Triumph Speed 400 (2024+) Maintenance Schedule

This is the maintenance schedule with associated service intervals for the Triumph Speed 400, one of Triumph’s 400-class motorcycles in the “Modern Classics” range, new for 2024.

The Triumph Speed 400 is an entry-level road sport standard, a little sibling to the Speed Twin 900 (formerly the Street Twin). The Speed 400 is powered by a 398 cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine with a comfortably oversquare bore:stroke ratio (of 1.39). With its 12.0:1 compression ratio, it reaches a healthy 29 kW / 40 horsepower at 8000 rpm, with a satisfying thrum from the single-cylinder engine.

While it shares an engine and instrument cluster, the Triumph Speed 400 is different from the Triumph Scrambler 400 X, launched concurrently, for having more road-focused features, less protection, and a 17-inch front wheel. The final drive gearing is also different.

Final drive is via a slip/assist clutch, 6-speed transmission, and chain.

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Triumph Speed 400 Service Intervals

Like its stablemates with the same engine, the Triumph Speed 400 overall has 10000 mile / 16000 km or annual service intervals. These intervals are quite wide, especially for an entry-level motorcycle. At every service, change the oil and filter, clean the oil strainer, and do a host of checks.

The valve service for the Triumph Speed 400 is every 20000 miles or 32000 km — again, quite wide for an entry-level single.

As the Speed 400 has a chain final drive, make sure you maintain it regularly (see below for the section on chain maintenance).

Further, the Speed 400 has a liquid-cooled engine, which means the coolant needs attention — checking its levels and replacing it. And ensure that the brake fluid is replaced per the schedule.

Maintenance Schedule for Triumph Speed 400

Below is the maintenance schedule for the Triumph Speed 400. In the manual, the maintenance schedule is presented as one big table (see the screenshots at the end).

To help get a clearer understanding of what’s required, we’ve broken it up into three parts:

1. The daily inspection checklist (general condition checks, leaks, functionality etc.)
2. The annual inspection checklist
3. The maintenance schedule, including oil changes, but also less frequent things like spark plug changes and valve clearance checks.

In addition, the chain inspection guidelines are separate.

Daily inspection checklist

Below is the daily inspection checklist for the Triumph Speed 400. Do this along with the rest of the maintenance schedule.

Note: You do many of these checks by just noticing no drips on the floor, or when starting out riding the motorcycle. But a few (e.g. checking fluid levels) require active checking.

Triumph Speed 400 Daily maintenance checklist
Engine oil level – check and adjust
Engine – check for leaks
Fuel system – check for leaks
Cooling system – check for leaks
Coolant level – check/adjust
Clutch – Check operation
Clutch cable – check function and adjust as necessary (lubricate as needed with Protect All Cable Life)
Tires – check for wear/damage
Tire pressures – check/adjust See below for tire pressure specs
Wheels – inspect for damage
Steering – check for free operation (no notchiness)
Front and rear suspension – check for damage/leaks/smooth operation
Brake system – check operation
Brake pads – check wear levels, replace as necessary
Brake fluid levels – check
Drive chain slack – Check/adjust (see below for adjustment guidelines)
Lights, instruments and electrical systems – check/adjust
Bank angle indicators – check for wear
Side stand/Center stand (if fitted) – check for wear/smooth operation. Lubricate as necessary

Maintenance schedule

Below is the maintenance schedule for the Triumph Speed 400, including major items like oil changes and valve clearance checks.

Notes:

• Follow the earlier of the time or distance intervals. E.g. do the annual inspection checklist every 10000 miles / 16000 km or year, whichever comes earlier.
• Keep repeating this maintenance schedule beyond the end of the indicated time/distance, in the pattern shown.
• The break-in service is omitted for simplicity. It is an oil + filter change and a check for leaks, cracks, and damage.

mi x 1000	10	20	30	40
km x 1000	16	32	48	64	Every
Daily inspection checklist (see above) — perform all items	✓	✓	✓	✓	Year
Annual inspection checklist (see below) — perform all items	✓	✓	✓	✓	Year
Engine oil – replace (10W-50 API SN / JASO MA2, e.g. Castrol Power 1 10W-50)	✓	✓	✓	✓	Year
Engine oil filter – replace (Internal type filter)	✓	✓	✓	✓	Year
Engine oil strainers – clean	✓	✓	✓	✓	Year
Swinging arm spindle – lubricate	✓	✓	✓	✓
Air filter – replace		✓		✓	More often if riding in dusty conditions
Throttle body plate (butterfly) – check / clean		✓		✓
Spark plugs – replace (Bosch VR6NEU)		✓		✓
Valve clearances – check/adjust		✓		✓
Fuel filter – replace		✓		✓
Headstock bearings – check/adjust (optional at first service)				✓*	* Start here, then every 20K miles / 32K km
Wheel bearings – check for wear / smooth operation		✓		✓
Brake fluid – replace (Castrol DOT 4)					2 years
Coolant hoses – replace					2 years
Coolant – replace (Triumph D2053 OAT, or PEAK Orange OAT coolant) (See here for more about D2053 alternatives)					4 years
Water pump seals – replace			✓		30000 miles / 48000 km
Fork oil – replace				✓

Annual Inspection Checklist

Below is the annual inspection checklist for the Triumph Speed 400. Do this according to the schedule above (i.e. every year).

Items marked [D] need dealer tools.

Triumph Speed 400 Annual Inspection Checklist
Fuel and evaporative system (if fitted) – check hoses for chafing, cracks or damage. Replace if necessary
Airbox drain tubes – Drain/clean
Cooling system – check coolant hoses for chafing, cracks, or damage. Replace if necessary.
Clutch lever pivot – clean / grease
Seat latch cable – Check for smooth operation. Lubricate as necessary.
Drive chain – check wear (see below)
Drive chain – lubricate (see below)
Drive chain rubbing strips – check for wear, cracks, or damage
Fasteners – visually inspect for security
[D] Autoscan — carry out a full Autoscan using the Triumph Diagnostic Tool
[D] Instruments and engine ECM – check for the latest calibration download using the Triumph diagnostic tool
[D] Carry out all outstanding Service Bulletin and warranty work
Carry out a road test
[D] Complete the service record book and reset the service indicator

Chain Maintenance

Below are the chain maintenance guidelines for the Triumph Speed 400.

Triumph recommends you lubricate your chain every 200 miles (300 km), or sooner if riding through the rain / wet, and inspect the chain condition every service. You can use any good quality engine lube, but Motul chain lubricant is well-recommended.

Measure chain wear

Measure chain wear first — there’s no point adjusting a worn chain. To measure chain wear

1. Hang a 10-20 kg weight off the bottom chain
2. In the top section of the chain, measure the length of 20 links (e.g. from 1st pin to 21st pin).
3. Make the measurement a few times.

Target chain length 20 links: 320mm

If the chain is worn beyond that limit, then it’s time to replace it, rather than tighten it. Replace the sprockets at the same time.

How to check chain slack on a Triumph Speed 400

Every brand of motorcycle defines chain slack differently. For the Triumph Speed 400, slack is the free vertical movement of the centre part of the bottom chain segment.

1. You need a ruler (or tape measure) and nitrile gloves or a rag (to avoid getting grease on your hands)
2. Put the motorcycle in neutral, on a level service, and elevate the rear wheel with a stand or center stand if you have one fitted.
3. Rotate the wheel and find the tightest part of the chain, in the middle.
4. Use a finger to lightly push the chain up and down. Measure the deflection, which is the chain slack.

Target chain slack (max deflection) for the Speed 400: 20-30mm (0.8-1.2 in)

If the chain slack is not in that range, then you need to adjust it.

How to Adjust Chain Slack

The procedure for adjusting chain slack is similar on many motorcycles, but of course, specifics vary between brands and models.

You need wrenches and torque wrenches to re-tighten the rear wheel. You need a large torque wrench for the rear axle, as well as a breaker bar.

1. Loosen the rear axle nut with a breaker bar.
2. Loosen the lock nuts on the left and right hand side.
3. Turn the adjuster bolts, usually counter-clockwise, extending the bolt “outward” to lengthen the chain and make it tighter. (Sometimes you’ll want to make it looser — in those cases, turn it clockwise / inward)
4. Make sure to adjust the bolts the same amount on each side — check the markings.
5. Push the wheel into firm contact with the adjusters.
6. Tighten both adjuster lock nuts to 8 lb-ft / 11 Nm, and the rear axle nut to 72 Ibf ft / 98 Nm (“very tight”).

Wheel and Tire Specs for the Triumph Speed 400

The Triumph Speed 400 ships with Metzler Sportec M9RR street tires — tubeless, on cast rims. Below are the tire sizes and recommended tire pressures.

Wheel	Wheel size	Tire size	Tire pressure (cold)
Front	17 x 3 in	100/70 R17 54H	1.8 bar / 180 kPa / 26 psi
Rear	17 x 4 in	100/70 R17 66H	2.3 bar / 230 kPa / 33 psi

Maintenance Torque Values for the Speed 400

Item	Speed 400 Torque
Front left cover finisher fasteners	62 Ibf in (7 Nm)
Front left engine cover fasteners	8 Ibf ft (11 Nm)
Engine oil drain plug	10 Ibf ft (13 Nm)
Evacuation strainer plug	89 Ibf in (10 Nm)
Oil filter cover fasteners	8 Ibf ft (11 Nm)
Clutch cable lower lock nut	11 Ibf ft (15 Nm)
Rear wheel spindle nut	72 Ibf ft (98 Nm)
Drive chain adjuster lock nut	8 Ibf ft (11 Nm)
Drive chain guard fasteners	80 Ibf in (9 Nm)
Battery terminal fasteners	40 Ibf in (4.5 Nm)
Spark plug	13 Ibf ft (17 Nm)

About the Triumph Speed 400

Triumph announced the Speed 400 for the 2024 model year. It’s part of a line of three “small” Triumph motorcycles, all with a sub-400 cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine.

The Triumph Speed 400 has a similar profile to its bigger siblings, the Speed 900 and Speed 1200, but of course, it’s very much its own thing. The heart of the Speed 400 is the same as that in the concurrently-announced Triumph Scrambler 400 X, a 398 cc engine that makes peak power of 40 hp at 8500 rpm.

The engine is responsive, fun, and has a decent amount of character for a single. The crankshaft is optimised for low-speed torque and momentum.

The engine’s finger-follower valvetrain, with a low reciprocating mass and DLC coatings, minimises friction and contributes to the engine’s free-revving yet tractable nature, and also the motorcycle’s very wide service intervals. Triumph gave the Speed 400 the same gearbox as the Scrambler 400 X, but the final drive ratio is optimised for street riding.

In terms of chassis and handling, the Speed 400 has a model-specific frame with a bolt-on rear subframe and a cast-aluminium swingarm. This is paired with suspension setups tailored for each model, ensuring Triumph’s signature agile and dynamic handling.

The Speed 400 has slightly less suspension travel than the Scrambler 400 X, which when combined with the 17-inch front rim (rather than 19-inch) gives it a lower seat height, as well as generally a feeling of being closer to the road.

While the fork is inverted, it’s non-adjustable. The front radial Brembo calliper is on a single disc, which is plenty for street riding, but whose limits might be found at the track (should you decide to take your Speed 400 there!)

The Triumph Speed 400 is already a popular model, with back orders for months in the dealers that have them available. The combination of simple style, modest but engaging performance, and wide service intervals is pretty compelling!

Manual for the Triumph Street 400

The above maintenance schedule comes directly from the user’s manual for the Triumph Street 400, which is available on the Triumph website.

It’s shared with the Scrambler 400 X, but some of the line items and specs are different.