The Adventures of FriarJohn on Two (and Sometimes Four) Wheels

Yet another anniversary passes of the day I bought my Triumph Bonneville America. I’m getting misty.

Update 1:

Now the downside.

THIS THING IS KILLING ME. For the past few weeks I’ve been trying to get the valves adjusted. One of the bolts for the exhaust-side camshaft is frozen. I can’t get it out. I’ve tried penetrating oil, an impact driver, an impact wrench, and I’ve broken four sockets (T-30 Torx). I think it’s welded in there. I don’t know if the threads are galled. I may have to drill the thing out, extract it and helicoil the hole. If I have to do that I’m sure it will take weeks to get a replacement bolt from England.

Update 2:

On the advice of one of my online buddies I latched onto the bolt with vicegrips and the bolt came loose just like that. It was stupid-simple.