Triumphrat

Seingalt

First, thanks for the incredible welcome I received after my last (first) post!

When I bought my bike (2001 Bonneville), the proud owner talked a bit about his preferences for suspension adjustment. I was very excited at the moment, and also worried about the looming blizzard. The blizzard is another story, except to say the motorcycle is still in my van waiting until I can clear a path to the garage and bring it to its new home unmolested.

So, if anyone's bored, or enthusiastic, please give me a primer on suspension settings... how the adjustments are done, and what various settings mean in terms of riding experience.

Or, if you're (hopefully) not bored, enjoy the Winter evening!

Seingalt

Kramocker

Seingalt,

First of all welcome. You'll find that this site is invaluable as it relates to information and opinions that will serve you well as a Bonnie owner. I've been riding my Bonnie for just over a year now, with the stock suspension. The rears are adjustable but best I can tell it's just the pre-load and no matter what you do it's still gonna suck. Had I known a year ago what I know now, I'd have changed my suspension first. Before the NARK, the K&N's, the silencers etc. The stock suspension is just too soft and mushy. I bottom out constantly (6'1" and 165 lbs). If you plan to get down and dirty through the twisties at all, I'd look into changing the shocks and modding the forks. If you do a search here you'll fond loads of info for both the front and rear. My next investment is absolutely suspension. Now..any chance of one of YOU guys breaking the news to Mrs. Kramocker?


Cheers,


SK

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2007 T100 T&O - AI's off, ARK, K&N's, 42 pilots, 140 mains, 2 turns out, D&D silencers, ACR Adjustable Clubman's, KYB's, WP springs, Thrux gel seat______________________________________________
Who's that little old man with Paul?

CAPTDON

Man there are a million posts on suspension!! Depends on what your after. I am gonna this spring put progressive springs & heavier oil in the ft tubes. Redo all the brakes to perf stuff, & probably put Ohlins on the rear. Still collectin info on the rear, but the rest is accounted for soon! Nice purchase. I think the 01-04's were pretty much the same then they started monkyin w/ them. Was @ bike nite 1-2 mo ago & saw a red & white Bonne w/ no T markings on it. Looked like it was new yesterday!! Turned out to be an 01! Cleanest Triumph I have seen in some time!!! Excluding mine- rite LOL!! Keep lookin & asking. You will get the info you need. Was a classic- is again! Made in England (minus quality control) is unique in a bike. I use to have all English cars- a glutten for punishment!! Not w/ the Bonne tho. Its a wolf in Queens clothing as reliability goes!

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CAPT D

rodburner

This shock is in the softest or solo riding position.The more aggressive your riding or for carrying a passenger,turn the collar to the next highest positions.

I use this bent and filed screwdriver to make the adjustments.

Old Greaser

If you have the stock suspension all you can change is the rear shocks. There are four settings from soft, "normal" (solo riding), a bit more weight and a lot more weight (i.e. pillion and baggage). Adjust so you don't bottom out on your normal roads.

The shocks are adjusted by turning the bottom of the shock which has a hole in it. A hex key or anything similar will do the job.

Ernie.

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Brits rule OK.

Baltobonneville

Unless you're talking about changing the height, if you have the stockers, the only available setting is the rear pre-load. Different riders have different preferences for it, I'd start at one notch up from the lowest (i.e. least pre-load) setting.

If you do indeed have the stockers, it's a good improvement to replace the front springs and the rear shocks. The simplest front spring replacement is a Hagon that is the same length as the stock spring, so no spacer sizing and cutting is required, but it's not hard to install a longer spring.

The rear suspension is a bolt-on job. I have Ikon 7610s, there are many other options available. Try searching the forum, there's plenty of information here, including a detailed how-to for getting into the front forks to replace springs and install gaiters.

If you have replacement suspension components, tell us what you have and someone is sure to pipe up, and ask the previous owner if he changed the fork springs.

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Marty
2005 Bonneville Blue 790cc, AI removed, Staintunes RC, Unifilter, no snorkel, 118/40/Thrux needle/1 shim/3 turns, tachometer, Ikon 7610s in back, Ricor Intiminators in front, Pirelli Sport Demons, D9 gauge panel.

Brooksie

My advuse is to set up the stockers like these guys are saying. In the mean time, save up your money for Ikon shocks and springs and get rid of that stuff. It is the best modification you can do to the bike. The folks at this site can walk you through the installation.
http://www.newbonneville.com/html/ikon_shocks.html
http://www.newbonneville.com/html/ik...k_springs.html

amanger

After umming and ahhing I have decided to replace the rear pogo sticks with Hagon Classics in the Thruxton length (360mm) to give more rear ride height.I thought about Ikons for a while until I rang the manufactorers and they wanted AU$475 for them.Thats insane! I could buy and have them posted from the States cheaper than what they cost in the country were they are assembled.
So they are made in China shipped to Australia to be assembled then sent to USA to be sold back to Australians.
At least with the Hagons I ll have English shocks on my Thai bike.

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"Fusion White" Street Triple, Arrow 3>1 + Power Commander III, DNA Filter, No O2 sens. ,No SAI, Flyscreen + Visor,R&G Tail Tidy, Triumph Tail Bag, Pazzos,Gel Seat,Radiator Cowl,Hugger,Crash bungs, Grabrail.......