In preparation for some summer use of the Scrambler by our Penny Pitstop, I need to slam the front and rear suspension by about 2", and that gives me an excuse to buy some more cool toys from TEC bike parts. shop.tecbikepar...
These shocks where the first thing I did to my '22 SS 900. I'm shorter guy and wasn't comfortable with just my toes on the ground while stopped. Mine only have 5 damping positions though. Set them on 3. Love them. Lowered rear of bike by 1 3/8". Going to lower the front by 3/4". For people wanting these in America, you have to get through TEC USA. TEC UK doesn't ship to USA. But TEC USA doesn't show these shocks in their online catalog. I was finally able to contact them and they knew exactly what I wanted and got them to me pronto. If you have a short inseam, get them.
Hi Dell. When I ran my Bonnie with the Ikon progressive front springs, without the half inch long preload washers, I found the handling to start weaving in long sweeping corners, putting just a touch of preload on the springs has sorted that out nicely. Those new Tec bike rear shocks really look the business.
Del & Penny, I found it extremely interesting to see the inner workings of the front shocks, and you did a great job explaining everything Del boy, keep up the good work. Ride safe!
Hi Del - one thing you might consider with the rear suspension is maxing the adjustments and then marking the preload and dampening adjusters with paint or a little indentation with a punch. That way, as you adjust them, you can make sure that both sides are set exactly the same. Helps when you are setting up the suspension for sag and 2-up (though I don't see much 2-up riding in the future for this one)! Best to you and Penny!
fribbiter Hi buddy, thats a greta idea, its really important to make sure that both units are adjusted the same...usually i measure the amount of gap above the collars and set it the same.. but like you say, if you had set commonly used setting like "unloaded" and "Loaded" then you could punch mark the two places for quick setting up....see, thats why i love YT, many brains make light work.. lol. cheers buddy, all the best. Del.
GTs Garage Thanks Grumps anything looks great slammed aye?? I guess you can take the boy out of Essex, but you can never take Essex out of the boy lol !
tracyguilbeau Hi Tracy, you must be so excited ... the Speedmaster is a lovely bike! Ride safe and enjoy it... and that song is not on iTunes, but the band have an album coming soon, which we'll announce on here as soon as it's ready!
Jack Jones Hi Jack, thank you, although the tyres were far too knobbly for me, so just today changed for smooth ones, should make it much easier for me to ride... thanks for your kind wishes, all the best, Pennyx
andy blackburn Nice one Andy, glad you liked the upgrade, makes you wonder why the factory with all thier money and might, cant get it right first time, and leave it to an aftermarket parts firm to upstage them...lol
That lowering kit looks great but if you simply put on 5 stone you can lower any bike you want. You wont live as long but engineering is compromise. Love the tunes.
Get in! That's just what I wanted to know - how to lengthen the forks a bit. So simple, too. Fancy a pair of longer TEC shocks too. Gonna need a new sidestand on my SE Cheers Delbert.
I had a old bike I got from somebody, and didn't notice one of the top bolts was broke off on the back shocks. Nothing I could do, but get somebody to welt a new bolt one. I never did it, because I didn't know anybody with a welder. some of the bolt was there. so the shock was on, but could not add a nut to keep the shock safe on. It never came off, lucky for me. I have never had a bike with the chain on the right side. might just a country thing. Like the side the steering wheel is on a car. But the funny thing is, our bicycles have the chain on the right side.
Hey Dell, great vid. Just to make sure: shocks are from Bonnie SE, seat is from Bonnie SE and fork inner pipes are shorten 2 inches? Also, in case of a wheelie or some kind of small jump, will the front suspension behave weirdly? About arms reaching, if I don't want to change the bar with a wider like you, what kind of risers would you suggest? Thanks a lot!
Paul Merriman Thanks Paul. you are very kind mate, its a fun hobby and great to be able to reach out to other bikers and share a little knowledge so we can all benefit.... thanks for wathcing the videos, and ride safe buddy.. all the best. Del.
Great video! If I want to lower the bike in rear with the Tec shocks, do I also need to do the mods in the front? If so, Do u recommend cutting the sleeves in forks or buying the pipe as mentioned in video?
You can cut your forks spacer tubes if you wish, but if you want to return to original height then you'll have to buy some new ones.. i keep the old ones and use some appropriate sized tubing to make my custom ones...
+Chuck Sin Hi mate, the best advice would be to contact George at TEC, tell him we said 'Hi', as he's a good friend, and have a chat with him about what you want to achieve, he will ask what bike you have, and whether you want to keep it the same height, etc., and hook you up with the right product!
does the lower bike bring any clearance issue? Like whether the chain may scratch the chassis, etc.? thank you so much! always want to lower my T100 to fit my height
Sorry but you can’t compare those shocks to Ohlins, I’ve got Ohlins STX36 on my new T100 and they are superb, and the handling is second to none. And the build quality is excellent.
Hey Question, I'm planning to also lower my scrambler and inch or so but for some reason I cant find a lowering kit fo my 2016 scrambler but i do see for the 2016 t100. Do they use the same sizes springs on the forks? Thanks
exonusgod Its a Gas filled canister that ads a progressive rising rate spring effect to assist the steel spring.. thats why they are known as "Gas Shocks"
I'm looking to do this mod to my Scrambler. Does anyone know which Tec front springs I need to get? With the Bonnie SE shocks in back should I get the shorter Bonnie springs for front or their Scrambler springs? Thanks.
Hi Terrica, call up and speak to George at TEC on the phone, and tell him what you are trying to do, he will make sure he sends out the right springs you need...
Hi Danilo, Give these guys a call, they make length adjustable shocks for the back, and new springs for the forks.. maybe if you asked them for advice, tell them you want to jack your bike up a bit, and maybe the Scrambler parts will be do the job.. but they will know which parts will work as they can measure them and check fir the ones you need... Here's a link for you.. Good luck with it.. Del. shop.tecbikeparts.com/t/suspension-watercooled
Moonfleet41 Brother thank you so much, I appreciate you taking your time, for this I’ll give them a call, If you ever come to New York City 🌃 and need a hotel in Manhattan i work at the Essex house hotel we could help you, once Again thanks a lot, God bless you always. 😊👍🏼🙏🏼
Hi Del, I increased the height of the shocks by adding an extra slug on my Scrambler, it suits my tall frame but how will this affect the chain tensioning ? Cheers
Vince Parker Hi Vince, good point well made, and it's not an issue... any chain needs to be tensioned at it's tightest point, so spin the wheel round til the chain is at it's tightest point, loosen the back wheel nut, and get a fat mate to sit on yer bike, right over the shocks, to push it down as low as possible... (in fact, as low as it's ever likely to go), then set the tension at that point (1.5" up and down free play, centre of the chain)... then lock up the wheel nut... if the bike is a little taller on it's springs, then the chain will sit a little more slack at 'rest', but it's not under tension at that point, so it doesn't matetr... hope that helps you buddy! (and being called Vince Parker, weren't you the barman in Crossroads???!)
secondplace I think many people would say that the other way round! I love Harleys and would have to trade in all the bikes I own just to have a second hand one !
That bike would be sooooo perfect for Penny ;) Good job explaining the work. Left me wondering a bit if the Aprilia will be your main summer bike or something's up, hmmmm ...
***** Nothing's up mate, just needed to get my hoonigan mojo back with something a bit feisty... Penny wanted something a little more crisper and she loves the Scrambler engine, so it seemed the best direction!
Luke Magee Hi Luke...not going this year...went last year and sadly disappointed mate, bugger all to do, and way to many '81 support' stalls..(i counted 19, and there were less than that many again if you counted all the others put together....the beer was stupid money (rally bear used to be cheap, not £4 a pint in a plastic beaker), and if it wasnt for the drag strip it would have been the worst weekend away we've ever had....
Hi del,,, great as always and you make it simple to understand,got a question for you on my VFR, it has Hagon progressive front, and under braking I find that it dives a lot,is it something normal for progressive springs,or do you think the fork oil might need changing
Ian Mcd Hi Ian, progressive springs should not lead to diving... the soft part at the top of the spring should collapse together way before the front dives, but it could be that they are a softer spring rate than the orginals, however, diving in general, is due to worn out fork oil, or oil that's too thin... you could change it, doesn't cost much to do, drop out each leg and tip it upside down, then replace it with the required amount, go with at least a 10w and the very fact it's fresh could fix it alone, even if it's already a 10w oil... old oil gets sloppy, like it does in yer engine - good luck with it mate, Del
Great video! thank you for going to the effort to produce high quality videos. I have a 2006 T100 that i'm in the process of modifying. if you don't mind me asking what front fender is on your scrambler? is that the stock scrambler fender? Thanks!
Would that fit on a 2006 T100 ? ... I have this huge chrome stock fender on there now and I dont think it goes with the rest of the bike ... going for more of a cafe look
hi Del,this just got me thinking,I'm a short ass and I have Hagon Nitros on the back of my XJR lowered by 10mm from Hagon ,I have Hagon progressive in the front,I had Dropped the front forks 10mm through the yolk to even it up,could I cut the inner tube down by 10mm and then have the forks back level with the top yolk
Gaz doitall Hi Gaz, cutting the tubes effectively removes pre-load, and allows them to sag... it doesn't actually lower them in real terms... the effect of lifting them through the yokes is more dramatic as it decreases the rake angle and makes the steering more aggressive... you could go half and half and just give yourself, say, 10mm of leg lift and then take 10mm out of the tube to make a happy medium... any good??
Cheers Del,I knew it would change the rake I've had it set up like this for years now and kinda got used to it Didn't twig about the preload,so thanks for replying bud,good job I didn't do my usual dive in and chop it lol
Great stuff as per the norm you two..theres a parcel going to the shop may be of use to ya ...going to build a bash plate for VADER the vstrom...done a couple before so should be fun...luckily its already black plus black plus more black....pics to come on forum.. XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
springy 2112 Waddup Paul, good to hear from you fellah, ill look out for the post mate and let you know when it gets here safe.. cant wait buddy.. all the best. Del.
pucka 1 Its common on bikes with rising rate suspension like the XT to replace the suspension dog bones with smaller ones. Try this site; www.off-the-road.de/en/XT-660R-X/Suspension-wheels/Linkage-bones-XT660.html
Yes glad I found this on RU-vid, very good explanations etc. thinking of upgrading my T120 suspension, whats your feeling on K and N filters and the like?
Hi Chris, You'll enjoy the bike a little more with some better suspension, the TEC parts items are really good value, and leagues ahead of the factory units... and as tot K&N filters.... go for it buddy.. they are a greener solution, you never throw them away, and once fitted you just clean them every service time... you should not need to remap just for the filter, but if you fit a better exhaust, then you just need the dealer to install the Arrow Map... which takes about ten minutes and should cost no more then half hours labour..! Good lucj with it, great bike, and hope that helps.. Del.
Hi Delboy, just wondering why PP likes the Scrambler over the Bonnie as they are very close apart from the 270 v 360 crank ? I have a Scrambler & Thruxton & love both but each bike has it's own strong points i.e. Scrambler in the suburbs & hills, Thruxton in the twisties.....Love the channel, cheers TerryK
KaneTerry Ayup Terry.. good to hear from you again buddy, how've you been?.. She has taken a few rides on the bike so far, and says she loves the Scramm...she says its more aggressive, more "on-off" than the Bonnie, kind of a little more instant in take-up and the motor seems to have more low down torque... so i guess in an ideal world (where we all have lots of money lol) she would have both depending on mood.... but all in all, if she had to choose, it would be the Scrambler as its "awesome" (her words..lol)
Thanks for the info. I lowered the front and rear by 2 1/4 inches on my 2015 Scrambler. Now I need to shorten the kickstand and weld it or is there a replacement kickstand? What did you do on Penny's Scrambler? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Keep up the great work. Jeff P.
Hi Jeff, with Penny's bike I cut the stand to the appropriate length, making sure to cut at the right angle, and ended up cutting off so much it went in to the loop, meaning I had the bottom of the loop open and separated, so then I just welded a plate across the bottom of them - Take your time to get the angle dead right, so the plate sits flat on the floor... hope that helps... good luck, Del!
Hi Jeff, with Penny's bike I cut the stand to the appropriate length, making sure to cut at the right angle, and ended up cutting off so much it went in to the loop, meaning I had the bottom of the loop open and separated, so then I just welded a plate across the bottom of them - Take your time to get the angle dead right, so the plate sits flat on the floor... hope that helps... good luck, Del!
Paul Bourton Ha ha, i wish, they've made huge progress and success in the last three years, and all down to thier high quality ahd low pricing...a combination sadly lacking in the main dealer accessory network...
Great videos, thank you so much for all this work! Question: I have a 2015 T100 and I want to lower the front about an inch. The rear I lowered with the Hagon shocks the same lenght. Do you recommend I chop a bit from the tube-spacer and just insert back in? Thank you !
Hi Nancy, yes, you can do that... it will allow the forks to drop by roughly the same amount you cut, but they will still expand out to full length when you lift the front... so if you want to prevent that, you can fit a secondary re-bound spring down under the damper rod, but it's not necessary and it's perfectly safe without it... hope that helps...
Uhmm..So once cut and installed back in, the spring and spacer will be loose on the fork when the wheel is off the ground? I mean the only time this will happen is if i jump, do a wheelie etc? lol... and if you don't mind asking, will the same happen if I use the TEC springs? thank you so much!
liam f Hi Liam, not sure mate, the only way to work it out, measure the length you need to make sure they are right for you...and ask TEC on the phone what size the holes are in the ends, then measure your Harley mounting bolts thickness to see if its compatible....they are made for a Triumph, so you just need to find out of the contacting parts are a common size... sorry not to be more help mate.
Hi Del. Scrambler looking great!! Can upside down shocks be altered in the same way?...Or do you have to remove the springs from the bottom or something daft? Thanks mate.
Martin Carey If you mean 'Upside down forks' then no, almost no other forks i know have the top tube, but the usual way is to buy either shorter damper rods, or shorter springs, and even then, many cannot be changed without huge cost..
Moonfleet41 Thanks Del. Yes I meant forks, the sun must have got to my brain :-) Was just pondering on options for my GSR750, and more importantly my biker bird's Kawasaki ER6-F
Thank you Mate...now I know what they mean when they say "(Hey, harry...I just put progressive springs in me hog").ps...where is all the fork fluid? what did you do drain it all out, before shooting the vid, I suppose?
damien mcatackney Thanks mate, just mail PennyPitstop on this email address: moonfleet10@yahoo.co.uk ... give her your size and she'll check what she's got left... I know she's got limited ones left, but give her a shout mate (she replies in work hours)... Cheers for your support buddy!
GERMAN SHEPARD Sorry mate, not only do I not own such a bike upon which to make a video, but I don't do videos on request I'm afraid... I just share the jobs I have cause to do on my own bikes....
GERMAN SHEPARD not at all mate... some are lock nut and adjustor screw and others shim under bucket, some Hondas have hydraulic tappets, some you need to remove the cams, some you don't, in order to change a shim... and every bike is different to access the valve train... and everyone wants exact detail with torque settings and precision! I don't even own a 4-cylinder bike... tbh mate, valve clearances is not a job for an amateur novice, like the old saying goes "if you have to be shown how to do it, you shouldn't be doing it on your own" ...
Nice work as always Del. ...I think I smell a master plan being brewed up in the Delboy dungeon. .... Could the Bonneville be put up for sale soon? Hmmmmm ...
pgod1960 That'd be nice Pete, but somehow i think, with prevous attmepts to get good money for a nice bike, we'll wait for the time being....everyone wants things for nothing these days, and even though its pitched way below some of the 'dealer specials' out there, and with more extensive upgrades, it'll probably sit there for a while... but fingers crossed, never know. !
Not sure if i remember that far back buddy.. but just to be sure, its 28Nm for the shock mounts....and thats fresh from the Bonnie manual.. Sorry for any confusion..!
thanks for the vids Del and Penny, I just stripped the rear caliper on the bandit, you were right, those pins will not budge so I drilled the caliper body and drifted them out, I didn't take the fluid seal out, but cleaned behind the dust seal, it was full of salt. All I was doing was putting new pads in! but the seals started to come out when working the pistons in and out. I had to reuse all the old seals as I wasn't prepared to split the capliper so didn't have a seal kit ready, I've one ordered, I've just done 30 miles on it and the brake is fading, no leaks but I'm assuming I've not bled them right. Does that sound about right? Some air in the system? Any advise would be great, greatfully received too! Jimbo
James McCreadie Hi James, could possibly be mate... when you say 'fading' do you mean the pedal is spongy?? Or is the pedal actually fading away down to the bottom whilst you are trying to brake?? Let me know which, as this is important! It could be a master cylinder issue.... press your foot on the brake pedal and tell me if it holds firm in one place, or whether it sinks down to the bottom???????
Moonfleet41 I get a brake but it's very weak, not enough to stop the bike, it slows the bike then releases even when you don't. The pedal isn't very firm but isn't bottoming out. It might well be air in the sysem as all the fluid drained itself, there was none in the resovoir when I returmed to put the caliper back on, I just didn't raise the hose high enough and it all dripped out, I suspect it's air but, not 100% sure, thanks for your time on this. I have the new seal kit coming although there's no leaks, would you just keep it till next time I do some work. I'm inclined to do that as I use the bike 365.
Alright mate, love your vids, i have the opportunity to buy a 2007 Triumph scrambler 900 for €1300, 38000km's tiny bit of rust, no oil leaks but has a fair bit of oxidisation, are they a good bike, worth the risk? Thanks mate.
+Mark Eagers Hi Mark, they are a great bike as a model, punchy engine, gear driven cams, always oil tight, and super relaible... proper little terrier... all you must do is make sure your one hasn't been too badly neglected ort abused...but im sure you can check a bike out... good luck with it buddy.. best part is the residuals... they hold thier money like a Harley...!
Great stuff pal. Much appreciated, thanks. I actually bought a 2011 harley sportster XL 883 last week for €3000. Both are going to be projects but will only keep one. I own a 2002 Honda Shadow Spirit VT750DC too....The missus ain't happy . 😂 Keep up the great videos, they're very informative and thanks again for the advice
Always intresting to watch when you do somthing really helpfull looking to lower my my comuter bike would u recomend it or just leave it as is bike is vixen
Wesley Boyle Hi Wesley, it's often hard to lower these little commuter bikes, as they are not many options for aftermarket shocks... does it really need lowering?? or is it just a case of getting used to it??
Hi thanks for getting back to me been ridding it for 2 years now the only reson was looking to lower it was im bit tall for it and seen what u done to the 883 iron looked good was trying yo do something like that any help would be helpfull
Wesley Boyle Cant really help buddy, there are lots of parts options for Harley and Triumphs, i guess the basic idea is to find some lower rear shocks, and take some ride height out of the forks..but ive never worked on a Vixen, so can really suggest where to get parts...
Ok thanks any ways i might just save my money till i get a bigger bike anyway the vixen only a 125cc once i pass my full test not sure what to get but thanks
+LaineYMCVlog Hi there Laine, its called "Man and God" by a band called 'Feast of Friends"...here is al ink to thier page.. www.reverbnation.com/OFFRIENDS
Great job as usaual . Really enjoy your teaching skills . And great great girl by the way she does a great job as well . But I guess she should it's her bike . Lolololol
Grumpy Scrumpy .... all except the 270 cross plane crank which none of the Bonnies, or Thruxton, have... and for that reason along, even if I wanted a Bonnie I'd make one by converting a Scrambler! They are the best sounding engine by far...
TroubadourJuggernaut Hi mate, coming soon my friend just gotta catch up with life and work first... we have them here, will do them as soon as I get a chance!
Very educational, as always :-) Just a couple of questions : 1. Will you do a video on "how set up your suspension" ? I talking about the "jump onto your bike, the front must drown the same as the read". 2. What do you think about the fork tops replacements that offers preload setting ? I think I saw some for bonneville/truxtons that were plug'n'play. EDIT : Here www.dimecitycycles.com/vintage-cafe-racer-bobber-brat-chopper-custom-motorcycle-suspension-front-fork-adjustable-pre-load-caps-triumph-bonneville-thruxton-scrambler-t2049009-s.html Thanks again (and sorry for my approx. english :-) )
Boris Berthet Hi BOris, yes, I've seen the aftermarket fork tops, or you can just fit some Thruxton ones... but I really only think you need them if you are making constant adjustments, such as shared riders or sudden luggage! I have done a video on suspension set up a long time ago... it's somewhere in the library buddy!
Moonfleet41 Thanks, I'll try to check your old videos then. Silly me, I tought the stock fork caps weren't ajustable, but I saw I was wrong when getting my bike back home :-P
I know what you mean, I just sold my Harley and everyone wanted to play lets make a deal. ... Got a little less than I would have liked but I did okay. ..... Send me the link to your eBay ad.
fivefootsixtriumph Hey Jeff, sad news you sold the Harley, I know how much you put in to it mate... but then don't we always buddy! Are you interested in the Trumph then lol??!!
I was sad to see her go for sure. I learned so much working on that bike and I was proud of what I did. It was time for a change though and I got fair money for it. ... Have some improvements to make around the house and maybe next year I will be able to add another horse to the stable. .... I have my eye on something that might surprise you. ... I can only say that it's one of either a Harley, triumph, Victory or Indian. .... Any guesses?
i dont understand why your doing this to the scrambler, when your basically duplicating the bonny?? also ive been looking at these shocks, very tempted but looking for an all black set of rear shocks, do you know if tec are going to get the all black ones in? ive seen them on flea bay but there from australia and as youve said before, tec bike buy the shocks in from overseas but then rework the shock internals, all good, but not sure if the australian company do the same. www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/TRIUMPH-HINCKLEY-BONNEVILLE-T-100-SE-340mm-JBS-AIR-NITROGEN-SHOCK-ABSORBERS-BLK/141474892208?hlpht=true&ops=true&viphx=1&_trksid=p2050601.c100103.m2451&_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D33262%26meid%3Df9edf8ad05ba44789fb8bbc21c0ae3ac%26pid%3D100103%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D141474892208%26clkid%3D8942086256317383152&_qi=RTM2065550
+padwah Hi mate, The shocks in the link you sent look ok, bit like the TEC ones...but as ive never seen them in the flesh then sadly i cant endourse them mate... As for duplicating the Bonny... the Scrambler has the 270 crank, and that both sounds and performs entirely different from the 360 motor on the Bonny... i love the look of the bonny, but not the 'bubble machine' sound... you can make a Scrambler look like a Bonneville, but you cant make a Bonneville sound and pull like a Scrambler...or perform like one..!!! the motor is the heart of the bike, all the rest can be swaped about..! cheers mate.. good luck with the shocks.. Del.
+Moonfleet41 spot del, i used to have a speedmaster with the 270 deg crank and yes totally different sound and pull low down. i was just a bit confused was all, ive got a bonny now and am slowly throwing all my money at it lol catch you soon good work fella keep er lit
