Triumphrat

gkgeiger · 11-21-2012, 08:54 AM

I'm interested in buying a used T100. I looked at the 2013's yesterday but I'm not crazy about the black engine cases. Did Triumph ever produce a T100 with natural aluminum cases? I've been looking for a place that shows all the years with colors available, but no luck. Any help out there? Thanks in advance.

epynt1050 · 11-21-2012, 09:11 AM

On Bonnevilles, Triumph have basicaaly offered three finishes. Chrome, Satin and Black.

The Chrome and Black have generally proved durable but the Satin finish has given problems that Triumph have never seemed to cure. It did not happen on every bike, just some. The cause seemed to be corrosion working its way under the fiinish, starting at the edges of the casing and then spreading, The Chrome and Satin applis to the engine covers whilst the actual crankcases have been polished alloy.

T100's have generally been Chrome. I am not aware of any models that had just polished covers although some indivuduals have had this done. Also, Triumph have done many special editions so alloy covers may have occured on some of these.

Forchetto · 11-21-2012, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by epynt1050

the Satin finish has given problems that Triumph have never seemed to cure. It did not happen on every bike, just some. The cause seemed to be corrosion working its way under the fiinish,

From around 2009 Triumph have solved the problem with the satin cases by the simple (and cheap) method of not applying any sort of coat...My SE, for example, came with satin covers in bare brushed aluminium. No lacquer or other finish on them.

Same with the alloy wheels, the polished bit is bare alloy.

PAAS · 11-21-2012, 11:01 AM

I don't believe the "actual crankcases" have ever been polished alloy on the Hinckley Bonnevilles as they came out of the factory. Prior to using the current black finish, they were painted (powder coated?) an off silver-grey colour. As has been said, the side covers (clutch, alternator and gearbox sprocket) have been lacquered and raw satin alloy, chrome and black. My 05 T100 has the silver-grey crankcases, cylinder head and cam cover, with chromed side covers and a black engine block. I believe the T100s were still like that until the more recent EFI models.

rmak · 11-21-2012, 11:06 AM

I missed the beautiful satin finished engines which came stock on the Scrambler by one year. The best I could do, and my suggestion to you if you wind up with a black engine, was to replace the engine covers.
I bought satin aluminum finished engine side cover kit and stripped my cam cover of the black powder coating.
You can still see the black engine but the aluminum engine covers approximate the earlier all aluminum appearance.
The polished aluminum engine is the classic Brit bike look. I can't imagine why Triumph would go to black unless it was cheaper.

gkgeiger · 11-21-2012, 11:22 AM

Guys, I'm not talking about the covers, I'm talking about the cases. I know the two tone T100 covers are chrome, the std black bike and I think the scrambler have an all black engine and the Thruxton has satin covers. What I want to know is if there was a year that had natural aluminum engine cases. Thanks again.

epynt1050 · 11-21-2012, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forchetto

From around 2009 Triumph have solved the problem with the satin cases by the simple (and cheap) method of not applying any sort of coat.

My info is that Triumph are still having problems, primarily in damp conditiions and are phasing Satin out from 2013.

gkgeiger · 11-21-2012, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by epynt1050

My info is that Triumph are still having problems, primarily in damp conditiions and are phasing Satin out from 2013.

I just saw a 2013 Thruxton and it had satin finished side case.

Olhogrider · 11-21-2012, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gkgeiger

Guys, I'm not talking about the covers, I'm talking about the cases. I know the two tone T100 covers are chrome, the std black bike and I think the scrambler have an all black engine and the Thruxton has satin covers. What I want to know is if there was a year that had natural aluminum engine cases. Thanks again.

Never happened. They used silver paint then switched to black. I don't know what year or models switched when but they are all black now. If you really prefer the silver you could paint the cases silver or strip the black off.

Be advised, pure aluminum is too soft for modern engine cases but it does not corrode. Alloy is very strong and light but corrodes like crazy. That's why they get painted.

PAAS · 11-21-2012, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gkgeiger

Guys, I'm not talking about the covers, I'm talking about the cases. What I want to know is if there was a year that had natural aluminum engine cases. Thanks again.

See my original post above for the answer to that. I.e - No, the crankcases have always been painted since the Hinckley Bonneville was introduced in 2000 for the 2001 model year. Either silver-grey, or more recently black.