Triumph · British unit twin (Triumph 350/500/650/750, BSA A50/A65 1957-1983)

3TA / 5TA / T90 / T100 (unit 350/500)

Library entry covers 1957-1974

14 factory 58 guideline

Published source

Triumph Workshop Manual, 350 c.c. and 500 c.c. Unit Construction Twins from Engine No. H49833 (Triumph Engineering Co., Meriden), Section A1 Routine Maintenance p.A2

Factory workshop manual. Covers Factory workshop manual for the 350 c.c. and 500 c.c. unit construction twins from engine H49833 (states most applies to earlier models in the range); Section A1 is a lubrication schedule.

Open the source

72 items for a 1957 model, grouped by interval the way a factory chart is laid out.

How this bike is built (what the schedule is based on)

Engine cycle: Four-stroke
Engine lubrication: Dry sump (separate oil tank)
Oil filtration: Mesh screens / strainers only
Valve gear: Overhead valve, pushrods, adjustable tappets
Ignition: Battery and coil with contact points
Charging: Alternator / stator with rectifier
Battery: Wet cell (flooded lead-acid, needs topping up)
Fuel system: Single carburetor
Cooling: Air / oil cooled
Primary drive: Chain in oil-bath case with its own oil
Gearbox oil: Separate gearbox oil
Clutch control: Hand lever, cable
Final drive: Chain
Front suspension: Telescopic fork
Rear suspension: Swingarm, twin shocks
Front brake: Drum (or band / stirrup)
Rear brake: Drum (or band / belt rim)
Wheels: Spoked, tubed
Sidecar: No sidecar

Maintenance schedule

1957 Triumph 3TA / 5TA / T90 / T100 (unit 350/500)

On the road: every 250 mi

1 item

Check engine oil level

Pre-ride / on the road

Factory

Manual: Check level in oil tank. Factory: Section A1 Routine maintenance p.A2

On the road: every 300 mi

3 items

Check lights, horn, brake light switches

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline
Check tire pressures

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline
Lubricate drive chain

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

Lube warm, ideally at the end of the riding day so it soaks in overnight. Sooner after rain.

On the road: every 500 mi

1 item

Walk-around: check nuts and bolts for vibration loosening

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

Old machines shake things loose: exhaust nuts, mudguard stays, footrests, tank mounts, battery strap.

On the road: every 600 mi

1 item

Check chain slack and rear wheel alignment

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

On the road: every 1,000 mi

1 item

Check road kit: plugs, points file, master link, tube patches, wire, tape

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

Every 250 mi

1 item

Check primary chain oil supply (breather / pump feed)

Primary and gearbox

Factory

Manual: Check level in primary chaincase. Factory: Section A1 Routine maintenance p.A2

Every 1,000 mi or 1 month

1 item

Check battery electrolyte, top up with distilled water

Ignition and electrics

Guideline

Wet-cell batteries on old machines need regular topping up, more in hot weather.

Every 1,000 mi or 6 months

6 items

Check finned exhaust nuts / pipe clamps tight

Engine

Guideline
Inspect, clean and gap spark plugs

Engine

Guideline
Adjust front drum brake

Brakes

Guideline
Adjust rear drum brake and rod / cable linkage

Brakes

Guideline
Check spoke tension and wheel true

Wheels and tires

Guideline
Inspect tire tread, sidewalls and date codes

Wheels and tires

Guideline

Every 1,000 mi

4 items

Change primary chaincase oil

Primary and gearbox

Factory

Manual: Change oil in primary chaincase. Factory: Section A1 Routine maintenance p.A2
Clean drive chain thoroughly (remove and soak, re-lube)

Final drive

Factory

Manual: Remove rear chain for cleaning and greasing. Factory: Section A1 Routine maintenance p.A2
Grease swingarm pivot

Rear suspension and frame

Factory

Manual: Grease swinging fork pivot. Factory: Section A1 Routine maintenance p.A2
Lubricate control cables and lever pivots

Controls and cables

Factory

Manual: Lubricate control cables. Factory: Section A1 Routine maintenance p.A2

Every 1,500 mi or 6 months

2 items

Clean oil strainers / mesh screens

Engine

Guideline

Often done with every oil change on old machines.
Clean / inspect air filter

Fuel and air

Guideline

Mesh or oiled foam: clean and re-oil. Paper: blow out or replace. Some very early machines have no filter at all.

Every 1,500 mi or 12 months

1 item

Adjust clutch free play, lubricate cable and lever pivot

Primary and gearbox

Guideline

Every 1,500 mi

1 item

Change engine oil

Engine

Factory

Factory: Section A1 Routine maintenance p.A2

Every 2,000 mi or 12 months

1 item

Check / adjust primary chain

Primary and gearbox

Guideline

Every 2,500 mi or 12 months

1 item

Check and adjust valve clearances

Engine

Guideline

Every 3,000 mi or 12 months

13 items

Check engine mounting bolts and plates

Engine

Guideline
Check pushrod tube seals and rocker box joints for leaks

Engine

Guideline
Check throttle cable(s) free play and return

Fuel and air

Guideline
Clean fuel tap filter / sediment bowl

Fuel and air

Guideline
Check / set ignition timing

Ignition and electrics

Guideline
Clean and gap contact breaker points, oil cam felt

Ignition and electrics

Guideline
Adjust clutch pushrod / clutch adjuster

Primary and gearbox

Guideline
Check chain guard, chain oiler (if fitted), rear chain case

Final drive

Guideline
Inspect chain and sprockets for wear (measure stretch)

Final drive

Guideline
Check steering damper (friction or hydraulic)

Front end

Guideline
Check steering head bearing adjustment

Front end

Guideline
Grease and check center / side stand and springs

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline
Check wheel bearings for play

Wheels and tires

Guideline

Every 3,000 mi

3 items

Check gearbox oil level

Primary and gearbox

Factory

Factory: Section A1 Routine maintenance p.A2
Inspect fork seals, stanchions and fork boots

Front end

Factory

Manual: Check front forks for external oil leakage. Factory: Section A1 Routine maintenance p.A2
Check footrests, pegs, rear brake and gear lever pivots

Rear suspension and frame

Factory

Manual: Grease brake pedal spindle. Factory: Section A1 Routine maintenance p.A2

Every 4,000 mi or 12 months

2 items

Replace spark plugs

Engine

Guideline
Lubricate brake cam spindles, check linings and drums

Brakes

Guideline

Every 5,000 mi or 2 years

1 item

Check cylinder head bolt torque

Engine

Guideline

Air-cooled iron and alloy engines can lose head bolt tension; follow your manual's sequence and whether it is done hot or cold.

Every 6,000 mi or 12 months

5 items

Clean carburetor float bowl(s), check float level and jets

Fuel and air

Guideline

Ethanol fuel varnishes old carbs quickly in storage.
Check charging voltage and regulator / cut-out

Ignition and electrics

Guideline
Check swingarm bushes for play

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline
Inspect rear shocks for leaks and damping

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline
Lubricate speedometer / tachometer cables, check drive

Controls and cables

Guideline

A dry speedo cable whips the needle and eventually kills the instrument.

Every 6,000 mi or 2 years

2 items

Check engine breather and oil return

Engine

Guideline
Lubricate and check automatic advance unit

Ignition and electrics

Guideline

Every 6,000 mi

2 items

Change gearbox oil

Primary and gearbox

Factory

Manual: Change oil in gearbox. Factory: Section A1 Routine maintenance p.A2
Change fork oil

Front end

Factory

Manual: Change oil in front forks. Factory: Section A1 Routine maintenance p.A2

Every 10,000 mi or 2 years

1 item

Compression test (or leak-down)

Engine

Guideline

Every 10,000 mi

1 item

Replace chain and sprockets (wear based)

Final drive

Guideline

Every 12,000 mi or 3 years

1 item

Replace points and condenser

Ignition and electrics

Guideline

Every 12,000 mi or 4 years

1 item

Decarbonize head, grind / lap valves (top-end decoke)

Engine

Guideline

Period practice. Leaded-era valve seats may need hardened seats for unleaded fuel.

Every 12,000 mi

2 items

Repack / replace steering head bearings

Front end

Factory

Manual: Grease steering head bearings. Factory: Section A1 Routine maintenance p.A2
Repack / replace wheel bearings

Wheels and tires

Factory

Manual: Grease wheel bearings. Factory: Section A1 Routine maintenance p.A2

Every 15,000 mi or 5 years

1 item

Inspect clutch plates and springs

Primary and gearbox

Guideline

Every 15,000 mi

1 item

Replace brake linings / skim drums (wear based)

Brakes

Guideline

Every 25,000 mi or 6 years

1 item

Replace swingarm bushes / bearings

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline

Every 25,000 mi

1 item

Clean crankshaft sludge trap (engine apart)

Engine

Guideline

Triumph and BSA twins trap sludge in the crank. Usually done at engine rebuild.

Every 30,000 mi or 6 years

1 item

Rebuild forks: seals, bushes, springs

Front end

Guideline

Every 6 months

1 item

Clean battery terminals, check charge and strap

Ignition and electrics

Guideline

Every 12 months

1 item

Check speedometer / odometer against a known distance

Controls and cables

Guideline

Old speedos drift with tire size and drive wear. Use phone GPS over a measured 10 miles / km.

Every 2 years

3 items

Inspect fuel tank for rust, sealer failure, leaks

Fuel and air

Guideline
Inspect wiring, bullet connectors and ground points

Ignition and electrics

Guideline
Inspect frame, welds and lugs for cracks

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline

Every 4 years

1 item

Replace fuel lines

Fuel and air

Guideline

Old rubber and modern ethanol fuel do not mix well.

Every 6 years

2 items

Replace inner tubes and rim tape with tires

Wheels and tires

Guideline
Replace tires on age (regardless of tread)

Wheels and tires

Guideline

Guideline lines: Intervals here are general guidelines for the machine's era and layout, compiled for this app. They are not factory manual figures. Check your workshop manual, and edit any interval in the bike's Schedule tab.