[sarahsacres]

Delta, thanks for the tips. It is made of aluminum so we've decided to order a new kickstand, just in case there's a problem (should be here the end of the month) then I'll take it to a good mig welder and have them cut off the foot, take off 1/2" and then weld it back on. For now I'm carrying a short board to rest the front tire on

 

[Othios]

Hi there - I own a Street Twin and want to add higher rear shocks - Οhlins offers Blackline D series with 369mm of travel +10mm but they are quite expensive. Any other options to convert the Street Twin to Scrambler and gain some leg room? Color black please...

 

[RHB]

I went back and looked at that photo a second time. You will notice that the large bottom locking nut that locks down the ride height adjustment is completely unscrewed and many threads down from the lower part of the shock that it should lock up against. Once ride height is adjusted Loctite should be applied to the threads and the nut tightened (as dscribed in the instructions that come with the shocks). There is the cause of the failure, improper install. Would happen to Ohlins if you left that step undone.

I've watched his (TECs) installation video on you tube he explains to make sure this bottom bolt is tight and check it after so many kilometers. and certainly I would lock tight it in any regard.
I wonder if he is really making these shocks or whether he is getting YSS to make them, as he does with his emulators.
It is really not so easy to make a shock in such limited production for such a price.

 

[sharealike]

I have the TEC shocks on the back of my Street Twin. After the cautions I made earlier in this thread about spring quality and the end eyes size and alignment they have been excellent. Over 2,000 miles mainly on back lanes with very little major roads (much like a scrambler might be used) they have been excellent. No deterioration in the damping. Mechanically no issues. Had to wind the pre load rings down a little to maintain or slightly increase the ride height for two up riding. Must stress 2,000 miles with a pillion and most of that spirited riding as if on an adventure trail bike with rising rate mono shock - which is what we were used to.

I would caution against increasing the ride height too much above standard. The chain will run on the top front of the swing arm near the pivot far too much of the time you are riding. Catered for with a plastic wear slide skid around the front end of the arm to prevent metal to metal contact but only intended to hit this on down changes and/or when suspension tops out at the same time. Remember the increase in ride height at the rear is matched by an exact same increase in the swing arm pivot height.

If you try the TEC shocks and find their extra length spacer is too much you can remove it or perhaps have it reduced in length. I have not needed the spacer. Finding extra ground clearance also upsets the side stand balance so more likely to fall onto the stand side on soft ground and slopes. Got my bit of extra ground clearance from the heavier rate springs that we find best for two up riding.

Go for a higher seat if you need more leg and knee room. Increase the height of the stock seat or use one from the better upholstered models. T100 and T120 have 40 mm higher seat heights than the STwin. Its due to more padding. About to try one on my own bike to give more room and comfort on the long days out. If not I will increase the stock seat height. Both options going to need some thought and design on my part to get the whole seat pan to sit higher on the frame as I need to retain the standard Triumph rear carrier. I'm not a fan of changing or thickening the foam inside the seats as only leads to obvious marks in the cover as they settle and wear.

I hope to come back with seat ideas in a while when tried them out. Perhaps here -
http://www.triumphrat.net/water-coo...k/776394-street-twin-seat-options-and-riddle-post2003235146.html#post2003235146

 

[KaiM]

I recently installed the Tec adjustable dampening shocks on my street twin. My wife rides with me 90% of the time. Tec advised me to go with the standard spring first. I installed the spacer, with no extra height. So far, no issues with kick stand. I can't say enough about the improved pillion ride quality. My wife says she feels much safer. Over 50 mph fells like we are riding a different bike,no bottoming and stable cornering. In my opinion this should be a street twin owners first upgrade. I'm an ex club racer and have owned works performance, ohlins and Koni. Fit and finish of the tecs are impressive, especially at this price point.

 

[Delta]

Is this the kit in question?

http://www.tecbikepartsusa.com/TEC_Black_Front_and_Rear_Adjustable_Suspension_Kit_p/t-fras-b-st.htm

If so, they look kind of cheaply made. Despite the photos being absolutely tiny, and correct me if I'm wrong - you can still see the casting irregularities of the piggyback support arm, indicating a lower quality part. Everyone else is using billet aluminum for that part of the assembly.

All the photos on that site are so ridiculously small that I can not get a good feel for the parts. I have seen larger photos of their ST short mufflers, and they look like something I could have made as an amateur:

https://cdn3.volusion.com/jnuhm.vmpuk/v/vspfiles/photos/T-EX-STW-01-4.jpg

With all the warnings I've read about TEC on these forums (calling them glorified Chinese knockoffs by an entrepreneur in England), coupled with the low quality presentation (bad photos, bad website) and low pricing, I'm hesitant to try them out despite the occasional accolades.

Change my mind though. Someone post some high quality photos that show the workmanship. Show me a positive review from an accredited source. I'm willing to listen.

 

[Simon64ds]

I guess I’m predisposed to believe ‘you get what you pay for’. That, and having seen a few pics of broken TEC shocks, persuaded me to ‘pass’ on their stuff. Having had good experiences with Ohlins on race bikes I took the plunge and went that way. Haven’t regretted it for a second.

 

[sharealike]

Is this the kit in question?

http://www.tecbikepartsusa.com/TEC_Black_Front_and_Rear_Adjustable_Suspension_Kit_p/t-fras-b-st.htm

If so, they look kind of cheaply made. Despite the photos being absolutely tiny, and correct me if I'm wrong - you can still see the casting irregularities of the piggyback support arm, indicating a lower quality part. Everyone else is using billet aluminum for that part of the assembly.

With all the warnings I've read about TEC on these forums (calling them glorified Chinese knockoffs ....

Show me a positive review from an accredited source. I'm willing to listen.

Yep that's them.

One piece die casting of main shock tube, link and gas reservoir tube all in one means no assembly with risk of weakness or joins between assembled parts leaking or failing. Just like the castings that make up your engine casings. There's also no issues on mine where the dies joined which is bound to leave a mark.

No one in their right mind would use three bits of billet and contemplate the machining of them for long cylindrical parts. Best to use tube or better still a one piece die casting like TEC incorporating as much detail as you can just like our engines. The two tubes in these shocks are bored to size and threaded internally on a lathe.

Whole bikes a knock off of the original twins made in Thailand not GB if we want the truth.
But its a great ride and full of character. No worse for it. The attention to detail is first rate.

They are very likely made in the same places as all the other manufacturers shocks. TEC's own design. Not a knock off. Just simple straight fwd shock absorbers engineered in a way that compliments the old British Bike style of doing things - in your shed. Its where the cafe racers and scramblers were dreamed up, created and the non standard parts made. Home made or round at your mates.

I'm not accredited. Then again I'm not a paid person only gets work because I write nice things about expensively marketed badged up stuff that's the same as everyone else's stuff. It was all about you and what you did to make your own bike. Not like today that's all about what the manufacturers can sell you to make it still the same as everyone else's.
Did I mention I'm an engineer with forty plus years under my belt and I've ridden over 2,000 miles on these shocks. Perhaps a bit of credibility there. Must add I only bought them to prove if the poor stock back end when two up was down to tyre or shocks. It wasn't the knock off Pirelli made in Brazil rear tyre after all. These TEC shocks have performed way beyond expectations. Particularly if you take their price into consideration.

 

[sharealike]

Hope I didn't catch a nerve.

 

[KaiM]

My apologies, I am new to this forum and was not aware that I needed accreditation to post a review.

 

[aadilnaik]

Anyone used or know of someone who's tried on the Nitron Shocks? These seem to be pretty good, but can't find any reviews.
http://www.nitron.co.uk/catalogue_item.php?catID=13508&prodID=87592

 

[Delta]

My apologies, I am new to this forum and was not aware that I needed accreditation to post a review.

Is your comment directed at me?

You do not need special credentials to post a review, nor did I claim you did.

However, you and I both should be mindful of confirmation bias, and related logical fallacies stemming from overcommitment to a particular purchase.

When I installed a Meerkat crossover, I wanted my ST to pick up ten horsepower. It didn't, but it sure sounded nice.

Then I deleted the snorkel, and expected the engine character to completely transform. It didn't, but it felt slightly happier to rev.

Then I added a DNA air filter and expected more substantial gains, only to realize a tiny one.

Then the off road tune was loaded, and I thought for sure I'd be doing wheelies all over town. I'm not. There's a little more grunt up top now though.

Meanwhile, take any one of those mods and read someone else's "review" and it may be full of superlatives and lofty claims with much fanfare.

Interpretation is up to the reader. Post something highly relevant, well conceived and authentic, and it will speak for itself. Not that you haven't done this - I'll have to go back and check because I don't recall your username in this context - I'm just pointing out that I agree that you can post a review just as good if not better than the professional review folks.

 

[Simon64ds]

You mean the crossover in my shop waiting to be fitted won’t give me another 10 hp? Damn!

 

[np0x]

Or the one that I'm half done mounting now while waiting for my exhaust paint to cure at 200f for the next hour before final reassembley? Not the simplest bolt on part! I'll post some fastener sizes and notes for the diy'ers in here later tonight.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Delta]

Yep that's them.
Best to use tube or better still a one piece die casting like TEC incorporating as much detail as you can just like our engines. The two tubes in these shocks are bored to size and threaded internally on a lathe.

Here's a high resolution photo of an Ohlins piggyback rear shock for comparison:

http://www.dirtshopthailand.com/Images/Products/25570312150916_Mio125iYA110012.jpg

Note the high level of precision of the parts in question.

Now to our TEC, using the highest resolution photo I could find:

http://bonniecafe.com/wp-content/up...01/201501_d8h017418-triumph-bonneville-tec-gas-reservoir-shocks-bonnie-cafe.jpg

Not much more needs to be said, the manufacturing quality differences are self evident.

Must add I only bought them to prove if the poor stock back end when two up was down to tyre or shocks. It wasn't the knock off Pirelli made in Brazil rear tyre after all. These TEC shocks have performed way beyond expectations. Particularly if you take their price into consideration.

Hopefully everyone takes price into consideration, money does not grow on trees. The TEC shocks do appear to give a nice bang for the buck for those looking for a stiffer spring to accommodate a pillion, which you clearly vouch for.

Suspension comparisons are inherently subjective, outside of a track with controlled testing variables. What we can determine objectively is that the TEC units feature less quality manufacturing processes than others, which is nearly a guarantee that concessions were made somewhere. How those concessions manifest and if you care is going to be up to the individual and their riding style.

Edit to add more photos. This appears to also be the TEC shock in question, at even higher resolution:

http://cx500forum.com/forum/attachm...nts/cx-customization-mods-forum/18630d1418570128-cx500-rear-shocks-imag0094.jpg

Note the imprecision of the milling cuts on the cylinders. Look at the rough finish on the castings.

I'm not trying to unfairly judge TEC, but these shocks look like they are priced just about right for what they are.

 

[sharealike]

Here's a high resolution photo of an Ohlins piggyback rear shock for comparison. Note the high level of precision of the parts in question.

Now to our TEC, using the highest resolution photo I could find.

Not much more needs to be said, the manufacturing quality differences are self evident.

Your own perceived difference in the manufacturing quality are evident. You openly base your evidence on nothing to do with manufacturing quality other than their appearance in pictures. There is much more to manufacturing quality.

The two shocks are manufactured with the same basic components. Coated steel coil springs. Aluminium cast bodies (not billet as you claimed earlier for the yellow ones). Chrome plated piston rods. Aluminium pre load adjusting rings running in threads turned on the outside of the shock main cylinder. The two shocks use exactly the same major parts and in the same conventional layout.

Without measurement of the tolerances and surface finish of the functioning surfaces and components inside, the colour and finishes of the visible parts is all we have to go on (other than someone who's ridden with them and knew how easy they were to fit).

... What we can determine objectively is that the TEC units feature less quality manufacturing processes than others, which is nearly a guarantee that concessions were made somewhere. How those concessions manifest and if you care is going to be up to the individual and their riding style.

Simply no foundation for this statement other than your own perception from pictures and exposure to a whole load of branding and marketing spend about the yellow item but not on the other.

Edit to add more photos. This appears to also be the TEC shock in question, at even higher resolution:

http://cx500forum.com/forum/attachm...nts/cx-customization-mods-forum/18630d1418570128-cx500-rear-shocks-imag0094.jpg

Note the imprecision of the milling cuts on the cylinders. Look at the rough finish on the castings.

I'm not trying to unfairly judge TEC, but these ......

But you have judged them on absolutely nothing other than your own perception of quality due to your perception of their visible surface finishes.

There are no milling cuts on the shocks components. You might mean turning marks from the lathe tool where they are machine finished? I prefer a rough finish to an aluminium casting. Just as long as its smooth without blow holes and easy to keep clean and free from corrosion. Proves its made from a nice presentable aluminium casting using decent aluminium. Not a painted or anodised thing that might not be fit to be visible and contain casting imperfections covered by the false finish.

I think the TEC shocks choice of colours and surface finish are in keeping with the rest of the Street Twins design. IMHO can't think of anything worse than introducing another colour, particularly yellow and one that only serves to promote the manufacturers brand for them.

Areas I would point out on the yellow ones is the black plastic shroud on the tube adjacent to the middle of the spring. Usually this is to stop any leaning of poorly made springs catching the metal body of the shock when compressed as you ride over bumps. Good that they make contingency should this happen. They are not the shocks that go on the Street Twin either so just what we get when ordering is unknown. And the forked end on the yellow one in the pictures is poor design. The prong of the fork in the casting with the threaded hole is expected to bend at its join to the main tube top. This to pinch the spacer in the swing arm bush. Fine with steel forks on steel shock as steel has some flex. Poor practice with short bits of thin aluminium castings where they change to thick section that will be subjected to heavy and varying shock loads. And if the soft and too short length of female thread in the aluminium strips due to the slightest over tightening or binding of the pivot, the shock will detach its self if the bolt works out. Thank fully our Street Twins don't use that method of mounting the bottoms of their shocks.

See how they are nearly the same as the painted silver parts on the standard bike. Footrests and headlamp brackets the more visible items.

 

[sarahsacres]

Absolutely Ikon!!! I'm a 103 lb woman and Ikon made me 1" shorter shocks with lighter springs for my weight and I couldn't be happier. The most helpful people I've ever worked with and the product is Perfect. Even my Triumph service manager said they were wonderful. $500 custom made for me in Australia. Only took about 3 weeks but well worth the wait!!

 

[Davey gravey]

Your own perceived difference in the manufacturing quality are evident. You openly base your evidence on nothing to do with manufacturing quality other than their appearance in pictures. There is much more to manufacturing quality.

The two shocks are manufactured with the same basic components. Coated steel coil springs. Aluminium cast bodies (not billet as you claimed earlier for the yellow ones). Chrome plated piston rods. Aluminium pre load adjusting rings running in threads turned on the outside of the shock main cylinder. The two shocks use exactly the same major parts and in the same conventional layout.

Without measurement of the tolerances and surface finish of the functioning surfaces and components inside, the colour and finishes of the visible parts is all we have to go on (other than someone who's ridden with them and knew how easy they were to fit).



Simply no foundation for this statement other than your own perception from pictures and exposure to a whole load of branding and marketing spend about the yellow item but not on the other.




But you have judged them on absolutely nothing other than your own perception of quality due to your perception of their visible surface finishes.

There are no milling cuts on the shocks components. You might mean turning marks from the lathe tool where they are machine finished? I prefer a rough finish to an aluminium casting. Just as long as its smooth without blow holes and easy to keep clean and free from corrosion. Proves its made from a nice presentable aluminium casting using decent aluminium. Not a painted or anodised thing that might not be fit to be visible and contain casting imperfections covered by the false finish.

I think the TEC shocks choice of colours and surface finish are in keeping with the rest of the Street Twins design. IMHO can't think of anything worse than introducing another colour, particularly yellow and one that only serves to promote the manufacturers brand for them.

Areas I would point out on the yellow ones is the black plastic shroud on the tube adjacent to the middle of the spring. Usually this is to stop any leaning of poorly made springs catching the metal body of the shock when compressed as you ride over bumps. Good that they make contingency should this happen. They are not the shocks that go on the Street Twin either so just what we get when ordering is unknown. And the forked end on the yellow one in the pictures is poor design. The prong of the fork in the casting with the threaded hole is expected to bend at its join to the main tube top. This to pinch the spacer in the swing arm bush. Fine with steel forks on steel shock as steel has some flex. Poor practice with short bits of thin aluminium castings where they change to thick section that will be subjected to heavy and varying shock loads. And if the soft and too short length of female thread in the aluminium strips due to the slightest over tightening or binding of the pivot, the shock will detach its self if the bolt works out. Thank fully our Street Twins don't use that method of mounting the bottoms of their shocks.

See how they are nearly the same as the painted silver parts on the standard bike. Footrests and headlamp brackets the more visible items.

Is there a reason why you cant say ohlins and refer to them as the yellow ones but have no problem saying tec? Just curious

Sent from my F1f using Tapatalk

 

[RHB]

Anyone used or know of someone who's tried on the Nitron Shocks? These seem to be pretty good, but can't find any reviews.
http://www.nitron.co.uk/catalogue_item.php?catID=13508&prodID=87592

Nitrons are top notch, comparable to ohlins, Matris, Penske, Et Al, however within a price point you have to choose features important to you for your style of riding.ie: do I need independent rebound and damping control? or a combined rebound/damping control etc. Nitrons like Ohlins and others are custom configured for your riding weight,style, and preferences.
If we are honest with ourselves, most of us do not need all the bells and whistles on a shock for everyday use and occasional twisty riding. A simple upgrade to a premium emulsion shock from Nitron, Ohlins, or others will work wonders if set up for you correctly.

A note on cottage industry offerings such as TEC. I applaud any man or family who ventures into a market dominated by highly promoted, expensive products. If produced with quality functioning components that work, let people choose if they care about tool marks and one off imperfections. If the shocks are good, they will prove themselves over time or fail.

 

[Delta]

Is there a reason why you cant say ohlins and refer to them as the yellow ones but have no problem saying tec? Just curious

Because he's a human, and inherently biased, so it reflects in his narration.

So am I and I have the same shortcomings.

More to the point, I found another larger photo of the TEC shocks. Take a look at the finishing and come to your own conclusions:

https://smhttp-ssl-52908.nexcesscdn...nch-tec-alloy-remote-reservoir-eye-to-eye-rear-motorcycle-shock-absorbers-2.jpg

The fit and finish of the stock shocks are demonstrably better than these TEC units. Ohlins has nothing to worry about here, either.