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Motorcycle Discussions => British Bikes => Topic started by: madrugada on March 10, 2014, 06:19:21 PM

Title: Lowering a 1971 Triumph T120 Bonneville
Post by: madrugada on March 10, 2014, 06:19:21 PM

Hi there, This is my first time on a forum like this, so please bear with me if I get things wrong (bit of a technophobe). I recently bought on the internet a 1971 Triumph Bonneville T120, USA Spec. only to find that it is too tall for my tiny little legs, I thought that all oil in frame models were the same height..............wrong! I had a 1974 model & that fitted me OK. My mistake. Anyway, does anybody out there know of a successful & low cost method of lowering it a little. I am going to get the seat altered which should help, but a little bit more would be better.

Many thanks, John

Title: Re: Lowering a 1971 Triumph T120 Bonneville
Post by: L.A.B. on March 10, 2014, 08:08:49 PM

You could fit a pair of slightly shorter shocks, 1/2 inch to 1 inch shorter would probably be OK, but if you wanted to fit any that were significanly shorter than that, then you'd need to check the tyre doesn't come into contact with the underside of the mudguard when the suspension becomes fully compressed. 

Title: Re: Lowering a 1971 Triumph T120 Bonneville
Post by: madrugada on March 11, 2014, 06:59:01 AM

Hi L.A.B.,

Thanks for your reply, I will try to source some shorter shocks.

Best,

John

Title: Re: Lowering a 1971 Triumph T120 Bonneville
Post by: mark2 on March 11, 2014, 03:17:13 PM

change the size of the back wheel , 16/17 inch maybe

Title: Re: Lowering a 1971 Triumph T120 Bonneville
Post by: madrugada on March 18, 2014, 05:27:57 PM

Sorry Mark2, I missed your response before now, I had thought of that, but I live in Spain & the MOT (ITV) Guys measure the wheels & tyres on each test. I have ordered some shorter rear shocks & am having the seat sculpted out a little, that should help, somebody suggested shortening the front springs, but that is a bit beyond my mechanical prowess. It's a bit late to grow a bit! Cheers, John

Title: Re: Lowering a 1971 Triumph T120 Bonneville
Post by: mark2 on March 19, 2014, 06:55:56 AM

try the wifes high heels (don't ask she might say no)  ;)

Title: Re: Lowering a 1971 Triumph T120 Bonneville
Post by: wink on August 04, 2014, 12:09:13 AM

Madreguda, where in spain? there is a bloke called Dawson from Pontefract ( i bet Bomber knows of him) he lives inland from Alicante at Castalla and he likes a challenge. I may have an idea how to contact him but it will take me a bit of thought.
Totally agree about the Spanish MOT, give a Spaniard a bit of authority and they soon prove they hate the English.

Title: Re: Lowering a 1971 Triumph T120 Bonneville
Post by: Bomber on August 04, 2014, 12:22:26 AM

No he's a new un on me... sorry

Title: Re: Lowering a 1971 Triumph T120 Bonneville
Post by: Bomber on August 04, 2014, 06:23:13 PM

I might do.. I know a Pete Dawson from South Elmsall and that's near Ponty

Title: Re: Lowering a 1971 Triumph T120 Bonneville
Post by: wink on August 05, 2014, 10:09:30 AM

Dawson son still runs the shop in Ponty as fer as I know. Petes about 70 and was  in the VMCC.

Title: Re: Lowering a 1971 Triumph T120 Bonneville
Post by: Bomber on August 05, 2014, 09:59:31 PM

Aye that's them...