Triumphrat

dazco · 02-28-2010, 11:13 AM

Do you notice any extra vibes since the kit was installed? One of my dealer's employees told me he rode the bike with and w/o the kit and said the 1700 vibrates more. According to the owner this is because the kit is an add on and the engine's balancing was designed for the slightly lighter pistons, so it throws the balancing slightly out causing more vibes. I haven't heard anyone say they noticed this so i question it. But i just want to know because while chances are i won't be getting the kit, i still want to know because my decision is really not final yet. He seems sure that the 1700 will soon be the standard Tbird engine and that when it is triumph will re-balance it for the 1700 pistons. If that really was the case i would consider selling mine in a year or so instead of having the kit installed. He seemed sure he was correct about the vibes but i haven't heard anyone complain so far, so i'm interested to see what you guys have to say.

Thatch · 02-28-2010, 11:36 AM

Sounds like workbench theorizing about a single bike that might of had a wheel out of balance. The 1700 won't become the standard. The upgrade is part of the Triumph 'pik and mix' approach to the bird. It's a profit center to have a bike with lots of add on bits. It would be foolish to drop that profit. Besides the 1600 already beats 1700 and 1800 bikes now, so no need to do so for comparison shoppers either. Your dealer is talking out his @ss.

The 1700 has zero* vibes just like it did at 1600. I've not hear anyone speak of any change in vibration.

*obviously zero is not exactly true as you can feel the bike run, but there is no buzziness, not unpleasant vibes at all. I did have those when the bike was brand new.

AZfun · 02-28-2010, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thatch

Your dealer is talking out his @ss.

I hope you're right! To clarify, this earlier statement concerns me..."because the kit is an add-on and the engine's balancing was designed for the slightly lighter pistons, so it throws the balancing slightly out causing more vibes".

If this is true (though unproven), I won't be a happy camper (or can I say PISSED?)!

Thatch · 02-28-2010, 01:41 PM

Well I can only speak of my own experience and relay the complete lack of public comments about any additional vibration from those that have had the BB install.

AZfun · 02-28-2010, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thatch

Well I can only speak of my own experience and relay the complete lack of public comments about any additional vibration from those that have had the BB install.

Yeah, I appreciate you voicing your opinion and personal experience!

dazco · 02-28-2010, 02:02 PM

Well, thats good to hear, but i'd still like to hear from everyone...mad? Anyone else? The reason i tend to even consider what my dealer says is he's an engine builder and racer since i was a kid. He just broke 5 new speed records at bonneville recently. Theres an article on him in the current triumph mag if you're interested. Anyways, i don't think he's talking out his A$$ at all. I just don't know whether what he says is going to translate to the Tbird and BB because while what he says makes sense, you can't assume it will be true with every bike. There will be exceptions and different degrees no doubt. And since he has yet to build a hot Tbird (tho they are looking to do just that) he's not talking from experience with that model. It did concern me tho that one of his staff rode the 1700 and said this. I can't help but wonder why he'd lie, especially considering the first thing they asked me when i walked in was when i was going to have them do the BB for me. So i would imagine they'd not want to stifle a possible sale if they didn't believe it. So it's one of those situations where i really need to be sure and both sides are very convincing. Makes you wonder how one can be wrong when there can only be one true answer. So more BB experiences please.

mad_angler · 02-28-2010, 03:21 PM

yep its sh*t,by the sounds of it they have never ridder a HD if they think the thunderbirds buzz is bad, i have not noticed anything more than normal, its 1700cc dam it, i remember hearing some one moaning about the kick to the side the Rocket has after a test ride, he was moaning like hell, to fit engine of these sizes to bikes is going to produce a compromise of some sort, dealers don't realise something about this bike, it had been in development since 2004, the Big Bore kit is not an afterthought it was in the drawing board from day one, to compete with HD triumph had to offer not just a better bike but the whole package, that included upgrade options from day one, i was talking with Bruno (head of Global Sales) at Triumph when i had my factory tour he he was telling me that the T-Bird is the most important bike to come out of triumph in the last 10 years, its a onslaught at HD on there own soil, nothing has bene left to chance with this bike.

Bonnie1000th · 02-28-2010, 04:02 PM

Tacht
Your dealer is talking out his @ss.>>>

I happen to disagree with you. it seems to me that you are talking out your @ss!.
I ride bikes with big bore kits for the last 40 years, so I know what I'm talking about.

mad-angler
yep its sh*t,by the sounds of it they have never ridder a HD if they think the thunderbirds buzz is bad>>>
Wrong , I rode and owned HD for many years!

Dazco
It did concern me tho that one of his staff rode the 1700 and said this. I can't help but wonder why he'd lie, especially considering the first thing they asked me when i walked in was when i was going to have them do the BB for me. So i would imagine they'd not want to stifle a possible sale if they didn't believe it>>>

You are absolutely correct, we have nothing to gain.
Like I told you I test rode the bike for 50 miles, and the vibration came from 2500 to 4000 RPM's under hard acceleration , not under roll-on throttle. After the test I immediately reported the issue to the engine builder and Triumph headquarters ( I keep the names in private).
PS: I'm not an SBT employee, I'm in charge of TPUSA.

Thatch · 02-28-2010, 04:08 PM

oh, and a pleasent fellow to boot. I stand corrected. Obviously lack of social graces indicates a knowledgeable person. Don't get the BB, it will vibrate itself apart.

What do I know. I only own one with the bb kit have 4000 miles on the bike 500 since the bb kit install. I'm sure your 50 miles is a much better source. I just got lucky.

Bonnie1000th · 02-28-2010, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thatch

oh, and a pleasent fellow to boot. I stand corrected. Obviously lack of social graces indicates a knowledgeable person. Don't get the BB, it will vibrate itself apart.

What do I know. I only own one with the bb kit have 4000 miles on the bike 500 since the bb kit install. I'm sure your 50 miles is a much better source. I just got lucky.

If you re-read your post you'll notice that your comment towards us wasn't very friendly.
So, if you judge us in a derogatory way, don't expect a path in your shoulder.
It's not about knowledge, it's about manners, that it seems you have a serious lack of it.