[T100RON]

Hi all,

i picked up a Benelli TRE in Green/Silver on Sunday and i have just found this marvelous forum. I am new to biking, only passed my test in March. Despite driving fo over 30 years i had never even sat on a bike until i had that eureka moment. I bought a Triumph Trophy as my first bike a 2002 1200cc. It certainly gave me everything i need, a lovely comfortable ride and plenty of grunt if needed. I now feel ready to move on to a sports bike and my first instinct was a Ducati 749. It was just about the only bike i have had any liking for in the past. I took a test ride and wasnt dissapointed in the performance. I guess its size was a bit of a concern being 6 foot 3, but hey it was fun! While negotiating for a second hand 749 one of my mates suggested i should look at the benelli. Not knowing my arse from my elbow i had never heard of the name, although scooters came to mind... thought it was a wind up when he said it was in his top 3. I was gobsmacked when i saw some pictures. I found one for sale locally in Hughendens at £4500 and went over to take a look. It didnt take me long to make my mind up. However, he wouldnt budge on the price and it had a cracked screen. it was an 03 with 8000 miles. i started to look round and found a great example on ebay. i clicked the tit and it was mine. 1800 miles, one owner and looked after like a baby. it looks brand new, another 03. it rode home the 150 miles without any problems.

i do have two things that i need some advice over. the finding neutral problem and running at 2000rpm on tickover.

I have read many posts on here regarding the neutral problem and i as i understand this it is a problem with all benelli tornado TRE's. I have read that this was the subject of an upgrade or recall, where a new mechanism was fitted to make it easier to find. I would certainly appreciate hearing from anyone who has experienced this modification and if it works.

The issue with the high revs has also been covered in posts on here, some have indicated that remapping is required and others say that you can't adjust the revs without specialist tools - ie has to be done at a dealer. Again, if anyone has any experience with this, i would like to hear from you.
I am in Bedfordshire, so if there are any other Benelli owners in the area that would like to meet up please let me know.

T100

 

[LLOYD BENTON]

Welcome

:hat

Welcome to the forum T100RON. You will find all here a great bunch who will be able to help you get over most problems.

I also had a Green & Silver Tre which is probably the prettiest bike ever, that was until some idiot wiped me out recently. (See recent threads.)

With regards to your neutral problem, there was a revised linkage fitted to cure this but it did not make much difference. I found that slipping her into neutral just prior to stopping was the answer and you soon get into the habit. Also with regards to your problem with high revs, you dont say what the problem is but you will need a dealer that has the Benelli AXO (think that's what it is called) reprogrammer.

I do not believe TAZ or KJM have this device judging by the experiences that some here have had. My recomendation to you is to phone Mike at Red Dog Motorcycles in Edenbridge, Kent on 01732 263636 who you will find most helpful. (Tell Mike Lloyd recommened him to you.) I keep harping on about Red Dog but they really have been supurb in their customer relationship. (See other threads.) I have no interests in the dealership, just respect for them. They are all fully qualified Benelli mechanics and have the Axo device.

Hope this has been of some help and hope to hear more from you in the future.

 

[T100RON]

Re: Welcome

thanks Lloyd, very helpful. I really need to run the bike for a while beofre i can be certain about this revs problem. But i do know that after the run it ticked over AT 2000rpm while standing in neutral. Look forward to meeting up with some other owners in the future.

T100

 

[benelliforum]

Re: Welcome

Welcome T100,
Enjoy you visits here. You'll find like Lloyd said, a bunch of cool folks that are helpful and actually care.

Roland

 

[johnyrottin]

Welcome

Welcome to the club mate. There may be some teething problems for you to go through but you have one of the hottest bikes on the planet! Just like all hot italian honeys they can be moody. I had the shift mod done by three cross and it has been immensely easier getting into neutral. My LE has never had the problem, knock on wood. It was just a small part that took minimal time to install but Sam there did a fantastic job for me. I haven't encountered the rev problem yet either.

 

[colintornado]

Re: Welcome

Hello T100, I would agree with Lloyd that reddog are your best bet to sort bits out. I have a run problem its not the same thing as you have and is a bit of a long story.
On The neutral thing, as you have just got it I would rec that you change the oil, as you dont know for sure it is correct.
The correct oil is 15/50 fully synthetic,I have mobil 1 in mine.
At 1800 miles it is only just run in by the way. Fresh oil may improove the clutch/neutral problem. Also they do seem to need extra oil changes,it would have been changed at 600ml so a change now would not be a bad thing.
Also I have the RS and they have a non adjustable reach clutch lever, I think the tre has an adjustable lever. I have to have the clearance set correct and then it goes in neutral perfect, so i would recommend you leave the lever at long reach setting and clearence set correct. If you need a workshop manual i can send you a copy on disc.
good luck, ps i saw your bike on ebay it looked spotless.

 

[Engenia]

Re: Welcome

T100, firstly, welcome.

Secondly, beware!

Please, please, please make sure that your Tre has had the clutch basket replaced with the upgraded one. If it hasn't, your going to be one pissed off owner in the not too distant future.

On the neutral selection
- slipping it into neutral while still moving is a skill well worth learning.
- if your gear lever has 2 linkage mounting points, use the shortest one. It gives you more leverage, and more control when finding neutral.
- mine's harder to find when above 95C.
- make sure that your clutch cable is adjusted to have minimal slack. The more movement you can get, the better. It should disengage in the first half of lever movement, not the second.

 

[LLOYD BENTON]

Re: Welcome

:hat

As Engenia mentions, it would be worth getting you clutch basket centre gear checked to see if it has the modified one fitted.

This can be either verified by getting a Benelli dealer to access records using the frame / engine number to see if the mod has been done or removing the clutch and measuring the width of the centre gear. This should be 8mm wide, if it is only 6mm then you need a modified basket. The other way to see if it is the modified type is to look for the letter "J" on the centre gear, if this is present then all is ok.

I believe that this mod should have been carried out by warranty but don't hold you breath. If this mod is required then I strongly recommend that you get it done. Somewhere on this forum there is more information about this. JohnnyO is the technical expert on this.

Don't panic though it is not a major job, it only becomes one if the gear breaks up, then ouch!!!>: >: >:

 

[colintornado]

Re: Welcome

One other thing, if you are checking the clutch is the upgraded one make sure the clutch adjustment is correct on the end of the clutch,as this needs to be correct as well as the lever clearance..
details of clutch mod are on here somewhere, Is it on Engenias page thing ? i cant remember !!!:lol

If you are still on line Lloyd ,I will give you a ring and pop over soon, i have been busy at work !!

 

[Vincenzo]

Welcom + Coolant Expansion Tank Reminder

A very warm welcome to 'Nelli' Land!

Another hint in addition to the clutch basket issue:

Do not forget to ensure your bikes coolant expansion reservoir tank is empty. Otherwise when you get some warm weather in Bedfordshire???? - you may have an eruption of coolant - hopefully not directed directly at the cylinder heads like mine; although I have it on good authority some overflow pipes terminated at the exhaust!

Check out the coolant thread somewhere on this amazing site.

Enjoy the bike - they are fabulous fun to ride. As well as the looks, the induction noise with spirited riding is 'awesome'. (Pardon the Aussie cliche)

 

[T100RON]

new owner

many thanks for all you replies, i think it will take me a while to let them all sink in. Good advice from all i reckon. Not being too technically minded i will have to take each problem and look into them seperatly, guess i need to spend some time searching this forum. I cant seem to find a "search" on here.. is there one?

Roll on good weather

T100

 

[Engenia]

Re: new owner

T100 - there is a search. Go back one level, & you'll see it next to help, on about the 5th line.

I've tried to encapsulate the technical aspects of the Tre on my website. Some people have found it useful, but it's starting to get too big to find relevant details easily, as well.

 

[Tax Tre]

Re: new owner

welcome to the familia Benelli

I have an RS engine in my Tre and it ticks over purrfectly at 1350RPM, however I am thinking of getting the idle upped a bit as it would suit my riding style a bit better.

do you know whether the bike was raced?

If so this xcould be why the idle is higher than normal

Also check whether it will work fine at 1500RPM once you have had a map reloaded.

May just be that the idle was kept a bit on the high side by the previous owner.

 

[T100RON]

Re: new owner

the previous owner didnt race the bike, i guess he just accepted the way it ran. Ill see how it develops, but thanks for the tip.

T100

 

[T100RON]

Re: new owner

I have spent some time looking through the forum as the Clutch basket that was mentioned earlier gives me some cause for concern. If i have read this right, this was the subject of a recall and there were enough clutch baskets shipped over to cover all the bikes that needed them. I did read one post which states there are two left, suggesting there are two of us who run the risk of a nasty incident! Looking at Lloyd's advice if i ring a benelli dealer they should be able to tell from central records if my bike was one that needed it done and if it has been done. I plan to do this today so ill let you know how i get on.

T100

 

[colintornado]

Re: new owner

Even if you are told it was done i would strongly rec that you check. It is not a difficult job to inspect it and the side cover has to be removed to check the clutch clearance anyway.
The result of failure is metal whizzing around your engine !
There has been several failures noted on here.
Please check, you will be able to sleep
and your hair will not turn grey so quickly !8)

 

[T100RON]

Workshop manual

Colintornado, thanks for your offer of a copy of the workshop manual, i would like to take you up on the offer. i just slid my copy into my PC and found a blank disc! I would, of course re-imburse any costs. Let me know.

many thanks

T100

 

[T100RON]

Re: Workshop manual

colntornado, just found the link to download the manual - so all is well. Thanks for the offer, much appreciated.

T100

 

[colintornado]

Re: Workshop manual

OK mate, if you have trouble downloading just get in touch

 

[Big Bad Al]

Oops!!!

Sorry Ron I completely missed this thread that you started and feel like an idiot for not saying hi:eek

Anyway, I'm here now to say a HUGE welcome to the club buddy Enjoy your stay Ron and keep it shiney side up:lol

Al8)