Triumphrat

beastman487

After careful consideration, I think this legend is the right bike for me to start out on. It's in my price range, and the seller seems very legit. It's a 1999 Legend TT, with 15,xxx miles on it.

My dad has a Harley and will be coming with me to pick it up, but his knowledge of bikes is minimal. My knowledge consists of what I've learned on this forum in the past week.

Any advice on what to look for, listen to, etc?

IrlMike

Not nuch more to add than I've mentioned before (& my reply to your PM)....

If it starts (from both cold & warm engine) well & rides well, you've not much to worry about. Even if there's little hesitancy anywhere I wouldn't panic, but maybe try to point it out, see what the seller says, maybe factor it into a price? A few minor fixes, along the lines you've read about here wouldn't put me off an otherwise quality (& getting rarer?) bike.

Sounds like you're going about things the right way (not least coming here )

Best of luck & hope you'll be telling us all about your new Legend soon! We like photos

Mike

__________________
Legend chassis, Tbird tank/seat, Sprint fairing, tubeless wheels, Thunderbike 3-1, air box mods, 115/40 jets, DJ needles, Ignitech with TPS, ZX6R shock, ZX7R USD forks/yokes, Alcon 6 pot

j_nelson335

Beastman-

I got into motorcycles last July, and I chose the 99 Adventurer to start out on. The Adventurer is very similar to the Legend, and it's a fantastic bike to start out with. The liquid-cooled 900cc engine is tame enough for a new rider, and yet there's a lot of room for growth once you get the hang of it. (Not that I'm advising this, but your acceleration curve is such that you can beat nearly any car off the line).
The low center of gravity makes the bike quite maneuverable and easy to handle. I've read in a couple of forums that the seat isn't the greatest, but I've had a couple 300+ mile days and been no worse for the wear (so this bike has some respectable range to it...)
In addition to this, it's a flat-out gorgeous machine. The one pictured here seems to be in excellent condition, and you've already got the sissy bar and saddle bags. (My wife appreciates the back rest btw- you can ride two up with ease!)
I would see how easily it starts- It's still cold here, and while mine hesitated this morning it still started despite being 28 degrees...
Check the condition of the hoses and leather (it's pretty thin, especially on the backrest)- Also, check the sight glass for oil, brake, and clutch fluid. Hydraulic fluid that's old or has absorbed water has a sort of "chocolate milk" look to it- it should be clear and free of any particles.
If they let you take her for a spin, get the engine nice and warm and then throttle hard. You should accelerate smoothly with no hesitation, but you'll experience a lot of exhaust popping as you downshift or let off the throttle. -This is completely normal. (I actually love this sound...) So, if she accelerates smoothly and then spits and sputters when you come off the fire, you're in good shape engine-wise.
This is perhaps more advice than you wanted, but I love talking about these bikes... Feel free to email me with any questions; as I was in your position not even a year ago. You're buying an excellent bike- enjoy!

-Josh

beastman487

Thanks for the quick replies as usual.

Where is the sight glass?

If the hydraulic fluid looks milky, what then?

davidc

I think one of the best things about these new Triumphs is that they are usually owned by interested enthusiasts - not hollow-headed semi-adoloscent hot rodders - so the odds are in favor of the machine having been maintained and ridden within the abilities of the bike.

j_nelson335

There are three you should look at-

The first one is on the square fluid reservoir for the front handbrake (right side) the sight glass is just a circular piece of glass in the side of the black aluminum reservoir- on my bike it's actually part of the housing for the brake lever- Same thing for the clutch lever on the left.
The sight glass for the oil is found at the bottom of the engine (directly below the actual cylinders) and is a round glass window about the size of a nickel. When stood upright, you should see the oil hover about halfway up the sight glass (although there are several forums here that will debate that...)
Ask the owner when the oil was last changed- As far as the hydraulic fluid, I would strongly encourage you to buy the hardcover Haynes manual
http://www.themotorbookstore.com/trium19.html

This book tells you how do do just about anything, and also tells you what you should NOT do, (depending on your level of comfort turning wrenches)...

I think that David C. has a great point- These bikes typically attract a certain type of rider- I've been to several bike rallies and have yet to meet a Triumph rider who didn't meticulously pamper their bike - I'm sure there must be a few out there, but your odds are a lot better than if you were buying a sport bike...


-Josh

2 wheels good 3 better

Every triple I have ever heard has horrendous primary drive rattle, some worse than others.
It stops when the clutch is pulled in usually.
My TB sounds like Armaggedon when it is hot, I have become immune to it. Fitting noisy pipes helps.
A sharp operator might use the primary drive clatter to drive the seller down another few hundred quid....

If you keep the bike up to date on oil and filter changes, it will go on FOR EVER.
Oil is cheaper than engines.

2 wheels good 3 better

Don't buy a Haynes manual.
DON'T buy a Haynes manual.
DON'T BUY A HAYNES MANUAL.
Buy a Triumph factory manual, they come up on ebay uk quite frequently.

The Haynes manual is a bad joke. The Triumph one is designed for technicians, but is thoroughly comprehensible to the home mechanic.

Please, tell me you won't buy a Haynes manual, and I'll let you sleep with my sister.

2 wheels good 3 better

BTW,my sister is in Long Kesh, doing time for terrorist offenses.
Still wanna meet her?

BigAl8295

I just want to emphasize, do not be put off by the engine noise. It is noisier than alot of other bikes.

15,000 miles is nothing for these bike. See if the owner has any kind of service records.

__________________
FCR-39 Carbs, Sprint Cams, British Customs Predator Exhaust, K&N Pod Filters, Nology Coils, Ignitech Ignitor, Progressive Fork Springs, ZX-6R shock, and one bad ass Horn Cover!
Charm City Mods vs Rockers Rally