nigeW

Wow - what a collection. They look fantastic.

Sorry fellas - I'd already put a similar post up already - lol

Here's another pic...

Hi all. Just spotted this '96 minter for sale locally and got it in the garage this afternoon. It compliments my '97 "rider" so well, I think. I cannot even find a significant scratch on the thing - 26K miles, but only 7k in past 13 years with same owner! Honda-trained mechanic serviced, 2" thick pile of service records/receipts, a recently fitted full stainless system. Even a full Garmin satellite system (which I plan to sell - I can read a map!) All fasteners look original - overall a real jewel. I don't think I paid too much (a whisker over £2K) for this appreciating classic. Now the question is, can I keep it in the garage (investment) or will I have to ride the thing? Here's some 4th Gen eye-candy for yer...

Hi all. Just spotted this '96 minter for sale locally and got it in the garage this afternoon. It compliments my '97 "rider" so well, I think. I cannot even find a significant scratch on the thing - 26K miles, but only 7k in past 13 years with same owner! Honda-trained mechanic serviced, 2" thick pile of service records/receipts, a recently fitted full stainless system. Even a full Garmin satellite system (which I plan to sell - I can read a map!) All fasteners look original - overall a real jewel. I don't think I paid too much (a whisker over £2K) for this appreciating classic. Now the question is, can I keep it in the garage (investment) or will I have to ride the thing? Here's some 4th Gen eye-candy for yer...

Go for it - I also think this wide rear section is too big for the bike, visually. Are you doing this in fibreglass then?

Had to install a couple of instrument light bulbs - surely Honda could've come up with a way to fit them that didn't involve removing all the fairings! Anyway, gave me an opportunity to do a bit of cleaning whilst I was in there.

Get a magnetic tankbag (Oxford luggage do them for instance) and place a piece of non-slip rubber (cut to shape) under to save your tank - eg http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ANTI-NON-SLIP-MAT-30-x-150-cm-CARPET-RUG-GRIPPER-CAR-DASH-GRIP-MATS-DRAW-LINER/141205377473?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222003%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140122125356%26meid%3D5435483362308097561%26pid%3D100005%26prg%3D20140122125356%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D301078086099&rt=nc

So, as a (pretty much) lifelong Triumph rider/afficiando, I would say this. I have owned a '79 Bonneville for the last 27 years - as a toy and a talking-point it cannot be beaten and I cannot imagine ever giving it up. I have owned quite a few bikes over the years too, including a number of Hinckley Triumphs - an early Speed Triple, a T595 (beautiful bike) and a Daytona 955i (a better bike, but not as beautiful as the T595). I also own a '97 VFR... In my opinion, the VFR is the best bike I've ever owned and ridden and I would now choose it over a Triumph (almost) every day of the week - and that's not the easiest thing for a Triumph man to say. The only real alternative is surely a later, lower-mileage VFR750...

The Viffer sounds great. what can does it have?

Just pre-load your existing forks with some spacers on top of the springs (I've used 2 pence pieces on older bikes before now - as for cost, around 8p a side!). I imagine lots of people will slate this cheap-skate idea - lol

Will do that... Nige

Seems like all you guys with the 1200 love it. I've never ridden one, but would have thought it a bit unwieldy for the track though - however, I know someone will prove me wrong. I'd suggest you get your 1200 for touring/2-up stuff and then (if you want to stick with Honda V4 power) splash out relatively little on a 93-97 model for the track. I've ridden mine around Oulton Park and, though not the quickest or quickest steering bike on the track, I had fun on it. Or, probably better, get a cheap, steel-framed CBR600 for playing on.

Hi Kev. Standard 170/60 on the rear. Don't know if I'll get up that way again this year - getting a bit cold out now!

You know, I think you should pick up on the red accent. Would look good with your (mainly) black overall scheme.