Triumphrat

Aussie_T100

If modified intelligently these engines can produce a 50% increase in rear wheel horsepower without destroying their current character. In fact I would go so far as to say that their character can be enhanced by modifications.

This is not supposition this is from real life experience. I have an 865 with Hi-comp pistons, cams, FCR39 carbs, a re-profiled ignition curve and, of course, free flow pipes which produces 76RWHP. Below 4,000rpm it runs as sweetly & smoothly as a stock bike and will happily pod along at 2,000rpm in top gear on a flat road but take it above 4,000rpm and it becomes a totally different animal.

I have toured extensively on this bike in company with several other standard Hinckley Bonneville's and my bike consistently takes the same amount of fuel at refills as these standard bikes when on tour.

Naturally if I start to make use of this extra power the fuel economy drops, its a fact of physics that you can't accelerate the same mass faster without making more power and making more power requires more fuel as a general rule.

The bike is still as tame and docile below 4,000rpm as it was when stock and achieves the same fuel economy at touring speeds yet whenever I feel the urge I can unleash the animal with a simple twist of the throttle. I would say that's enhanced the character of the bike not destroyed it.

mikeinva

It is up to the guy that rides the bike what he wants out of it.If a guy wants to leave it stock thats ok.But anyone that has not been on one of these bikes that has been built should not think that building them makes them less rideable ,dependable or makes your mpg go to hell.Its not true.30 miles on my bike and the same guy that wants his bike stock might be pulling his apart soon lol.They are just that much fun.I dont know about anyone but me i ride bikes for the fun of it.

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Why do I feel young on my bike

norton74

I am sure that you are correct. Question, how much did you spend on mods?

As for your modified Bonneville being a different animal above 4,000 RPM...I don't want a different animal. I like what I have.

Aussie_T100

Cams, carbs, pistons, igniter, pipes & gaskets totaled about AU$3,500. I could have done it for under AU$3,000 if I had used reground cams instead of new billet cams. These bikes are not cheap to modify and modifications cost even more in Australia where virtually everything has to be imported. Worth every penny in my book regardless.

That's fine, I'm happy with what I have too but don't assume that you wouldn't be even happier with a 50% boost in rear wheel horsepower until you've tried it.

norton74

I had a couple of Yamaha FJ1000's some years ago. I know what a lot of horsepower feels like. Would I be happier with more horsepower in my T100? Ambivilent is the word that comes to mind. I sure don't want to spend as much as you have to get more horsepower that is in excess to what I need and have in my present stock MC.

Aussie_T100

If we were all perfectly happy with just the horsepower we really need we'd all be riding around on Jap 250's or 350's as those bikes are plenty powerful enough to maintain legal highway speeds. You obviously wanted more than you really need and that is why you've purchased a larger more powerful motorcycle. That's just fine and dandy with me, it's your money and your motorcycle and if you're happy then I'm happy for you.

We all have opinions and we all think our opinion is the correct one and it probably is - for us personally. The next persons opinion is probably different to ours but that doesn't mean it's wrong, it just means it's right for them. We are not clones after all. The problem starts when we begin to argue the case for our opinion as if it is the only correct answer for everybody.

Your opinion is probably that I'm crazy for spending AU$3,500 to get a 50% increase in rear wheel horsepower. My opinion is that the guys that spend mega bucks building 1087's to get a 100% increase in rear wheel horsepower are really the crazy ones. The truth is that we are both wrong.

If I lived in your country I'd probably warn you to keep an eye in your mirrors for a green & white flash that would be my bike and all the time I'd be watching my mirrors for a blue & white flash that would be Mike's 1087. The important thing is that all three of us would be smiling because we were happy with what we've got. It's important to not lose sight of that fact when debating the rights & wrongs of how somebody else has, or hasn't, modified their bike.

norton74

Aussie,

Your opinion is not wrong, it is just different from mine.

I am sure that you would be passing me as I look for roads with lower speed limits and light traffic. For me, traveling at much over 60 mph is work and not fun. I much prefer the shady country road with curves and slight hills where the best speed is about 45 mph. Hence, for me a lot of horsepower is unnecessary. However, I do like the torque that my T100 has. Not too much, not too little; but just right.