Triumphrat

D9 · 03-04-2006, 10:40 PM

They sound WONDERFUL, look FANTASTIC and are making an otherwise stock '03T much, much sweeter!
Engine revs noticeably easier & gets to redline quicker - seat of the pants riding impression is
that there's just enough of a power/torque improvement to widen a big 'ol grin.
Thanks to our friend MOBRIT for sending these pipes my way (and may the someday-soon Mototwins make you as happy as I am).

Also had Lazer Star® halogens installed & moved the stock turn signals
lower via a Thruxton bracket - holy smokes, are these little lights bright!

Kudos to Thunderbike Powersports for making such a great set of pipes, and special thanks to the best Triumph shop in the Midwest - RPM Motorwerks in Belleville, IL!

Cheers,

D9

Here's some pix...

ozbon · 03-04-2006, 10:56 PM

Very, VERY, NICE!!!!!!!!D9
she looks so fast just sitting there, a real handsome bike. By the way, who makes the Lasertecs, what size are you running and how's the mileage and grip?

Moggy · 03-04-2006, 11:42 PM

I agree whole heartedly about the pipes, i've got Thunderbike pipes too, and just love the sound and look.
Love the color co-ordinated Ikons too! Have you tweeked the front suspension at all ?

D9 · 03-05-2006, 09:57 AM

Appreciate the comments, thanks!

Oz -

The Lasertecs are by Metzeler - rear is a 140/80x17, front
is 100/90 x 19 - the bike's handling became more confidence inspiring
after the Metzelers were installed, and ride improved as well.
Highly subjective opinion, but I think the Lasertecs are a superior product.

What's also really cool about the 140/80x17 is that it fills up the visual gap between the rear tire and the fender - closing that space up a bit just makes the machine look better!

As far as mileage, I've got a bit over 3000 mi on them, plenty of rubber left. If I get 8500 miles or so out of them I'll be happy.

Moggy-

I put Progressive springs in front and a Norman Hyde steering damper, the Hagons on the rear came later. I wanted tighter handling as I was used to riding and racing motorscooters. From Dunedin to Nelson looks like a great ride - give Tiff at Thunderbike a squeeze for me next time you visit!

Cheers,

D9

[ This message was edited by: D9 on 2006-03-05 08:01 ]

FattRat · 03-05-2006, 10:20 AM

GREAT LOOK'N RIDE!

What kind of spec's do the Lazer Star® halogens have? Supplemental lighting is always a bonus. Do they throw a pencil beam, flood light, or low & wide fog pattern? 55 watts or more? How much do they cost?

That can is VERY handsome; how much for a set???

I discovered yesterday that California may be on the brink of busting loud motorcycles under the guise of messing with EPA/smog/emission equipment. It's gonna be a ticket with a steep fine. I didn't understand if I was being told that the fine would be up to $10,000.00 for the motorcycle rider, or for the dealer who installed the aftermarket pipes.

I came home, ripped off my VERY LOUD & OBNOXIOUS fish tail straight throughs, added more packing to my D&D's and STILL want quieter. How is the volume and/or tone of those pipes you just put on. They look absolutely fantastic, and match the bike (unlike the short Bubs & D&D's).

D9 · 03-05-2006, 12:11 PM

Pat - thanks!

Believe it or not, I didn't check out the specs all that carefully on the Lazer Stars - I was really concerned about aesthetics, so it took quite awhile to settle on what I wanted and what size they needed to be (small, about the size of the stock turn signal) to look something close to right on the bike - and I knew I needed fry-your-retinas-bright, that I wanted 'em to switch on with the high beams, and I wanted top quality as well. Cost for the Lazer Stars was $185.00. Labor to wire & install them, the Thruxton turn signal bracket, relocate the stock turn signals and install the Thunderbike pipes came to about $110.00 - money well spent!

What I had noticed was this - anytime I was out riding or driving and saw a group of bikes coming the other way, the guys that had more than one headlight were MUCH more visible. Same thing if I was driving in the car and glancing in the rear view mirror at a group of bikes coming up - even a tenth of mile behind me, I'll be damned if the guys with high intensity auxiliary lights were just easier to see.

So - as a well considered nod toward visibility - guess you could consider it a safety concession - I talked it over with my dealer, looked at several different makes & models, discussed wiring and operational options, and then he ordered and installed them. Apologies if I can't remember the exact specs on the model, wattage or beam shape/spread - I'll have to check it out & get back to you...

Re the pipes - I got unexpectedly lucky and got my set used, in fine condition, from another local Bonneville owner. Current pricing, dyno specs & sound clips on these pipes can be found here

Thunderbike Pipes

As far as loudness, not as loud as Bubs or D&Ds, especially at higher revs - having spent time listening to different Bonnie exhausts in RL, I'd say they're about somewhere between a bafflectomized set of stock pipes and a set of D&D's. Similar overall in sound & tone to Thruxton TOR's, probably a few db louder - just enough to make running up through the gears audibly wonderful in way it never was before.

Cheers,

D9

[ This message was edited by: D9 on 2006-03-05 14:44 ]

Strontium · 03-05-2006, 12:39 PM

Quote:

I discovered yesterday that California may be on the brink of busting loud motorcycles under the guise of messing with EPA/smog/emission equipment.

If they do that it will take 99% of the Harley's in our state off the road. The Sherrif that lives near me has a Harley Police Bike and even that has loud pipes on it

Great looking bike D9

FattRat · 03-05-2006, 03:32 PM

.....and a number of my cop friends have some of the louder Harleys out there. But it's inevitable, we've been allowed to get away with it for far too long now. And once pulled over, a discerning eye may bust us for "skid lids", and turn signals too close to one another. I'm told the exhaust thing (emissions) is no longer a "fix-it" ticket.... it's as serious as a moving violation, and I can't afford one of THOSE!

D9 · 03-05-2006, 03:41 PM

Pat -

Here's the link to the Lazer Star halogens - mine are the LS4850's - there
is an AMAZING array of finish & lens options for these -click on "For more options..." and your head will spin!

Lazer Stars

Cheers,

D9

MOBRIT · 03-05-2006, 03:49 PM

Seth,
Sorry you don't like my old pipes. They look great on your Bonnie Blue, and are almost as fast as on my Opal/Tang!
Seriously though-The Blue looks great, and I like the picture-windscreen, gaiters, my pipes, etc.
That was really quick, so 'good work' to Steve & the RPM guys.
Glad you are enjoying them as I contemplate my acoustic future.
Bob