Hi folks.. new to the Forum and have spent the last few weeks browsing/ researching the Forum. Ive fancied a 748 for a few years now and having given up road bikes two years ago and been happy with a Triumph Daytona track bike I felt the urge to return to a road bike this year. The Triumphs staying for track use and Im after a 748 for occasional road use but want a minter. Whilst i understand the 748 has its issues and requires regular servicing/ belts, valves the only area of concern for me is the rocker arm issue. It makes fairly depressing viewing when researching the net re Rocker arms. Now Im starting to wonder if its wise to spend £3k on what is without doubt a stunning bike but which could potentially cost me half its value in one go on Rocker arms. Is there a proven solution to this issue and do the re coatings work? Also who and roughly how much to get this done? Anyone in Scotland doing the rocker chrome re coating? Any thoughts, opinions or experience would be very much appreciated as Im currently looking at a 748S with 14k on the clock, FSH but has only done 600 miles in last two years. Many thanks in advance....
Whilst rocker issues are a concern, dont let it put you off. This can happen to all 748/916/996 bikes, but statistically seems more common in 748/996 about '99-01 vintage. Some wont be affected at all. The only way to check is by whipping the covers off and getting the cams out, as should be done every valve clearance check any way. As I'm sure you know, have a look at the engine oil to check for chrome flakes. A small amount of metal filings in the oil is normal. If a rocker/s is flaking, you can either replace like for like from ebay or similar, but it could happen again. I know of several forum users that have sent worn rockers to Newham Cams, an engineering firm who braze on a new surface on the rocker as a good permanent solution. If I recal it was about £35 per rocker, but dont hold me to it.There are several engineering firms who do a similar service, there must be one near you. An alternative could be to get hold of a batch of earlier rockers, but this could be costly. If you did start to get the rocker issues, you probably wouldnt even know it until the cams were checked on the next valve clearance.
Forgot to say, always let the bike warm up before riding, gives the oil time to circulate to the rockers, al least 2 minutes. See if the sellerknows this as its no secret. High milage bikes are not a prob if looked after. Those that sit still and then have the occasional use are more likely to be affected as each time the engine is started the oil has drained to the sump and has to be recirculated again, this is when the rocker is rubbing the cams with no lube (2 mins!). No reving til warm. Lots of folk like 15W oil, as its believed to cling better to rockers.
Thanks for the reply nice to see some reasonable perspective on this.. Confirmed everything I thought.. Anyone out there had rockers re surfaced can confirm if solution and prices? Many thank
The last i heard the Newman rockers were being supplied by G-Tech otherwise there can be a wait for them. I had 5 replaced at the first big service i had, at substantial cost i might add. They do turn up on ebay as used items now and again and i know some keep a personal stock just in case. The only way to find out whether yours are worn is to take the cams out. Use Motul 300V 15w50 oil is the best solution to keeping the engine and rockers in decent nick but it's not a guaranteed fix obviously. If you look after the bike you should hopefully only have to feel the pain at that first service, if at all.
I had my opener rockers done by Newman cams back in March, took about a week and around £45 each IIRC, this is still much cheaper than buying new replacements. Before that I had 10 flake, all openers so decided to eliminate the problem completely (hopefully the closers will be Ok)
The above have just about covered it I think, my 748 has covered 33000 miles now and has had 5 openers replaced altogether. Steve
Hello mate, nothing further to add to the above posts but I too thought for a long time about getting a 748 before finally going for it recently, they are great bikes and my advice is to go for it! And I'm in scotland too lol
Thanks folks for all your replies... Finally took the plunge this afternoon and picked up a cracking original '00(X) 748S in Newcastle... 14k miles in yellow and in great condition. look forward to getting out and about and browsing the forum.. Belt change is due so I suspect that a Haynes Manual will be the next purchase Thanks again:wink:
Top job, post some pics soon. Look after her and she will reward you, a very involving and satisfying motorcycle. Belts are not to bad if you are methodical and handy with wrenches. Time to buy some tools!
