Featured Ride Mag Bonnie T120 Write Up

Thanks for this!

 

Thanks for that, I might have to brave shopping and get one. Always good for a read.
I'm surprised by the fact that you have to remove the silencers to gain access to the chain adjusters. Anyone know if this is the same with the t100 versions fitted with peashooters?

 

Yes it is the same. I need to clean/lube/ adjust the chain on my T100 soon, but to be honest although it sounds like a pain to take the silencers off (I think you can probably get to the adjuster OK on the side opposite the spindle nut, so chances are only one side needs to be removed) it's only a couple of bolts so no sweat really. The main issue is gaining access to fit a socket and breaker bar to loosen the wheel spindle nut and then a torque wrench to secure the nut when finished. The price of servicing is scary - £650 for a 12K! and almost £200 for an oil change and check to see that the suspension is still there!
Plan to do all my own work, have the gear to do it, but will need the Dealertool software and interface, mainly to reset the service mileage and exercise the ABS module during a brake fluid change. I've seem some comments that just activating the ABS by hard braking will clear the valves of stale fluid after a change - I'm not convinced, you really need a good flow of fresh fluid through the ABS module either pumped by the master cylinder or a vacuum gadget I'd have thought.

 

If you have time to read all this on the bog you are either work shy or constipated........however, I digress.

You do NOT need to remove the silencers if you buy a couple of cranked open end spanners to access the adjuster screw and lock nut.

 

True enough, for the adjusters, but it's such an easy job to remove the silencer and give yourself plenty of room to work. Also at 110 NM which is a tad over 80 ft lbs the spindle nut's quite tight. My strength is draining with advancing years!

 

It's good to hear from you both, however I wonder how easy it would to do all this on a tour. My tours around Europe were often (and hopefully will be again) a couple of thousand miles. I'm not sure how well I'd cope... it's something for me to think about. My T300 derived bikes were and are easy to adjust the chain.

 

Actually there is just enough space by pulling the silencers a few millimeters to the side to get a spanner in. I managed it on my T120 after I watched the dealer mechanic doing my chain during a service. It’s a stupid design if you ask me. Anyway thankfully I don’t need to do that on my Speedmaster.

 

Put a chain oiler on, and unless you are brutally heavy handed you won't have an issue. Those spanners are a doddle.