Triumph · British pre-unit twin (1938-1968)

Speed Twin 5T / Tiger 100 (girder)

Library entry covers 1938-1945

20 factory 54 guideline

Published source

Triumph Workshop Instruction Manual for models 1945-1955 (Triumph Engineering Co.), Routine Maintenance after Running-in Period pp.31-32; Changing the Oil p.30

Factory workshop manual. Covers Triumph 1945-1955 workshop manual (Speed Twin, Tiger 100); closest factory schedule found for the 1938-45 girder bikes, which share the engine. Telescopic fork and swinging arm rows of the chart are left out; girder fork lubrication is not covered by this source.

Open the source

74 items for a 1938 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: Magneto (incl. magdyno, flywheel magneto)
Charging: DC generator with regulator
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: Girder fork
Rear suspension: Rigid (hardtail)
Front brake: Drum (or band / stirrup)
Rear brake: Drum (or band / belt rim)
Wheels: Spoked, tubed
Sidecar: No sidecar

Maintenance schedule

1938 Triumph Speed Twin 5T / Tiger 100 (girder)

On the road: every 250 mi

1 item

Check engine oil level

Pre-ride / on the road

Factory

Manual: Engine: check oil and replenish if necessary. Factory: Routine maintenance after running-in period pp.31-32

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

2 items

Grease girder / springer fork links

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

Grease gun on every nipple until clean grease shows. Touring days add up fast.
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 1,000 mi or 1 month

1 item

Change primary chaincase oil

Primary and gearbox

Factory

Manual: Primary chaincase: drain oil and re-fill. Factory: Routine maintenance after running-in period pp.31-32: change monthly if the mileage is not covered

Every 1,000 mi or 6 months

6 items

Check finned exhaust nuts / pipe clamps tight

Engine

Guideline
Lubricate manual advance / retard control and cable

Ignition and electrics

Guideline
Adjust front drum brake

Brakes

Guideline
Check spoke tension and wheel true

Wheels and tires

Guideline
Inspect tire tread, sidewalls and date codes

Wheels and tires

Guideline
Lubricate control cables and lever pivots

Controls and cables

Guideline

Every 1,000 mi or 12 months

1 item

Grease saddle pivot, check saddle springs / seat post

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline

Every 1,000 mi

4 items

Check / adjust primary chain

Primary and gearbox

Factory

Manual: Chains: adjust tension if necessary. Factory: Routine maintenance after running-in period pp.31-32
Check gearbox oil level

Primary and gearbox

Factory

Manual: Gearbox: check oil and replenish. Factory: Routine maintenance after running-in period pp.31-32
Adjust rear drum brake and rod / cable linkage

Brakes

Factory

Manual: Brakes: adjust (normal running). Factory: Routine maintenance after running-in period pp.31-32
Lubricate brake cam spindles, check linings and drums

Brakes

Factory

Manual: Brakes: grease cable and rod mechanism. Factory: Routine maintenance after running-in period pp.31-32

Every 1,500 mi or 6 months

1 item

Clean drive chain thoroughly (remove and soak, re-lube)

Final drive

Guideline

Non O-ring chains on old machines: remove, clean, soak in hot chain grease or lube, refit with the master link clip closed end leading.

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

3 items

Change engine oil

Engine

Factory

Manual: Engine: drain oil tank when warm and re-fill. Factory: Routine maintenance after running-in period pp.31-32: changed at 250, 500 and 1,000 miles while running in (p.30)
Clean oil strainers / mesh screens

Engine

Factory

Manual: Engine: clean oil filters (oil tank filter and crankcase filter). Factory: Routine maintenance after running-in period pp.31-32: cleaned in gas at every oil change (p.30)
Clean carburetor float bowl(s), check float level and jets

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Carburetor: dismantle and clean. Factory: Routine maintenance after running-in period pp.31-32

Every 2,000 mi or 12 months

1 item

Check girder fork spindle play, adjust friction / hydraulic damper

Front end

Guideline

Every 2,000 mi

4 items

Inspect, clean and gap spark plugs

Engine

Factory

Manual: Engine: clean and adjust sparking plugs. Factory: Routine maintenance after running-in period pp.31-32: chart gives 2,000-3,000 miles
Clean / inspect air filter

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Air filter: clean and re-oil element. Factory: Routine maintenance after running-in period pp.31-32: more often in extremely dusty conditions
Clean and gap contact breaker points, oil cam felt

Ignition and electrics

Factory

Manual: Magneto: check and adjust contact points. Factory: Routine maintenance after running-in period pp.31-32: chart gives 2,000-3,000 miles
Check wheel bearings for play

Wheels and tires

Factory

Manual: Wheels (rigid): check wheel bearings. Factory: Routine maintenance after running-in period pp.31-32: chart gives 2,000-3,000 miles

Every 3,000 mi or 12 months

14 items

Check engine mounting bolts and plates

Engine

Guideline
Check rocker oil feed and rocker box joints

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
Check generator drive belt or chain

Ignition and electrics

Guideline
Oil / check generator bearings (where an oiler is fitted)

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
Check footrests, pegs, rear brake and gear lever pivots

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline
Grease and check center / side stand and springs

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline

Every 3,000 mi

1 item

Check and adjust valve clearances

Engine

Factory

Manual: Engine: check and adjust tappets. Factory: Routine maintenance after running-in period pp.31-32: chart gives 3,000-4,000 miles

Every 4,000 mi or 12 months

1 item

Replace spark plugs

Engine

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 5,000 mi

2 items

Magneto: clean slip ring and pickup brush, check HT lead

Ignition and electrics

Factory

Manual: Magneto: lubricate cam felt with thin oil; grease rocker shaft with petroleum jelly. Factory: Routine maintenance after running-in period pp.31-32
Change gearbox oil

Primary and gearbox

Factory

Manual: Gearbox: drain oil (when warm) and re-fill. Factory: Routine maintenance after running-in period pp.31-32: first drained and flushed at 500 miles (p.30)

Every 6,000 mi or 12 months

4 items

Check charging voltage and regulator / cut-out

Ignition and electrics

Guideline
Inspect generator brushes and commutator

Ignition and electrics

Guideline
Inspect girder fork links, springs and spindles for wear or cracks

Front end

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 10,000 mi or 2 years

1 item

Compression test (or leak-down)

Engine

Guideline

Every 10,000 mi or 3 years

1 item

Repack / replace steering head bearings

Front end

Guideline

Many old machines use loose balls in cups and cones. Taper roller conversions are common.

Every 10,000 mi

3 items

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

Engine

Factory

Manual: Engine: decarbonize and top overhaul. Factory: Routine maintenance after running-in period pp.31-32: chart gives 10,000-12,000 miles
Replace chain and sprockets (wear based)

Final drive

Guideline
Repack / replace wheel bearings

Wheels and tires

Factory

Manual: Wheels (rigid): re-pack with grease. Factory: Routine maintenance after running-in period pp.31-32

Every 12,000 mi or 3 years

1 item

Replace points and condenser

Ignition and electrics

Guideline

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 20,000 mi

1 item

Grease sprung hub, check for play

Rear suspension and frame

Factory

Manual: Wheel (spring hub): re-pack with grease. Factory: Routine maintenance after running-in period pp.31-32: sprung hub models only; bearings checked every 5,000 miles

Every 25,000 mi or 10 years

1 item

Magneto overhaul / re-magnetize, replace capacitor

Ignition and electrics

Guideline

Weak spark when hot is the classic symptom. Old capacitors fail with age, not miles.

Every 1 month

1 item

Check battery electrolyte, top up with distilled water

Ignition and electrics

Factory

Manual: Battery: check acid level, add distilled water. Factory: Routine maintenance after running-in period pp.31-32: monthly; more often in very hot weather

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.

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Other 1938 Triumph models

All 1938 Triumph

1936-1940

Tiger 70 / 80 / 90

Guideline