Triumphrat

Bonithol · 06-05-2005

I have just bought 1991 Trophy. It's in excellent condition with a re-built engine. Two questions for the experts. At about 20 mph, if I take my hands of the bars, the steering starts to weave like a mild take slapper. Doesn't always do it. The forks and head bearings are oK. Front tyre is part worn. Do they all do it? Suggestions please.
Bought the bike on e.bay thinking it was a1993 type Trophy. Much more Tourer than Sports. When I saw it my thoughts were that this was a sports bike. Low bars and High pegs.
Can anyone shed light?

By the way I have never had so much fun on a bike. It makes me smile everytime I ride it.

M40Man · 06-10-2005

Are you happy with your tyre pressures? Could be that. Or unevenly-worn tryes, even unmatched ones, though prob less likely than the pressures just being a bit low.

I assume you're not overloading a top box?

My 1200 (1994/5) has the rear chain adjusters turned around, to lower the bike for a shorty like me. Has yours had the same treatment? If so, if the front hasn't been similarly lowered, by dropping the forks through the yolks a bit, your handling could be affected. Just a thought ;-)

Is it OK at other speeds?

Martin.

idahotb · 06-10-2005

My '96 Sprint did the same thing when I first got it used. Never noticed a problem unless I took my hands off the bars. so I just stopped doing that. When I put new tires on the problem went away.

Bonithol · 06-11-2005

Thanks for the advice. Yes the tyre pressures are ok. But the tyres are mis matched Bridgestone front Dunlop back. The wear on the front looks ok but the back is flatted (due to persistent cowardice by previous owner?). I don't know what they are supposed to handle like but compared to my XS650 it's brilliant. Stable at speed and feels solid round the bends. Sometimes the back just feels a little loose but that's the flatted tyre I think. Definitely not lowered. I am nearly 6ft an have trouble getting my leg over the pannier to get on the bike.

I think a nice new set of tyres at the next service? Suggestions?

Any idea why my 1991 Trophy is a sports model (pegs half way up the bike and low bars and the new ones are serious tourers? Triumph change something?

Still makes me smile when I ride it, Can't be bad

M40Man · 06-11-2005

I just put a pair of Bridgestone BT 020's on my 1994/5 1200 last week. First time I'd ever used a ride-in, ride-out service, at Micheldevers. £181 all-in. Could have had cheaper tyres, but I liked my old 020 on the rear.

Micheldiver actually beat the on-line prices I was getting, for home-delivered tyres. Cheaper, still, if you take loose wheels in.

Mind you - I have no idea where in the UK you are

tango · 06-12-2005

I've just recently fitted BT020's to my trophy after suffering similar symptons as you Bonithol, white lines were a nightmare.
I bought the bike with different Michelin patterns.

The difference is chalk and cheese. Loads of grip and feedback with the BT's. And I'll be putting them through their paces as of Thursday when me, bike and SWMBO head off for a 17 day trip in Europe.

Will probably go to the MRA factory in Germany and see if they can sort me out with a decent screen.

I'm even gonna mount a digi' camcorder to the front of the bike, if I can set it up right I might get some decent footage of those mental mountain passes in Northern Italy.
Can't wait.

[ This message was edited by: tango on 2005-06-12 18:47 ]

Bonithol · 06-13-2005

Thanks for the help. Went to the Triumph Day at the ACE Cafe. Bridgestones BO20's seem to be the Tyre of choice for Trophy Owners. My re-upholstered seat got admired by a Danish Trophy Rider. (More work for GEM upholstery, Grays Essex where I live.)

My Trophy seems to have non standard bar risers. Like about an inch whilst the normal was about 2 and half inches high and the footrests were about the two inches higher than a Trophy 1993. They seem to have been on the bike for years. Any ideas?

Still makes me smile when I drive it

trophyrider00 · 06-14-2005

If I read my history of the company correctly, the first Trophys were more of a sports-bike than a tourer. I believe the 1991's are the first year of production. I think it's really neat you have one of that vintage, since we didn't get to see them over here until about 1994 or 1995. If I remember correctly, when the Daytona's appeared, they started moving the Trophy more towards a sport-tourer, so that might explain why there are some differences on your bike from the 93's you were looking at. I know with the styling change in 1996, the Trophy went more to the touring side of the equation than the sports side.

I would love to see a pic of your bike if you have one.

Bonithol · 06-14-2005

Thanks Scott, much appreciated. It all fit's in now. It is indeed very sports bike in the height of the bars (low compared to 1993 Trophy and the footrests are high too. The rest is identical. I can see now why screen heights are such a topic on the forum 'cause it's now a tourer.

Yes it is neat. Found out that mine is the 358'th Triumph ever made and the eighth one sold in the UK apparently. The first 200 hundred went to the US and the next 150 went to Germany. According to the nice man in the Triumph shop they were hand built by a few staff and the engine castings were contracted out (Cosworth was mentioned). He says the prices are rock bottom now but it's likely to increase because of rarity and from what you said it's the sporty one.

Also got the Triumph fitted panniers, have bills from previous owner for a complete rebuild £1500 plus another £400 for seals etc for forks and brake calipers. Got it for £1500 off Ebay which I think is a steal though the shop said they would retail it at £1500 and buy for £800

Still makes me smile when I ride it

BlitzPig · 06-18-2005

I attended a race car supplier show in Indianapolis (yes that one) many years ago, and one of the suppliers there was an English company called Zeus Foundry. Among the many beautiful castings in their booth was a very interesting and at that time in the US, unfamiliar 3 cylinder 4 valve head. Being the curious type I asked what V6 engine this was for, thinking it was for a F3000 car. I was stunned when he said it was a "prototype for the new Triumph motorcycle mate."

He want on to say that they also did the casting for Cosworth, and that Cosworth did at least some of the engineering work on the Triumph heads...

Odd to think I was one of the first people in the US to actually handle at least part of a New Triumph. A pity it took me until last year to become part of the family.

Cheers.