Triumphrat

mecscc · 04-10-2006

I have GOT to get a manual.. Somebody tell me to quit being so cheap!!!!!!!!!!!! :brk:

In any case, according to the next to worthless Owner's Manual there are NO adjustments of either lever. Is that true??

I would like, and it has been possible on every other bike I have had, to

1. Adjust the front lever so that it does not engage so far out on the lever throw. I have little free play before it engages and I prefer about 3/4" of travel before it engages. I don't have large hands or long fingers so I have a bit of a stretch to grab a handful. Strongly prefer to just reach up a couple of fingers from my normal grip position.

2. The rear brake lever is far to high for me and sits level with the footpeg, at exactly where my boot sole rides on it, so I have to consciously make sure my right foot angles out to miss it. Had the same issue with the Tbird but it was easily adjusted to sit about 3/4 inch lower so I could ride with my toe pointed more forward. I use the rear brake very little, sometimes not at all, and would like to drop the toe press area at least 3/4"

Suggestions. (And, no, I won't cut off my toe. I already broke it in the wreck last summer and it is frozen at the joint and have gotten used to it -- and want to leave it that way! :-D )

Thanks in advance,

Monte

FattRat · 04-10-2006

I won't say who..... but he was kind enough to send me some scanned pages from the Triumph manual. I'm very apprehensive to do my own work, but for some reason the Bonneville calls out to me to try. I recently ordered some brake pads and need to replace my rears.... with the help of the manual (THANKS again!), I feel a little more confident about leaping into the unknown.

Yes.... I too should spring for one of these puppies. Is it something available through a dealer, and are they cost prohibitive?

mecscc · 04-10-2006

Pat: Dealers here charge 80-90 for one. Guess when I get back from vacation (leaving on the 20th for 10 days) I'll get one! $90!!!! I could go to Micky D's TWICE for that!

Monte

FattRat · 04-10-2006

NINETY BUCKS!?!?!

That could buy a lot of yogurt, non-fat string cheese, Smart Ones TV dinners, apples and herbal tea!

But I don't think it would cover the cost of my having mucked something up because I didn't know how to do it right.......

(may I read over your shoulder?)

DickBender · 04-10-2006

The front lever is not adjustable although T100s and Thruxtons maybe others have an adjustable lever. You could get one of thoseBellaCorse have one.BellaCorse
The rear is adjustable it is a pain but you can do it. You need to take off the footpeg hanger, then pull out the pin on the pedal. Then you can loosen the lock nut and make the actuating rod shorter. A little grease on the pin when you put it back together.
I asked the guy to do it at the first service and it was too hard or he was too lazy. needless to say i don't go theer any more.

Darcy

[ This message was edited by: DickBender on 2006-04-10 22:33 ]

RedBird · 04-11-2006

Monte,

I strongly recommend adjusting the rear brake lever to where it is lower. I had the same problem you have and when I used the rear brake I applied too much pressure. Someone with very small fingers might be able to adjust it without removing the rider foot peg--I couldn't. If I remember correctly, you just remove the two allen head bolts and loosen the clamp to remove the rider foot peg bracket. Once you have it loose, you can see what you need to do to shorten the brake rod to the master cylinder.

I really think the best solution for your front brake adjustment problem is the adjustable T-100 levers--probably cost big bucks!

Larry

wonderdog · 04-11-2006

Standard price for the manual is between 80-90 bucks. I told my dealer that I wanted to order one and he said, "Why?"

Maybe I'd had too much caffeine at the time, but that just flew all over me. Just order the!!##%&&!!! thing!
Didn't get the manual ordered, but did buy a tach to be installed late this week.

Monte: I didn't say that...but I wanted to.

Dennis :-D

wonderdog · 04-11-2006

Monte:

QUIT BEING SO CHEAP!!! :knkknk:

Dennis

(respectfully submitted at request of forum member mecscc)

Panthermark · 04-12-2006

The 05 and up T-100's come with adjustable front brake and clutch levers. I'm sure they are an arm and a let to get from Triumph. As someone mentioned, I think BC stocks aftermarket adjustable levers.

wonderdog · 04-12-2006

British Customs showed the adjustable T-Bird levers here. Don't see them for the Bonneville. Will the T-Bird levers work on the Bonnie?

Dennis