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darthandy

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Everything posted by darthandy

  1. darthandy
    Well, not too sure how US prices compare to ours, but at my vintage bike club's rally last June, there was a guy with a 1970 Triumph Trident (Same bike, different name) for sale and asking $6,500. It was in very nice shape and running quite well. The last one I saw for sale in similar condition had the same asking price. $5,000 for a bike that has been stored for 30 years, even indoors and covered, seems a bit pricey. Going by the prices Karl found, I would say that you shouldn't pay more than about $3,000. And at that price, I'd want good paint and no missing parts. If you decide to buy it there are a number of publications and clubs in the U.S. and Canada along with a number of suppliers who can get you just about any parts you might need. Keep in mind though, that although it is a fairly rare bike, you shouldn't look at it as a financial investment. I know a young guy near here who spent $10,000 + restoring a 650 BSA Lightning (The BSA equivalent to the Triumph Bonneville) which at this point, in near perfect condition, would still only bring about $7,000 to $8,000 at auction. This is a bike to buy only if it really interests you. Andy
  2. darthandy
    Sadly, that doesn't make me feel any better at all. Andy
  3. darthandy
    Very happy your daughter came out OK. Freedom of choice is nice but a well protected head is better. Tell her to get a good helmet. Andy
  4. darthandy
    Well, I'm waiting for my RSV seats to get back from Rick Butler and my clutch kit from Earl. No problem...got my Triumph "summerized" on Sunday and took her for a quick shakedown cruise. Seems OK but steering seemed a bit heavy even though I had checked the tire pressure. OK, something to check for the next time. Went out to use her today and quickly realized that the front tire is nearly flat (2 season old Michelin with only about 7,000 km)...what the...? Checked more closely and discovered that the tire valve is split and nearly falling off. I had forgotten to ask for new valves when the tires were installed in July /2010 and it seems most shops don't do it automatically. So...I get to pull off the wheels and bring them in to have new valves installed (At $34 per wheel!) and, as a bonus, they won't try to save my Dyna Beads, so those will have to be replaced later, by me. AAAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHHHH! 10 bucks says the 55 F + temps we've been having will disappear by the time I can get this done or get my RSV parts in/back. As before....AAAARRRRGGGGGHHHHH! Andy
  5. darthandy
    For what it's worth, everything I've ever read on the subject says that it is risky mixing tire brands. The tread patterns and compounds were designed to work together for specific models of tire and there's no way to be sure two different brands will work well together. We're not necessarily talking major handling problems (Though I've heard of it happening) but it could make your riding less pleasant. Having said that, I know people who have mixed brands or models within a brand (I replaced the front with an E3 when I got my RSV last year and left the nearly new 404 on the rear - no problem so far!) and everything has been fine. Just know though that there is a risk to mixing those brands. Andy
  6. darthandy
    I couldn't see the cassette deck! And that bike is totally insane!!!!! Other than that, it looks like fun...really scary fun! Andy
  7. darthandy
    :rotf::rotf::rotf: Andy
  8. darthandy
    Send a PM to Rick Butler. He just modified my seats and replaced the missing studs on my mine. He should be able to give you the info you need. Better yet, send him your seats for the Butler Butt Mod and he'll replace the studs for you. Andy
  9. darthandy
    Cleared all my cookies and went with IE9. Still no forums even when I login but I can still get to the tech library. I get a message stating "This board has no forums." I wonder...since my trial membership expired (Even though I can still log in.) if there is a bug in the system that blocks areas that would normally be available when your trial expires.
  10. darthandy
    That's good advice for anywhere...even in one's own country. Andy
  11. darthandy
    Hard to say. I have only been using it for a couple of years and the bike doesn't get as much use as my RSV. From what I have read on the Triumph forum, however, a number of high mileage types have stated that they have gotten better mileage from their chains since switching to this lube. We all know that Teflon is a very slippery substance and I believe this is a large part of what helps to clean the chain. And as I learned a long time ago, a clean chain will last longer than a dirty one. So...perhaps a bit more research is in order? As for me, I've tried a lot of chain lubes over the years and this one has been, hands down, the best I've ever used as far as keeping the chain clean and new looking as well as reducing the number of adjustments I've had to make as the chain "loosens" up. I know, not very scientific, but if it does the job better than the other stuff I've used, then I'm sold. Andy
  12. darthandy
    The EK Chains x-ring chain is a good buy with a unique master link attachment. And use the Dupont Multi-Use Teflon chain lube. I've been using it on my Triumph for the last couple of years since reading about it on the Triumph forum. Doesn't fling, protects well and does a surprisingly good job of keeping the chain clean. Do stay away from no name brand chains on ebay and also the Regina chains ... they stretch as if made from rubber. http://www.ekchain.jp/index.html Andy
  13. darthandy
    Go for it!!! Now, quick...before somebody else gets it. In the condition you mention, you could ride it for two years and then sell it for close to what you would be paying...except that it's very unlikely you'll want to sell it once you've had it for a while. And this forum will be here to insure you get the maximum pleasure and reliability from it. And welcome to the fun house! Andy
  14. darthandy
    The most vicious attacks in Mexico are never reported to the authorities. People are too embarrassed to admit to them. Yet they are left in pain, agony and fear for a long time after these attacks. The worst part is that they are so insidious that people can rarely see them coming. It can make the thought of leaving their room positively frightening. I am, of course, talking about the nastiest and most disgusting vacation ruining attack facing most vacationers .... travellers diahrrea! Thank God for Immodium! Andy
  15. darthandy
    At the risk of starting another "oil" thread (Oh God! Not that!) I would just say that I have read the arguments about Fram's quality (Or lack of it) for a few years now, along with counter arguments praising them. While the arguments against them sound logical, it has seemed to me that the problems occur if the filter is left in the vehicle for inordinate lengths of time (3 years or more, for instance). The only times I have seen this happen, is when a vehicle gets put away for several years for some reason, then gets immediately used once it is brought back out, without an oil or filter change first. I believe that the construction of the Fram filters may not hold up to this kind of treatment which shouldn't be laid on any vehicle in the first place. I may be way out in left field here, of course and I'm no engineer, but in my experience of the past 30 years, the only time I've heard of filter problems was when they were left unchanged in a vehicle for extended periods of time (Years, not months.). But obviously, this is a pretty small sample, so, as I said, I may be way out in left field. Andy
  16. darthandy
    Well, first question - are you a paid member? If not that may be the reason. I tried the site out on their 30 day trial membership. When the 30 days was up, I could no longer access the forum, although the tech library was still accessible. Andy
  17. darthandy
    Current price here in Welland, ON (That's near Niagara Falls) is $1.25 / L which is $5.68 / imp. gal. or $4.80 / U.S. gal. Oh, oh! Looks like some of you south of the border might be catching up to our pricing! That's not good! Andy
  18. darthandy
    I've seen this before. It is quite different, but somehow I think it loses the "essence" of motorcycling. Where are the bugs,gravel and wind in my face? And the price...holy s#$%! $78,700 CDN!!! I wish I could find another video I once saw regarding a three wheel version of this thing - the back half stayed upright and the front half could lean. Really weird! Andy
  19. darthandy
    I'll have to agree with that. My old '87 Royale handled heavy cross winds better than does my Triumph with no top box. Haven't had the RSV in any bad cross winds yet, so I can't say how it compares. As for the original question, I learned a long time ago to handle windy days as stated in the article above, but frankly, at this point in my life, I prefer to cage it on really bad days when the gusts are above 30 mph. Just getting old, I guess. Andy
  20. darthandy
    My wife and I visited my sister in San Jose some years back, during August. We went to San Francisco one morning, getting there about 9:30. Damn near turned blue when we stepped out of our vehicle! Seems it gets quite cool at night up there even if it has been hot the previous day. We had to visit indoors till around noon when the morning fog had burned off and let the sun heat things up to more comfortable levels. You may want to watch for that, especially if you're going in April or May. Just a thought! Andy
  21. darthandy
    Welcome to the fun house! Not only can you find a lot of help "improving" your bike, but we can give you many opportunities to wear it out too. Andy
  22. darthandy
    Wait a minute! I thought this site was a rehab clinic for VR addicts! Oh heck...you mean it was actually the cause? Now I find out! Andy
  23. darthandy
    If the passing lights were dealer installed rather than factory installed, they probably used one of those little blue power taps with a blade type connection and a hinged cap that snaps closed over the wires. Those types of taps are well known for failing in odd ways, including working for a few seconds then cutting out. I would check to see if you have one and if you do, then take it off, strip some insulation from the wires and solder them. Even if it doesn't cure the problem, it will ensure that a different problem doesn't show up later. Andy
  24. darthandy
    From a purely safety point of view, it seems that a black panel might reduce your bikes visibility factor to other motorists. To me that's not a good move as you should try to increase your visibility to others. I like Sailor's idea of going with flames and preferably in bright colours. Of course, I also happen to like flames so that is going to bias my answer, but it certainly would make the bike more visible, don't you think? Andy
  25. darthandy
    There was an article in Cycle World magazine some time back (Years?) about a guy who hopped up a V-Max (Thought the bike was too slow?) and converted it to chain drive. If memory serves it was fairly involved and included a modification to or replacement of the swing arm. It would be interesting but I can't see any worthwhile advantages other than to be able to say that it's different. Andy
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