Bonneville T120 Exhaust Advice

Thruxton silencers bolt right on to the Speed Twin. But I don’t think ST and Thruxton silencers bolt on to the T120. Different mounting points.

 

I spotted a really nice set in the USA. Cone eng do a dominator touring pair of silencers. Anyone got any experience of these? I can't find a UK importer and wondered what the extra cost would be importing from the states.

 

FatLadsRacing
If you like the reverse cone silencers. Talk to Dunstall they are in the throws of making some at a fantastic price. Got mine on order and they look just like the old Norton peashooters wit the up-swept link pipe. Obviously can't tell you how they sound as i am waiting but quite excited about them. They don't have them in their catalogue yet but if you speak to them they send you a picture.
Regards
Joe.

 

Flashp
Yes i did talk to them. At first they were very helpful. I could not find the receipt or info. Then the conversation dried up and all they kept saying is i don't understand what you are looking for. Yes i was disappointed as i have used Norman Hyde for years both for modern and classic. I do know the pipes i purchased at a stupid price was a faulty batch as they soon afterwards changed the brackets from weld on to bolt on and quite a lot of people had poor reports about this particular silencer. I am not having a pop at Norman Hyde as for to many years now i have found them second to none. Just a bad time for anything now.
Regards
Joe.

 

I was curious so went to Cone’s site and took a look.

The short Cone (obviously should be designated the “Scone” because they look tasty) look GREAT and allow access to the rear axle which is especially useful on the Bonneville.

For me personally, if I was to replace the stockers I’d go with the Norman Hyde just because they are in keeping with the retro vibe.

On my 2018 Bonnie I’ve got the Meerkat crossover but have kept the stock pipes. The Meerkat/stock setup sounds great, sort of a mellow motorboat sound.

 

Joe
Thanks for that, have dropped Dunstall an email.
Cheers

 

Jet City
Thanks for comment and I do like Norman Hyde. They are helpful with good kit. I have a TEC X-pipe and changing silencer is for the look but don't want them too loud. X-pipe certainly helps with breathing of the bike. Will get it set, hopefully with minimum snatchiness at lower revs/speed.
Just as another point, I put Metzeler Roadtec 01 tyres on, they are excellent and way better than Phantoms.
FLR.

 

I have the 01's coming this weekend. The Phantoms are finally done.

I recently got my suspension settings sorted out - bought about by fitting 10mm longer Hagons so looking forward to this change. Are there any any stand-out areas of improvement or is it a general thing?

 

Flashp
The 01's turn in much better and have good grip. They feel very reassured and basically go where you ask them. Not tried them in the wet yet as lockdown/excellent weather means the roads were dry.
I had Hagons on a R3 and liked them. 10mm longer will also quicken up steering so could be a good improvement. Got to be better than standard shocks.
FLR

 

Good to know, thanks.

 

Flashp
Post how you get on with the 10mm longer shocks please. Front progressive springs & rear shocks are my final fix after silencer/breathing and just had my seat rebuilt by Saddlecraft at S/S to look a little more authentic. Nice & comfy now and it's the bladder/fuel that dictates stops now rather than my arse!!
FLR

 

Flashp
Post how you get on with the 10mm longer shocks please. Front progressive springs & rear shocks are my final fix after silencer/breathing and just had my seat rebuilt by Saddlecraft at S/S to look a little more authentic. Nice & comfy now and it's the bladder/fuel that dictates stops now rather than my arse!!
FLR

 

I’ve mounted Ohlins rear shocks with adjustable height (2018 Bonneville T120) and have raised the rear ride height about 8mm.

It’s better, especially two-up but it’s not revolutionary. It won’t change your life. But def better.

 

Originally the 10mm increase in ride height with the Phantoms revealed a slightly 'lazy' or neutral but heavy characteristic when turning in. I made a tyre pressure change (36F & 38R) away from that in the handbook which helped somewhat. Preload at this point wasn't quite sorted either.

Initially the Hagons were set on the softest pre-load, sag measurements were OK. I spoke to Hagon who supplied me with the stainless steel spring seats to change out the cast alloy ones for. This effectively lengthened the spring by about 5mm which has got the spring onto the middle preload setting and has shifted/limited the working range of the shock it seems - for the better in my case.

I think the tyres have had a hand in improving things as now the bike is very light to turn in, it's no effort and it'll stay where you put it. It's not sports bike sharp but on the very light side of neutral. If you rocked your hips while making no input on the bars you could steer it easily.

Quite a bit has changed at the same time, I'm no expert but these are the things I've noticed and this is where the bike has finished up.

 

Thanks to Flashp & Jet city for your comments re suspension. I agree the Bonnie will not ride like a sports bike but it's not designed to. A decent ride is what we aim for and these mods provide it. I am a big fan of Ohlins from my race days and it's also why I went for the Metzelers. It seems from your comments Flashp you like the tyres. I also rate the Hagons. Will decide soon which ones come my way. Enjoy the summer guys & ride safe.

 

Back to the original post in question..exhausts. Spoke with Danny at Dunstall who said a more baffled version of the peashooter/reverse cone pipes are in the pipeline. Interested to know how loud the pipes are with an X-pipe fitted. I think the cone eng pipes from the US will be price restrictive.

 

Here's mine to make a start with. T100 so maybe not as loud as a T120.

 

Am toying with the idea of getting them to recover the standard seat with a dark brown leather and have a quilted pattern stitched in.