Triumphrat

rdwhitti · 01-11-2013, 08:02 PM

I have a new T100 that I simply MUST lower in some way. I am looking at shorter shocks but am also interested if anybody here has direct experience with a lower seat that doesn't sacrifice too much in the way of padding. One reason I did not want a Standard or SE was that the seat had been shaved and seemed a little harsh. I suppose one possibility is simply to have the stock seat narrowed slightly at the front. Thoughts?

Timmy T100 · 01-11-2013, 08:11 PM

I have a lowered seat I will sell you that I got with my bike when I got it.

PaulMattoon · 01-11-2013, 08:36 PM

When I bought my T-100, having only a 25" inseam, my dealer lowered the forks an inch and put shorter shocks on it. 'Have had it a year in April, and it's handling is outstanding. (Haven't scraped yet.)

Not sure that I would get a shorter seat, in fact, I'm thinking about something more comfortable than the gel seat that I have so I can ride farther in more comfort. After riding 200 miles on the current seat, I can tell you plainly that it isn't too pleasant.

I reckon it depends on the kind of riding you do. If you only take occasional rides, a shaved seat might work.

Irishguy · 01-12-2013, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rdwhitti

I have a new T100 that I simply MUST lower in some way. I am looking at shorter shocks but am also interested if anybody here has direct experience with a lower seat that doesn't sacrifice too much in the way of padding. One reason I did not want a Standard or SE was that the seat had been shaved and seemed a little harsh. I suppose one possibility is simply to have the stock seat narrowed slightly at the front. Thoughts?

Mrs. Irishguy was dropped on her head when she was a child. I think it stunted her growth, because she is only like 5'-3" tall. I told her she couldn't have a Bonneville because she was so short, so she went out and bought one anyway...

So what I did was buy some shorter shocks at last year's Barber's Vintage Festival. I think they are 11" long, I also loosened up the front triple trees and slid the front forks up about an inch or so. No problems so far.

rdwhitti · 01-12-2013, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irishguy

Mrs. Irishguy was dropped on her head when she was a child. I think it stunted her growth, because she is only like 5'-3" tall. I told her she couldn't have a Bonneville because she was so short, so she went out and bought one anyway...

So what I did was buy some shorter shocks at last year's Barber's Vintage Festival. I think they are 11" long, I also loosened up the front triple trees and slid the front forks up about an inch or so. No problems so far.

I am thinking that is what I will do, thanks.

lambroving · 01-12-2013, 12:07 PM

Be aware that lowering the front end more than ~ 12mm - 14mm will risk interference with the front fender / mudguard and hard parts no matter how light you are.

Mine were lowered to decrease rake and speed up the steering BTW. Good idea to check the static sag if and when you do this to determine whether you need additional preload as well.

Incidentally, Sargent can make you a custom lower T-100 seat with better foam and nicer looking cover for ~ $400 using your own seat pan. This will give you a longer comfortable riding range but in my case was no panacea as I believe the seat frame is just too %*&@ wide at the tank junction for real comfort. I'm 5' 8" and larger riders might have less issue.

rdwhitti · 01-12-2013, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lambroving

Be aware that lowering the front end more than ~ 12mm - 14mm will risk interference with the front fender / mudguard and hard parts no matter how light you are.

Mine were lowered to decrease rake and speed up the steering BTW. Good idea to check the static sag if and when you do this to determine whether you need additional preload as well.

Incidentally, Sargent can make you a custom lower T-100 seat with better foam and nicer looking cover for ~ $400 using your own seat pan. This will give you a longer comfortable riding range but in my case was no panacea as I believe the seat frame is just too %*&@ wide at the tank junction for real comfort. I'm 5' 8" and larger riders might have less issue.

Thanks for the advice. I'm 5'6" and 130# and the T100 just seems so big to me. I previously test rode a standard mag wheel Bonnie and it felt just right. If I could get close to the feel of that model I think that I would be fine.

lambroving · 01-12-2013, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rdwhitti

Thanks for the advice. I'm 5'6" and 130# and the T100 just seems so big to me. I previously test rode a standard mag wheel Bonnie and it felt just right. If I could get close to the feel of that model I think that I would be fine.

It probably feels big because it's overweight.

Shorter shocks combined with lowering the front end may indeed help a lot. So will that saddle mod if you have the cash.

The cast wheel bikes are more nimble too because of that small front wheel, but that just looks so disproportionate to my eye on this "modern retro".

If you have stock shocks on yours still, changing for shorter Ikons similar to mine will have a big impact on comfort and handling as long as you lower the front by the same amount. http://www.newbonneville.com/html/ikon_shocks.html I might not want to try any peg-dragging though.

For reference, I'm 5' 8" with a 29" inseam and 175 lbs. If you try the Ikons, use no preload and set the rebound damping on #2 as per the instructions. Do you ever ride two-up or with a heavy load?

rdwhitti · 01-12-2013, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lambroving

It probably feels big because it's overweight.

Shorter shocks combined with lowering the front end may indeed help a lot. So will that saddle mod if you have the cash.

The cast wheel bikes are more nimble too because of that small front wheel, but that just looks so disproportionate to my eye on this "modern retro".

If you have stock shocks on yours still, changing for shorter Ikons similar to mine will have a big impact on comfort and handling as long as you lower the front by the same amount. http://www.newbonneville.com/html/ikon_shocks.html I might not want to try any peg-dragging though.

For reference, I'm 5' 8" with a 29" inseam and 175 lbs. If you try the Ikons, use no preload and set the rebound damping on #2 as per the instructions. Do you ever ride two-up or with a heavy load?

All of my riding is single and I always have the Triumph saddlebags and usually the Triumph full windscreen, but that doesn't add all that much weight. I tink I will get the Hagon Classic Road Shocks; they're cheap and I hear good things about them compared to the stock shocks.

lambroving · 01-12-2013, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rdwhitti

All of my riding is single and I always have the Triumph saddlebags and usually the Triumph full windscreen, but that doesn't add all that much weight. I tink I will get the Hagon Classic Road Shocks; they're cheap and I hear good things about them compared to the stock shocks.

No experience with Hagon. They could be just dandy. Ikon bought the patents and tooling from Koni's bike division and are well known for build and QC. They also stand behind their products 200%.

Sometimes you DO get what you pay for. http://www.triumphrat.net/twins-talk...r-service.html