Losh's latest, 955 Triumph Sprint ST

[afstruct]

Weather was poor this morning so I drove BT. Tomorrow plan is to take the Sprint. Although, the way the daylight hours are and the cold mornings it's becoming a bit of a struggle ATM. Comfort of a car is very enticing at 7.30am and at 5pm.

Tonight I left work at 5.00 and I was in the dark for at least 15mins of my 30min trip home. Don't love riding the bike in the dark, can't see the road well enough on low beam to know if there is a greasy patch up ahead and it's hard to see wildlife. So far only had one wallaby jump out but with it getting dark by the time I leave work in the next few weeks, I might struggle with motivation to ride, even with all my new riding gear.

I've ridden motorcycles since I was was 18 , now 62 and yeah ( sometimes wonder how I survived ), but even in my early 20s , bike was my only transport for some time, ( got pretty over it = day in day out = lots of site wet/cold weather ).

It's fantastic to have choices ,which you have.

I remember getting pulled over in the 90s at about 2 am on my way to work = ( overtime/winter /bloody cold /and sleep deprived ) , I recon the copper thought I was nuts = ( look up info = owns a 4 wheeled vehicle as well ).
As even back then the traffic beating/lane splitting in the arvo sooo made up for it/well and the enjoyment of being on 2 wheels.

 

[losh1971]

Yeah been riding on the road since I was 19, now nearly 53. Back then no such thing as heated gloves. Warm textile jackets weren't a thing and nothing beat leather. Now I can ride in "relative" comfort and yeah don't have to ride in rain anymore unless by choice.

Don't push the Sprint as its a big heavy bike and I'm not sure on what the limits are. It is good being able to lane filter when in heavy traffic, but even that is often not needed in Launceston as lights change pretty quick, so unless long queue don't often bother sneaking up the front.

This Friday it goes in for the safety inspection and no doubt a list of what needs doing as bike only has a history of minor services and now at 54k. Been given an estimate on cost, but hoping there might be some funds left in what I have budgeted this week to say "yeah mate, if you have time can you grease the rear hub", or stuff like that. I reckon it's due for plugs and an air filter but not enough in the budget this week for a filter as close to $90, and at least $27 for plugs. Probably do those myself when I find plugs and filter on special.

Autobarn sell the plugs and Spares Box carry the filter. Probably price up parts at bike shop as they seem to be close to or cheaper than what I can buy online.

 

[losh1971]

Just got the bill from the bike shop for the Sprint. Full check over came to $157, I had budgeted $270 so that's a pretty big win. They flushed the cooling system and said it was well overdue to be done. I priced up getting the rear hub greased but that would have been about $200, and wasn't in the budget for today. I will be booking it in for that at some point. most likely mid August.

With the funds I have saved I will probably grab some plugs and an air filter when they come on a decent sale. Plugs Autobarn stock and air filter will be eBay from Rolan or Sparesbox. Those I can fit myself. Bike shop was $14.50 a plug and $110 for a filter whereas AB sell plugs for about $7ea and eBay should see me with an air filter for around $75-$80.

 

[VSYoot]

Just got the bill from the bike shop for the Sprint. Full check over came to $157, I had budgeted $270 so that's a pretty big win. They flushed the cooling system and said it was well overdue to be done. I priced up getting the rear hub greased but that would have been about $200, and wasn't in the budget for today. I will be booking it in for that at some point. most likely mid August.

With the funds I have saved I will probably grab some plugs and an air filter when they come on a decent sale. Plugs Autobarn stock and air filter will be eBay from Rolan or Sparesbox. Those I can fit myself. Bike shop was $14.50 a plug and $110 for a filter whereas AB sell plugs for about $7ea and eBay should see me with an air filter for around $75-$80.

Got off lightly, Good going!

 

[VSYoot]

I thought I read somewhere in this thread where someone had mounted a phone holder to their bike. I can't find the post but have been looking at options and I'm not coming up with much. I have a handle bar mounted one in my eBay watchlist but I don't think I have enough room between the grip and controls for the clamp to fit. There's no measurements so if I order one it might be pot luck if it fits.

View attachment 267963

I have one of these on my dirty old Ultra Classic, and I highly rate it:

https://ciro3d.com/collections/phon...-holder-with-or-without-charger-without-mount

Ironically, it was cheaper to buy on ebay on a Black Friday Sale, than direct from the manufacturer.

I have the type that picks up on the clutch lever mounts, but they do a bar-mount version as well.

 

[losh1971]

Thanks to @07GTS I think it was who mentioned them I've managed to order the three plugs for the Sprint from Spark Plugs Direct as they ended up being the cheapest once I found out what the factory recommended ones were and also Autobarn don't sell them.

Also ordered x6 TR6 to get my order up to enough to get free freight, plus one extra TR6. The other two I will get from Autobarn when they come on sale next. They will only be going into the parts inventory so no need to order all eight for BT and I only really added the TR6 to get free freight anyway. Plus I wanted to keep a few dollars back to take the wife out for a coffee and cake, so the $10 left will almost be two coffees. hahahahaha.

 

[losh1971]

Been wanting to order an air filter for the Sprint. So far best deal I can get is $81 inc freight, with the deal expiring tomorrow at Spares Box. Quite a bit dearer on eBay and I'm thinking it's probably not worth trying to hold out to eventually maybe save $3. Pretty sure the one at Spares Box might be washable too, being a K&N? Probably just grab it as I will be replacing plugs at the same time and they have already been ordered.

 

[losh1971]

So well this sucks I just spent 30mins removing the tank and air box on the Sprint to change my spark plugs and I don't have a socket that fits..... I have a set of long, in 3/8 and a large and small plug socket and none will grab. Spewing because it's looking like I have to put it all back together and pay $120 in labour to have them replaced. Had I known it's not something that can be done at home I wouldn't have touched it. Pissed off much, sure, am.

 

[VSYoot]

So well this sucks I just spent 30mins removing the tank and air box on the Sprint to change my spark plugs and I don't have a socket that fits..... I have a set of long, in 3/8 and a large and small plug socket and none will grab. Spewing because it's looking like I have to put it all back together and pay $120 in labour to have them replaced. Had I known it's not something that can be done at home I wouldn't have touched it. Pissed off much, sure, am.

Probably need a thin-wall 18mm plug socket, I learned that the hard way myself.

 

[losh1971]

Probably need a thin-wall 18mm plug socket, I learned that the hard way myself.

I think you might be right. No idea who sells them? Where did you get yours?