Now I realise that what I'm writing here is not groundbreaking news and is somewhat old hat, but as @Wire-Wheels and @Baza showed interest when I mentioned it in passing on another thread, I thought it might be best to give the subject it's own thread so as to allow people to find it easier for reference. So, despite having my Street Twin for the best part of a year whilst servicing and rebuilding/preparing it, despite zero miles use up until recently, it is now most definitely on the road and racking some miles up. The bike, a 68 plate Street Twin 900, is great for country lanes and far better for the comfort of the wife (seat, footpeg height, getting on and off etc.) than the others I have. It is very torquey and with reasonable handling gives a nice ride..... but..... overtaking wasn't great. I did some research and reading on the TEC cams which resulted in not one negative review. A disclaimer is probably relevant at this point! I have no association with TEC, or its staff, in anyway whatsoever, and this is the first purchase I have made from them. I ordered one of their TEC 202 cams online and received the item a few days later, so far so good. NOTE : There are TWO different cams for the early Street Twins ( pre 2019 Brembo front brake model), TEC 101 and TEC 202 so make sure your refer to your last 6 digits of your chassis number. Original left, Tec 202 right.
The lobes were far fatter even just to the naked eye and, despite reading to the contrary online, lift was slightly increased +1.6 mm inlet and +0.7mm exhaust. The torx bolt (x2) as seen on the table (original cam shown), are supposed to be replaced so I duly purchased new ones for the minimal cost, although I don't see why, if adequately cleaned with cleaner and new threadlock applied, the old ones couldn't be reused especially as they are only torqued to 22 nm so hardly stretching them. TEC have a very good Youtube video which is an ideal reference resource, including torque settings, even if you have no other access to any information.
The engine had done 7800 miles or so before the cam change and x2 inlet valve clearances, although in spec, were a little near the tight end. New shims and alternator cover gasket acquired and valve clearances now all brought nicely into the top third of the specification clearances. That cover was very hard to remove and the gasket was sticking to the casings like the proverbial to a blanket. Once ready to rebuild then patience and care was required to slowly but surely get the gasket off both faces. Sorted.
So, engine re-built and the bike test ridden to a mates to look at his Ducati woes despite a strong threat of rain, a round trip of 25 miles or so. Nice and steady, to make sure all is well, and to ensure no oil leaks or other problems had been created. All good and so back into the workshop to await a dry day: today.
So, was it worth it, and what does it do? I'll do it bullet point style for easier reading; The starting and tickover has not changed. No excessive cranking or any magic tricks required. Pulling power, torque, from a standing start feels little different and two's up with a little clutch, will pull out of rolling Give Way's in 2nd. Acceleration- now this is where things change. The gears have more length/time in them before it feels natural to change up. Previously, bearing in mind there's no rev counter, the natural gearchange points were about 30, 50, 70 mph respectively. Obviously, the engine revved above these self imposed artificial thresholds but it seemed pointless as it turned into a gutless wonder: asthmatic. Overtaking was, at times, awkward as the motor soon run out of puff despite a promising start; do you pull out and change soon after or do you change up and slug it? Is it now a rocket ship or does it now have a two stroke style power band ? No. But it is a nicer ride. Fuel economy previously was running about 55 mpg. Our day out today, two's up, returned a dash figure of 59 mpg despite using more revs than previously. In conclusion I would summarise by saying, each gear has another 20 mph of usable productive revs without hitting the rev limiter if you so wanted it. It no longer has that noise where its trying to consume (suck in) its own airbox for very little progress. Generally, it just makes the bike a nicer, more rewarding ride. Would I recommend it? Yes! Total cost? Around £390 self fitted. Any thoughts or questions? Does it look any different, no, but it sure is now a better ride.
@TRIPLE X I presume you were referring to the rain, but I agree if that's your option, then rain shouldn't stop play. I've done all that and snow, ice etc so now choose my days out with more care and with plenty of other things to do then plan accordingly. It's about enjoyment, not endurance, isnt it?
Apologies, I did't mean to put disagree, must have had a senior moment but corrected now . Yes, I've done my fare share of riding all year round in the snow and ice but now at the age of 73 only ride for pleasure but when I do occasionally get caught in the rain it's still ok as I am fully waterproofed in Goretex. Should I be riding a Speed Triple RS at 73, hell YES
Thanks so much for these informative posts. I've marked all as "useful" as they are! I have the cam but not fitted as yet as waiting for us to move to our next home with a garage to do this. Your results tally with what hoped. I also have the 2-1 system to install which in addition to the cam with it's weight saving and other benefits will I hope and expect only improve further still. I also have the Tec rear and progressive front shocks to install amongst other parts! It's been a hell of a long wait for the new home but hopefully by the end of this year. Thanks again for the posts, not many on this topic and as a fellow Street Twin enthusiast highly valued.
I posted somewhere on this forum about the TEC camshaft fitted to my Street Twin a couple of years ago (or maybe 3 or more..time flies and all that). No doubt if you do the Search Forum thing it'll pop up. Mine is a 2017 ST, bought new. I liked the bike but it had 3 or 4 weak points, all of which have been well documented on here, appalling tyres (bordering on dangerous), under-damped rear shocks (which affected handling), only adequate braking (two front disks or upgraded calliper are needed to safely stop a 220kg bike from 90+mph) and the engine ran out of steam too early. I sorted the first two problems within the first month and I guess I just got used to the iffy brakes. As we know Triumph have since addressed the brake issue. Engine performance has also been discussed on here. Basically, the original ST engine was deliberately under-developed by Triumph and held back at around 54-55bhp, so as not to deter sales from the T120 and it's 70-ish horses. Again, Triumph have rectified this issue. But as I have the pre-Triumph-doing-what-they-should've-done bike, I went for the TEC cam. The bike had done somewhere between 1000-1500 mile (I think) when Youles in Manchester fitted it. Mine was their 3rd TEC camshaft upgrade. I won't repeat all the details I wrote last time but I noticed the difference as soon as I rode out of Youles carpark. The engine felt more willing and the revs picked up more quickly, acceleration was more brisk. And as Eldon has pointed out, overtakes are easier, the power doesn't tail off as quickly as it did before. My brother owns a T120 and although my ST still can't quite match his on motorways, when it comes to the twisty stuff I'm always ahead. With the suspension upgrade the ST is a better handling bike than the T120 anyway, but the additional power makes it, for me, a superior bike (if you're 6'5" and weigh 18 stone it probably won't be). My bike also has a Motone X-pipe and TEC end cans. According to George Milburn at TEC, my bike should have around 65-68bhp, but I've never had it dynoed and I don't care anyway. It's a better bike all round than the one I purchased back in 2017. It's taken me all over, including 2021 miles doing the Malle Rally (google it). Of all the mods I've made to this bike the TEC cam is easily the best and at 7500 miles there have been no problems.
Since that pic was taken it now has a Motone ribbed engine case (right side only atm) and the Triumph black'n'ally headlight bezel. Oh, and the neat and discrete Motone grab rail. Also the TEC footpegs in that pic have now been swopped for the much nicer Motone pegs. Yes, I'm a Motone fan!
My original interest was in respect of my youngest lad’s 2012 900 Thruxton. But as he has now added an 899 Panigale to his garage the need for improving the Thruxton has diminished somewhat However, at £390 it would appear money well spent. Many thanks for the write up.
It's a pity you are not closer as I could've shown you the way and speeded it up for you. Two special tools will be needed, currently not at home but I will add a photo later.
Yep, the stock Phantoms notorious and many (any!) better options. I love my Scorpion 2s. As said, I've the Tec front and back suspensions to improve which along with their 2-1 and Cam will be a night and day upgrade. I have their levers on too that much better than stock and the bashplate, bobbins and clutch cable bracket bought to add too. I've also added some Triumph OEM cosmetics such as dress-up bolts, clutch badge, bar ends and grill and practicals of heated grips and tpms (though I'm now selling these, brand new, never used and boxed, anyone?!). I swapped out the stock seat for the ribbed Crafton Atelier which as well as looking and feeling better also adds some height so improved handling (I preferred it to the Motone). I looked in to the dual discs brakes upgrade but it a fair whack, looks a little clumsy on IMHO and I'm hoping the weight loss of the bike from the 2-1 (and the fact I'm down from 86kg to 79kg myself!) will help improve brake performance (got to change up my pads too as an easy win). I have looked in to spoked over the cast wheels for my preferred looks but cost prohibitive, they don't come tubeless (but one can get the kits to adapt I know) and worse on weight unfortunately so a no-go (unless one gets the Kineos which eye-wateringly pricey...if my lottery numbers come up..). Once the house bought and I disappear in to the garage for the coming winter to add all these mods I'll be taking it touring in Europe next Spring hopefully. See my other posts for rabbit-hole study of panniers! (SW Motech winning currently)
That's a kind response I definitely would have taken you up on the offer! I'm far from adept on the tools but hopefully slow and steady wins. I of course watched George fly through it calmly in about half an hour. I'm giving myself a little longer - WINTER!
As you can see in the pic I've also got the TEC shocks. They're a definite improvement over the originals but from experience I reckon Hagon or YSS would be better. I think the Fox replacements are a little OTT for the ST but I'm sure they make a big difference. The spoked wheels I got as part of the original deal from Bill Smiths in Chester. This was before they were listed as a Triumph accessory. They took them from the crate of a newly delivered T100. You're right, they're not tubeless (no problems in 7 years) and they weigh a bit more but I don't think a couple of kgs is going to affect this bike. You'd have to have money to burn to fit Kineos, which would be pretty pointless, other than for aesthetics. I had the seat custom made. I don't like the bench-type options out there, which reveal the rough welding on the frame rails. I bought a cheap, knackered second hand seat, so I could use the base and save my original, and drew the design. I'm sure you've checked out the Motone catalogue but if you haven't then take a look. They cost a bit more than TEC but the quality is significantly better.
Just to clarify my bikes engine modifications so far so you can judge appropriately - Decat and X pipe fitted Vince and Hines x2 silencers with no baffles K & N filter in standard airbox, no snorkel
Totally agree with all you said and like I mentioned in my opening post, I know you and others have already tread this path so I'm not claiming anything new just revisiting with my opinions and findings for what they are worth. My bike has now done 190 miles since the cam change and it just makes it such a nicer and fun ride, even had a little play with a Ferrari on back roads
Tool photo added with dimensions. Online it's mentioned to use a diameter 8mm pin, which having a lathe, I machined one up. Yeaah Err that doesnt fit ..... and it needs to be 7.9mm The plate could really be made out of anything 5mm thick. I used some aluminium plate so as to not damage anything.
What were the wheels off as I agree the spoked wheels look nicer? Tubed or tubeless? Sorry now seen your post with details @beerkat cheers.
