I think i may be perfect for Triumphs design team

[dazco]

I was looking at a thread at RAt where bonnie owners were doing a "before/after" thread where they all posted pics of thier bikes when new, then when they were done modding them. Some had pics 1/2 way thru the modding process too. Must be 80-100 posts. I think of all of them there may have been ONE where i didn't prefer the bike stock ! I don't get it, but my eye must see things the way triumph does because many of them looked horribly ugly to me and most every bike looked best stock. Anyone else feel that way? :silent:

 

[otherwise]

While I can't comment on that 80 / 100 photos, didn't see them, in principle I tend to agree with you. I've seen some bikes with just a little adjustment that look good but Triumph do the best job.

 

[dazco]

Exactly. And i always change a few little things, tho this bike i've only change to genuine triumph accessories, so that doesn't even count ! I just think the things people do to them are usually counter to making them look sleek with flowing lines. they always seem to break the lines up and make them look goofy.

 

[DaveM]

Well for me I think Triumph did such a good job stock that mostly a small change here or there may be in order

 

[Rocky]

I agree also.
I've noticed over the years that many owners immediately start changing things and, as Dazco said, not always for the better. I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but some of the things they do to their bikes are simply terrible!
What really gets me is when they try to turn the Bonneville, Speedmaster, America, etc., into a road burner. It seems to me that if they wanted a screamer they should have bought a Daytona or a Speed Triple in the first place! These bikes have their limits and were never intended be anything else but a nice road bike.
But I never poo poo anyone's bike. I either don't comment or just say "nice", "cool", whatever, and let it go at that.
Changing the shocks, mufflers (silencers), handlebars, seats, re-jetting, for example, still leaves the bike looking standard so I have no problem with that.
I think the design of the Bonneville, for example, is spot on and is very pleasing to my eye. I love it when it's mistaken for a 1970 model.
I made some minor changes to mine which amount to chrome knobs, seat bolts and such, but I wouldn't change the profile one little bit. I bought it to ride and enjoy not to be constantly changing it into something else.
But it's a free country; to each his own.

 

[DaveB]

dazco, I saw the same thread and felt exactly the same reaction! Even though I was consciously trying to like the modded bikes, I felt that the factory originals had more visual appeal.

In particular I feel that some people's view of what a cafe racer should look like appear to have warped over the years. My own definition of how a cafe racer should look is exemplified by the Gus Kuhn Commando (http://www.guskuhn.net/GKMLtd/GKCommandos.htm) and, boy, would I like one of those!

DaveB.

 

[dazco]

I honestly believe that in many cases, not all, but many parts they change out are done because it's aftermarket and they just think it's better regardless of how it looks. Like they assume it's got to be "cool" because it's high dollar and/or aftermarket. For example, a sprocket cover thats just like a big vent. Allows all the chain splatter to shoot out and is ugly. Costs a fortune to boot. I truly believe this, and would even put money on it....if that cover were stock and the stock cover were the aftermarket, almost to a man people would be tossing that monstrosity of a cover for the stock one. Cafe or not, to m7y eye it's not about conforming to some particular style, but to do whatever looks best. Of course that IS very subjective. But in other words, i can't see adding less attractive parts because thats the way a given style is supposed to look.

anyways, the point is i believe a lot of them do this for reasons other than flat out what looks good to them. And i agree, let them be which is why i would never say anything in that post like one guy did.

 

[Rocky]

You're spot on dazco. The chain cover is a good example.
My dealer had a Bonneville on the floor last year that had all the "68" options on it. I thought it was ghastly, but just smiled, said it was nice, and moved on.

 

[dazco]

I thought it was ghastly, but just smiled, said it was nice, and moved on.

LOL!!!! Funny, and the word ghastly always makes me chuckle. :ya2:

 

[Rocky]

It might be our British heritage up here showing through :ya2:
But it is rather a cool word isn't it :wink:

 

[dazco]

I have a friend who always uses that word when referring to, well, shall we say very unappealing women. :ya2:

 

[Dilligaf]

ghastly |ˈgastlē|
adjective ( -lier , -liest )
1 causing great horror or fear; frightful or macabre : she was overcome with horror at the ghastly spectacle.
• informal objectionable; unpleasant : we had to wear ghastly old-fashioned dresses.
2 extremely unwell : he always felt ghastly first thing in the morning.
• deathly white or pallid : a ghastly pallor | [as submodifier ] he turned ghastly pale and rushed to the bathroom.
DERIVATIVES
ghastliness |ˈgøstlin1s| noun
ORIGIN Middle English : from obsolete gast ‘terrify,’ from Old English gǣstan, of Germanic origin; related to ghost . The gh spelling is by association with ghost . The sense [objectionable] dates from the mid 19th cent.

 

[CarlS]

I agree with the sentiments about over modding. Visually, I added the summer screen which helps the old back for distance riding. And I added gaiters to protect the forks. I also changed the handlebars for more comfort. I most certainly did not change the profile of the bike. I think that 68 stuff is atrocious for the most part.

 

[Rocky]

Atrocious and ghastly

 

[The Seeker]

I like a couple tiny things from that 68 collection.

About the only mod I'd do if I owned a new Bonnie would be to get rid of the upswept section of the pipes so that they are straight back to the silencers. No offense to anyone that hasn't done that, it's just a matter of personal taste.

But since I don't own one, it's no biggie to me!

 

[dazco]

Me too....I like the straight lines and don't like the stock pipes with the kink in them. I think theres always a few things, but these guys go overboard and change almost everything, and few if any for the good to my eye. But i do like the dunstall type pipes and certain seats and a few other things. But i would possibly leave a bonnie stock or close except the pipes.

 

[The Seeker]

I kind of liked the "Mod" paint scheme from that special edition they did when the 68 line came out.....

 

[CarlS]

AJ, are you talking about getting rid of the kink or making the silencers parallel to the ground as on the 60's and early 70's Bonnies? I much prefer the parallel look vs up-swept. The T-100's pipes are still parallel.

 

[dazco]

I like them either way as long as the kink is gone. I tend to prefer upswept tho.

 

[The Seeker]

Yes, get rid of the "kink" and keep the silencers parallel to the ground.