Triumphrat

44033 · 06-11-2009, 02:25 PM

Hello everyone,

I've been lurking these boards for about a month now so I decided to finally introduce myself. Purchased the ride the last week of May with 4,701 miles on the ODO. This is my first motorcycle and I feel extremely lucky to have stumbled across it. First I thought I wanted a Harley (sorry, I'm a n00b), then a Japanese cruiser. Sat on a Shadow Spirit, FZ6R, Bonneville SE, 07 Thruxston, 09 Street Triple, Monster 696, just to name a few.

Good thing I asked the salesperson at the dealership what used bikes they had for sale. There was an '01 Thunderbird with just 1400 miles that I thought I was going to purchase, but a repeat customer beat me to it that day. Went to go check out the Legend and knew it was going to be my bike right after I sat on it.

So far I've swapped in some Kuryakn foot pegs because the rubber on the stock ones would keep catching on my jeans, causing me to lose my balance; not good for a newbie rider. Sportier handlebars will be going on this week and I've been able to polish out all the swirls and marring on the paint. Oh, I've got a Monza gas cap on order too.

Power mods will come later; I need a lot more experience riding before I even think about more oomph. Plus, I'm COMPLETELY carburetor-illiterate; I've been modding/tuning and trying to come to grips with the turbocharged direct-injection engine in my car for the past 2 years. This looks like a good place to learn quite a bit about my bike.

cafetbird · 06-11-2009, 02:52 PM

Welcome aboard, Mad. Yes, we get kind of creative in here.

4.7 k is a little low for a '00, but not too bad. You are probably better off than you would have been with the '01. She should have been ridden enough to have gotten some most required maintenance. I'd be planning to change the battery by the end of the season, if not already.

How is she running?

Scot

44033 · 06-11-2009, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cafetbird

Welcome aboard, Mad. Yes, we get kind of creative in here.

4.7 k is a little low for a '00, but not too bad. You are probably better off than you would have been with the '01. She should have been ridden enough to have gotten some most required maintenance. I'd be planning to change the battery by the end of the season, if not already.

How is she running?

Scot

As far as I can tell, she's runnin good. My buddy rode the bike home for me and he said he was impressed with it; shifted strong, responsive throttle. His only gripe was the suspension bottoming out on him, but he's a good 100+lbs heavier than me; I'm 5'6" and little over a buck-fifty.

The chain was absolutely covered in crap when I got it. It took me the better part of 2 hours trying to clean it and I don't even know if I cleaned it correctly; used WD-40 on a small section but then it dawned on me that I could be doing more harm than good, so I switched to using Surf City Grime Destroyer. It's basically like P21S Total Auto Wash/S100 Cycle Cleaner, only it has a thicker consistency. The end result was a mostly clean chain. I don't know if it's rust/oxidation, but the center rings on the chain have a copper color to them.

Let's see, what else...I've noticed a small oil leak coming from where the gear selector connects to the transmission. There's also oil burned into the exhaust pipe underneath. Maybe the dealership over-filled the oil?

Battery *looks* like it's in good shape. When I pulled the seat off and checked the terminals, they were clean.

I do have a question though...what's the optimum RPM my motor should be idling? I've turned the screw so that it idles at ~1k rpms.

Hmmm, I should create a sig. that says something like, "Newbie still has a lot to learn!"

cafetbird · 06-11-2009, 04:25 PM

Sounds good! We are about the same size. Engine typically idles at just over 1k.

Sometimes they do leak a bit at the selector, generally not much. When you replace the chain, might also want to change the seal there.

ssevy · 06-11-2009, 04:39 PM

Welcome to the best bikes on earth (can't speak to the rest of the planets, as I haven't been there, but some of my students have, mostly during my class

). Seriously, I cannot think of a better first bike, as the Legend handles beautifully, and has a seat height that lets most folks sit flat footed at stop signs. If you like to spin your own wrenches, this is the bike for you; on the flip side, that means that it is also a piece of cake for any decent mechanic to sort out, especially old school carb men(or women), if you don't like to do your own maintenance. Two pieces of free advice:
1- Read every thread on here, as you will learn more than you thought possible, and be up to speed very quickly. Just don't drive yourself crazy lusting after all of the mods possible on this bike. Ride it for awhile, and then when (notice I didn't say "if") you decide to upgrade things, you'll really appreciate the improvement.
2- Take the MSF rider safety course. Don't throw another leg over your bike until you do. It just may save your life, and it will definitely help you to appreciate what a great decision you've made by purchasing such an awesome bike!

44033 · 06-11-2009, 04:51 PM

Thanks guys! I feel better now that I know cafetbird. ssevy, I spin my own wrenches on everything I can get my hands on; lookin forward to working on this girl. I've already learned quite a bit just lurking...great stuff here. Before I purchased the bike, I decided to take a private one-on-one MSF safety course to see if I even liked being on a motorcycle. Within a week I had my M endorsement and within another, I'd purchased my first bike, w00h00. Let me just say that I don't even see myself riding the bike on the interstate any time this year.

Man, I can't wait to get home from work...it's nice and sunny out right now. Prolly 80 with a nice breeze. Gotta get those new handlebars on quick so I can go for a ride!

:

DetroitsOwn · 06-11-2009, 04:53 PM

Welcome to the forum Mad...I have a 99 Legend that I bought last year with 3800 miles on it (Obsidian Black). Mine had sat for a while, had been left outside earlier in its lifetime, but with some loving attention (and a small amount of money), she is back to her original mechanical condition.

When I first brought it home, the carbs ran very rough under 4K. Eventually, I had to completely go through the carbs, but first I ran SeaFoam through several tankfuls. This allowed me to ride it for several hundred miles before I tackled the carb removal.

Front fork nose dive is common, but heavier oil and/or progressive springs will fix that. Rear shock can be a tad bit soft...check the threads for rear shock replacement, I've bought my ninja Z11 shock but just haven't had the time to change it out yet.

Everything you will need can be found on this forum...it was extremely beneficial to me the first year I had the bike. There are many folks who post (or who have posted) that are knowledgable in mechanical theory, modifications, and practical experience.

Good luck with your new Legend...they are great bikes and you will really enjoy it. Don't be afraid to ask questions here, that is what this forum is all about.

RideVT · 06-12-2009, 12:24 PM

I have the same bike (model year and color). It's been a hoot to ride and really only requires a minimum amount of modifications to make it a great all around ride. If you were to change anything out start with the suspension. The rear is suspension leaves little to be desired. I dropped in a rear shock from a Thunderbird and it made a big difference in the rear and put progressive springs up front.

Other then that my bike is stock and has been relatively maintenance free. Since I was sixteen I have owned at least twenty other street bikes over the years and this is one of the few I plan on keeping. I hope to give this bike to my son when he is old enough to get his own bike. All I can say is enjoy the ride!

44033 · 06-12-2009, 01:30 PM

Thanks again. I'm just trying to take care of little stuff right now. The helmet, clothing and tax/title/licensing are keeping me from doing anything major like a suspension upgrade.

I did swap out the stock handlebar for a superbike type and I like the feel and position much better; my back is straighter without feeling like I'm in too much of a sportbike position. That and the angle at which I twist the throttle is much better. I broke my right arm close to the wrist many many moons ago and the bones didn't heal correctly so flexing my wrist at a certain angle is an exercise in futility.

Got the tank off for the first time last night so I could add coolant. I honestly think I've done more maintenance to the bike in the past two weeks that was ever done in the past two years! I think I'll enjoy working on the bike as much, if not more than riding it!

ClassiclyMobile · 06-13-2009, 12:22 AM

I have a 99 Legend I bought new. Thought I would keep it for 5 years and get something different. Ten years and 40,000 miles later it runs like a top and I can't seem to part with it. I do my own maintenance except for valve clearance but it hasn't needed shims yet! Have fun with that #2 spark plug and air filter. Not so bad after you do it a couple of times. Enjoy it and be safe.