer agree. Maybe the service Manuel is published with the input from the finance department of Triumph .

 

[Qship]

As yours is the first New generation Tiger, perhaps they did not have all the bugs ironed out in the first year.
Have your checked other forums for this problem?