Featured Vintage Tiger Test Passed On Tuesday - 955i First Ride!

Discussion in 'Tiger / Explorer' started by Clazzer, May 2, 2019.

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  1. Clazzer

    Clazzer Well-Known Member

    Jan 26, 2019
    68
    63
    Staffordshire Moorlands
    So I passed my mod 2 on Tuesday and have just managed to clock up my first 200 miles on my old girl. Should've done this 20 years ago...I love it! Have to say though the old girl does feel a little "agricultural" she feels solid, and gives the impression that her mechanical engineering is honed from heavy metal. She's got a lumpy tick over (which I admit, I quite like) she has a lovely unexpected induction growl I'm still suffering from "new dad, what's that noise!" nerves regarding the engine sound but a fellow triumph owner friend of mine has reassured me that they aren't exactly the quietest engines and that mine sounds just fine. So I'm looking forward to enjoying my time as a gentleman motorcyclist and getting to know some of you guys on here a little better.

    IMG_3770.jpg
     
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  2. freck

    freck Elite Member

    May 4, 2017
    1,719
    750
    Preston, Lancs, UK
    Well done on the pass mate, nice bike you’ve got there too.
     
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  3. Sprinter

    Sprinter Kinigit

    Aug 17, 2014
    6,026
    1,000
    uk
    Hi. The 955i is solid clunky hardwearing and fantastic, Be Safe .Careful now.
     
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  4. Clazzer

    Clazzer Well-Known Member

    Jan 26, 2019
    68
    63
    Staffordshire Moorlands
    Thanks freck
     
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  5. Clazzer

    Clazzer Well-Known Member

    Jan 26, 2019
    68
    63
    Staffordshire Moorlands
    Cheers Sprinter...yeah she's certainly a bit clunky but as you said she feels solid. She's surpisingly nimble and agile for her weight and size when she's on the move. I intend to ride steady and enjoy the experience.
     
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  6. Clazzer

    Clazzer Well-Known Member

    Jan 26, 2019
    68
    63
    Staffordshire Moorlands
    Cheers, Yeah...have to admit first couple of miles I was in a mild state of panic thinking "it's knackered" but apparently all normal and she runs lovely. I have been having a nosey around the site on a few occasions as I purchased my bike in Feb, prior to taking my test. Then first 2 mod 2's got cancelled, failed the 3rd, passed the 4th then first mod 2 my bike developed a fault on the front brake lever switch towards the end of the test (last couple of miles...test terminated!) then passed second time...it's been a journey I can tell you!
     
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  7. Neil Gunn

    Neil Gunn Member

    Mar 29, 2019
    30
    18
    scotland
    Well done Clazzer now enjoy I'v e still to pass mine first 2 bits done and bike in the shed waiting...:cool:
     
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  8. freck

    freck Elite Member

    May 4, 2017
    1,719
    750
    Preston, Lancs, UK
    Yeah well done Clazzer and good luck Neil, it’s not easy to pass these days is it? It’s a far cry from when I passed mine long before the examiner was on a bike too. My missus passed hers about 18 months ago and I couldn’t believe how difficult they’ve made it now.
     
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  9. Speedy Pete

    Speedy Pete Well-Known Member

    Feb 1, 2019
    85
    78
    Kent
    Hi Clazzer, well done on the pass, and a great choice of bike, the old Tigers just grow and grow on you.
    I had my Roulette green one for 12 years and still miss it now.
     
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  10. Speedy Pete

    Speedy Pete Well-Known Member

    Feb 1, 2019
    85
    78
    Kent
    Hi Clazzer, well done on the pass, and a great choice of bike, the old Tigers just grow and grow on you.
    I had my Roulette green one for 12 years and still miss it now.
     
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  11. thebiglad

    thebiglad Old fart, still riding !

    Sep 25, 2013
    5,064
    1,000
    Central France
    Hi Clazzer and welcome in to the Triumph Asylum.

    Well done on your tortuous trail to a bike license, here's a couple of thoughts based on experience with my 955i Tiger (a blue 'un) :

    1. If you haven't already done so, give her an oil and filter change and use good quality oil. This is the start of your biking career so you want it to go well, plus it sets a benchmark for future servicing.

    2. The fuel pump and filter are installed within the tank and accessible from the underneath. From the factory they have plastic fuel line connectors which are notorious for breaking. There are now metal versions and you would be well-advised to get a couple in stock, for the inevitable !!

    3. The motor is liquid cooled which is good, but if you fill the header tank to the top mark it will burp some out, so I used to leave mine about halfway between and that worked fine.

    4. The uneven tickover is often due to the vacuum pipes which connect onto the IACV (Idle control valve). When they start to perish you can get uneven idle - replace them before they let you down.

    5. Enjoy ! - I took my girl to Italy in 2017 and had the time of my life.

    Cheers and the very best of luck to you,

    Dave
     
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  12. Speedy Pete

    Speedy Pete Well-Known Member

    Feb 1, 2019
    85
    78
    Kent
     
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  13. Speedy Pete

    Speedy Pete Well-Known Member

    Feb 1, 2019
    85
    78
    Kent
    Good advise Dave, all very true. ;)
     
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  14. steve lovatt

    steve lovatt Something else

    May 12, 2014
    9,211
    1,000
    North Yorkshire
    Hi and welcome to the forum :cool:
     
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  15. Clazzer

    Clazzer Well-Known Member

    Jan 26, 2019
    68
    63
    Staffordshire Moorlands
    I thought the Mod 2 was easier than the Mod 1 mate, I thought I'd made 3 errors but only got got 2 minors, so good luck and the best advice I can give you is just treat it as a ride out on your own, try and forget the examiner but stick to what you've been taught...you'll be good mate, let us know how you get on ;)
     
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  16. Clazzer

    Clazzer Well-Known Member

    Jan 26, 2019
    68
    63
    Staffordshire Moorlands
    No mate, I was quite shocked as I expected it to be far easier than it was tbh. I get it's a good thing to have a good level of training but theory, CBT, Mod 1 & Mod 2? Are some of those elements just there to generate £'s for the government in the guise of the DSA?
     
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  17. Clazzer

    Clazzer Well-Known Member

    Jan 26, 2019
    68
    63
    Staffordshire Moorlands
    That's top advice that littleade, and very true!
     
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  18. Clazzer

    Clazzer Well-Known Member

    Jan 26, 2019
    68
    63
    Staffordshire Moorlands
    Thanks Dave...I've done a couple of little jobs on her but mainly cosmetic, screen bolts and a tank bolt missing and the delivery guy broke the back light mountings (which I noticed about 5 weeks later!)
    1. She's been serviced and MOT'd and the oil is clean, was going to run her for a thousand miles (300 in already) and then drop the oil and filter as I don't know what oil the shop who sold it would use and I very much doubt it'd be a premium product. What oil did you use in yours?
    2. Thanks...I'll look into this, I was going to get a Haynes manual so I will look this up (and/or check the interweb). I'm no mechanic but I'm not daft and know my way around a spanner.
    3. Got it...thankfully that's exactly the level it's at, middle.
    4. That's definately a "look up" for me before I tackle that as I don't know where the pipes and the IACV is situated.
    5. She's stood for a long time judging by the previous MOT mileages, 2000 miles since 2012 and only 400 in the last 2 years. I noticed that it was blowing a bit of smoke when I was just starting it to keep the battery charged prior to passing my test but thankfully I checked again yesterday after a brief ride and it seems to have cleared up apart from the mildest of wisps.
    Thanks for the advice...appreciate it.
     
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  19. Dartplayer

    Dartplayer Crème de la Crème

    Aug 8, 2018
    6,912
    1,000
    New Zealand
    Hi Clazzer and welcome to the forum :cool: congratulations on the pass and enjoy
     
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  20. Bad Billy

    Bad Billy Baddest Member

    Jun 1, 2017
    6,800
    1,000
    Southern Softyville
    Congrats on the pass mate, and welcome to the forum.
    As far as engine noise goes, think of it as character!
     
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