MotoService Log
Triumph Tiger Cub / Terrier
Example photo: SG2012, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Triumph · British unit twin (Triumph 350/500/650/750, BSA A50/A65 1957-1983)

Tiger Cub / Terrier

Library entry covers 1953-1968

26 factory 45 guideline

Published source

Triumph Workshop Instruction Manual No. 8 for Tiger Cub models T15, T20, T20C, T20S (Triumph Engineering Co., ref 906/64, August 1964), Routine Maintenance after Running-in Period pp.25-26

Factory workshop manual. Covers Workshop Instruction Manual No. 8 (Aug 1964) for T15 Terrier, T20, T20C, T20S Tiger Cub; chart in miles with km.

Open the source

71 items for a 1953 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
Wet sump (oil in crankcase)
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

1953 Triumph Tiger Cub / Terrier

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.25-26

On the road: every 300 mi

2 items
  • Check lights, horn, brake light switches
    Pre-ride / on the road
    Guideline
  • Check tire pressures
    Pre-ride / on the road
    Guideline

On the road: every 1,000 mi

3 items
  • Check road kit: plugs, points file, master link, tube patches, wire, tape
    Pre-ride / on the road
    Guideline
  • Lubricate drive chain
    Pre-ride / on the road
    Factory

    Manual: Chain (rear): lubricate. Factory: Routine maintenance after running-in period pp.25-26: 1,000 miles in winter, 1,500 in summer (see p.22)

  • Walk-around: check nuts and bolts for vibration loosening
    Pre-ride / on the road
    Factory

    Manual: General: check cable wire for fraying, nuts, bolts, cables for security. Factory: Routine maintenance after running-in period pp.25-26

On the road: every 1,500 mi

1 item
  • Check chain slack and rear wheel alignment
    Pre-ride / on the road
    Factory

    Manual: Chain (rear): adjust. Factory: Routine maintenance after running-in period pp.25-26

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

4 items
  • Check finned exhaust nuts / pipe clamps tight
    Engine
    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

Every 1,000 mi

5 items
  • Change primary chaincase oil
    Primary and gearbox
    Factory

    Manual: Primary chaincase: drain oil (oil hot) and re-fill. Factory: Routine maintenance after running-in period pp.25-26: line partly covered by a watermark in the scan

  • Check / adjust primary chain
    Primary and gearbox
    Factory

    Manual: Primary chaincase: check cover security screws. Factory: Routine maintenance after running-in period pp.25-26

  • Check gearbox oil level
    Primary and gearbox
    Factory

    Manual: Gearbox: check oil and replenish if necessary. Factory: Routine maintenance after running-in period pp.25-26

  • Grease swingarm pivot
    Rear suspension and frame
    Factory

    Manual: Rear suspension: grease. Factory: Routine maintenance after running-in period pp.25-26: swinging fork or plunger, depending on model

  • Adjust rear drum brake and rod / cable linkage
    Brakes
    Factory

    Manual: Brakes: grease cable and rod mechanism; adjust (normal). Factory: Routine maintenance after running-in period pp.25-26

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 (oil hot) and re-fill. Factory: Routine maintenance after running-in period pp.25-26

  • Clean oil strainers / mesh screens
    Engine
    Factory

    Manual: Engine: clean oil filters. Factory: Routine maintenance after running-in period pp.25-26

  • 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.25-26

Every 2,000 mi

2 items
  • Clean / inspect air filter
    Fuel and air
    Factory

    Manual: Air filter: clean and re-oil element. Factory: Routine maintenance after running-in period pp.25-26: more often in extremely dusty conditions

  • Lubricate brake cam spindles, check linings and drums
    Brakes
    Factory

    Manual: Wheels: brake cam spindle (do not over grease). Factory: Routine maintenance after running-in period pp.25-26

Every 2,500 mi

1 item
  • Lubricate control cables and lever pivots
    Controls and cables
    Factory

    Manual: Operating cables: lubricate with oil. Factory: Routine maintenance after running-in period pp.25-26

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
  • 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
  • Inspect fork seals, stanchions and fork boots
    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
  • Check wheel bearings for play
    Wheels and tires
    Guideline

Every 3,000 mi

2 items
  • Check and adjust valve clearances
    Engine
    Factory

    Manual: Engine: tappets, check and adjust if necessary. Factory: Routine maintenance after running-in period pp.25-26

  • Inspect, clean and gap spark plugs
    Engine
    Factory

    Manual: Engine: sparking plugs, clean and adjust. Factory: Routine maintenance after running-in period pp.25-26

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

5 items
  • Clean and gap contact breaker points, oil cam felt
    Ignition and electrics
    Factory

    Manual: Distributor: adjust contact points. Factory: Routine maintenance after running-in period pp.25-26

  • Lubricate and check automatic advance unit
    Ignition and electrics
    Factory

    Manual: Distributor: lubricate with thin oil. Factory: Routine maintenance after running-in period pp.25-26

  • Change gearbox oil
    Primary and gearbox
    Factory

    Manual: Gearbox: drain oil (oil hot) and re-fill. Factory: Routine maintenance after running-in period pp.25-26

  • Change fork oil
    Front end
    Factory

    Manual: Forks: drain and refill. Factory: Routine maintenance after running-in period pp.25-26

  • Check steering head bearing adjustment
    Front end
    Factory

    Manual: Forks: check headrace adjustment. Factory: Routine maintenance after running-in period pp.25-26

Every 6,000 mi or 12 months

4 items
  • 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

1 item
  • Check engine breather and oil return
    Engine
    Guideline

Every 8,000 mi

1 item
  • Decarbonize head, grind / lap valves (top-end decoke)
    Engine
    Factory

    Manual: Engine: decarbonize. Factory: Routine maintenance after running-in period pp.25-26: chart gives 8,000-10,000 miles

Every 10,000 mi or 2 years

1 item
  • Compression test (or leak-down)
    Engine
    Guideline

Every 10,000 mi

3 items
  • Replace chain and sprockets (wear based)
    Final drive
    Guideline
  • Repack / replace steering head bearings
    Front end
    Factory

    Manual: Forks: grease headraces. Factory: Routine maintenance after running-in period pp.25-26

  • Repack / replace wheel bearings
    Wheels and tires
    Factory

    Manual: Wheels: re-pack with grease. Factory: Routine maintenance after running-in period pp.25-26

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
  • Rebuild forks: seals, bushes, springs
    Front end
    Factory

    Manual: Forks: renew bushes. Factory: Routine maintenance after running-in period pp.25-26

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 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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