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Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

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Photo by Marc Gibaud,
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  #1  
Old 27 Aug 2008
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Petrol

I've been putting normal unleaded in which I think varies from 92 to 95 Octane depending where you are? Once or twice when petrol stations were out i've had to use super 98 stuff, which as you'd expect makes naff all difference to anything but your wallet on such a simple engine. I've also used the odd tank full of French 89 Octane "essence" and a few cans of generator/test fuel (basically off road/pool petrol/paraffin with most of the additives including the tax man's dye missing) which my former employer required me to "dispose of in line with enviromental policies" ; all with no ill effects, or at least none I can find over such small quantities.

This however reminds me, I did try fitting an inline fuel filter and T to a drain tap for filling a stove with the result it wouldn't go above 20 mph due to fuel starvation. Now it's unforgivable to make two changes at once (I'm an engineer and should know better) but I never went back to find out if the filter or the T and tap were the problem. I suspect the T allowed a vacuum. I have a QD self sealer in the fuel line and that's no problem, but I'd get some miles in after you fit any sort of filter.

Andy M
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  #2  
Old 5 Sep 2008
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Location: Almeria, Andalucia
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35,000 miles so far, round Europe on an unmodified 2006 Bonnie with Metal Mule panniers. The only problems I've had with the bike (echoing what's already been said):

1. Spoke breaking and puncturing the front wheel: luckily, I was only doing 30mph at the time and even luckier, managed to stay upright.

2. Rear shocks: first one snapped in Spain after approx. 25000miles; and the reconditioned secondhand shock I fitted there just broke in Croatia, approx 13000miles later. It's been welded back in place but I'm looking for new shocks when I get to Greece. Been quoted silly money for ioriginal parts so very interesting to read about Ikons and will be checking them out when this danged internet connection improves and I can can see them online :-)

It's a great bike and you'll meet lots of people who agree..

--Mike
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  #3  
Old 5 Sep 2008
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has anyone tried Hagon shocks, pretty sure they will have a suitable replacement (I assume the new Bonnies are also twin shock like the old ones). I have used a couple of Hagons on other bikes (single shock) and they stood up pretty well to some substantial abuse, am probably going to look at getting some for my TR25
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  #4  
Old 5 Sep 2008
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Rear shocks

Mike,

I don't know if it's much use while you're travelling, but shocks do come up on ebay from time to time when bikes are broken for spares or owners 'upgrade' to Ikons or put the originals back on when they sell the bike. They tend to be a lot cheaper than original prices.

See these for examples:

TRIUMPH BONNEVILLE, HAGON CLASSIC SHOCKS for HINKLEY on eBay, also Triumph, Motorcycle Parts, Motorcycle Parts Accessories, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 06-Sep-08 15:29:22 BST)

Hagon rear shocks, Triumph / Hinckley Bonneville on eBay, also Triumph, Motorcycle Parts, Motorcycle Parts Accessories, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 14-Sep-08 21:47:00 BST)

TRIUMPH BONNEVILLE AFTER MARKET ICON SHOCKS on eBay, also Triumph, Motorcycle Parts, Motorcycle Parts Accessories, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 06-Sep-08 12:38:27 BST)


... and I'm jealous, sounds like a great trip.

Indoors.
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  #5  
Old 6 Sep 2008
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Thanks, Indoors. Probably more trouble than it's worth this time.. but something I will definitely investigate when I get back.

Jealous.. Does that mean you've checked the weather forecast for Montenegro today?

--Mike
off for a swim in the Adriatic before lunch...
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  #6  
Old 8 Sep 2008
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I have an 06 Scrambler and think you'll do fine - the suspension is where i'd sepnd some money if you have it - my stock rear shocks find the limit pretty quickly with my girlfriend on the back, especially mid corner on non-perfect road - BUT its nothing that slwoing down doesn't fix!

I road 400 km's onteh weekend in the wettest of wet downpours on 7500km old trailwing tyres and the bike was great and sure footed.

Just go for it - a cheap option is looking for Thruxton shocks - they offer and extra inch of travel I'm told

Some hand guards would be worthwhile too - snapped my break lever this morning wheeling my bikeout of the shed......(i'm an idiot)

Only thing i find annoying as mentioned is the fuel range - best I've seen two up is 245km before reserve - but it was steady cruising at 100kkph with very little stop-start riding

Around the city i get about 185km before reserve - no options that aren't ridiculously expensive other than carrying some extra
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Old 11 Sep 2008
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Im currently in India at the moment on my 2007.The road in Pakistan and India are woeful, and Im so glad I put on Ikons, as I am pretty sure the OE ones would havent put up with the pounding the bike takes on the roads here.I took me 11 hours yesterday to do 240k, and there are very stretches of road that arent covered in potholes and gravel, or the roads have been copletey ripped up.Id also look at getting stronger front springs and a fork brace.After 11000 miles from the UK to here, the Bonny is starting to get the odd rattle, and Im looking forward to getting it serviced in Bangkok soon.I use Lasertec tyres and cant recommend them highly enough.The set I had put on in Greece has done 8000 miles of fully loaded touring and there still plenty of tread.I second the comment about hand gurads.Ive got Dirtbusters on my Bonny, and they came into their own when my front wheel slide out on a shiny road in Pakistane.I was only doing about 2mph, but the guard prevented any damage to my brake lever.I was using leaded fuel in Iran, as that is all you can get, and the bike ran fine.Not having a cat convertor helps.
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