Triumphrat

09-23-2004

Having admired from the seat of various bikes I have finally bought a 1995 Tiger - it's not taxed yet, but the trial ride was FUN. What a smile a minute bike.
Only 3 things bothered me -
One was the amount of dive on front braking, so having read the comments posted here, I've ordered Hagon progressive springs.
Two is a rip in the seat (which is really sad as the bike is in great condition other wise, any seats out there I can buy?
Three, as there is no main stand, can one be fitted? Or is paddock stands the way to go - if so any ideas on which ones will do the job
Thanks in advance for any replies
Chris

Life is an empty book, so write a lot

flyintiger · 09-23-2004

there is a center stand available from triumph, but depending on the riding you do i'm not sure if it is worth it.

i bought my Tiger with one, and i'm getting fed up with scraping it every time i ride it. i will most likey remove it soon to gain some clearance back (sorry, i won't sell it tho :wink: ). that said, my problem is probably not as bad with a sorted suspension. plus i live in the twisties so i lean it way over every time i ride it.

on top of that issue, i have the hardest time lifting my Tiger onto the center stand. that is a friggin heavy bike, and i'm no muscle man.

my 2 cents (or pence)

cheer
droo

BigStripey · 09-23-2004

Chris,

Welcome along, good to see you here. Especially as 'Steamer' (nickname for carbed Tigers) owners are under represented here :razz:

Ref the fork dive....good move oredering the Hagon's. Good quality product at a good price. They WILL make a difference.

The saddle...You might struggle to find a replacement, excpet from a breakers perhaps. Corbin make excellent saddles for the carb Tigers, but at a price!. There are one or two good saddle makers here in the UK. You need to search the forum here and there are some threads about them. OR find a good upholsterer and get the thing re-covered. I think that this will be your easiest and cheapest solution really ?

the 'Micron' paddock stand will fit the box section swinging arm fine. Costs about £35 i think. I use one an they are a good bit of kit. You can get a centre stand to fit, but it will be a lot more than £35 that's for sure!

Still you pays your money you makes your choice i guess?

Hope this helps ?

Jim

09-23-2004

Wow
Talk about quick - thanks Droo, Jim
Really just as I thought, I'm not sure I could lift the bike on to a center stand either, so a Micron stand sounds the way to go
I had considered the recovering option for the seat - just thought I'd ask
Having read a few more comments, I think engine crash bars would be a good move as well - the bike is on reserve, so I've not yet felt the full top end weight

You know just sitting in the garage the bike is arsomely big, but looks apsolutly great - not sure I can wait till the end of the month to put some miles on it
Chris

paulie · 09-23-2004

Welcome to the forum, Chris. You'll love your Tiger, I'm sure.

As to your questions: I find the center stand quite useful for chain work, oil checks, minor mechanical work, etc. With the right technique it comes right up on the stand. Oh, also, it saves some room in a crowded garage by minimizing the footprint of the bike.

Seats - - I am quite taken with the Triumph Gel Seat. I don't like the cover as much, but the seat itself is comfortable and a reasonable price (#135 US from Ma's Cycles).

Hope you get some miles in before winter sets in.

jpommer · 09-23-2004

Hey FlyinTiger and Stripey...

I was under the impression that center stands for Steamers were no longer available at any price. What do you two know that I don't? I desperately want one for my '97. I get nervous on long road trips not having a way to change a tube if necessary. Chain maintenance sucks without it too. I suppose I could lay the bike on it's side if I had to...

Anyway, sorry for the hijack.

Chris, I have the Corbin seat and can't decide if I love it or hate it. It's definitely firmer and wider, but the leather is slippery when wearing Cordura pants. I slide forward under braking and have to reposition myself. Maybe there's something I can treat the leather with? It is a nicer seat, if I could just manage to stay in the sweet spot. I suppose I'd recommend it, but then again mine came with the bike, so I didn't have to pay the near US$400 for it.

Jerry

flyintiger · 09-23-2004

Quote:

Hey FlyinTiger and Stripey...

I was under the impression that center stands for Steamers were no longer available at any price. What do you two know that I don't? I desperately want one for my '97. I get nervous on long road trips not having a way to change a tube if necessary. Chain maintenance sucks without it too. I suppose I could lay the bike on it's side if I had to...

yeah, sorry i wouldn't know, i bought my bike used and it came with it. for longer trips i'd definitely put mine back on -- hence why i don't want to sell it.

this guy, who has a great page for steamers mentions the Liftstik which would be a good back up, if you've got a place to carry it...
http://www.eighteleven.org.uk/Bikes/...es/catmods.htm

Quote:

Chris, I have the Corbin seat and can't decide if I love it or hate it. It's definitely firmer and wider, but the leather is slippery when wearing Cordura pants. I slide forward under braking and have to reposition myself. Maybe there's something I can treat the leather with? It is a nicer seat, if I could just manage to stay in the sweet spot. I suppose I'd recommend it, but then again mine came with the bike, so I didn't have to pay the near US$400 for it.

yeah i feel the same, overall i do not like the corbin and never have. maybe it's my cyclist and offroad background, but i hate wide seats, they only get in the way.

09-24-2004

Thanks chaps

It's nice to find some where, where experience is shared so freely

I've purchased Hagon progressive springs, front and rear paddock stands (all of which I'm waiting reasonable patiently for) and am looking into getting the seat recovered

I'm sure I will think of a lot more simple questions soon :???:
But in the mean time cheers for the advice and info.

Chris

CATUCK · 09-26-2004

You can get your seat recovered for about £60 - £80, I used a firm called "Bum Wraps", they can also modify your seat if you wish. They are based on the south coast but it only costs about £10 to post the seat.

You can also find them on the web.

CATUCK · 09-26-2004

You can get your seat recovered for about £60 - £80, I used a firm called "Bum Wraps", they can also modify your seat if you wish. They are based on the south coast but it only costs about £10 to post the seat.

You can also find them on the web.