Triumphrat

superfour · 08-24-2007

I've been thinking of a few mods for the sport.Seat,flyscreen,headlamp,and a few other things,as you do.Then I thought of a major mod,weight.How can I shed some serious weight,say 50 pounds?Plastic springs to mind,to replace metal mudguards and side panels.Theres the problem,what next?The airbox,no weight to worry about really and re jetting hassles.Alloy tank,very expensive.Where could I save some weight?

Wombat · 08-24-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by superfour

Where could I save some weight?

If you are a fat barstard like me, that would be from the rider.

jimmyj900 · 08-24-2007

Start with the mufflers. On Mutato the stock mufflers weighed in at 15 lbs and the Slashcut TORs at 9. Aftermarket mufflers can very light if you're willing to spend the bucks on titanium or carbon fiber.

Switching to a 3:1 exhaust system will also save some weight and you'll only need a single muffler.

Eliminating the rear fender is another way to go. Take a look at the cafe bikes.

You can also trim a couple of pounds by switching to titanium hardware, but that can get expensive very quickly.

Jim

BadMouth · 08-24-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by superfour

Plastic springs to mind,to replace metal mudguards and side panels.

Plastic instead of metal on a classic?
Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!

(just voicing my opinion, it's your bike

)

superfour · 08-25-2007

Jimmy the exhuast is a good saving that will bear some thought.Also ,Wombat,yeh a few pounds less rider would help I think.Still think plastic could play a part,sorry Badmouth.
I did think of drilling 6mm holes everywhere,but being me,I would end up all holes and no strength left in the frame.It's hard to see where to save weight,as the major weight is the engine.Everthing else is preety much as light as function allows.
If I tickle round the edges,alloy here,alloy there.Take that off,drill holes here,I should save some weight.How much remains to be seen.

BadMouth · 08-25-2007

Thought of some other things:

What model is this? Do you already have alloy wheels? The steel ones weigh a ton & that's rotating weight. (IIRC one rotating pound = 3 sprung pounds) (I have a set of OEM alloy rims (rims only) PM me if interested)

The rear fender & fender struts weigh a good bit, big loss there.

You don't need passenger pegs (or the part of the frame they hang from, depending on what exhaust you end up with)

All the turn signal housings and stalks probably add up to a pound or two.

I've always though a classic would look good with the battery centered & a racing # plate in place of the sidecovers.

jimmyj900 · 08-25-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by BadMouth

Plastic instead of metal on a classic?
Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!

(just voicing my opinion, it's your bike

)

Thank you for that: I was too disgusted to comment on it. [insert vomit smilie]

One reason I bought a Triumph was for the lack of plastic on the bike.

Jim

superfour · 08-25-2007

I have to say that this afternoon I had a good look at the bike.To be realistic there really is very little to do.Other than mudguards and exhausts,everything is pretty much as good as it gets.Bye the bye,I already have the alloy rims.The original thinking was to improve the power to weight ratio to suit a more cafed style.Still going to do that part,but I will have to accept that there is not much I can do about the weight.Thankyou for your thoughts,I will try to post some pictures when I am done.

robnobrakes · 08-26-2007

The chrome cover/mount for the horn weights about half a kilo!!!! Bin it and make up a simple bracket. Even better, replace the heavy Triumph horn for a Jap cheapy and save some more weight. Rear pegs can go if you don't have passengers. Mirrors can be replaced with bar ends for a bit more weight saving. An alloy rear sprocket (unsprung weight) will also help. I bet the chainguard weights about half a kilo. Mine did on the Thruxton.

entropy · 08-26-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmyj900

One reason I bought a Triumph was for the lack of plastic on the bike.

Jim

d@mn right!