Triumphrat

sevrin · 07-06-2008

Hey guys, I am really knew to this wrenching thing, but this winter I want to start increasing the HP of my Thruxton. So my question is, where do you start? I have already put Ohlins on the back and Icon springs in the front as well as D&D pipes so the important stuff is taken care of. but if im gonna have the thing apart, i want to have a plan of logical starting point to get th maximum bang for the buck. What modifications are going to give me the most increase in hp, and what are the related pieces that should be changed to handle that increase? I guess it should be noted that what i'm looking for is more punch out of corners, I get so frustrated catching up to my buddy on his sport 1000 just to see him roll on and rocket away, Dämn Ducati... always taunting me.

Aussiematt · 07-06-2008

Similar question I was going to post. I'm also focusing on the next stage after the basic performance upgrade (exhausts, air box removal, AI etc). From what I have read here there are four popular options - cams, increased capacity, ported heads and larger carby. The biggest gain in hp for one's $ is important although I still want to torque in the useable range suitable for the steet. Are there any performance cominbinations that people are happy with?

redhawk34 · 07-06-2008

Allow me to wax philosophical for a moment (I wash and wax my philosophical twice a year.)
I did the Stage 1 mods, and probably picked up 6-7 RWHP for $800 US (British Customs Kit). I then started looking at the next step.
One thing I have learned in other bike projects is; There is no place on God's Green Earth where the Law of Diminishing Returns hits as hard as in supertuning a motorcycle! You start at $100 per HP, and quickly find yourself at $700-800 per HP.
I might do a capacity upgrade if I blew up the engine. The other option is breathing, and you really have to do headwork, Carbs, AND Cams together to do much good.
I decided the Thrux is such an unmitigated BLAST as it is, that it didn't make economic sense to try to make it into something else. Add up the costs of the mods, and pretty soon, you have a big chunk of the price of a Street Triple or Daytona.
Not telling you what you should do, De Gustibus, and all that. I'm just working through my decision tree.
Best,
Redhawk

Skull Crusher · 07-06-2008

Law of diminishing returns shouldn't be a player if your looking to up the performance of the Thrux! Infact anything you do to any motorcycle, with maybe the exception to a Ducati Desmosedici, is considered a financially loss. So with that in mind, the biggest bang for the buck will probally be a combination of Cams, Carbs and ported head for starters. More air in more, well you know the scenario.

You will have the biggest gain here first. Going with just a big bore kit without these mods, you'll never see it's true potential. Of course you can do it all at once and be done with it, but there is the initial expense. If you do it yourself your looking at around 4-6K. If you have it done, then your looking at around 8-10K!

This all depends if they have to split the cases and how big you wish to go.

Of course with all this gain, your going to have to spend additionally for brakes to haul it down, which is about another $800-$1000 depending which way you go. The biggest problem with all of this is, you shorten the longevity of the bike which also is dependant on the way you ride it. You can spend alot of money quickly and not get the results your looking for. Remember this, that it is still a Triumph with a limited potential. If you keep this in perspective you'll always enjoy the small gains you've made along the way and it won't matter which bike goes around you cause there will always be one!!

Cheers

Jeff

sevrin · 07-06-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skull Crusher

the biggest bang for the buck will probally be a combination of Cams, Carbs and ported head for starters.

That sounds about like what i was hoping, I'm not really wanting to make it crazy, just get a few more horses out of it while trying to maintain the character of the thrux, I already have an 05 speed3 for days i want to ride with my hair on fire HO HO!

So any suggestions on what carbs, cams etc to use? I would like to be able to do most of it myself if at all possible, have books will wrench I guess

Oh, also... do you need to switch out the petcock? One of my local rats had to replace his tank after trying that maneuver.

thanks again,

SEV

sbpark · 07-06-2008

i bought my thruxton last december, and just last week "finished" all the performance mods that i plan on doing (for now). initially i removed the airbox and AI and put on predators and noticed a big difference after rejetting the stock carbs. a couple months later i replaced the coil and wires with Nology wires and coil and Iridium plugs and noticed a difference there too; much smoother all around. last week i installed CR carbs and the thing pulls pretty hard now. i am very happy with the results and aside from adding some hotter cams i am not going to mess with the engine. for me there is get a limit on what i plan on doing to this bike. other's have gone huge. it all depends on what you want out of it. i would suggest doing it in stages like i did so you can enjoy each mod and see if you want to take the next step or not.

as far as carbs go it's personal preference. i like the CR's so far, others swear by the FCR's, but they are a bit pricey. some people say that the FCR's are not streetable while others who have them love them for the street. it's all personal taste and preference, just remember, like mentioned above the more you do the more expensive it will get. the best bang for your buck is to start with pulling the airbox and putting on some new pipes and rejetting, then move on from there.

another interesting point that was mentioned is a lot of people dont address that brakes will need to be upgraded as well.

good luck with whatever you do and keep us posted!

sevrin · 07-07-2008

Hey SBpark,

Thats good to hear, quite a bit more punch huh? I think im gonna do it all at once, my plan is to obviously save up the money(about 2k from the sounds of things) and tear it apart in Nov DEC. My basic plan is to remove the air box, change the carbs to probably the FCRs as well as changing out the cams and rejetting all at the same time. Next year for the brakes, and aesthetic changes, Im thinking want to get the slipery sam tank like Robnobrakes has on his gob dropper.

Anyone else have an opinion on FCR carbs Vs CRs? also, will I get a big benefit from switching the petcock?