Triumphrat

blackstar1965 · 11-28-2007

So I'm new to this site and Thruxtons in general.
I've basically spent all day on this computer (and this site) and I've found a ton of neat info, parts, etc. for our bikes. Most of which I was directed to by members of this site! I'm glad I joined!

Anyway, I've only been riding for 8 months, before bikes I was into American cars and trucks (specifically mine).
The main difference between customizing an American hotrod and one of these bikes is not the length of my "want list", but the availability of parts.

For example: I've only found 2 different wheel options for my Thruxton. Both of which are ridculously priced considering what I'm getting. Same goes for exhaust, engine parts, etc.
It's kind of discouraging, to me, that I've gotta search for hours to find some such part, and when I do find something like it, it'll cost me and arm and a leg and my first born. Case in point: Marzocchi wheels, for that price I could get FIVE wide billet wheels for my Fairlane or RamCharger.

Has everyone else's experience been the same?
I doubt Honda, Kawi, and/or any other street bike owners have this kind of trouble (harley owners certainly don't needless to say). Is this the nature of the beast, of owning a NEW British bike?
Maybe I'm just too used to finding aftermarket parts for my car on the ground, but I still think a "fork upgrade" is using new parts, not rebuilt stuff from a 10 year old bike (even if it does work wonders).
I don't particularly like the look of Ohlins stuff, but one would figure they would make something for our frontends. Same goes for Remus. (They make exhaust for d*** near everything, Hyosung bikes and other Triumph models, but not ours, WTH?)

These bikes are popular. They're great to ride and gorgeous, and considering the ONLY new alternative is $5k more (Sportclassics) or 30+ years old and not very reliable (like my BSA).

Sorry for the rant, but I just want to customize a bike that I don't have to have a million dollar budget backing it to make it one of a kind.
I'm just a little discouraged and I have no idea what to ask for Christmas!!

(I guess while I'm at it, Triumph wasn't at the International Motorcycle Show last weekend either! Ural, Arlen Ness, and MV Augusta were!! GRRRR!!!)

sweatmachine · 11-28-2007

a short answer:

-yes, parts are really expensive and there is limited availability
-triumph does not participate in bike shows

Like you, I wanted some mag wheels for my bonnie so I got a complete front end off an sv650s and both wheels and had a machinist make it work. See the pics in my signature line.

zam70 · 11-28-2007

I too came form the HotRod side of things...
Contrary to what you think, the Triumphs are not that popular (at least in the states)
Here (Springfield IL) I have yet to see another Triumph - ANY Triumph regardless of model (I have a Daytona and a Bonnie)...OK wait, there's one - an 96 Trophy...and a rumor of a Thruxton but, I have never seen it.

Bike parts are more expensive - parts availability is there for other bikes but, they are still expensive...
What do ya do...

Tabletop · 11-28-2007

I previously rode a very unpopular model Kawasaki (ZR550) and couldn't find any aftermarket parts other than a replacement exhaust system. I couldn't even get a supplier who would even bother trying to identify an appropriate set of fork springs. Manufacturers invest in developing products that they know they will sell in some volume, and there just aren't enough Triumph Bonnevilles on the road. From my previous miserable experience trying to find parts, I think the availability for the Bonnie/Thrux is pretty good considering how few of us there are.

A less expensive exhaust option might be specialty spares. ->http://www.specialtyspares.com/thruxton.html
Or, Emgo exhaust (Dennis Kirk seems a good source) can be had for less than $60 per can.

You can improve the front end with new parts...Racetech cartridge emulators and new springs do alot for the money, and there's very little machining involved.

I'm also on a limited budget, so I'm changing things a little at a time. Two years that I've had the Thruxton, new parts have come out and there are more options. So if you don't see what you're looking for right now, it may be available in time. It is true that most of the parts designed for the Bonnie line are more expensive, but the parts I've seen are generally better quality than the stuff my Harley buddies have bolted on their bikes.

MAR · 11-28-2007

I don't think I agree with you about how expensive everthing is for a Triumph. Yes wheels can be expensive. However I found a set of Carrozeria wheels with a galphor rotor, speedo drive and rear sprocket for $800.(retail $2200).Keihin carbs can cost $500. I agree not cheap.
However an airbox kit will only cost about $250 or less if you cut yours up. A fender elim kit is also about $250 or less if you do it yourself. F3 forks cost about $250 as well and then add another $300 from race tech for the internals.No bad for a front end that actually works.
Corbin seat about $200. I suspect if you keep an eye out you will find a good used exhaust system as well. Works shocks cost about $500.
And there is a host of items for around $200 or less such as gas caps, bar end mirrors, sliders, directionals, fairings, brake rotors, stainless steel lines, tank badges, gauges, fenders.

In addition, they are pretty simple motors requiring minimal maintaince that most can do at home. No liquid cooling or feul injection(yet) to complicate matters.

There are several good locations to find these items, British customs, Bella Corse, New Bonneville, South Bay Triumph and so on.

This is not even taking into account the wealth of FREE information available right here.

SHILOH · 11-28-2007

Actually, I don't think that Triumph aftermarket parts are any more or less expensive in general than other makes of bikes.

I am about to trade my SV650 on a Thruxton, and as such, have been researching the parts situation for a few weeks.

Consider probably the most popular upgrade, the exhaust.

SV650 M4 full ststem $635 and up depending on can sleeve,
SV650 TBR slip on can (1 can only) $399 and up depending on can sleeve,

SV1000 M4 full system $770 to $914,
Sv1000 TBR slip on's (2 cans) $670 to $870,

Thruxton D & D 2 into 1 Full system $599 - Ceramic Black only,
Thruxton Dominator slip on's (2 cans) $525 Chrome or Black ceramic.

Supensions upgrades, well on the front end, the Thruxton uses the same fork as the 2003-2008 SV650, a Showa 41C, with a heavier OEM spring. So, you have available the full spectrum of fork upgrades from cartidge conversion with preload, rebound and compression damping adjustability (rebound and preload externally adjustable) to race tech emulator kits to just spiring upgrades.

On the rear, IKON, PENSKE, OHLINS, and Progressive make shocks.

Are the parts cheap, oh no. But considering the very small market that is being serviced I find the parts availability amazing.

One of the major considerations in trading for the Triumph has been the great variety of aftermarket parts. Although I was also amazed at parts that don't seem to be availability also.

Look at SouthBay Triumph, Newbonnivlle.com, British customs, etc.

The auto world has a big advantage in aftermarket parts in that the cost of engineering a part is spread over many times (maybe 20 to 70 times) the number of units compared to a motorcycle part, and since Triumph is a low volume produce, it is even more expensive per unit.

I do agree, parts are expensive, but take solice, its not marine or avaition expensive.

Enjoy a great bike..
.

blackstar1965 · 11-28-2007

Valid arguments from everyone.

I guess what I miss most is the Summit catalog of goodies each season. There doesn't seem to be anything like that, for us anyway. (I want wheels, I go to the orange section and I have 5 pages of choices, not to mention the stuff that ISN'T in the catalog)

Keihin carbs at $500 is comparable to say a Holley 3310 at $400. Emgo cans for less than $60 is like a Flowmaster for $50.

There are deals to be had, indeed, but bar end mirrors for $80+, side cover bolts for $20, seat bolts for $25... that's kind of ridiculous don't you think?
$900 for Staintune's exhaust system is over the top too; although I do know of their reputation, it still seems like daylight robbery. Especially for 2 mufflers and maybe 6 feet of pipe that'll probably turn blue anyway.

Whatever.
Maybe I just need a better job.

Why doesn't Triumph do shows? Seems kinda odd.
It would've been great publicity, they could've at least sent a local dealer and a stack of catalogs.

I thought these bikes were pretty popular, maybe not the Scrambler so much, but definitely Bonnies and Thruxtons. I see them quite a bit around town, especially up in San Francisco. BMW and Triumph seem to run that place.

Thanks for letting me rant! And thanks for the free knowledge!
You guys rock!

McQueen · 11-28-2007

I'd say leave the Thruxton alone. Let it be what it is: a cool looking commuter bike that won't appreciate in value for the next couple of decades.

The new Bonnies are awesome bikes for the money...but once you start down the modification path, their "value" disappears.

I've invested far too much money in my '04 Bonnie to ever get out of it. And of the bikes in my garage, that will be the first on the chopping block should the want (or need) to sell arises.

Put all that hot-rod energy (and money) into your BSA. Since you live in San Jose, you've got Raber's in your backyard. Turn that Victor into a Shooting Star, add some clubmans, rearsets, etc. Or invest in any of the numerous RELIABLE (or easily, cheaply made to be) T140s that are lingering on craigslist at the moment.

Just my $0.02...

P.S. Billet? Uggh...

thrux351 · 11-28-2007

I agree with McQueen- I've got about 17,000 invested in my Thruxton and while it is unique, if I tried to sell it, I'd get about 4-5000 for it. It's a good bike the way it is.

McQueen · 11-28-2007

Thrux351...

wow...that's some cash. I refuse to add up all my receipts for the '04. I think I'd be shocked at the total.