Triumphrat

delugecryer · 10-28-2007

A couple of months back purchased a 1999 Legend with 2700 miles on it. I have been riding mostly Jap bikes in my years and have had Harleys and do not care for them much and was needing a change , I was actually looking for a Guzzi when I ran across this bike. After badly needed modifications I really love this bike. I really want to thank everyone on this website for the wealth of useful info on this bike. First thing I noticed was that this bike could not breath, you could tell it was highly restricted! The bike is replacing my FJ1200 as a commuter and I weight 250lbs+ so It has high expectatons to fulfill. The bike to me ran too high of rpms at highway speeds (70-85mph) and seemed to be straining due to the restrictive airbox and exhaust. I knew this bike was a runner it just needed to be set free! I ordered the K&N filter and jet kit from Great Bay Cycles and installed with one set of shims under the needles. I then disconnected the pre air-chamber and my son cut a hole in the top and stuffed with foam to enable to be used to carry tools, patch/CO2 kit. I drill an identical hole in the other side of the airbox. I replaced the Torx-Bit airbox screws with hex-heads and glued the airbox baffle in place, now I can unbolt the airbox and open it enough to remove the K&N for cleaning or replacement without removing the airbox. Next I installed a set of Dunstall Replica mufflers with the removable baffles. I then replaced the 17th front sprocket with a 19 tooth. Wow what a difference!!!!!!!! There are no flat spots in the carbs. In factory tune the bike achieved 42-43 mpg and now it gets 49-51 mpg, sounds and roars like the trumpets of old. Rpms at 80mph are at 5 grand. Seats of the pants guestimate is 10-15% power increase. The triple powerband is by far the most usable I have ever had for a motorcycle, I love this bike!!! The bike already had a summer windscreen on it and I added a centerstand kit and sissy bar luggage rack. A set of 11" by 17" saddlebags barely clear the mufflers but look great and with the longer Dunstall mufflers add volume to the rear of the bike and make it look better IMO. It is also neat to have something unique from what others are riding.Was wary of the spole wheels because the Jap spoke wheels always seemed to flex to me but the Akronts seem to be of a much higher quality. Haven't made a weekender to the coast yet but really think this bike is made for "aggressive" cruising on the backroads where the awesome triple powerband can be enjoyed to it fullest rather than droning down the interstate.Thanks once again to all those that posted the wealth of useful info on here. I am in the Atlanta area and anyone who wants to get together for rides by all means drop me a line. I am looking forward to meeting other Hinckley Triumph owners in the area.

BigAl8295 · 10-28-2007

I have a '99 as well and love it. With a little tuning, its a great bike!

Any pics yet?

jp99tbirdnm · 10-28-2007

Welcome aboard and congratulations on your Legend. Curious about your air box mods for removing the K&N filter. Post some pics of that if possible.

Tbirdnz · 10-28-2007

Welcome deluge', pleased to see you love your Legend, a little tweaking improves them out of sight.

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Ride on !

britishsteele · 10-28-2007

Welcome Deluge...i also own a 99 Legend and love it. However, it is sick right now (shifter broke) but I'll figure out how to get it going. It's a real comfortable bike and most legend owners I meet are owners for life!

powerdarko · 10-29-2007

Hi! i also have a legend and I'm really happy with it!!!

I'm also interested in the mods you have made.

I wolud like to put a k&n filter and new jets.

Can you post some pictures of the airbox in order to undestand how to make the mod so that it is not necessery to remove it to change the air filter?

Thank you!!!

willyt · 10-29-2007

Welcome aboard and we are anxious to see some pics if you can showing what you have done....

Willy T

ShikePoke · 10-30-2007

Welcome! I may own other bikes in the future, but I will never part with my 'ol girl. I am going to have to look into that 19t front, mine still has the 17t, and yes, she wines at interstate speed.

'01 Legend Black - I haven't seen another one in person, I like it that way.

Poke

britishsteele · 10-30-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShikePoke

Welcome! I may own other bikes in the future, but I will never part with my 'ol girl. I am going to have to look into that 19t front, mine still has the 17t, and yes, she wines at interstate speed.

'01 Legend Black - I haven't seen another one in person, I like it that way.

Poke

I know what you mean. My '99 legend is black as well! Triumphs are rare as it is in El Paso, but I just found out I have the only Legend in El Paso. People look at the bike and tell me what a cool bike, what is it??? The black motor throws them off![

delugecryer · 11-01-2007

Thanks for the responses, sorry I haven't posted a picture yet but my digital camera is on the fritz. I will post a photo a soon as I get another camera. I really like the black ones, especially the one with the Duchess tank graphics, mine is "Cardinal Red" I believe. Alot of people have asked about the mods, especially the airbox. First off I would not mod the airbox without rejetting, it will make an already lean machine run more lean. The Airbox is held together with Torx-Bit screws. If you were to disconnect the pre-chamber and unbolt these screws you might be able to pry it apart enough to get the factory filter out but would properly damage it pulling it out, mine was a 99 and the first foam layer desintegrated from dry-rot. on the carb side of the airbox there is a plastic baffle/insert that will fall loose and fall down. You will will never get the baffle back in place and squeeze a factory filter in without damaging it. The airbox will have to be removed and the factory filter removed, glue the baffle into place so it stays there. drill another hole on the opposite side of pre-chamber input on the intake side of the airbox with a hole-saw about the same size as the pre-chamber intake hole. You should use hex-head screws to put it back together after putting in the K&N filter. There are hoses between the airbox and the frame, re-rout these so they are not between the airbox and the frame. If your engine carb intake boots are properly seated and carbs properly seated and the boots on the airbox carb connection seated correctly you will be able to seperate the airbox (with it in the bike)after unscrewing it and seperate it enough to remove it, clean it,reinstall it all without removing the airbox from the bike. This is of course with the K&N filter which is sturdier and thinner than the factory element. Glueing the mentioned baffle into place prevents it from falling down an keeping you from sliding the filter back in. I know this works because I tried it after putting it all back together. Keep in mind the pre-chamber did do a good job of keeping dirt out of the airbox so the filter will have to been cleaned at a more regular interval. I figure about every 10k miles to give it a cleaning. I hope this clears it up for all those inquiring about it. The 19 tooth sprocket is a must have mod in IMHO. bear in mind on reason the bike in factory tune is geared to rev so high is beacuse the engine is so choked up it has to rev to produce the power to suck/pull the needed air thru that tiny pre-chamber intake hole. With that in mined IMO I would not put the 19 tooth on a stock tuned bike because it might not produce the revs or produce the rpms needed to suck the needed air thru the tiny air-chamber hole and produce the needed power, causing worse performance.. Only the bike has been set free the engine allowed to breath would it be able to pull the 19 tooth and it does with ease, the change is like night/day. I will post a pic when I fix my digtal camera or get a new one.