A hi to all and some details on my 09ST!

[MrMessy]

Hello everyone .
Thought that id introduce myself here as well as the welcome forum!

Im Chris, i live in Queensland, Australia and I own a Black 2009 Sprint ST 1050 which i have modified like mad since i bought it stock in mid 2011.

I am a long time lurker and thank you to many for the ideas that i have taken onboard in the mods and maintenance tips, they have proven invaluable.

Id like to share my list of work i have done and am in the process of doing to my strumpet, even if its is a little long winded, so before i do that, id like to say i hope to have time enough to join in on some conversations and perhaps add a little experience to the mix with the mods i have made, and am still making!



OK, first of all, this is my bike. I would put it in img tags but it may be a little big for some screens.
http://www.triumphrat.net/attachment...all-120731.jpg

And this is the insane list:

Installed mods (as at 10/08/12):
-Osram Nightbreaker globes
-Ventura VP-190 headlight protector
-Zero gravity double bubble screen
-Radguard oil and radiator guard set
-Throttlemeister Throttle Lock - heavy set
-K&N air filter
-Staintune exhaust without baffles
-18T front sprocket
-PowerCommander-V and Autotune, dyno'ed to ~115rwhp (need to play with settings a little more yet)
-Uprated springs and valves in the stock forks and rear suspension (with a lowering link in the rear to counter for less spring compression under load)
-Luggage rack and Topbox with Backrest
-Corbin gunfighter and lady locking seat

Arrived mods, just need the time!:
-Pro-oiler
-Clear indicator lenses

Mods i am waiting to arrive:
-R&G knobs
-Powerbronze Carbon Fibre (lookalike) Hugger
-Powerbronze Mudguard Extender
-MRA Touring Screen - Light Tint (will give me 3 screens to choose from)
-Oxford Heaterz Heated Motorcycle Handlebar Grips (not useful where i am, but planning a run to Tasmania run in some months, which is quite cold relatively speaking)
-MFW supergrip pegs with 50mm extension adjuster (for Mrs Messy's comfort on the pillion seat, im happy with stock on the front!)
-Bags-Connection tankring and 5L tank bag
-Denali D2D LED Driving Lights and Mounts
-Anodised black front brake cylinder

Next on the list:
-EBC HH pads and change rear rotor for something a tiny bit more grippy (rear brake has a bucketload of nothing when it gets hot - think the rotor is a little smooth or the pads glazed, not sure but want to increase braking performance a little in the process of sorting that out!)

Maybe later:
-ASV Levers

[oldndumb]

Welcome. Very nice bike.

Couple of questions and a comment or two.

Did the twin barrel exhaust come with a replacement mid pipe or does it use the stock one?

Any reason for the PC in lieu of TuneEcu? From my perspective, TuneEcu offers more functionality that the PC.

Keep an eye on the rear suspension lowering link. Reliability issues have been reported.

If like most, you will find the Bags-Connection tank ring design system very convenient to use.

Not knowing the condition of your rear rotor or the pads, I will say that even with them being optimal, there will be minimum stopping power there. The ST, and many others, is designed to be that way with the rear providing maybe 20% of needed braking. Most use it mainly to keep the bike from rolling while stopped and trail braking. I use mine extensively while doing slow and tight maneuvers, and while finishing stops.

I also am reminded how ineffective the rear brake is when coming down from a high speed stop while doing emerg braking practice. In an emergency, they can be employed after initial braking from the fronts. I have found it difficult to remember that during panic stops and have stomped on it at the same time I clamped the fronts. You really can sense what a bad idea that is if you then release the rear momentarily.

Last comments, and they will generate some excitement. You ought to consider getting an air filter, and if you want to add bling change the forks. ;-)

[MrMessy]

Hi oldndumb .
I think i can answer your questions for you .

The pipes did not have a midpipe, they slot straight into the existing one and the gasket/bushing. The downside to this style of staintune exhaust however, is that the baffle is not removable - you either get one welded in at the factory, or you dont get one. That said, they sound absolutely awesome, and if i could get a decent microphone that could capture the sound as is without destroying it, i would. Stay tuned though, ill see what i can do.

PC, well... I opted for more convenience and on the fly tuning. I realise TuneECU is a far more powerful package when browsing the maps on my 'puter, but for on the fly adaptation i opted for the PC. I have to say i am mighty impressed with the autotune too. I had the baseline optimised on a dyno and let the autotune have at it, and it does a good job of keeping things running in the spec im after. Also, it came down to the cost of having the dyno for several hours to start, stop, upload changes, and mess around with the ecu, vs being able to change things as we went along without so much time spent waiting - it ended up being slightly cheaper to go the PC path than the ECU. That wasnt the determining factor though, as im clearly happy to spend some money on the bike .

I hadnt heard of issues with the lowering link. Ill have to take a photo of it and see if its the norm. Thanks for the heads up.

I understand the use of the rear with trailing and low speed clutch balancing moves, but i still find that even after i have trailed it through a few twisties its fading on me. Perhaps the pads are just hopeless - i imagine they are still the stock and ive no idea what were put on as stock. I hear you on the e-stops though. I tend to not get far past 'oh sh.................' . I must point out though in realistic terms, i try not to trail brake through corners unless im going a little hot... which means i do it more than i care to admit :P.

Ive got a K&N air filter already, were you referring to something else with the air filter comment?

I have looked at forks with a few mentioned here as pretty well bolting straight on, but so far im pretty happy with them after i had them worked over in a functional sense. Bling well... thats a different story! .

[KitNYC]

Originally Posted by MrMessy

Ive got a K&N air filter already, were you referring to something else with the air filter comment?

K&Ns are better at passing air than filtering it, at least to begin with. They let much larger particles into the motor than some of us are comfortable with. Perhaps a justifiable tradeoff in a race motor, but not so much for a street motor that pulls plenty of air through the factory paper filter.

Also, welcome!

Cheers,
-Kit

[DaveM]

Aha another banana bender

Welcome Mr Messy.

cheers
Dave

[Miggs]

Hi Mr Messy,

Welcome, I too would be very interested to see your lowering solution as I have an ongoing need to do just that and mine is 2009 too.

[MrMessy]

Haha thanks guys .
Kit- I wasnt aware of the issue with the K&N! Next chance i get to do some work on the bike - when the new toys arrive - ill crack the airbox and have a look on the inside of the filter. If i see any evidence of crap getting through ill take your advice and source a stock filter.

Miggs - no dramas buddy ill see about taking a photo tomorrow for you. Ignore the dirt, i havent got my hugger yet...

Dave- thanks mate! Nearly joined you on the GT except my feet are too big .

[MrMessy]

Originally Posted by Miggs

Hi Mr Messy,

Welcome, I too would be very interested to see your lowering solution as I have an ongoing need to do just that and mine is 2009 too.

Here you go!

[DaveM]

You will have to excuse me Mr Messy 'cos I am not the smartest guy here, the bluest maybe but not the smartest.

How does a shorter spring and a spacer to make up the spring length lower the bike?

Or am I missing something real obvious?

Which I might add would not be the first time!

[MrMessy]

Eh you got me, i had a seniors moment rushing out the door to nightshift remembering i said id get a photo of suspension .
I didnt quite get it right now did i... try again tomorrow lol.