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Offical 2012 Triumph Steve McQueen SE T100 thread

297K views 874 replies 141 participants last post by  Tornado99 
#1 ·
I recently ordered a Triumph Steve McQueen SE T100.
http://www.triumphmotorcycles.com/motorcycles/range/classics/bonneville/special/10238
Come May/June they should start arriving at the Dealers.
1,100 of the Steve McQueen SE's will be manufactured, a little over 300 (?) will be imported to the U.S. Each will have a plaque between the handlebar with an identifing number (1/1,100 etc.).
I thought it would be interesting to keep track of as many Triumph Steve McQueen SE T100's as possible.
When you receive your Steve McQueen T100 check in with your special identifing number, Country & State.
And don't forget to post pictures of your new Triumph Steve McQueen SE! :)
 
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#275 ·
Is anyone else finding visibility an issue? Not sure if it is the small headlamp, or the matte green paint, but I have never had as many people pull U-Turns in front of me, or attempt to merge over me, than I have on my SMQ. I had one of each happen to me today!

I'm buying hi-vis everything ASAP.

Any thoughts?
 
#279 ·
I've been looking for a decent saddle bag that I thought would look right (retro) on the Triumph. I found this saddle bag at Fox Creek Leather http://www.foxcreekleather.com/284-leatherworks-saddlebags/1369-deluxe-brown-pony-express-saddlebag
They are not cheap, but very good quality. I'll be installing these in the Spring.


Covered up for the Winter.
Wow that color looks great! I'm still waiting on mine, should be here possibly tomorrow. I went with leatherworks. You are making me wish I would have gone with the brown
 
#289 ·
OK, so I bring my Bonnie in for the first service. I paid the $124.00 and present my Triumph Warranty & Service booklet that came in the owner's manual and asked if they fill them out to document servicing to maintain warranty. The service manager looks at me like I'm an idiot and says they do not fill them out.

What is your experience? Does it matter or not?

My dealer just obtained their Triumph dealership. Something seems not quite right. I may look to another dealer for service. I feel like I'm driving a Mercedes into a Hyundai dealership...
 
#292 ·
Windshield for the McQueen:
What are people using for windshields on the McQueen bike? They have them for the Bonnie, but the headlight is larger than the McQ. and they have them for the scrambler...will the Dart flyscreen (for the scrambler) work? Not particularly anxious to have one, but my days of running "naked" are done. Any suggestions very much appreciated.
 
#293 ·
i also had a similar experience with the indianapolis dealer. wasn't real thrilled with my first service their (they told me the booklet wasn't important, had them sign it anyway). seeing what you guys got charged, i also feel like i got screwed (over $250.00). the sales guys were cool though. which dealer did you go to ArmyVet? i think i will try either donaldson's in st louis or one of the chicago area dealers. anybody had any service at these locals? i am planning on having exhaust, air box removal, and air injection removal done in the spring. any info would be great.


redeyedwood
 
#300 ·
Let me run this by Chad McQueen and Matt Capri (at South Bay Triumph).

One place that immediately comes to mind is the annual Friends of Steve McQueen car and motorcycle show, held at Steve's alma mater (Boys Republic) in Chino, CA in June. It's an all-day show, with a dinner the night before, and it raises money for the Boys Republic. The McQueen family usually attends, as does motorcycle luminaries such as Dave Ekins, Troy Lee, and others.

By example, the Bullitt Owners Club usually gets 25-40 Bullitt Mustangs to attend the event. It would be awesome to get a group to attend in 2013. We could also have the 0000 bike there.
 
#305 ·
Pat, the only thing Steve would be spinning is the wheels on whatever he happened to be riding.:)

Steve certainly liked what he liked, but he was pretty open to any well-designed and built car or motorbike. In the mid 60's, for example, he rode around Taiwan on an early racing Suzuki while filming the Sand Pebbles, notwithstanding that Japanese bikes had yet to eclipse their British counterparts and weren't as well regarded until after 1970.



Similarly, he had Husqvarna send out a crate of dirt bikes while filming Le Mans, even as he kept his handbuilt Rickman Metisse for riding at home. At that time, Husky hadn't established itself quite as seriously as it did after On Any Sunday. He also was one of the first to embrace the Honda Elsinore, before it gained the credibility in the desert.

Crack open Matt Stone's McQueen's Machines, which does a good job tracing some of the 140+ bikes and 65+ cars that he owned at his death. His favorites were certainly iconic, but he was not a snob.Truth is, if it had an engine, and it was cool (better if also fast), Steve enjoyed it.

Here's an article Steve contributed back in the day, after riding the current crop of bikes (BSA, Greeves, Montessa, Honda etc). He had his favorites, but it's clear from the article that he just loved bikes, period.
 
#343 ·
wyomingpat,

Rolling down the highway, grooving to the beat of a parallel twin, the furthest thought from my mind is whether any of my steeds have come down a Thai production line.

The Thai connection has been common knowledge in the Triumph bike world for several years now, which some people seem to have a problem coming to terms with. That's globalization.

As you can see, that factor was no deterrent to my purchases...

Like the rest of the good folk on this thread enjoying their modern classics, you should do the same and forget about the site of production. It's a 100% privately-owned British company - an icon.
 

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#310 ·
I have not met, on this board, or otherwise, an SMQ Bonnie owner that is not smitten with the bike! I think Chad, McQueen Racing, and Triumph did a great job with the constraints they had delivering a product to a worldwide market, and corresponding regulatory standards.

I am very interested in the McQueen Racing modification, and plan on making The Great Escape by attending the Triumph SMQ Round-Up at the Friends of Steve McQueen event in Chino, CA in June. It will be great to meet fellow owners and the McQueen Racing team.

For those that believe this bike is a sell-out, marketing gimmick, or travesty to the Triumph heritage, rest easy. There are plenty of other bikes out there for you to choose from. I, for one, will not judge you for what you prefer to ride.
 
#312 ·
#313 ·
Looks like a plan is coming together for a road trip West for the Friends of Steve McQueen event in June!

Mrs. ArmyVet's on board. Little ArmyVets are on board (may cost a trip to Disneyland however).

How many other SMQ owners are thinking about making the round-up?
 
#314 ·
I have had several Barbour jackets - they are now a fashion item but mine were used on the farm. Now you pay through the nose for the benefit of the label. They are intended for shooting parties and riding tractors - if you want to indulge in strenuous walking or what ever they are not that good as they do not breathe - you will end up wetter on the inside than the outside. $800? stupid - we thought they were over priced at 70GBP ($110)?
 
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