Triumphrat

omphoto · 01-18-2008

Hello Everyone,
It's been a while since my last post, but I check in several times a day to see how things are going. This is still one of the most amazing and active sites I've run across, full of great advice and friendship; recent posts by some members regarding personal losses have been quite touching. It's clear this site is more than just about Triumph motorcycles, and is for me about a community who share many of the things we are passionate about; I never feel like I'm out there by myself regarding my return to loving bikes. Thanks to everyone who contributes.
So, I'm posting a couple of photos of my 2002 Bonneville, bought last year with 13,400 miles, from a 73 yr. old guy who bought it as his 1st bike a few years ago. He had to sell it because he rides with a bunch of Harley guys in Mississippi who didn't like the fact the Bonnie was getting more attention thatn the HDs; he admitted he thought the Bonnie was better, but peer pressure got the better of him. I paid $3400 and felt I got a great deal, since it came with the Corbin smuggler and the stock seat, 2 wind screens, TORS and the appropriate jets. It was sold by Collins Cycle of Suttersville, PA with Mr. Collins trademark, the neat rubber cover for the gas tank seam. Mr. Collins said it helps him identify bikes he prepped and sold. Very nice touch.
When I had my first bike, a red 1968 Honda 305 Super Hawk I bought new, Bonnevilles were something to dream about, so when I decided the time was right to get another bike(after 30+years of not riding) I found my dream bike.
Anyway, besides the photos of the bike , there is the photo of the mystery wire I discovered that comes from some sort of device under the gas tank. Could not find anything in the service manual about what it is or what the device it is connected to. The bike seems to run rich based on what the plugs tell me, but the performance is still terrific. I changed to the NGK iridium plugs and a K&N filter to see if there was any performance gain or increase in gas mileage, but nothing significant, still a great gutsy performer and 33mpg in the city. I love this bike! So, can anyone help identify this wire?
Cheers,
Owen Murphy
p.s. New Orleans is coming back strong in spite of what you may hear or read-come and visit us, you'll have a great time eating, dancing and drinking and we have a great new Triumph dealer in town.

CAPTDON · 01-18-2008

Thats the vacuum tube for the A/I system. It appears to be removed on your bike but the guy musta left the pump in? It does nothing. If the pump is still there - remove it, just taking up space. If you are an inspection state, then he left it in to go thru emissions- connect when needed. As long as he put the rubber plug on the intake- it shouldnt affect the performance.

Hedge · 01-18-2008

Nice looking Bike - Thx for posting pix!

VeeDog · 01-18-2008

I'd agree with CAPTDON as first and most likely. However it could be remnants of a removed EVLS system like the line that could be attached to the carb cross over vent. Look between the carbs. There should be a "T" connector there with a vent line from EVLS...? Not likely but could also be fuel tank vent?

Take off your tank and you'll see. At the same time, you can remove the pump and air tube and loose a pound of weight.

Do a site search here on AI install and EVLS and you will have all the information you will ever need. Good luck and if you get stuck, post a thread and somebody will help you...

ohiorider · 01-18-2008

I concur with the Capt on this one. Looks like part of the AI system I removed from my bike a few years ago.

Bob

BTW - that Smuggler saddle look really nice on the bike. You might as well figure you bought the bike for about $2400.00, if you subtract the cost of the saddle and TORs from the purchase price. Lay you odds, the seller will be searching the 'for sale' ads looking for another Bonnie. It is evident from the photos that he liked the bike.

Nice catch on your part!

dikman · 01-19-2008

Good buy. You did well. As has been said, the best thing you can do is remove the tank to see what's under it - it's not difficult. On my '05 there are two unused electrical connectors under the tank, one is for an accessory socket, it's wired directly from the battery via a fuse, the other one is a bit of a mystery. It's not mentioned in the workshop manual, but testing shows it's switched via the ignition and the colour code is similar to the rest of the lighting cct. I suspect it's for an instrument light of some sort, but under the tank??

Anyhow, it's interesting that the old guy used to get all that attention, because I've found the same thing, a most unexpected side effect. I'm quite sure that if I'd bought a Rice Racer or a Harley that I wouldn't get as many people saying "Nice bike!"!!

So get used to it, and enjoy it, knowing you've got something different.

Dikman