Triumphrat

DetroitsOwn · 05-02-2008

Thanks to everyone for the great posts about the Hinckley triples. I brought my new 1999 Legend TT home tonight (only 3800 miles) and she is now sitting in my garage. Runs a little rough at the present, but only because the bike has sat and it sorely needs some attention.

Although when I originally looked it over, I did so with a very critical eye, now that I've had a chance to get it home and really check it out, the bike is one gorgeous looking machine.

I can't wait to get it up and running strong. The threads on carburation mods and valve adjustment have been extremely informative, and no doubt I will be consulting them often, as I will be doing both.

Here is a color question: I'm going to eventually paint the bike, and want to keep close to the stock colors (this bike s Obsidian Black). I'm leaning towards the British Racing Green, but the Cardinal Red looks great in the photos.
Any comments on preferences?

BigAl8295 · 05-02-2008

Imperial Green is the authentic color for a Legend.

jenglandtoyman · 05-03-2008

He's right. Green is the proper color for this bike.
I get comments on it all the time!

flybiker251 · 05-03-2008

My cardinal red Legend also gets comments all the time. It is the same color as my 1968 trophy 250 and the color is what caught my wife's eye and she decided right then and there that we would own this bike. We had just gone to look at bikes but the color sold her. We have 49000+ miles on her and she runs as good as new. My Trophy now shares the miles but the Legend is not for sale. Hope you have the same enjoyment whith yours as we have had with ours.
Flybiker

BigAl8295 · 05-03-2008

I meant to say Imperial Green not British Racing Green is the authentic color.

DetroitsOwn · 05-04-2008

The next morning after I got the bike home, I spent half the day cleaning it and going over the setup. Seems when I test rode the bike, the tire pressure was extremely low in the front tire, obviously this was responsible for the poor handling at low speeds. The rear tire has also worn uneven, with noticeable ridges on the sides. Filled both tires up to the normal tire pressure (just ordered new Avon 55/56 ST Sport tires).

The bike starts fine, but the carbs spit a bit from all the sitting. After reading the known issues, I completely drained the tank (got a bunch of metal flakes out), cleaned the petcock and filter, and put in clean gas along with a little Marvel Mystery Oil to help clean the jets.

Took the bike out for around 60 miles (rained the first half) and ran it around the 4 to 5 thousand rpm mark with bursts up to 7.5 (haven't changed the oil yet (that's today) so didn't want to push it too much. After a bit, the carbs are starting to clean up, with less hesitation at the low rpms, but I'm probably still going to have to take them off and clean them thoroughly.

The bike handles very well (awesome actually--have a bit of nose dive but stiffer fork oil should take care of that), considering I still have worn tires, and was a dream to ride. Pulls great after 4K rpm, very fast...and yes, it will smoke my sportster...bad. I love it!

I got a bit mixed up about the colors (racing green vs. imperial green)...thanks for the clarification. Still leaning towards the Cardinal Red, with silver around the tank pads. I like the contrast against the black motor.

I spent the entire day either cleaning, checking adjustments, riding, or just looking at the bike. Being able to see the entire bike without the tank and covers, one can see and appreciate the engineering that went into these bikes.

jenglandtoyman · 05-04-2008

Seafoam worked great for me this spring. Some in the tank, let it run enough to get it into the carbs and then shut off and let it sit in the carbs overnight. Run again and it really seemed to give her a good cleaning. Fresh gas is another thing and glad you got the fuel filters done.
As far as the front end, Progressive springs (11-1144 I think is the number, they are actually listed for the V-Max) and heavier oil do make a world of difference.

ShikePoke · 05-04-2008

Good to hear it Detroit! I'm taking mine out for a ride in the sunshine right now.

Poke

funhunter63 · 05-04-2008

Welcome to the club Detroit. I have a Thunderbird that is Cardinal Red and silver. I am biased, but it is the the best paint color I have seen. I can send you pics if you want them.

I had a friend that used SeaFoam for slightly dirty carbs and it worked wonders.

I getting ready to do the fork springs and thicker oil thing myself. Does anyone know how much oil it takes per fork leg? It seems like measuring ounces of fluid would be easier that measuring the fluid height.

DetroitsOwn · 05-05-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by funhunter63

Welcome to the club Detroit. I have a Thunderbird that is Cardinal Red and silver. I am biased, but it is the the best paint color I have seen. I can send you pics if you want them.

I had a friend that used SeaFoam for slightly dirty carbs and it worked wonders.

I went this morning and bought some SeaFoam for the gas (looked yesterday but couldn't find any...went to another parts store today and located some); changed the oil, and took it out again for another 80 miles. Beautiful day today...great day to ride.

Seems like the carbs are getting cleaner, but still some hesitation at low RPM's...took the advice of the forum posts and didn't run all the gas / SeaFoam mix out, leaving it to set in the carbs overnight.

I would love to see pics of your bike: please email them to: detroitsown@gmail.com or post a link to your photo gallery. I've got a friend already lined up to do the painting.