Oil Change on Triumph Bonneville
The engine on the Triumph Bonneville / Scrambler / Thruxton is simple, of high quality and known for its reliability. To maximize its life, it is necessary to change oil strictly according to the regulations or even more often. The manufacturer recommends changing the oil for the first time at 800 km after the purchase of a new motorcycle, and then every 10,000 km or once a year. The oil shelf life is usually 5 years, but only if it is stored in a sealed package at a stable temperature. When the motorcycle is parked, condensate and oxides form in the engine, which reduce the quality of the oil, which is why it must be changed at least once a year, even if the mileage is less than 10,000 km.
Choosing the right oil is not as hard as it may seem. The manual accurately specifies the requirements for it: synthetic or semi-synthetic oil with a viscosity of 10W40 or 15W50, matching the API SH specifications or higher. For Russia, the 10W40 is better, the choice of the oil type is individual (based on our experience, the gearbox shifts more smoothly on semi-synthetic oil), the API SH specification is so old that finding the corresponding modern oil is difficult (most oils on the market meet higher specifications). The brand does not matter. It is important to properly maintain the motorcycle according to the regulations, and not to look at the prices and labels of oil cans in a store. The oil can be changed more often if the motorcycle is operated in dust or when there is a large temperature difference.
Any motorcyclist wonders why oils with the same characteristics have different prices. There are only a few full-cycle companies in the world: Shell, Total, Mobil, BP, Petro Canada, Neste, Statoil, etc. These companies produce oils themselves, have advanced technologies, and their products offer the best value for money. All other brands are blenders that buy base oils from full-cycle companies and occupy unpopular market segments, which is why their products are often more expensive.
When changing the oil according to the manual, it is recommended to change the washer on the drain bolt, but experience shows that this is not required and it does not leak.
The T100 is not equipped with a center stand, so when checking the oil level, the motorcycle must be put in a vertical position.
In general, the Triumph Bonneville oil change procedure is standard. The main thing is to remember to fill the filter with oil, tighten the drain bolt and check the level.
