Triumphrat

dikman · 06-16-2008

A couple of weeks ago I removed the rear baffles (still not quite sure why) and today was the first chance to ride since then. Other baffle-ectomees(!) have said they didn't notice any real difference, so i wasn't expecting much. Boy, was I wrong! At idle, there is a noticeable, deeper rumble. At cruising speed (100km/hr) I can't really hear any difference. Around town, however, it's a different story. Up to 60-70 km/hr it's like muted thunder - I can hear it (through an open face helmet) and feel it through the bike! Wheee!

Guess I'd better get used to it, 'cos there aint no going back.

Interestingly, the idle seemed to increase slightly, about 100 or so RPM.

On a different note, I was parked in a shopping centre and when I came out an old guy was looking at the bike. The first thing he said was "why doesn't it leak oil?" He used to ride/race Triumphs a long, long time ago and said he loved the look of the Bonny's and wished he could still ride, but he was too old for it now.
I've found this sort of thing happens a lot, the Bonny attracts more than its share of comments (and praise)

.

I'm sure it wouldn't happen with a Honda, Kwaka, Suzy etc. - or possibly even a Harley!

greyplague · 06-16-2008

Baffles out, sound up!

Oh,Really?

Thieu.

dikman · 06-16-2008

As I said, I wasn't expecting much of a change to the sound level, as there are still multiple baffles within the muffler. The fact I can actually hear it through the helmet is also surprising.
Other than removing the AI, the bike is stock, engine-wise, but I suspect I may need to re-jet slightly - the minor increase in idle would seem to indicate it is breathing a wee bit better.

Ah, it's a rocky road to go down once one starts tinkering

CAPTDON · 06-16-2008

Yeah sounds like a Triumph now doesnt it?? It will make the bike run smoother, & the sound is what it should be. You dont need to rejet from that. Its a minor4 change. If you open the airbox then "maybe"? The idle is higher cause it isnt being choked by all that crap theystuck in the tail of the exhaust!! Just lower it w/ the knob. Its amazing all the crap they stuck in that last 3-4" isnt it?? The rest of the inside isnt much prettier! I drilled 4 holes in the 1st s basffles & left the last one intact - hence back pressure & the un need to rejet! Enjoy the new sound!!

dikman · 06-17-2008

Yep, you're right, Captdon. I just pulled the plugs and the colour looks good, so I'll leave things alone.
As for the plugs, I have an assortment of plug spanners, for cars, mowers, brushcutter, chainsaws ets. and not ONE of them would fit the Bonny!!! The only 18mm. I could find in the shops was a T-handle double jointed type and I had to thin down the walls on the lathe. The T-handle is a pain to use, so I think I'll take off the handle and weld a conventional socket to the back end, that way I can use a standard ratchet handle with it.