Rear Shock Adjustment 2017 Bonnie

Discussion in 'Bonneville' started by David Reynolds, Dec 12, 2022.

  1. David Reynolds

    David Reynolds Member

    Jun 26, 2020
    44
    18
    Browns Valley CA
    #1 David Reynolds, Dec 12, 2022
    Does this require a special tool or can I muddle through with the usual assortment of wrenches, etc. I have a feeling that tightening up the rear shocks a couple of notches may improve handling noticeably.
     
  2. newT120

    newT120 Active Member

    Apr 1, 2016
    102
    43
    London
    #2 newT120, Dec 13, 2022
    Nothing special needed - just use the allen-key thing (or what Triumph laughably calls the toolkit) stashed inside one of the side panels. I tightened mine up a couple of clicks and it did make a noticeable difference.
    Cheers
     
    • Disagree Disagree x 1
  3. David Reynolds

    David Reynolds Member

    Jun 26, 2020
    44
    18
    Browns Valley CA
    #3 David Reynolds, Dec 13, 2022
    Thanks man - off topic but since you're a black T120 guy I was at the Triumph dealer last week and spied a black T120 with a brown leather bench seat which was stunning...that brown seat with a nice aged leather look really popped, best looking ride in the whole place IMO!
     
  4. Tom Swift

    Tom Swift Active Member

    Sep 24, 2021
    142
    43
    USA
    #4 Tom Swift, Dec 17, 2022
    Last edited: Dec 17, 2022
    My previously-owned Street Cup was set on the second softest setting when I got it. It was a little to stiff for me at 180 lbs so I put them on the softest setting. They're probably different (better) from what's used on any other 900 HT powered model. They even seem to work better than every other dual shock setup I've had in the past.

    I should add that I always (try to) set up my bikes with about 1/4" - 3/4" of unladen sag. Hopefully, the laden sag falls within my desired 1/4 to 1/3 of the total travel range after that adjustment. If it doesn't, I know the spring is wrong.
     
  5. David Reynolds

    David Reynolds Member

    Jun 26, 2020
    44
    18
    Browns Valley CA
    #5 David Reynolds, Dec 17, 2022
    gonna experiment a bit with the settings - fortunately the adjustment is way easier than I feared it might be...simply clicked it over a couple settings with a snub nosed philips s/d.

    Definitely don't like the way the bike sometimes gets mushy and drifts out halfway thru a turn, in fact it's downright dangerous - can't blame it all on the Pirellis so we'll see if this helps.
     
    • Like Like x 1
  6. Tom Swift

    Tom Swift Active Member

    Sep 24, 2021
    142
    43
    USA
    #6 Tom Swift, Dec 18, 2022
    Getting rid of the stock Pirellis is the first thing I would do.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  7. David Reynolds

    David Reynolds Member

    Jun 26, 2020
    44
    18
    Browns Valley CA
    #7 David Reynolds, Dec 18, 2022
    When new the Pirellis were terrible - with a few thousand miles on them they were better. Helps to over inflate a bit.
     
  8. Tom Swift

    Tom Swift Active Member

    Sep 24, 2021
    142
    43
    USA
    #8 Tom Swift, Dec 18, 2022
    The front on my Street Cup was just about worn out after a few thousand miles. I didn't get to experience them new since I bought it used with about 3500 miles. I can't imagine them any being worse.
     
  9. David Reynolds

    David Reynolds Member

    Jun 26, 2020
    44
    18
    Browns Valley CA
    #9 David Reynolds, Dec 19, 2022
    Bought my T100 with 2K on the Phantoms and got scared to death a couple times due to poor handling, specifically a nasty habit of jumping sideways and unexpectedly on normal highway grooves...

    Long story short the problem lessened as the tires wore down and I increased the inflation above factory specs. Bottom line the Pirellis are indeed 'rubbish' as our British friends point out - very much looking forward to Avon Spirits or the like someday soon!
     
  10. beerkat

    beerkat Noble Member

    Aug 14, 2019
    904
    443
    Cheshire UK
    #10 beerkat, Dec 19, 2022
    And binning the stock rear shocks should be the second thing.
    Plenty of options out there. I went for TEC but Hagon or YSS are both improvements on the underdamped originals.
     
  11. David Caddell

    David Caddell New Member

    Jun 17, 2022
    8
    3
    Newtownabbey
    #11 David Caddell, Dec 19, 2022
    Yes, I went for the Tec on my Speed Twin, back and front. First 200 odd miles were great, then everything felt flat and I could feel every bump. Any suggestions out there? Thanks.
     
  12. David Reynolds

    David Reynolds Member

    Jun 26, 2020
    44
    18
    Browns Valley CA
    #12 David Reynolds, Dec 19, 2022
    I've heard good things about Bitubos as well - might be worthwhile to do a poll of sorts on what people consider to be the best shock upgrade...
     
  13. David Caddell

    David Caddell New Member

    Jun 17, 2022
    8
    3
    Newtownabbey
    #13 David Caddell, Dec 19, 2022
    Yes, I went for the Tec on my Speed Twin, back and front. First 200 odd miles were great, then everything felt flat and I could feel every bump. Any suggestions out there? Thanks.
     
  14. beerkat

    beerkat Noble Member

    Aug 14, 2019
    904
    443
    Cheshire UK
    #14 beerkat, Dec 26, 2022
    Can't help you I'm afraid, I've not had a problem with the TEC shocks on my Street Twin. What you've described could be down to a flat tyre, but I'm sure you would have noticed that ;)
     
  15. David Caddell

    David Caddell New Member

    Jun 17, 2022
    8
    3
    Newtownabbey
    #15 David Caddell, Dec 26, 2022
    I would have, thanks. Tyres all good. Perhaps they have loosened up too much and need tightening.

    I contacted TEC, they adVised to check the movement in the spring loaded and without load, which I will do.

    Anyway Happy New Year to all on Triumph Forum.
     
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