Tec Camshaft

I know the subject of the TEC Parts camshaft for the earlier Street Twin, Street Cup, T100 and T120 etc, has come up before but as I'm about to press the 'Buy now' button on one for my 2017 ST I thought I'd ask those who've fitted them about long-term reliability.

Anyone had any problems at all? Would you recommend the TEC camshaft?

Originally I wanted George Milburn at TEC, or one of his minions, to fit it but they're too busy at present to take on work for customers. That left me with my Triumph main dealer, Youles in Manchester. George told me they'd sold cams to Youles, so I know they had experience of fitting them. I made the enquiry. It seems they've done two and have had no come-back. They'll fit it for £250. So unless anyone has any horror stories of blown engines I'll be going for it.

 

Thanks Craig, that's very useful. There are a couple of things you didn't mention that I'd like to know. Firstly, the 2 O-rings on the cam chain tensioner should be replaced and there are 2 bolts that should also be replaced as Triumph say they are one-use only. Did you do this?
What are the 2 bolts called (besides 'bolts')? Do you happen to have the part numbers for the bolts and O-rings? I want to know this so I can be specific when I check that the Triumph technician (or mechanic, as we used to call them) knows what he's doing. I am sure he will, however the chap I spoke to on the phone, when I enquired about the job, didn't mention these extra bits when he totalled up the cost. I want to be sure they have them to hand when they start.

Secondly, I asked whether the job entails an oil change because I may have the bike serviced very soon (before the cam job) and don't want to pay for a second change in two months time. He said the camshaft swop was at the top of the engine (yes I know where the camshaft is) so no oil change is necessary. However George Milburn shows the right side engine cover has to be removed and if this is done with bike upright (which I imagine will be the case in the Triumph workshop) then a ton of oil will leak out. George said he changed the oil. So Craig, what did you do?

 

Thanks people, especially Craig, that's exactly what I needed to know. Youles can't do the job before August, so plenty of time to order the cam from TEC. Cheers.

 

In theory that sounds perfectly feasible, although I'm not sure a Triumph technician would go to the trouble (maybe if you ask nicely). I'm going to hold off with the annual service until the cam job in August, then the oil will be changed anyway.

 

You could try emailing George Milburn at TEC Parts. He's always come back with an answer fairly promptly.

 

Had a more in-depth chat about this camshaft swop with the chaps at Triumph. They have no issues with doing the work but would ask me to sign a disclaimer if my bike was still inside it's warranty. That's fair enough, but mine's well past that, so no need.
The bloke doing the mechanical bit knew about the one-use parts but it was lucky I'd brought up the subject because the parts-man didn't. They wouldn't have been there. I gave him the part numbers and they're now on order. Together with the alternator cover gasket (right side engine cover) it comes to a touch under £30.
The oil change issue is also sorted. The bike will be on it's side stand, so not much oil will dribble out. They'll check it afterwards and top it up.

Consequently I've booked the bike in for it's annual service next week. It's taking me on a 4 day tour of Yorkshire, Northumberland and Cumbria the following week. Route planned. B&B's sorted. My brother and I did the Malle Rally in the company of around 60 bikes last September, Land's End to J.O'Groats over 6 days (9 when you include my trip down and part of the return journey) and 2021 miles. A fantastic experience and highly recommended. We almost went for it again this year (starts June 20th) but we remembered how gruelling some of it was, so we're doing our own abbreviated version.

 

The TEC cam has arrived. I sent my brother a pic (like you do) but he had no idea what it was! So for those of you who haven't seen one, here it is.

The bike's booked into Youles in Manchester, for Wednesday 11th August.

 

Took the bike to Youles yesterday and picked it up this morning. I noticed the difference as soon as I rode out of their carpark. The power delivery felt smoother and picked up more quickly, with better acceleration. Not that it ever felt lacking before but this is an improvement. I came home through Manchester, so never got a chance to open the taps but there is definitely more grunt in the low to mid range. George Milburn suggests a running-in period but the Youles technicians (who were keen to talk about the swop) said stay away from the rev-limiter for a while and you'll be fine. So I'm erring on the side of caution to be on the safe side but if I forget it doesn't sound like there should be a problem.
They had done another TEC camshaft swop the day before. The technician told me that afterwards the bike wouldn't run smoothly and kept cutting out. It was fitted with a power booster thing, which he disconnected and instantly the bike sorted itself out. I have the booster on mine but it now also disconnected. Next time I bump into George Milburn I'll mention it.

Early days but all good news so far.

If anyone wants more details of the camshaft swop then just ask.

 

Everything is still A-Ok with no probs. It's made a significant difference and now I don't have to envy my brother on his T120.
The Manchester Youles guys have done a good job. I've used them for over 3 years now and always rated the place. They even adjusted and greased the chain. They also pointed out that the steering head bearings were a little notchy and showed me by pivoting the bike on it's side stand and lifting the front wheel off the ground. I could feel a couple of 'clicks' as the bars moved from side to side. I won't be performing that little trick any time soon (would be impressive in the pub carpark though ) but at some point I'll get it sorted. So I've no reason not to recommend Youles (at least in Manchester).