Triumphrat

happyray · 02-12-2008

Hi guys,
need some advise from the Best.
My 73 Tiger is equipped with 12,5" rear-shocks.
How`s about getting 1" shorter shocks ?
I do know about handling issues, rake blabla.
I`ve done it on my good ole Shovelhead.

Has anyone here swapped to just 1" shorter shocks ?
How does she go afterwards ?
Handling, tight corners, long curves (!), quickly changing the lane, ground clearance, mufflers optics , etc ?
I need some direct comparison from someone who`s done this thing (just 1" shorter).

Thanks-a-lot
Best Regards
Ray

panda · 02-12-2008

Why do you want to do this ???

happyray · 02-13-2008

Hi,

well my OL started riding again.
I lowered the seat a great deal already but it`s still not enough yet. The rest of the bike ist standard.
So I was thinking about shorter shocks and wondering how 1" would affect the handling of the bike.

The trail will become fractional shorter so (I could imagine) she`ll become a tad less stable when on the highway and quicker on turn-ins (which I could minimize with the change of the front-tyre, say getting a different profile or swapping the front-tyre from 100/90-19 to 90/90-19).
Darn. I was already thinking about getting a pre oil-in-frame Bonnie/Tiger...lol.

The whole issue is about having not enough confidence. The riding-course she took was a waste of money
(I`m actually trying to reclaim my money ...unbelievable which type of nonsense she was taught...so I`m still trying to get her into a Trial-Course but they`re all for intermediate riders grrrr...so I`m looking for a cheapo old trial-bike but you don`t believe how expensive they are...aaaarrrr....you see: I was cracking my head already)

Thanks
ray.

Emanthehorse · 02-13-2008

I doubt shorter shocks would significantly alter the trail.

Main problem would be grounding out the tire on the fender on potholes.

The tire profile switch would result in next to no difference in circumference.

On my Shovelhead, I moved the shock mounts rearward one inch, it's not so easy on the Triumph. I also bolted the fender to the swingarm to prevent grounding out. Forking by Frank can alter your front tubes, you can shave off an inch and then reduce the spring length. The OIF is a tall perch, especially if you have the 1971 version.

I bought the OL a Buell Blast 500cc single, it's cheap, short and with the automatic choke and zero adjustments to make on the rear drive, valves etc. it's a pretty bulletproof little bike. She still wouldn't ride that, so I used it as a commuter for a couple of years, whenever the weather turned crappy (as it has a front fender). The rubbermounted engine makes for a smooth cruise at 75 and you can squeeze 65-70 mpg out of it. Gonna sell mine at the upcoming Detroit swapmeet with a bit of luck

The missus is using a 1978 Hondamatic 400 now, but that's a tall sucker too.

I'd recommend picking up either one of these cheapy Buells or failing that, a T100 project.

panda · 02-13-2008

So you want to lower the seat and not the bike

Just seen a neighbour who had his BMW 1200 seat lowered by a massive 4" or therabouts, i was impressed.

The T100 is a good idea especially up to about '63 as with their 17" wheels they had a seat height of about 27". Also very light bike and easy to handle.

happyray · 02-15-2008

Hi,

hey Panda: This is not the answer I was asking for lol.

Hi E.
I did some calculations (where i got different results hahaha) but I`m sure that the trail won`t be altered much. I`ll try to get used shorter shocks first and see how it looks and feel...

I talked last night to my woman about it and she:
"Why`d you do that ? I don`t have NO problem with THAT height, dude"

Oh boy. Wrong topic on the wrong day...

Thanks for your interest guys
ray.