Author Topic: Now: I got the Sprint ST (Read 17162 times)

DarkRider · « **Reply #75 on:** June 25, 2007, 11:54:58 AM »

As for the numb throttle hand and right foot steve...thats a trait for all the V4 bikes...my older VF is even worse for it...both hands go numb after about an hour or so in the saddle. Im going to be picking up some of those foam grips that they use on cruisers next since the gell grips i have on there now just dont work..

loonymoon · « **Reply #76 on:** June 25, 2007, 01:30:52 PM »

Quote from: OutlawZ24 on June 25, 2007, 11:54:58 AM

As for the numb throttle hand and right foot steve...thats a trait for all the V4 bikes...my older VF is even worse for it...both hands go numb after about an hour or so in the saddle. Im going to be picking up some of those foam grips that they use on cruisers next since the gell grips i have on there now just dont work..

You know I think my 350F thinks it's a V4 too as my right hand and and foot go numb after about an hour too!!!

DarkRider · « **Reply #77 on:** June 25, 2007, 03:58:19 PM »

Quote from: loonymoon on June 25, 2007, 01:30:52 PM

Quote from: OutlawZ24 on June 25, 2007, 11:54:58 AM
As for the numb throttle hand and right foot steve...thats a trait for all the V4 bikes...my older VF is even worse for it...both hands go numb after about an hour or so in the saddle. Im going to be picking up some of those foam grips that they use on cruisers next since the gell grips i have on there now just dont work..

You know I think my 350F thinks it's a V4 too as my right hand and and foot go numb after about an hour too!!!

LoL!!

medic09 · « **Reply #78 on:** June 26, 2007, 05:04:26 PM »

Okay, I'll tell you all for now that this was the coolest and most pleasant test drive or ride I've ever done. Included a few miles on an '80 Suzuki GS1000S Wes Cooley replica. I should pick up the Triumph tomorrow night, on my way to flight duty.

Gotta run, but I'll have to share the story of 'how to sell a motorcycle'!

Thanks for all the help (especially looney's insidious influence...)!

DarkRider · « **Reply #79 on:** June 26, 2007, 05:53:10 PM »

Congrats man!...Be sure to post lots of pics of the new toy.

medic09 · « **Reply #80 on:** June 26, 2007, 07:53:07 PM »

Quote from: OutlawZ24 on June 26, 2007, 05:53:10 PM

Congrats man!...Be sure to post lots of pics of the new toy.

Thanks.

The pic that I posted earlier is the very bike.

I got to this guy's house (on my Honda, of course). We go out to the garage, and look at the Triumph for about a minute; and then spend the next 20 minutes looking at his '80 GS1000S. We talked about rebuilding carbs, and Wes Cooley's racing career on that model bike, and the paint job, and oh, is there a Triumph to be sold?

Finally, I look the Triumph over, and it looks every bit as good as he said. A little over 6000 miles on the clock. I asked a few questions. I started to ask "Can I (start it up)..." and he says, "Of course, you want to ride it." So I get on the Triumph, he gets on his Suzuki, and he leads me on maybe a 20 mile ride. Neigbourhood streets, a section of highway, city streets, etc. Got to ride the bike briefly in everything from city conditions to highway speed (85-90mph). At a stop light on the way back he suggests we switch. So for the last few miles I road the GS1000S. By the time we were all done, I was totally suckered. Hell, I would've bought both bikes if he offered.

That's the way to sell a bike.

BTW, if you're going to look at a bike, ride your present bike over there. I think it gives the owner a little confidence that you're not just some numbskull with nothing better to do.

This bike is a whole different experience. I will have to take it slow while I learn to ride it. This is going to be cool.

Oh, and of course I'm keeping the Honda. Flatblack is sending replacement exhausts for it.

Thanks for all your help guys!

DarkRider · « **Reply #81 on:** June 26, 2007, 08:12:24 PM »

You have me drooling at the mention of the Wes Cooley....If i wasnt going the street fighter route with my GS1100G i would so build a replica...

medic09 · « **Reply #82 on:** June 26, 2007, 08:17:20 PM »

Quote from: OutlawZ24 on June 26, 2007, 08:12:24 PM

You have me drooling at the mention of the Wes Cooley....If i wasnt going the street fighter route with my GS1100G i would so build a replica...

I told this guy he has to come to this forum and post. I knew some of you (like me!) would appreciate his bike.

SteveD CB500F · « **Reply #83 on:** June 27, 2007, 07:12:22 AM »

So will we see you on the Triumph site?

There are a few.

The one I use is http://www.bikersoracle.com/triumphsprint/forum which is a part of the larger Bikers Oracle club. Mostly UK but a sprinkling of N Americans (bit like this site in reverse!)

My username is "SteveD". I had to lose the CB500F bit for that forum...

medic09 · « **Reply #84 on:** June 27, 2007, 08:03:37 AM »

I'm already on TriumphRat.net, but I'll check out this site that you're on. Gotta learn what I can.

It's kinda funny that with my old bikes I'm willing to just jump in and start doing the work. I'm a little scared of mucking around with the Triumph. I'm sure that'll pass.

Task #1 is locate a good shop manual. I'd like the factory book if I can get one, and a Clymer if there is such a thing. I don't especially like Haynes.

Task #2 is an oil change after I get it home. The PO hasn't changed the oil in the past year since he rode only about 500 miles on it. I believe in changing at least a few times/year, regardless of mileage. I assume that's as good for the Sprint as my old bikes?

Task #3 is adjust the posture from quite good to perfect. Not sure how to do that yet.

SteveD CB500F · « **Reply #85 on:** June 27, 2007, 08:09:20 AM »

Oil change is easy. And you can do it without removing the fairing (unlike the VFR)

If you don't have a filter removal tool and don't fancy the hammer and screwdriver method, get one of the 1/2 inch square drive tools to fit the filter body.

You won't get a normal chain-type tool in the space (trust me)

I did oil, filter, air filter and plugs on mine when I bought it. The valves and throttle balance I left to a dealer.

medic09 · « **Reply #86 on:** June 27, 2007, 08:14:56 AM »

Quote from: SteveD CB500F on June 27, 2007, 08:09:20 AM

Oil change is easy. And you can do it without removing the fairing (unlike the VFR)

If you don't have a filter removal tool and don't fancy the hammer and screwdriver method, get one of the 1/2 inch square drive tools to fit the filter body.

You won't get a normal chain-type tool in the space (trust me)

I did oil, filter, air filter and plugs on mine when I bought it. The valves and throttle balance I left to a dealer.

Thanks for the tip. I'm not familiar with the filter removal tools.

SteveD CB500F · « **Reply #87 on:** June 27, 2007, 09:10:39 AM »

The filter is a spin-on type and screws up into the engine block. It goes right in so that there's insufficient metal showing to get a chain or rubber band remover onto the can.

I stuck a screwdriver through the can and levered it round until it loosened.

The instructions on the can say (amongst other things) "do not puncture the can..." Oh well.

This is the type of tool you need:

loonymoon · « **Reply #88 on:** June 27, 2007, 01:05:38 PM »

Congratulations! Glad I could be of assistance!

So how does it feel compared to the RS you rode? I'm interested to know how different they are.

What does your wife think? Tried the pillion yet?

ENJOY!

medic09 · « **Reply #89 on:** June 27, 2007, 02:51:02 PM »

Quote from: loonymoon on June 27, 2007, 01:05:38 PM

Congratulations! Glad I could be of assistance!

So how does it feel compared to the RS you rode? I'm interested to know how different they are.

What does your wife think? Tried the pillion yet?

ENJOY!

Hey Looney!

We go to pick it up tonight. My wife will turn straight around for home (an hour's drive), and I will head to flight duty. She won't have a chance to ride on it at least till Sunday. So far, she's only seen pictures. Hard for me to compare to the RS. I only rode the RS for about 10 minutes. This bike I got to ride more thoroughly in the distance that we went. The bars are higher on the ST, a real point in it's favor. It might be a little warmer with retained heat behind the fairing, I wasn't sure. It was about 100 degrees F anyway, so who can tell?

With a little adjusting for my personal preferences, I think it will be very cool. I'll take it slow before testing it; the beast in the Triumph responds much faster than in my Honda!

I'll try to post some pics after I get it home.

medic09 · « **Reply #90 on:** June 29, 2007, 12:06:07 AM »

Brought the bike home tonight from work. About 65 miles on the interstae. Dark and intermittent rain!

I'll have to learn to sit up, and not lean on my wrists so much.

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #91 on:** June 29, 2007, 04:53:37 AM »

That's a beautiful looking bike Mordy, although the stretch to the bars would be a little too hard on my back and neck for long rides. That's the problem with most modern "Tourers", they're really just sports bikes with bags...........

I'm glad that you like the GS series Suzukis too, they're my other infatuation, I've got 5 of the buggers in my motley collection, including 2 GS1000S Wes Cooley replica's, a 1979 model in bits and a 1981 model, (the red and white one, behind the black GS1000G that I bought from a wrecking yard after a young bloke had "Street-Fightered" it, then dumped the poor old thing when it didn't come up to his expectations) plus a GS1000E and a GS750E.

Absolutely brilliant bikes, genuinely "bullet proof", super fast and handled and stopped better than any of their contemporary peers. If you ever decide to widen your collection, you could do worse than go back and buy that guys GS1000S............ Ha ha, Cheers, Terry.

medic09 · « **Reply #92 on:** June 29, 2007, 07:07:28 AM »

Hey Terry,

The guy that sold me the bike seems to have a lingering problem getting the CV carbs on the GS dialed in. Do you know much about them? I could tell him to take a peek here, and ask for some help. Is there another forum that might be good for him?

mordechai

medic09 · « **Reply #93 on:** June 29, 2007, 11:17:34 AM »

Hey Terry,

Thanks for the compliment on the bike; but I notice you didn't say anything about how handsome and debonair (not to mention competent, professional, and nigh on heroic) the owner looks!

My wife liked the photo, even has it as the wallpaper in her office computer (or did she say toilet paper somewhere else?).

SteveD CB500F · « **Reply #94 on:** June 29, 2007, 11:23:10 AM »

It does look the business in blue!

Have you seen the "Union Sprint" ?

medic09 · « **Reply #95 on:** June 29, 2007, 11:25:02 AM »

That's very nice! Is that the paint job on yours?

SteveD CB500F · « **Reply #96 on:** June 29, 2007, 12:39:36 PM »

No.

It's a photoshop job done by one of the guys on triumphrat.net:

loonymoon · « **Reply #97 on:** June 29, 2007, 02:31:03 PM »

Cool. I like that you've got the top to match the bike... or was it the bike to match the top.

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #98 on:** June 29, 2007, 05:05:16 PM »

Quote from: medic09 on June 29, 2007, 07:07:28 AM

Hey Terry,

The guy that sold me the bike seems to have a lingering problem getting the CV carbs on the GS dialed in. Do you know much about them? I could tell him to take a peek here, and ask for some help. Is there another forum that might be good for him?

mordechai

G'Day Mordy, sorry mate, of course I think you're a good looking rooster, ooooooh, dreamy!

Now that I've unsettled you somewhat, tell your mate to check out this website: http://www.thegsresources.com/

I lurk there also, it's an excellent resource, and these guys are probably more passionate about their bikes than we are!

Setting up the CV's isn't hard, the 1980-81 Aussie version came with 33mm Mikuni round slide carbs and produced a tad more power than the CV equipped US market bikes, but were fiddly to set up, and terrible on fuel.

I converted my red bike to CV's, they're much gentler on the wrist due to softer throttle return springs, and the fuel economy is phenominal, 55+ Mpg, with no fairing! As I said, they're easy to set up, just make sure the diaphrams are in good order, and set 'em up with a good vac guage, and they work great, I haven't touched mine in 7 years, and they still work fine.

And as much as I hate the term "Streetfighter", they are easy bikes to modify with better forks, brakes, wheels etc, as there was a lot of compatability with modern Suzuki offerings, like the mighty GSXR series. Cheers, Terry.

medic09 · « **Reply #99 on:** June 29, 2007, 05:08:54 PM »

Quote from: loonymoon on June 29, 2007, 02:31:03 PM

Cool. I like that you've got the top to match the bike... or was it the bike to match the top.

Well, we did have the flight suits before the bike...

Trust a woman to notice such things.

News:

Author Topic: Now: I got the Sprint ST (Read 17162 times)