Triumphrat

Tbird900 · 01-23-2005

Help Wanted Guys.

Can anyone tell me if Kappa Hard Luggage, Top Box and Panniers, currently fitted to a 1995 Tbird will fit to a 2002 Tbird. Item currently being offered on eBay in the UK.

Any advice gratefully appreciated

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"If it ain't broke don't fix it"

Jodel · 01-23-2005

The rear sub-frame on the '95 bike is slightly different to your '02 machine. It is about 1" higher and has the seat-locking mechanism. However, I doubt if you'd need to make many changes to the mounting brackets to get the Kappa stuff to fit OK. Sprint Manufacturing may even be able to supply you with a fitting kit for your more recent model. Note: there are some TBirds in the album section with Givi cases fitted, so you'll get some idea from there how they are attached. I think there are also a few good close-up shots of Givi cases on a Legend.

Alternatively, I'm sure Kappa is basically older model Givi. That being the case (pun intended), have a look in either the MPS or M&P catalogues as I think some third party suppliers also make rack/pannier kits to suit Givi type cases.

I have Non-fango hard luggage on my bike - I used their 'Universal' fitting kit and just made up my own brackets to suit. Because of the relative ease of access to the frame and an assortment of potential mounting points, it is not too much of a problem to fit luggage to a TBird if you are in any way handy with a wrench. If you have access to heat - i.e. oxy-acetylene, so much the better as it's then easy to bend stuff into shape.

Drop me a PM if you want any more info.

Tbird900 · 02-06-2005

Jodel, Thankyou for your comments and sorry for the delay in response. I have taken the plunge and bought the Kappa luggage.

After spending most of yesterday I have now worked out what I need to do to complete the installation. I just need to have fabricated a couple of brackets to clamp to the frame under the seat to which I can secure the third pair of mounts.

There is a small engineering firm up the road from me who can make something up for next to nothing.

As I don't want the luggage permanently fitted I found the fiddliest part of it was making new electrical connections so that I could feed the indicator wires through the mounting nuts.

Any way all will soon be sorted and I will be trialling them Easter weekend.

Once again thanks.

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"If it ain't broke, don't fix it"

[ This message was edited by: Tbird900 on 2005-02-06 08:05 ]

Jodel · 02-06-2005

Glad you got fixed up OK. TBirds make pretty good touring machines. I did a 2000 mile trip to the French Alps last year - now you've got the cases sorted out, what's your excuse for not going? :razz:

I have always fitted hard luggage to my bikes as I find it much more convenient than messing around with throwovers. Other than feeling a bit heavier, it makes no difference to the handling of the bike. I just leave the fittings on my bike all the time.

I had hoped to retain the Triumph chrome indicators, but ended up just fitting the generic type plastic ones which mate with the Nonfango rack. I dismantled the original indicators and re-routed the wiring to the new ones as I didn't want to chop any of the original wires.

Hope you enjoy your trip at Easter time.

Silk · 02-10-2005

Hi
Been watching this thread (and others similar) with interest as am thinking about similar for my t-bird. but thinking of the offering from Sprint as I live on this side of the pond.

But would like to see how your bird shapes up with frame, and with/without bags (i.e. just the frame) and am also very interested in how any other riders with luggage manage with pillions - as looking at what pics I can find, it don't look like there is much legroom, swing over room for them (especially the latter)

My wife is not confident enough yet, to do the peg stand swing, and prefers to attempt from kerbside, but will she have to learn otherwise? If I go this route, same goes for soft luggage, any info appreaciated.

Silk · 02-10-2005

Hi
Been watching this thread (and others similar) with interest as am thinking about similar for my t-bird. but thinking of the offering from Sprint as I live on this side of the pond.

But would like to see how your bird shapes up with frame, and with/without bags (i.e. just the frame) and am also very interested in how any other riders with luggage manage with pillions - as looking at what pics I can find, it don't look like there is much legroom, swing over room for them (especially the latter)

My wife is not confident enough yet, to do the peg stand swing, and prefers to attempt from kerbside, but will she have to learn otherwise? If I go this route, same goes for soft luggage, any info appreaciated.

Tbird900 · 02-11-2005

Silk,

Hi there, I should be in a position to provide some answers to your questions shortly.

The brackets I have had made will be with me tomorrow and I will be able to complete a full and final installation. I will put some pictures in my album for you and others to look at.

I am also keen to see how it works for getting on board. I am the swing the right leg over type but I think it will have to be lift the right leg toes uppermost over the riders part of the saddle.

My wife gets aboard by standing on the peg and swing the right leg round. Whether this will still work I don't know.

I'll let you all know when we've tried it!!

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"If it ain't broke, don't fix it"

Silk · 02-11-2005

Thanks TBird900

I hope all goes well with your trials and I look forward to seeing the results.
Looks like wife and I will need to start some flexibility exercises in order to achieve seating on future bird. But if we want to use the T for touring later in the year me thinks we will need to find quiet secluded spot for practice so we don't make total asses of ourselves on the road

Out of interest what cases\box did you get?

Tbird900 · 02-12-2005

Silk,

I can now provide some answers to your questions. To answer last question first the luggage is by an Italian firm called Kappa. The stuff is available new from a firm called Sprint Manufacturing.

Click here

Mine was 2nd hand and came from a '95 T'bird which has a slightly different rear subframe so I've had to have a pair of brackets made for two of the mounts. You can see them in my pictures of the installation in my Photo Album You will notice that the rack comes with indicators already fitted so you just need to modify the connectors to fit.

As to your other questions about mounting the bike it turns out to not be as bad as I expected. I can still swing my right leg over the saddle with just a touch on the RH pannier. I can also just lift my right leg over the front part of the saddle.

My wife can still get on by standing on the left footpeg holding my shoulders and swinging her right leg over the top of the top box. Getting off is slightly different, she finds it easiest to reach for the floor with her left foot whilst easing her backside across to the left until she can put her full weight on the floor and then pulling her right leg over the saddle all whilst hanging on to me.

I agree that some private practice in your garage might be useful if you don't want to look like an idiot contortionist in public! If you have any other questions I'll be glad to try and help.

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"If it ain't broke, don't fix it"

Silk · 02-12-2005

Thanks for those, I am sure the pics don't do it justice, just looks a little strange on the T-bird lines. mmmm....

Not sure about what the system does to the indicators, guess it is a trade off for wanting decent luggage, and at least it don't look hideous without .
Good to know it don't interfere with mounting the bike too much, probably no worse than me trying to mount with tank bag and tail pack on passenger seat.

Thanks again for the pics, really helpfull, I know the sprint site - been looking at it myself for some time but his pics don't tell you what bag system he is showing. Also know kappa and givi am guessing, now you have the system you could fit whatever boxes you wanted now? (in the future, i.e. 21L for day to day 40+ for real trips) as long as it uses the same mounting system ?

Silk