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

T140 Bonneville / TR7 Tiger (750)

Library entry covers 1973-1983

27 factory 49 guideline

Published source

Triumph Bonneville 750 and Tiger 750 Workshop Manual (Triumph), Routine Maintenance p.RM1

Factory workshop manual. Covers Triumph workshop manual for the Bonneville 750 and Tiger 750 unit construction twins (5-speed, disc brake models); intervals in miles and km.

Open the source

76 items for a 1973 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: Two or more carburetors
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: Disc, hydraulic
Rear brake: Drum (or band / belt rim)
Wheels: Spoked, tubed
Sidecar: No sidecar

Maintenance schedule

1973 Triumph T140 Bonneville / TR7 Tiger (750)

On the road: every 200 mi

1 item

Check engine oil level

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

Each fuel stop on old machines. Dry sump: check the tank hot, engine idling or just stopped, per your manual.

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 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

On the road: every 1,500 mi

1 item

Walk-around: check nuts and bolts for vibration loosening

Pre-ride / on the road

Factory

Manual: All accessible nuts and bolts: check. Factory: Routine maintenance p.RM1: rear brake pedal clearance checked at the same interval

Every 1,000 mi or 6 months

2 items

Check finned exhaust nuts / pipe clamps tight

Engine

Guideline
Adjust rear drum brake and rod / cable linkage

Brakes

Guideline

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

6 items

Change engine oil

Engine

Factory

Manual: Engine oil: change and clean the filters. Factory: Routine maintenance p.RM1: oil level and return flow checked daily
Check battery electrolyte, top up with distilled water

Ignition and electrics

Factory

Manual: Battery electrolyte level: check. Factory: Routine maintenance p.RM1
Check / adjust primary chain

Primary and gearbox

Factory

Manual: Primary chain: check and adjust. Factory: Routine maintenance p.RM1
Clean drive chain thoroughly (remove and soak, re-lube)

Final drive

Factory

Manual: Rear chain: adjust, check, lubricate. Factory: Routine maintenance p.RM1
Grease swingarm pivot

Rear suspension and frame

Factory

Manual: Rear swinging fork pivots: grease. Factory: Routine maintenance p.RM1
Lubricate control cables and lever pivots

Controls and cables

Factory

Manual: All control cables: adjust and lubricate. Factory: Routine maintenance p.RM1

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
Clean oil strainers / mesh screens

Engine

Guideline

Often done with every oil change on old machines.
Check throttle cable(s) free play and return

Fuel and air

Guideline
Clean fuel tap filter / sediment bowl

Fuel and air

Guideline
Synchronize carburetors

Fuel and air

Guideline
Check / set ignition timing

Ignition and electrics

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
Inspect fork seals, stanchions and fork boots

Front end

Guideline
Check footrests, pegs, rear brake and gear lever pivots

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline
Check spoke tension and wheel true

Wheels and tires

Guideline

Every 3,000 mi

12 items

Check and adjust valve clearances

Engine

Factory

Manual: Tappets: adjust. Factory: Routine maintenance p.RM1
Inspect, clean and gap spark plugs

Engine

Factory

Manual: Spark plugs: check and adjust. Factory: Routine maintenance p.RM1
Clean / inspect air filter

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Air filter element(s): clean. Factory: Routine maintenance p.RM1
Replace fuel filter

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Fuel filters: clean. Factory: Routine maintenance p.RM1
Clean and gap contact breaker points, oil cam felt

Ignition and electrics

Factory

Manual: Contact breaker gap: check and lubricate; ignition timing: check. Factory: Routine maintenance p.RM1
Adjust clutch pushrod / clutch adjuster

Primary and gearbox

Factory

Manual: Clutch push rod adjustment: check. Factory: Routine maintenance p.RM1
Change primary chaincase oil

Primary and gearbox

Factory

Manual: Primary chaincase oil: change. Factory: Routine maintenance p.RM1
Check gearbox oil level

Primary and gearbox

Factory

Manual: Gearbox oil level: check. Factory: Routine maintenance p.RM1
Grease and check center / side stand and springs

Rear suspension and frame

Factory

Manual: Rear brake pedal spindle: grease. Factory: Routine maintenance p.RM1
Check brake pads and discs

Brakes

Factory

Manual: Brake disc pads: check for wear. Factory: Routine maintenance p.RM1: rear drum shoes and cam spindle on early models before frame HN62501
Check wheel bearings for play

Wheels and tires

Factory

Manual: Wheel bearings: check for play. Factory: Routine maintenance p.RM1
Inspect tire tread, sidewalls and date codes

Wheels and tires

Factory

Manual: Tires: check for wear. Factory: Routine maintenance p.RM1: pressures checked daily and every 1,500 mi

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

3 items

Change gearbox oil

Primary and gearbox

Factory

Manual: Gearbox oil: change. Factory: Routine maintenance p.RM1
Change fork oil

Front end

Factory

Manual: Front fork legs: change oil. Factory: Routine maintenance p.RM1
Check steering head bearing adjustment

Front end

Factory

Manual: Steering head races: check and adjust. Factory: Routine maintenance p.RM1

Every 10,000 mi or 2 years

1 item

Compression test (or leak-down)

Engine

Guideline

Every 10,000 mi

2 items

Replace chain and sprockets (wear based)

Final drive

Guideline
Inspect brake hoses; replace old rubber

Brakes

Factory

Manual: Metal brake pipes and rubber hoses: check for deterioration or corrosion. Factory: Routine maintenance p.RM1: rear brake master cylinder, pipes and hoses replaced every 40,000 mi

Every 12,000 mi or 2 years

1 item

Replace air filter element

Fuel and air

Guideline

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

3 items

Repack / replace steering head bearings

Front end

Factory

Manual: Steering head bearings: grease. Factory: Routine maintenance p.RM1
Replace brake linings / skim drums (wear based)

Brakes

Guideline
Repack / replace wheel bearings

Wheels and tires

Factory

Manual: Wheel bearings: grease. Factory: Routine maintenance p.RM1

Every 24,000 mi

1 item

Replace brake fluid

Brakes

Factory

Manual: Front and rear hydraulic systems: drain and refill. Factory: Routine maintenance p.RM1: reservoir levels checked every 1,500 mi

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 40,000 mi

1 item

Rebuild calipers and master cylinders (seals)

Brakes

Factory

Manual: Front brake master cylinder and front/rear calipers: service or replace. Factory: Routine maintenance p.RM1

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.