|  | Topic : BIKE WEEK DEMOS |  |
| | | feduke | | Thor |  |  | | Reg. Date | : | 11/08/2009 | | Posts | : | 2,441 | | Location | : | Daytona Beach, Florida, United States |
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| | Posted : 10 Mar 2011 - 14:57 Post title : BIKE WEEK DEMOS | | | It was a good day at Bike Week yesterday. Today it's raining so the vendors are all happy. Instead of riding most bikers are driven indoors and spend more money. I took advantage of the good weather yesterday and rode a few demo bikes. The Victory has always looked interesting so I got to ride the Cross Country model. The very first thing I noticed is the seat. It has to be the most comfortable bike seat I have ever dropped my butt on. If they made a model for the TBird I'd buy it right now. The bike handled and tracked very nicely and the power seems to be somewhere between a typical Harley and the TBird, closer to the Bird but certainly no threat. It was a very nice machine, well thought out, but I wouldn't trade for it.
Then I went to Triumph to try the Storm. I've always thought, "100 more cc? Big deal." Oh yeah? Holy sh**! I could not believe the difference. Everything is the same until you twist the go handle. The torque comes on RIGHT NOW and stays on HARD. I literally had to hang on. Close to 24 hours has gone by and the grin is just starting to subside. I'm JEALOUS of you guys with the 1700 now. I really wish I hadn't ridden the damn thing. That's going to be an expensive demo ride!
Those of you who have done the conversion, do you have any tips or suggestions to someone thinking about it? What did it end up costing and how long did it take the dealer to complete it? I swear, that's my last demo ride. 
| I'm a secondhand vegetarian. Cows eat grass. I eat cows.
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| | | daz | | Zeus | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 12/05/2009 | | Posts | : | 7,731 | | Location | : | United States |
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| | Posted : 10 Mar 2011 - 15:16 Post title : Re: BIKE WEEK DEMOS (Re: feduke) | | | Go for it. It's a much more fun ride as a 1700. It took they guy a few weeks to do mine because he was waiting for a new belt. i had mentioned it when i brought it in and he said he's see if triumph would warranty it and they did, but that extended the wait. It would have been less than a week otherwise. Have the dealer order the kit and bring your bike in once it's there so you don't have to leave it any longer than necassary. Also, before you order anything ask them to cut you a deal. I did and got a deal, tho this guy screwed me by reusing my coolant and not paperwork, as he did it under the table to make up for the deal he gave me. So beware of dealers like that. but i would ask them what the labor cost alone is if you already have the kit and what it would cost if they order the kit for you. Look at the cost they quote you for the total package, then add thier labor only cost to the cost of the kit at madds.com and see if thats cheaper. madds.com sells them for $764 with free shipping and no tax if you don't live in thier state. The dealer likely sells at list price plus tax, so you got $900 plus whatever tax is in your state. Figure at even 5% theres another $45, so almost a $200 savings there. But some dealers may charge more for labor if you buy the kit elsewhere which is why i said ask about charges in both cases and do the math.
But the best advice i can give is just do it !!!  Oh, and if you don't have pipes get the short TORs. they not only add a lot more power than you felt on that ride but save probably 30 Lbs, allow access to the axl nut w/o removing the pipe, and somehow amazingly they reduce the bike's vibration in a big way which the long tors don't. (i had both) Ask Dizze if you doubt me.
Ahh....forgot the numbers....$1700, but he first wanted $1900 till i bargained with him.
| 2010 Blue/White Thunderbird, "Brutus". 1700 kit, short tors, gutted cat, UNI filter, filter seal off, custom tune. Brutus in his native habitat: Link
| | Post edited by daz on 10 Mar 2011 - 16:03 |
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| | | Thatch | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 24/06/2009 | | Posts | : | 3,655 | | Location | : | Savannah, GA, United States |
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| | Posted : 10 Mar 2011 - 15:19 Post title : Re: BIKE WEEK DEMOS (Re: feduke) | | | feduke wrote:
Those of you who have done the conversion, do you have any tips or suggestions to someone thinking about it? |
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Yeah, schedule the install NOW before you waste more of the riding season.
and how much did it cost? about $1500 - $1600. $800 or so for the kit $715 for the labor (billed at $65 an hour for 11 hours) That is the variable, all depends on what they shop charges but by the book it's an 11 hour job.
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| | | DizzE | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 12/07/2010 | | Posts | : | 3,141 | | Location | : | Sunnyvale, CA, United States |
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| | Posted : 10 Mar 2011 - 16:26 Post title : Re: BIKE WEEK DEMOS (Re: feduke) | | |
feduke wrote:
Then I went to Triumph to try the Storm. I've always thought, "100 more cc? Big deal." Oh yeah? Holy sh**! I could not believe the difference. Everything is the same until you twist the go handle. The torque comes on RIGHT NOW and stays on HARD. I literally had to hang on. Close to 24 hours has gone by and the grin is just starting to subside. I'm JEALOUS of you guys with the 1700 now. I really wish I hadn't ridden the damn thing. That's going to be an expensive demo ride!
Those of you who have done the conversion, do you have any tips or suggestions to someone thinking about it? What did it end up costing and how long did it take the dealer to complete it? I swear, that's my last demo ride. |
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Well, you are ahead of me. I had only tested the 1600 and red was not my first choice, (though obviously the fastest
color, until matt black comes out.)
It's not the displacement, but the cam, I think.
I really see no reason that the 1700 cam set couldn't drop into the 1600. Maybe not.
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| | | feduke | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 11/08/2009 | | Posts | : | 2,441 | | Location | : | Daytona Beach, Florida, United States |
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| | Posted : 10 Mar 2011 - 16:33 Post title : Re: BIKE WEEK DEMOS (Re: daz) | | | That's some great information. Thanks! Now I have even more to think about. How much does the decible level rise with the TORS?
| I'm a secondhand vegetarian. Cows eat grass. I eat cows.
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| | | narsisco_lopez | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 09/09/2010 | | Posts | : | 2,765 | | Location | : | Golden (Showers!), Colorado, United States |
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| | Posted : 10 Mar 2011 - 16:35 Post title : Re: BIKE WEEK DEMOS (Re: DizzE) | | |
DizzE wrote:
It's not the displacement, but the cam, I think.
I really see no reason that the 1700 cam set couldn't drop into the 1600. Maybe not. |
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Hmmmmm.... reasons, reasons. 
How about blowing through rings, head gaskets, valves, and connecting rods in no time? That's probably a pretty good reason.
| 2012 Storm (SOLD!)
Other Bikes:
2003 Suzuki DRZ400E (plated - my dual sport/mountain trail/camping bike)
Past Bikes:
2012 K13S
2009 KTM 990 Adventure
2010 Triumph Thunderbird 1600 (the Alien Queen)
2009 Triumph Sprint ST (another great bike!)
2007 Kawasaki ZX10R
2000 Kawasaki ZRX1100
1975 Honda SB550T "Clubman"
1981 Kawasaki KZ1000J
1985 Suzuki GS550E
1978 Yamaha 650 Special
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| | | feduke | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 11/08/2009 | | Posts | : | 2,441 | | Location | : | Daytona Beach, Florida, United States |
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| | Posted : 10 Mar 2011 - 16:36 Post title : Re: BIKE WEEK DEMOS (Re: Thatch) | | | Riding season? What's that? Oh, you're in Deutschland. We don't recognize that concept in Florida.
Sorry Jupiter, I couldn't resist. Thank you for the input. It's really appreciated.
| I'm a secondhand vegetarian. Cows eat grass. I eat cows.
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| | | EnGage | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 14/07/2009 | | Posts | : | 3,155 | | Location | : | Grand Rapids, MI, United States |
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| | Posted : 10 Mar 2011 - 16:37 Post title : Re: BIKE WEEK DEMOS (Re: narsisco_lopez) | | | With my trip to AZ in June, I'll hit 24,000 mid summer. I just emailed my dealer to get a quote for the BB kit and waht would be left of the 24K service.
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| | | daz | | Zeus | | | | Reg. Date | : | 12/05/2009 | | Posts | : | 7,731 | | Location | : | United States |
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| | Posted : 10 Mar 2011 - 16:51 Post title : Re: BIKE WEEK DEMOS (Re: feduke) | | |
feduke wrote:
That's some great information. Thanks! Now I have even more to think about. How much does the decible level rise with the TORS? |
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Not a lot. About as little as you'll find with any aftermarket pipe. To me it's just about right, maybe a tad louder than i'd like, but i am one of the few who is almost happy with the stock pipes on any bike and never wish for more than a slight increase. these are more than slight, but not a lot more.
Dizze...according to my mech they can. he even told me he'd order the cams alone and do that for me. But the extra displacement works together with the cams to make for a "sum being greater than the parts" sorta situation. Not to mention it gives a deeper tone. I'm glad i did now because while the difference is awesome, much less would have been disappointing for the money.
| 2010 Blue/White Thunderbird, "Brutus". 1700 kit, short tors, gutted cat, UNI filter, filter seal off, custom tune. Brutus in his native habitat: Link
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| | | Druid | | Jupiter | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 14/10/2009 | | Posts | : | 1,359 | | Location | : | United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 10 Mar 2011 - 17:28 Post title : Re: BIKE WEEK DEMOS (Re: daz) | | | Whats a Thunderbird 1600?
| Socialism is the philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery - W.Churchill
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| | | feduke | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 11/08/2009 | | Posts | : | 2,441 | | Location | : | Daytona Beach, Florida, United States |
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| | Posted : 10 Mar 2011 - 17:46 Post title : Re: BIKE WEEK DEMOS (Re: Druid) | | | Must be the old fart version. That's probably why they put the self cancelling turn signals on. In Florida if you're over 70 I think it's a law that you have to ride with your left signal blinking.
| I'm a secondhand vegetarian. Cows eat grass. I eat cows.
| | Post edited by feduke on 10 Mar 2011 - 17:47 |
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| | | EnGage | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 14/07/2009 | | Posts | : | 3,155 | | Location | : | Grand Rapids, MI, United States |
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| | Posted : 10 Mar 2011 - 19:34 Post title : Re: BIKE WEEK DEMOS (Re: feduke) | | | feduke wrote:
... In Florida if you're over 70 I think it's a law that you have to ride with your left signal blinking. |
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| | | fab | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 12/10/2009 | | Posts | : | 2,515 | | Location | : | wyong, nsw, Australia |
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| | Posted : 10 Mar 2011 - 19:47 Post title : Re: BIKE WEEK DEMOS (Re: EnGage) | | | 2 days to fit mine and $840 from north county Yamaha cheapest i could get it in aus was $1100
$900 too fit it. it has definitely changed the whole bike,just much stronger all round.
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Remember, soft cocks hang around all life long, hard ones come and go
ahh f**k im deep
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| | | DizzE | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 12/07/2010 | | Posts | : | 3,141 | | Location | : | Sunnyvale, CA, United States |
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| | Posted : 10 Mar 2011 - 19:58 Post title : Re: BIKE WEEK DEMOS (Re: narsisco_lopez) | | |
narsisco_lopez wrote:
DizzE wrote:
It's not the displacement, but the cam, I think.
I really see no reason that the 1700 cam set couldn't drop into the 1600. Maybe not. |
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Hmmmmm.... reasons, reasons.
How about blowing through rings, head gaskets, valves, and connecting rods in no time? That's probably a pretty good reason.
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Well, let's keep thinking. Somehow the very slighty oversized piston, rings, and con rods are much beefier? I don't think so.
The valves and gaskets are the same, also.
We know the cams fit.
Do new con rods come with the BB kit, or do you use your stockers?
The BB cam is basically the same lobe profile ramp, lift, etc, but with slighly more agressive lobe centers.
I think it can be done, and I think Triumph doesn't want us to think that.
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| | | DizzE | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 12/07/2010 | | Posts | : | 3,141 | | Location | : | Sunnyvale, CA, United States |
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| | Posted : 10 Mar 2011 - 20:14 Post title : Re: BIKE WEEK DEMOS (Re: daz) | | |
daz wrote:
feduke wrote:
That's some great information. Thanks! Now I have even more to think about. How much does the decible level rise with the TORS? |
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Not a lot. About as little as you'll find with any aftermarket pipe. To me it's just about right, maybe a tad louder than i'd like, but i am one of the few who is almost happy with the stock pipes on any bike and never wish for more than a slight increase. these are more than slight, but not a lot more.
Dizze...according to my mech they can. he even told me he'd order the cams alone and do that for me. But the extra displacement works together with the cams to make for a "sum being greater than the parts" sorta situation. Not to mention it gives a deeper tone. I'm glad i did now because while the difference is awesome, much less would have been disappointing for the money.
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Oh, I agree with the synergy concept and I'd bore mine to 2000 if I didn't have use custom parts.
But, dropping in a new cam set is a lot cheaper...less than half, I imagine. I bet the gain is quite noticable.
But, let us put on our Marketing hats for this last bit.
1600 cc = 98 ci
1700 cc = 104 ci.......................that one sells.
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| | | fab | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 12/10/2009 | | Posts | : | 2,515 | | Location | : | wyong, nsw, Australia |
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| | Posted : 10 Mar 2011 - 23:27 Post title : Re: BIKE WEEK DEMOS (Re: DizzE) | | | standard rods, only pistons,rings ,cams and gaskets and a bolt kit.
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Remember, soft cocks hang around all life long, hard ones come and go
ahh f**k im deep
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| | | Linkdog | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 10/02/2011 | | Posts | : | 3,002 | | Location | : | Groveland, FL., United States |
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| | Posted : 10 Mar 2011 - 23:44 Post title : Re: BIKE WEEK DEMOS (Re: feduke) | | |
feduke wrote:
It was a good day at Bike Week yesterday. Today it's raining so the vendors are all happy. Instead of riding most bikers are driven indoors and spend more money. I took advantage of the good weather yesterday and rode a few demo bikes. The Victory has always looked interesting so I got to ride the Cross Country model. The very first thing I noticed is the seat. It has to be the most comfortable bike seat I have ever dropped my butt on. If they made a model for the TBird I'd buy it right now. The bike handled and tracked very nicely and the power seems to be somewhere between a typical Harley and the TBird, closer to the Bird but certainly no threat. It was a very nice machine, well thought out, but I wouldn't trade for it.
Then I went to Triumph to try the Storm. I've always thought, "100 more cc? Big deal." Oh yeah? Holy sh**! I could not believe the difference. Everything is the same until you twist the go handle. The torque comes on RIGHT NOW and stays on HARD. I literally had to hang on. Close to 24 hours has gone by and the grin is just starting to subside. I'm JEALOUS of you guys with the 1700 now. I really wish I hadn't ridden the damn thing. That's going to be an expensive demo ride!
Those of you who have done the conversion, do you have any tips or suggestions to someone thinking about it? What did it end up costing and how long did it take the dealer to complete it? I swear, that's my last demo ride. |
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Feduke glad your enjoying bike week Daytona's a little too busy for me, do you ever go to leesburg bike fest when it comes around? BTW did you buy your bird from BMW of Daytona?
| Never drink from a cow with one udder! 2010 1600 Blue&White ( of course ) Long TORS and HP filter.
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| | | feduke | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 11/08/2009 | | Posts | : | 2,441 | | Location | : | Daytona Beach, Florida, United States |
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| | Posted : 11 Mar 2011 - 01:10 Post title : Re: BIKE WEEK DEMOS (Re: Linkdog) | | | Hey Linkdog
I know what you mean but this year Bike Week is pretty laid back. No, I've never gotten to Leesburg. I'll have to try it.
I bought my Bird from Shelly Rossmeyer, a buddy of mine, when the Harley dealer was selling them. She claims mine was the first TBird sold. I don't know if thats' true or not. The dealer now is OK, but I actually miss the Harley shop. They had Triumph certified mechanics but operated the same way the Harley guys did. They are a first rate shop. If you go in for an oil change the bike came back almost detailed, and all the work was first rate.
Let me know when the Leesburg thing comes up the next time. I don't hear anything about it over here.
Also, I've been calling around getting prices for the BB conversion. Two shops in Florida said they didn't do it because of liability and another wanted $3,100. Ouch!
| I'm a secondhand vegetarian. Cows eat grass. I eat cows.
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| | | daz | | Zeus | | | | Reg. Date | : | 12/05/2009 | | Posts | : | 7,731 | | Location | : | United States |
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| | Posted : 11 Mar 2011 - 02:31 Post title : Re: BIKE WEEK DEMOS (Re: DizzE) | | | But, dropping in a new cam set is a lot cheaper...less than half, I imagine. I bet the gain is quite noticable.
But, let us put on our Marketing hats for this last bit.
1600 cc = 98 ci
1700 cc = 104 ci.......................that one sells. |
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Well of course. No doubt they will always choose the path to higher profits. But you CAN buy the cams seperately and they do work with the 1600 according to my tech. I assume he knows whether the valves would interfere of he wouldn't have offered to order the cams and install them for me. But again, i think the extra 100cc does probably help more than we think, and according to him thats the case. I'm just glad i did opt for the full kit because as much as i often talk about how much stronger it is, anything less would have been a little too close to that point where i wouldn't feel the thrill i do now. I'd bet the cams wouldn't get more than 60-70% of what the kit does, and that wouldn't have been enough to make me as happy with it as i am. Woulda been a heck of a lot cheaper, (he said about same price as valve adjustment so do it when valve are ready to adjust and it's a $600 mod. cams are about $300 each) but i probably would be wishing i went the full route.
| 2010 Blue/White Thunderbird, "Brutus". 1700 kit, short tors, gutted cat, UNI filter, filter seal off, custom tune. Brutus in his native habitat: Link
| | Post edited by daz on 11 Mar 2011 - 02:33 |
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| | | molinoman | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 26/09/2010 | | Posts | : | 189 | | Location | : | Molino, Florida, United States |
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| | Posted : 11 Mar 2011 - 02:44 Post title : Re: BIKE WEEK DEMOS (Re: daz) | | | If you wanted a good day ride I would try D&D Cycles in Pensacola, FL. They do good work and I'm sure you wouldn't be seeing a charge of $3,100 for that upgrade. The number is 850-456-0354...ask for Dink, he is the co-owner and head mechanic.
It's only about 450 miles from Daytona just get on I-95 north, hit Jax then I-10 and go.
Or you can trade in the 1600 and get the Storm.
Dennis
110 dtg Dubai
111 dtg Home for good!
| Last bike owned:
2007 Triumph Rocket III (sold in April, 2010)
Have finally ridden my 2010 Phantom Red Haze Thunderbird, picked it up in Feb 09, 2011, enjoyed the ride...now I am back in the sand box.
| | Post edited by molinoman on 11 Mar 2011 - 02:45 |
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| | | Birdy68 | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 16/07/2009 | | Posts | : | 3,352 | | Location | : | Bad Zurzach, Aargau, Switzerland |
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| | Posted : 11 Mar 2011 - 09:05 Post title : Re: BIKE WEEK DEMOS (Re: Thatch) | | | Thatch wrote:
feduke wrote:
Those of you who have done the conversion, do you have any tips or suggestions to someone thinking about it? |
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Yeah, schedule the install NOW before you waste more of the riding season. |
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+1
Another point - if you go ahead with it, you MIGHT be pleased to discover that it was a good idea to do it as your bearing shells might need replacing!
My dealer took two days on this project - but he was going slow and by the book, page for page, taking photos along the way. It was the first BB-Kit they had done at the time.
Regarding the sound - I found that it was a tad deeper in tone! VERY NICE....
And with the short TORS I'm sure it'll be sweeeeeet!
First start after BB-Kit installation: January 16th 2010
| Birdy68
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Leave the pork pies for now - get the sausage rolls while they're hot!
 -x-  -x- 
more info at Fuelly.com
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| | | Thatch | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 24/06/2009 | | Posts | : | 3,655 | | Location | : | Savannah, GA, United States |
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| | Posted : 11 Mar 2011 - 09:28 Post title : Re: BIKE WEEK DEMOS (Re: Birdy68) | | | Yup, tone was a bit deeper (not much) , more obvious to me was that the idle is slower. It has a nice lope at idle after the install.
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| | | Farkinott | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 13/12/2010 | | Posts | : | 283 | | Location | : | Queensland, Australia |
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| | Posted : 11 Mar 2011 - 10:52 Post title : Re: BIKE WEEK DEMOS (Re: Thatch) | | |  Greeneyed!
| The only thing that's impossible is shoving 1/2 a pound of melted butter up a wild cats arse with a red hot poker
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| | | Linkdog | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 10/02/2011 | | Posts | : | 3,002 | | Location | : | Groveland, FL., United States |
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| | Posted : 11 Mar 2011 - 11:52 Post title : Re: BIKE WEEK DEMOS (Re: feduke) | | |
feduke wrote:
Hey Linkdog
I know what you mean but this year Bike Week is pretty laid back. No, I've never gotten to Leesburg. I'll have to try it.
I bought my Bird from Shelly Rossmeyer, a buddy of mine, when the Harley dealer was selling them. She claims mine was the first TBird sold. I don't know if thats' true or not. The dealer now is OK, but I actually miss the Harley shop. They had Triumph certified mechanics but operated the same way the Harley guys did. They are a first rate shop. If you go in for an oil change the bike came back almost detailed, and all the work was first rate.
Let me know when the Leesburg thing comes up the next time. I don't hear anything about it over here.
Also, I've been calling around getting prices for the BB conversion. Two shops in Florida said they didn't do it because of liability and another wanted $3,100. Ouch! |
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Leesburg is april 7 -april10 google Leesburg bike fest for all info. be nice to see another bird there,mine was real lonely last year, just 2 bonnies and 1 R3 on saturday
| Never drink from a cow with one udder! 2010 1600 Blue&White ( of course ) Long TORS and HP filter.
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