Triumphrat

chelmi92 · 11-09-2009, 07:39 AM

Hi,
Yes, I also have a std Thunderbird (in add to my TBS) and would like to improve the aft damper - noticed as too hard - to improve confort of my newly acquired Thunderbird.
I was thinking of fitting a TBS adjustable damper, but then issue with the height... is it the good choice for improvement?
If any has made such modification or improvement?

Slinky · 11-09-2009, 10:18 AM

Ah this subject has been done to death recently

A TBS shock would b a good choice, if you can find one. A lot of Kawasaki shocks will fit too, but you should read this thread to be aware of the differences.

http://www.triumphrat.net/hinckley-c...n-upgrade.html

I found a Hagon shock, meant to be for a Kawasaki. It is a huge improvement over the stocker.

Jodel · 11-09-2009, 02:12 PM

I had a Hagon rear shock on my TBird as a replacement for the stock unit and used it for about 15,000 miles. I agree with Slinky that a TBS shock is a great choice if you can find one.

The Hagon is good, but I noticed a definite improvement when I was able to fit a TBS unit. The Hagon gives you about 80% of the TBS shock, but either one is a huge improvement on the awful standard TBird unit.

chelmi92 · 11-09-2009, 02:20 PM

I found a TBS damper, just need to know mileage and condition...
Did you made some change to the dogbones links?
Which year is your TB? Did you replace the side stand to match?
Or you fitted the TBS damper and got the seat higher?
Thank you

Jodel · 11-09-2009, 03:52 PM

Chelmi92,

The TBS shock is a straightforward fit. I didn't bother changing the plastic tray on the rear fender to secure the TBS unit remote reservoir, as it doesn't move around when the seat is fitted.

My TBird is a '04 model - one of the last, but it has been modified a bit - with a TBS engine, Daytona wheels etc. See the attached picture.

The ride height is about 25mm higher than the standard Tbird - just like the TBS. I didn't change the dog bones as I wanted more height as it makes it much easier to put the bike on the centre stand.

I kept the stock TBird sidestand, but I had already added about 15mm to the length of the side stand as even without the extra length of the TBS shock, I thought the bike leaned over too far when parked.

I just drilled a couple of small holes in the stand base and bolted a piece of hardwood to the base. This was meant to be a temporary fix until I got around to welding a piece of steel to the stand, but it works OK so I left it alone. You can just about see the extra part of the stand in the picture.

If you do lengthen the stand, you need to make sure that the bike can still lean over far enough in the event that you have a puncture! Hope this helps.

jaguartvr · 11-10-2009, 07:27 PM

I've currently got one T'bird fitted with a TBS shock (20k) one standard (10k) and one with a wilbur (20k).
You would think you were riding a bike from a different manufacturer with the wilbur, it's leagues ahead of the rest.
I took the wilbur T-bird for an MOT the other week, as soon as I got home I took the standard shock bike for it's MOT. On one bend coming back I just couldn't get it round a bend and ended up on the wrong side of the road to get round and I wasn't going as fast as I had been on the other bike.
I didn't fit the shock, it was a previous owner and they are a but pricey at around £500 but I'm now saving up to fit them to both other bikes.
Any one else got a wilbur?
(Wish they would change the name, it doesn't seem right going around telling everyone how good my wilbur is!)

faffi · 11-12-2009, 07:14 AM

My brother has a Wilbur on his Tiger and finds it amazingly supple, but much too soft. However, it's a bit premature to complain as he hasn't tried to adjust it as of yet - he's been busy riding