Finished work, rode down to Ballantrae and back, 70 miles round trip, beautiful road to ride on :biggrin:
After reading a lot of confusing stuff on other forums , banned threads etc, regarding rear shocks on my SE Bonnie, I phoned George at Tec bike bits. The shocks on mine are 320mm Hagons. I can only assume they were either fitted wrong or a previous owner wanted a lower seat height, good idea. Before I rang I watched this on utube Delboy's Garage, Triumph Bonneville #5 'TEC Gas shocks' - YouTube showing fitting them properly and his view on quality and value for money. He has other great videos of working on a Trumpet. SE gas shocks should be 340mm centres. George was a really friendly and knowledgeable guy to speak to. Also have read a lot of stuff regarding their stands. George replied they CANNOT do stand for SE with aftermarket pipes but have one for Std pipes. At £70 great value but no good to me. I mentioned both their web site and ebay site said they could but he replied he needs to edit both when he gets a minute. Hope this helps anybody, I'll update when shocks are fitted. If anyone wants my hagons which are like new!! Bike has only done 3,800 miles, lemme know, they are the progressive ones with screw at bottom to easily adjust settings. I'll put up a piccie later when they are off bike before putting on ebay, but you guys have first chance. pm me if you wish.
Checking tyre pressures. On my way back from Essex on Sunday I thought the steering was getting a little vague as I got nearer home. I didn't have time to do anything until today. The rear was down to 25psi. I can't see any damage/nails/splits or whatever so it may be a valve that's failed. I've just put it back to 42 and see what it is when I check it tomorrow. I hate punctures.....
If you hadn't told us MJ we'd never have spotted that repair to the end of your clutch lever. :wink: Good as new. Better. Its got history. Definitely your bike now.
Unfortunately, woke up to rain here in SW Scotland, so no biking for me today by the looks of things... Messed around with a pic I took last week using snapseed on my iPad... My 2014 Bonnie at Ballantrae in 1914... :biggrin:
Just got back from ride out in Derbyshire, 145mile round trip, with stops for coffee and ice cream :upyeah: Also stopped off at CMC chesterfield to see stunt show they had on (very skilled bloke doing the riding) enjoyed it a lot. Knackered now so couple of cold beers and bed.
Got out on the Trident today and had a nice long run on her, but still not happy with the front suspension setup :frown: will look at that soon. Managed to finally get around to putting the carbs and airbox back on the Daytona, not the easiest job in the world but its done now :smile: Just got to put the bike back together and then it's wheels off and to the powder coaters and then we will be all ready for the Ace Cafe.
Spent the best part of seven hours solid riding the Speed round Hampshire in the pouring rain on a Rapid Training advanced riding course. I swore I'd keep this one dry but it was worth it - and its scrubbed up mint again. Excellent day that got me riding smoother and faster. The rain was no bad thing in the end. I got to know my bike much better. And the Spada one piece suit I bought for £60 didn't let a single drop through. Bargain!
Lifting the bottom end out of frame of my 63 Tbird, must have every special tool EXCEPT crankcase splitter. frame etc had years of grease, grime etc etc, wheres that big rubber 'ammer? :wink:
Dug out the paperwork for both of the Triumphs last night as couldn't remember when the MOT's were due the Trident isn't due to August but the Daytona run out in March Opps Thats what happens when the missus decides to have a tidy up, you can never find anything
my Sprint has been laid up for 5 weeks coz I had a hernia op. Put the battery back on as it has been in the house on a trickle charge. Primed the carbs, choke on and after a couple of turns, she fired up. Felt good hearing her running again and knowing she was ok as she lives in a garage a mile or so from home. Looking forward to taking her for a spin next week before I go back to work.
Rode the Trident over to see Mr Fixit's Thunderbird Sport (210 mile round trip) and the bike went like a clock. Although next time I have to do a long trip I think I'll make sure I take the Daytona as I feeling rather wind blown tonight Also brought a new Helmet (GT Air as below) today and pick it up on Tuesday. Managed to get it for £435 instead of £479 so not bad going :upyeah:
Spent the afternoon tearing round Dorset trying to keep my mate in sight on his 180 bhp R1. Couldn't do it of course. This is an IOM veteran with gouged knee sliders and the toe strips worn through to the soles on his boots, so no chance for me. And the Speed can't wheelie off the throttle at 100 mph in third. (There is no better way to knock a moron in a Seat diesel off his perch when he's hammering up hill puffing black smoke thinking he's showing these silly bikers a thing or two than to sail past with one hand on your hip and your front wheel pointing to 11 o'clock. I wish I could have seen his little face.) All the same the old Trumpet gave a mighty fine account of itself, despite the rider. Even my mate was impressed. The more I'm getting to know this Triumph and the faster I'm riding it the better its getting. The tyres even have the first hint of bobbling on them. Brilliant afternoon. A trip to Pembrey beckons.
Picked up my new GT Air helmet today and took it for a quick test run. Very quiet and comfortable and the drop down sun visor works brilliantly. Managed to get the tank back on and get the Daytona 1000 started tonight, it really sounded sweet with the new plugs and K&N air filter
Took Tilly,my Sprint for a short run out. Not been out for 6 weeks as I had an op and was grounded but it was good to feel the triple engine's power again. I turned the bars round a couple of millimetres by loosening the clamps to give a slight downward angle and this seems to have made the ride more comfortable for my wrists. Nice sunny ride through Lapworth up to Warwick and back,ok, it aint a marathon ride but a good shakedown for me.
Had an evening ride to Betwsy earlier on the Speed3 with 2 mates on their Triumphs, the sun was out but still a bit chilly :frown:
MOT'd the Trident this morning and she went through with no problems. Picking the T595 up tomorrow and will get it home and give it a good clean all ready for the Ace Cafe Triumph Day on Sunday :biggrin: