Tag Archives: tiger 1050

Triumph Tiger 1050 Suspension – WP Rear Shock

My Tiger has just passed 30k miles and to be frank, the rear suspension is shagged. It bounces over bumps and if/when you hit the second bump whilst cranked over in a bend, you’d better have some spare trousers in your pack!

One of the guys on www.tiger1050.com had moved on (up?) to a Ducati and was offering his 10k mile WP rear shock absorber for £350. He worked in London so we met at Euston and I brought home my new rear shock and looked forward to the next 10k miles (before, presumably, a rebuild would be in order…)

Tiger 1050 WP Shock

Tiger 1050 WP Shock Here’s the removed OEM shock compared to the WP part. The Triumph shock looks much heavier (I didn’t weigh them) with a much thicker spring.

Tiger 1050 WP Rear Shock vs OEMSomeone told me once that new bikes have to be designed to cope with two 20 stone people so no wonder they are oversprung. Not sure about 40 stone (that’s 254 Kg or 560 lbs depending upon where you are), but it sure looks over-engineered.

Road test to follow.

 

Remus Powercone Exhaust – Triumph Tiger 1050 (update)

Remus 002Ever since fitting the Campbell Custom Sidewinder exhaust on my bike nearly 18 months ago, I have been on the lookout for one of these. The Campbell is just too noisy…

I like the low slung design and assumed that the single can (as opposed to the twin “cans” of the Campbell) would give a deeper tone and still sound brilliant.

They have shown up on eBay every now and then but finally found this one.

It doesn’t come with a centre-stand stop so I had to make my own from an old aluminium window fitting. I’ll keep a lookout for a linkpipe that includes the required small metal fitting. I asked Remus and they offered me a new one from stock (a mere £82 + shipping…)

Update (27-Dec-13)

Found just the link pipe with the centre-stand stop for £30 (BNWB) so bought it.

Now fitted and have removed the old aluminium window latch that I used to stop the stand hitting the chain.

 

Campbell Custom Sidewinder Exhaust – Tiger 1050

I saw this on eBay and just thought that it looked awesome – so I bought it!

Just under half the list price for a new one, it was within my available funds and only a short trip to Horley (Gatwick) to collect it.

Triumph Tiger 1050 with Campbell Custom Sidewinder Exhaust

It replaces the Zard that was on the bike when I bought it:

Triumph Tiger 1050 with Zard ExhaustIt gives a lovely clean look to the back of the bike.

Triumph Tiger 1050 Cambell Custom Sidewinder ExhaustHowever, it is very, very loud (makes the Zard sound like a standard can…) I’m not sure that I’ll be able to stand it for too long – I’ve done 6 miles today and that was enough.

Maybe I should speak to John Campbell about whether these baffles look correct or whether there is some stuffing missing? We’ll see.

 

Buttflap Fender Extender for Triumph Tiger 1050

I have written before about fitting fender extenders to my various Triumphs, the aim being to be able to open my topbox after a wet ride and not get my hands dirty (this is especially true when commuting with an office suit on underneath the bike kit).

My new Tiger 1050 does not fit the fender extender design used on the 955 Sprint ST

Triumph Sprint ST 955 Fender Extender - Rear…as the rear-end design is completely different:

Triumph Tiger 1050 Fender Extender - BeforeLooking at this, all it really needs is a 2-3″ extension on the bottom of the number plate – maybe cut down a rubber (car) mudflap or something.

Then I spotted the Buttflap (actually was Googling for fender extender images to get ideas) – what a dreadful name but seems like a good idea. I’ll give it a try.

This is from their website – another dreadful bit of artwork, but it is all that’s there…

Buttflap explanation from their websiteSo here’s my first attempt:

First remove the numberplate:Buttflap Fitting Tiger 1050Remove the two Allen-head screws that secure the plastic part, drill the Buttflap to suit and mount it to the numberplate holder.Buttflap Fitting Tiger 1050

Looking good…Buttflap Fitting Tiger 1050Add a strip of the double-sided tape (supplied) to stop the numberplate from buzzing.Buttflap Fitting Tiger 1050Fix the numberplate back on over the Buttflap. Job done.Buttflap Fitted to Tiger 1050They say on the Buttflap site that you can hardly see the thing against the tyre.Buttflap Fitting Tiger 1050They’re right.

My Bikes

I have decided to write the definitive history with the help of a recently-discovered photo album from the 70’s and some of my old mates at the time.

1978 - Brighton & Hove Albion Scarf!

You can read it here (opens in a new page)

The bikes described include:

Raleigh Runabout RM6

Honda CB125S

Honda CB175K4

Honda CB500/4 (four of them)

Honda CB550K3 (three of them)

VFR800 Fi-1

Triumph Sprint ST 955 (4 of them)

Triumph Tiger 1050

Honda CB900FZ