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

TR5 Trophy / TR6 / T110 / T120 Bonneville (pre-unit)

Library entry covers 1949-1962

35 factory 49 guideline

Published source

Triumph Workshop Manual No. 11 (Triumph Engineering Co., Meriden), Speed Twin / Tiger 100 / Thunderbird / Tiger 110 / Trophy / 3T De Luxe, models 1945-1955, published Nov 1961

Factory workshop manual. Covers 1949-1955 TR5 Trophy and T110 only; manual does not cover TR6/T120.

Open the source

84 items for a 1949 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: 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

1949 Triumph TR5 Trophy / TR6 / T110 / T120 Bonneville (pre-unit)

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 table p.31 (400 km).

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 1,000 mi

3 items

Check chain slack and rear wheel alignment

Pre-ride / on the road

Factory

Manual: Chains: adjust tension if necessary. Factory: p.32. Rear chain lubrication summer/winter refers to p.95, no figure.
Check road kit: plugs, points file, master link, tube patches, wire, tape

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline
Walk-around: check nuts and bolts for vibration loosening

Pre-ride / on the road

Factory

Manual: General: check security of all nuts and bolts. Factory: p.32.

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: p.31; change monthly if mileage not covered.

Every 1,000 mi or 6 months

4 items

Check finned exhaust nuts / pipe clamps tight

Engine

Guideline
Lubricate manual advance / retard control and cable

Ignition and electrics

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

8 items

Check gearbox oil level

Primary and gearbox

Factory

Manual: Gearbox: check oil and replenish. Factory: p.31.
Gearbox: check clamp bolts

Primary and gearbox

Factory

Factory: p.31.
Primary chaincase: check over security screws

Final drive

Factory

Factory: p.31.
Forks: apply grease to lower headrace

Front end

Factory

Factory: p.31.
Adjust front drum brake

Brakes

Factory

Manual: Brakes: adjust (normal running). Factory: p.32, applies to both brakes.
Adjust rear drum brake and rod / cable linkage

Brakes

Factory

Manual: Brakes: adjust (normal running). Factory: p.32, applies to both brakes.
Lubricate brake cam spindles, check linings and drums

Brakes

Factory

Manual: Brakes: grease cable and rod mechanism. Factory: p.32.
Lubricate control cables and lever pivots

Controls and cables

Factory

Manual: General: lubricate all cables. Factory: p.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

4 items

Change engine oil

Engine

Factory

Manual: Engine: drain oil tank when warm and re-fill. Factory: p.31. Running-in changes at 250, 500, 1,000 mi (p.30).
Clean oil strainers / mesh screens

Engine

Factory

Manual: Engine: clean oil filters. Factory: p.31; tank filter and crankcase filter cleaned 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: p.32.
Grease swingarm pivot

Rear suspension and frame

Factory

Manual: Swinging fork: apply grease with gun. Factory: p.31.

Every 2,000 mi or 12 months

1 item

Check / adjust primary chain

Primary and gearbox

Guideline

Every 2,000 mi

4 items

Inspect, clean and gap spark plugs

Engine

Factory

Manual: Engine: clean and adjust sparking plugs. Factory: p.31 gives 2,000-3,000 mi (4,000-5,000 km).
Clean / inspect air filter

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Air filter: clean and re-oil filter element. Factory: p.32; more often in dusty conditions.
Clean and gap contact breaker points, oil cam felt

Ignition and electrics

Factory

Manual: Magneto: check and adjust contact points. Factory: p.32 gives 2,000-3,000 mi (4,000-5,000 km).
Check wheel bearings for play

Wheels and tires

Factory

Manual: Wheels (rigid): check wheel bearings. Factory: p.31 gives 2,000-3,000 mi (4,000-5,000 km).

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
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

Every 3,000 mi

1 item

Check and adjust valve clearances

Engine

Factory

Manual: Engine: check and adjust tappets. Factory: p.31 gives 3,000-4,000 mi (5,000-6,000 km).

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

6 items

Magneto: grease rocker shaft with petroleum jelly

Ignition and electrics

Factory

Factory: p.32.
Magneto: lubricate cam felt with thin oil

Ignition and electrics

Factory

Factory: p.32 (magneto section text says cam lubrication every 3,000 mi).
Change gearbox oil

Primary and gearbox

Factory

Manual: Gearbox: drain oil (when warm) and re-fill. Factory: p.31; first drain and flush at 500 mi (p.30).
Change fork oil

Front end

Factory

Manual: Forks: drain oil and re-fill. Factory: p.31.
Check steering head bearing adjustment

Front end

Factory

Manual: Forks: check play in headraces. Factory: p.31.
Wheel (spring): check wheel bearings

Wheels and tires

Factory

Factory: p.31, sprung hub rear wheel.

Every 6,000 mi or 12 months

5 items

Check charging voltage and regulator / cut-out

Ignition and electrics

Guideline
Inspect generator brushes and commutator

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

1 item

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

Ignition and electrics

Factory

Manual: Magneto: remove and clean high tension pick-up. Factory: Magneto section text: about every 6,000 mi (10,000 km).

Every 10,000 mi or 2 years

1 item

Compression test (or leak-down)

Engine

Guideline

Every 10,000 mi

5 items

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

Engine

Factory

Manual: Engine: decarbonize and top overhaul. Factory: p.31 gives 10,000-12,000 mi (15,000-18,000 km).
Replace air filter element

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Air filter element: change. Factory: Air cleaner section text (workshop manual); sooner in dusty countries.
Replace chain and sprockets (wear based)

Final drive

Guideline
Repack / replace steering head bearings

Front end

Factory

Manual: Forks: re-pack headraces with grease. Factory: p.31.
Repack / replace wheel bearings

Wheels and tires

Factory

Manual: Wheels (rigid): re-pack with grease. Factory: p.31.

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

2 items

Rebuild forks: seals, bushes, springs

Front end

Factory

Manual: Forks: renew bushes, bearings and oil seals at least. Factory: p.31.
Grease sprung hub, check for play

Rear suspension and frame

Factory

Manual: Wheel (spring): re-pack with grease. Factory: p.31, Triumph sprung hub.

Every 25,000 mi or 6 years

1 item

Replace swingarm bushes / bearings

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline

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: p.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 1949 Triumph models

All 1949 Triumph

1946-1958

Speed Twin / Tiger 100 / Thunderbird (pre-unit)