Featured Objective View On Daytona 1200 Purchase

Great engine broke the rules at the time with 147 bhp I had one with 50000 on it ran like a sewing machine

 

TBF miles on engines these days are less relevant than ever. I bought a Sprint ST last year with 43k miles on it and the engine has been the part that hasnt been a problem.

As another note, I just love your turn of phrase!

 

Ditto what @stinger said ! Especially the T300 range ! I had a 1994 Trident 900 (885cc) that I did 161,00 klms on it in six years , I sold it in 2000 , didn't see it for quite awhile . Saw it again at a rally in in 2006/7 it had a new speedo , old one died with 230,000 on it ! New speedometer showed 36,000 ... ! I spoke to the new owner , who was only the third ever. Motor was all original internally. Only motor parts He'd had to replace were the carburetors ! The pistons/slides wore out.
These are great engines ! I bought a 1998 Trident 900 sprint executive last year , had it almost six months now , it had 92,000 klms on it , now shows 97,000 and still original and running Sweet as ever !!

cheers capt

 

Vecchio Lupo
I would say go and get a long test ride find a twisty road. The reason how you repair a front to how I repair a front end completely differs and no mater what you get it for won't matter if you don't feel safe on it. Also don't know about over there but here it can affect the insurance you pay. As for bike the engines are bullet proof. They do tend to be a bit heavy though. Did you see the black sprint st on here for sale worth the trip to get a gem like it. Trying to persuade my self to find the readies at the present as I love the sprints.
Regards
Joe.

 

Hi Vecchio, Try and get a test ride on it. You'll then know if you want it or not.

 

If the only problem is battery is dead and you have one. For your own piece of mind it`s worth taking the time and fitting it. Just to start and take it for a spin. If seller is genuine and bike has no problems then they shouldn`t mind. You don`t want to get it home and find motors seized or something else. Looks a nice bike though so perhaps worth chasing. Looks can be deceiving though. If your willing to pay the full amount then worth messaging him if he is willing to get it started and you can test ride it you`ll pay full asking price. Even using a battery you have. Usually find that stops the `Radio Silence `

 

Hey VL. That Daytona looks pretty good for its age and mileage (kilometreage?) and, as most have said, the early T3 motors seem to be VERY dependable if given regular oil and filter changes and the valve clearances are maintained. I'd definitely want to hear it run and, if possible, ride it to see it steers straight - you want to be certain the front end replacement has been done properly. On the subject of which, I'd suggest that it might pay to find a good used pair of original 1200 forks and sell the Speed Triple items - anything with genuine Mk 1.Speed provenance and nomenclature seems to fetch a premium over the "cooking" version counterparts. It might get back a little of your outlay.

The Vesco fairing will look infinitely better than the nose cone fairing that's on there (from a Mk II, Speed, I think) and will certainly add to the comfort.

Overall I'd suggest that if it sounds right and feels right - it will almost certainly be right.

Good luck!

 

To be perfectly frank and honest, VL, I'm afraid I don't know the answer to that sensible question! I'm not that clued up on the technicalities but a quick check of the parts lists on Fowlers shows that the sliders appear to have the same part number, though the stanchions are completely different - especially in list price! I'd guess that might suggest that the valving on the Speed is different?

My suggestion wasn't really about the forks per se, more about the fact that Speed Triple parts seem to command a higher price than, notionally, 'similar' kit (e.g. Daytona). That MIGHT be down to the fact that there were fewer Speeds built during their production years and, arguably, more of them thrashed and trashed into oblivion.

There'd be nothing wrong with leaving the Speed's forks on the Daytona as long as they've been properly fitted and are set up to suit the weight of the bike and rider, but, if they are originally from a Mk. Speed then they are likely to command a slightly higher price than the stock 1200 units.

 

Go for it ! I owned a '96 Daytonna 1200 and it was the best bike I have had. Bought it new and recently tried to find it again to see if I coul dby it back...unfortunately it has been off the road for 4 years.

 

Sadly don't have mine any more so can't measure it...can you estimate from this picture ?

 

Twelve hundred unit is probably the same radiator , the main difference in the front forks is likely to be stiffer springs in the "fairing" models as they would have a greater dry weight ! Also fairings would create down ward thrusts at speed ! Up market models had different damping/valving ?

Had 94 Trident , put Daytona springs in to stiffen it up ... !

 

According to Fowlers parts list the 900 and 1200 radiators have different parts numbers so are almost certain to have SOME difference, though what that is in practice I have no idea.

I think common sense might suggest that the rad. is slightly wider on the 1200 - the engine being one cylinder wider - as the height would probably/presumably be the same to accommodate the oil cooler.

Could you ask the seller to provide the actual dimensions?

 

I've been doing the valve clearances on my D12 and the fairing is currently off. Here is the rad width. There is a slight 15mm bulge at the very top of the right hand side (as you look at it) for the exit hose. So max dimension at the top is 46cm. The 44.5cm dimension is central.