Triumphrat

sgreer · 09-19-2004

We are brand new to Triumphs; I bought a Bonnieville yesterday and my husband Doug bought a 2000 Legend this past Monday. The first thing he'd like to do is find a taller seat. We'd read that the Thunderbird seat will interchange, so I sent private messages to some posters here who listed Thunderbird seats for sale. But maybe it's not that simple, since a poster has listed a Thunderbird seat that wouldn't fit his Legend. Can anyone provide some guidelines? Any information much appreciated as we don't know squat. Thank you very much. Sarah Greer

denny · 09-19-2004

The early T-Birds have seats that lock on with a key mechanism. The lock is located in the side cover on the left side of the bike. The legends and later T-Birds have bolt on seats. It is my understanding that the later T-Bird seats are interchangeable with the legend seat.

Any T-Bird with a factory installed 6 speed gearbox should have the bolt on seat. I believe that change was implemented with the 2000 model year in the US. The legend can be modified rather easily to accept the locking seats. Collecting all the right parts could be a little pricey. There are some pics of that modification on the web somewhere.

So the short answer, any T-Bird seat of model year 2000 and after should interchange with the legends, However I believe the stock seats are nearly identical.

cheers,
Denny

Wombat · 09-19-2004

'03-'04 Thunderbird Sport models have the key operated seat lock.

denny · 09-19-2004

O yeah I forgot to mention. All Thunderbird Sport models have the locking seat mechanism. The TBS seat is not interchangeable with the T-Bird. Some TBS seats can be modified to fit a std T-Bird and vice versa. It's the location of the locking pin on the underside of the seat and the hooks on the bottom of the seat that need to be changed to make those seats interchange.

I think you want to consider a King queen seat for your Legend that optional triumph seat is a little thicker and raises the seat height a bit. Another option is to raise the ride height of the bike by adjusting the rear shock or changing the dog bones in the rear suspension linkage. Both of those things should documented in other posts here as well as the downloads section.
cheers,
Denny

[ This message was edited by: denny on 2004-09-19 13:46 ]

Slinky · 09-20-2004

I would agree with Denny, changing the dog bones for Thunderbird ones (or even TBS ones if you want more lift) will raise the rear end significantly.

sgreer · 09-20-2004

Thank you all for the information and suggestions. I think he'd like the seat/handlebar position on his Legend to more closely match that of my Bonnieville. According to the dealer, his Legend has the $400 Triumph gel seat that was purchased by the original owner. It is a stepped seat with a low, wide bucket; I think his seat height is something like 26-28 inches, reminds you of sitting on a Harley 883 Low. Was the stock seat on the 2000 Legend like this? Thank you again for any information. Sarah

Tumbleweed · 09-20-2004

Hi Sarah.

I think the stock seat is higher - about 73 cms (29"-ish)
Of course, the gel seat would be more comfortable...
I'm happy with the stock seat, but I'm not the tallest tree in the woods with my 178 cms....

I tried the TBird "plank" on my Legend - it's interchangeable - and it raised the seat by an inch or so...but it's a plank in every meaning of the word.

Since the rear shock on the Legend is non-adjustable, the dog ear thing will be the logical mechanical thing to do if you don't want to tamper with the seat.

Good luck :-D

sgreer · 09-21-2004

Thank you all again for the helpful replies. But let me tell you it looks like he may have decided to sell the bike or try to trade it for a new/used Bonnieville. I should have suspected after the third or so time he asked me if I'd like to swap bikes. Anyone interested in a pristine Legend? Thanks again for your help. Sarah

Tumbleweed · 09-21-2004

Sarah, If I were you, I would swap bikes in a second!
Seriously, the Legend has simply more of everything :-D

But being a Legend owner, I may be somewhat biased.....

Let us know how you guys decide, ok? :razz:

T'Weed

sgreer · 09-22-2004

We'll keep you posted; he'd already ordered new tires and a larger front sprocket, so he may ride the bike for the rest of this season. I almost hate for him to do that; the original owner was in his 60's; and from the way the bike looks only rode on sunny Sunday afternoons. If you know someone interested in a Legend, send them our way. Thanks, Sarah