so I bought the rebel exhust system knowing about tecs quality control problems, and they diddnt disapoint, the tailpipe section welded to the muffler was dented on both sides like it was clamped in a vise when welded, I tried to contact them by e mail and phone with no response till my cc company got involved and stoped payment on the card, then they miraculasly got back to me, asking what was wrong and saying they never got my e mails, so I re-sent the pics and they agreed to send a new part, whitch they did, but its dented in the same way the first pipe was, I sent them new pics and havent heard back yet, I know its a 400 $ system, but it still shouldnt be dented, im going to give them anouther chance to send an undented part, then decide weather to spend the big bucks on a quality brand or install it and keep the other muffler as a spare, I hope the fitment isnt as frustrating as the purchase
Yeh...I was looking longingly at some shocks they make, but their reputation has put me off. Better good quality stock ones then "cheepo" junk. Old Triumph has been cooking along for 22 years with no problems. Makes no sense to change that unless it is a TRUE improvement. I think it is going to out live me. ...J.D.
yea I wouldnt use their shocks but my bike is a 22 street twin and I just wanted to get rid of that cat and giant exhaust system,I like the bike and the way it runs and sounds, hopefully I still will when I get done messing with it, as they say you get what you pay for, tec did get back to me and called them manufacturing marks not dents, wich I agree with someone clamped it in something to tight, but ive never seen pipes dented like this
I have had this old America for years. I keep modifying things. It had become my own creation to some degree. I don't want a new bike now. The old girl is just part of me anymore. I buy some pieces. I machine some other things out of raw material. Just an old, retired guy trying to keep himself entertained. ...J.D.
Bought some TEC pannier rails. The plating literally came off in my hands. Their response was basically at this price point what did you expect? Ho hum....
Agreed but I can't fault the ST camshaft so far, although the rear shocks are being retired to the garage, or bin shortly, when the new replacements arrive.
I've got their progressive springs in my forks, seem OK. Rule of thumb seems to be if it's going to be visible after fitting, shop elsewhere
I've got a few TEC parts on my Street Twin and generally they've been fine but like Eldon, the TEC shocks (which have been on the bike for 5 or 6 years) are being replaced. They are an improvement over stock but it's time I shelled out some money and upgraded. I've also had their end cans on the bike for several years and I'm happy with them. When their camshaft first appeared I had quite a few discussions with their main man, George, including face-to-face at the Stafford show. This was back in 2017 or 2018. He said the cams are (or were) made in the same factory as the Triumph ST cam, so of equal quality. That persuaded me to fit one and 5000 miles later there have been no issues. Youles in Manchester have fitted them with no comeback. Motone parts are significantly better quality but significantly more expensive. Check out their exhaust systems. Their X-pipe decat is much better than TEC's and fits perfectly straight out of the box. Some people have had to modify the TEC part. You decide how much you want to pay but I know which make I'd go for. PS. anyone interested in a pair of slightly used TEC shocks, only one careful owner?
yea the America looks like a nice bike, I have an 82 xs650 ive had for a few decades that is a great bike to work on, lots of aftermarket parts for them you can turn them into anything you like from a hard tail chopper to a dirt track racer, thats probubly why I bought the street twin its like a modern version of it
yea I bought the system knowing it wouldnt have the fit and finish of a system that cost 3 times as much, I just diddnt think it should be dented, and they did send me another muffler that was dented in the same manner, so I excepted their explanation that they werent dents they were manufactuing marks, and put the system on yesterday and it went on ok but like you said I had to modify all the springs and bend out the tabs to get the springs to stay on at all, I hope those springs arent holding that thing together, on its first ride I was waiting to hear it rattle apart, but it was fine, ran fine, louder under throttle but not to bad at idle, diddnt have any popping or backfireing, getting the factory system off was another story what a pia
My air-cooled America came to me used, with a pair of stainless steel, Staintune pipes on it. Love the sound !. I guess they were a pretty expensive add-on for someone in the past. The only thing I don't care for about them is they have turned very gold from the heat, like all stainless does in time. ...J.D.
If the bends are pulled (yes pulled, look up how it works as it's quite fascinating) on a mandrel bender and someone sets up the backing runner piece wrongly then you can get those marks. Think of a piece of solid square probably aluminium say 200 mm long with a half round cut in one face along the length the radius of the finished pipe article. Those marks look like the end corners of the backing piece. It's only about 30 years since I used one A little more care could minimise, or avoid in the first place, those marks but yes I would agree they are manufacturing marks.
thanks Eldon, that explains it very well, cant really see them on the bike, we'll see how they work out
