 Yet another vindication of the TBA
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I've just returned from a 500 mile trip to Devon ....I was on a borrowed Kawasaki VN 1500....my friend Clive on his 04 TBA.
His bike was by far the better machine.
It was faster...much...and left my sofa for dead on the twisty bits.
THE PLAN
Over the next two months save all I can
Haggle with the taxman
Add another TBA to the fleet.
Then get rid of the Switchback
Al
I took the Road Less Travelled.
Now where the ****** am I?
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Re: Yet another vindication of the TBA
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Re: Yet another vindication of the TBA
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Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
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Quote:
THE PLAN
Over the next two months save all I can
Haggle with the taxman
Add another TBA to the fleet.
Then get rid of the Switchback
Al
Sounds like a good plan. I don't know about the UK, but here in the colonies there are some good deals to be had on brand new '15&16 America's and Speed masters. 
"Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at seventy miles per hour can double your vocabulary" Author unknown
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Re: Yet another vindication of the TBA
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Loquacious
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Quite a few low priced second hand TBAs /Speedys in Australia.Our bikes don't seem to hold their value as well as Bonnevilles.
Dinosaur.
"Oh Man I only ride 'em.I don't know what makes 'em work". Donald "Oddball" Sutherland
"Don't let the bastards get you down". Kris Kristofferson
"I am only paranoid because everyone is against me". Larry [Frank Burns] Linville
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Re: Yet another vindication of the TBA
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That must have been one sad running 1500Kow. The Triumph cruisers are not noted for speed, despite the Speedmaster name.
Tin Man 2
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Re: Yet another vindication of the TBA
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Loquacious
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Quote:
That must have been one sad running 1500Kow.
What he said.
.
"You can't believe everything you read on the internet" : William Shakespeare
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Re: Yet another vindication of the TBA
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Learned Hand
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I wondered if the VN hadn't been mapped properly for its Vance & Hines....whatever the reason it really didn't want to creep last 100 mph...whereas the TBA( with sprockets changed) romped away from it.
The poor VN also wallowed alarmingly in the bends at speed
I took the Road Less Travelled.
Now where the ****** am I?
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Re: Yet another vindication of the TBA
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Loquacious
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What Sprockets does it have Al? My '07 will get to the ton,just.Did he upgrade the clutch springs.I was just over on RAT and Cloudy,a member here also reckons his clutch was slipping with a 19T front so he put stronger Barnett springs in.I was thinking of going to a 19 myself but the tendoins in my hands are knackered so I don't want a heavier clutch if I can help it.
Dinosaur.
"Oh Man I only ride 'em.I don't know what makes 'em work". Donald "Oddball" Sutherland
"Don't let the bastards get you down". Kris Kristofferson
"I am only paranoid because everyone is against me". Larry [Frank Burns] Linville
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Re: Yet another vindication of the TBA
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Quote:
Quite a few low priced second hand TBAs /Speedys in Australia.Our bikes don't seem to hold their value as well as Bonnevilles.
From my experience. not so in the UK. I have been trying to buy a replacement 03-05 in the UK and selling my 03 and 05 in the US. My 05 bobber has been up for sale for $3K with two sets of alternate tins (both brand new, with 'Flags' custom paint and all original wiring, to let it go back to stock) with no offers.
But the only bikes for sale in the UK at at least $2K more and for that, I can ship my bikes from the US....so that's what I am doing.
Caspian Blue '03 BA, Union Jack/Stars and Stripes paint, BUBs, Progressive 812s, and lots of chrome
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Re: Yet another vindication of the TBA
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Loquacious
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Funnily I just checked the website "Just bikes.com.au" and there was half a dozen Americas now there's none.There is one Speedmaster 2006 for a reasonable price.
Ooops just checked again and there's nothing now.Some reasonable Bonnies but no America/Speedy.
"Bikesales.com.au has a lot but nothing under $6,500 for an 05 America[Aust.dollars]most still around the 10 grand which makes my bike worth a bit more than I thought.It's not for sale though.
Dinosaur.
"Oh Man I only ride 'em.I don't know what makes 'em work". Donald "Oddball" Sutherland
"Don't let the bastards get you down". Kris Kristofferson
"I am only paranoid because everyone is against me". Larry [Frank Burns] Linville
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Re: Yet another vindication of the TBA
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Just put my switchback up on eBay and will be looking at a few TBA's over the next few days.....
I probably need to buy quite quickly as Aim off to Malta in a week and shortly after I come back I've got a long weekend with some friends in Belgium....need my new machine up be up and running in the next three weeks max.
I took the Road Less Travelled.
Now where the ****** am I?
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Re: Yet another vindication of the TBA
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Learned Hand
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' aim'? Er I'm meant to say ' I'm '....
I took the Road Less Travelled.
Now where the ****** am I?
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Re: Yet another vindication of the TBA
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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I though it was the local dialect. "Aaaaargh Jim Lad" as Long John Silver said. 
Dinosaur.
"Oh Man I only ride 'em.I don't know what makes 'em work". Donald "Oddball" Sutherland
"Don't let the bastards get you down". Kris Kristofferson
"I am only paranoid because everyone is against me". Larry [Frank Burns] Linville
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Re: Yet another vindication of the TBA
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Quote:
Just put my switchback up on eBay and will be looking at a few TBA's over the next few days.....
I probably need to buy quite quickly as Aim off to Malta in a week and shortly after I come back I've got a long weekend with some friends in Belgium....need my new machine up be up and running in the next three weeks max.
Good luck with that....there is not a single America or Speedmaster in any of the four branches of the Triumph dealer that holds the franchises in Kent. The nearest dealer that has anything is Jack Lilly in Romford who has two of the later model, fat front end bikes Which means you are probably searching for an independent or private sale.
Caspian Blue '03 BA, Union Jack/Stars and Stripes paint, BUBs, Progressive 812s, and lots of chrome
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Re: Yet another vindication of the TBA
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Got one!
Just bought an 014 TBA LT.......3K miles on it..... immaculate.
Should pick it up next week sometime.
I am the very bunny of happiness
I took the Road Less Travelled.
Now where the ****** am I?
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Re: Yet another vindication of the TBA
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Oh yes and I know there's not much available in Kent.....thanks for checking all the same.
Bought mine from a dealer in Redhill (Fins).
Im afraid to say I fell out with the big franchise in Maidstone over a Thunderbird LT I bought last year which was a mechanical disaster......
In fact as I recall my last words to them were not conciliatory at all.
I have found Jack Lilley to be excellent though and will use them in future.
I took the Road Less Travelled.
Now where the ****** am I?
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Re: Yet another vindication of the TBA
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
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Quote:
Got one!
Just bought an 014 TBA LT.......3K miles on it..... immaculate.
Should pick it up next week sometime.
I am the very bunny of happiness
. 
"Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at seventy miles per hour can double your vocabulary" Author unknown
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Re: Yet another vindication of the TBA
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It'll need a few things done....like that ugly backrest just has to go...then there's the pipes to Louden up a bit.....then I suppose I need to look ay removing the air injectors....seem to recall on an efi bike that'll throw a fault code in the dash....so ....and ...and....
I took the Road Less Travelled.
Now where the ****** am I?
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Re: Yet another vindication of the TBA
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Joined: Jun 2009
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Do you remember what I said when you bought the Harley Al?
Something about temporary insanity and that you'd probably come back when you regained your senses.
You did do a lot of miles on the Harley though I recall you saying.
Good on ya, and again welcome back.
Dinosaur.
"Oh Man I only ride 'em.I don't know what makes 'em work". Donald "Oddball" Sutherland
"Don't let the bastards get you down". Kris Kristofferson
"I am only paranoid because everyone is against me". Larry [Frank Burns] Linville
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Re: Yet another vindication of the TBA
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Oh, Findlay....I remember and am suitably abashed.
I've just posted a note on another thread bemoaning my inability to get a Harley up to 20k without diaster striking.
Only this evening I was talking with my friend Clive ( Speedmaster but we won't hold that against him) .
I take delivery next Wednesday of my 014 TBA LT... when the Switchback sells I will use the money to buy another older TBA to customise and generally play around with.
I took the Road Less Travelled.
Now where the ****** am I?
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Re: Yet another vindication of the TBA
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Oh and I can trace the source of the infection.
Back in 2004 I was about to buy a TBA when a friend persuaded me to buy a Harley instead.
I'm amazed just how long I've persisted with this folly....though to my credit this will be the third TBA I've owned.
I took the Road Less Travelled.
Now where the ****** am I?
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Re: Yet another vindication of the TBA
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Joined: Jun 2009
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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I was seduced by Harley too but a 1974 Sporster bought new, with a"few" problems cured me completely.
Dinosaur.
"Oh Man I only ride 'em.I don't know what makes 'em work". Donald "Oddball" Sutherland
"Don't let the bastards get you down". Kris Kristofferson
"I am only paranoid because everyone is against me". Larry [Frank Burns] Linville
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Re: Yet another vindication of the TBA
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3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
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Quote:
What Sprockets does it have Al? My '07 will get to the ton,just.Did he upgrade the clutch springs.I was just over on RAT and Cloudy,a member here also reckons his clutch was slipping with a 19T front so he put stronger Barnett springs in.I was thinking of going to a 19 myself but the tendoins in my hands are knackered so I don't want a heavier clutch if I can help it.
I put the 19 tooth in my 2005 TBA this summer and so far have not had any clutch issues. There is a device to make it easier to pull called the Mule.
Road Rash Heals. Freckles Grow Back. Ride
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Re: Yet another vindication of the TBA
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Learned Hand
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My friend Clive runs a 19 tooth sprocket with standard clutch...no problem .
I took the Road Less Travelled.
Now where the ****** am I?
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Re: Yet another vindication of the TBA
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Joined: Jun 2010
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Learned Hand
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The original Harley infection for me was 1986...first Evo sporty....my friend ( the late) Dr Maz Harris told me they'd finally made a Harley you could use without a basket of spares on the back.
But then he never rode the miles I've always done....
I took the Road Less Travelled.
Now where the ****** am I?
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Re: Yet another vindication of the TBA
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Thank you Billy and Al.Good to know.
The clutch on my is light enough. now.I just thought perhaps it needed beefing upp to work effectively with a 19T sprocket
I think I'll give a 19T a go when I get back home.Most of my riding is highway so it should be good for that I think.
Dinosaur.
"Oh Man I only ride 'em.I don't know what makes 'em work". Donald "Oddball" Sutherland
"Don't let the bastards get you down". Kris Kristofferson
"I am only paranoid because everyone is against me". Larry [Frank Burns] Linville
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Re: Yet another vindication of the TBA
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Joined: Jun 2009
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
The original Harley infection for me was 1986...first Evo sporty....my friend ( the late) Dr Maz Harris told me they'd finally made a Harley you could use without a basket of spares on the back.
But then he never rode the miles I've always done....
Yeah my mate who's got the 1340cc wide glide now had a 1986? [I think] Sportster. It it was reasonably reliable as I remember. ESPECIALLY compared to the 1974 ironhead I had.I remember riding to work and back and filling the tank every second day it was 2.25 US gallons.Looked  but most impractical
Dinosaur.
"Oh Man I only ride 'em.I don't know what makes 'em work". Donald "Oddball" Sutherland
"Don't let the bastards get you down". Kris Kristofferson
"I am only paranoid because everyone is against me". Larry [Frank Burns] Linville
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Re: Yet another vindication of the TBA
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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I went HD in my early 20s, it was undependable junk but I wish I had that bike now!It was the last year pan and first year Electroglide. Worth some cash now. Back then it was a worn out piece of crap that I sold cheap.Only one I ever owned.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Yet another vindication of the TBA
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On the 19 tooth sprocket.....my friend thrashes his bike mercilessly.....so no worries about the clutch...he's run it like this for years now.
Harley's....my 86 sporty was a chain drive..4 speed.....that fact that I persisted was a triumph( no pun intended) of image over practicality.
I couldn't even get to my work without filling the tank every morning.
My last sporty was bought new in 04.....when I discovered I'd now need to split the crankcases if I wanted to do any gearbox work I called it a day with these.
Oh and a lot of them jumped out of first gear if I recall...not enough undercut on the cog.
I took the Road Less Travelled.
Now where the ****** am I?
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Re: Yet another vindication of the TBA
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I still have a Sporty addiction, I find the EVO 5 speed powered bikes to be bullet proof,simple, and cheep. Perfect for build projects. We have a popular saying on the Sporty forum,"I have a Harley because I always wanted a Sportster". I bought an America because it was a full size cruiser that was not a fat pig, I do not consider a Sporty to be a cruiser.
Tin Man 2
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Re: Yet another vindication of the TBA
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And I've just followed Clive , my Speedy friend, with me on the switchback.
At one point I saw 110 on the speedo keeping up with him.
Impressive.
And I pick up my( standard so strangled) TBA LT tomorrow morning.
Looks like snow out there...usually does when I collect a new bike.
I took the Road Less Travelled.
Now where the ****** am I?
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Re: Yet another vindication of the TBA
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Joined: Jun 2009
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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I had another mate who also had a big worked HD said the same thing
he reckons a friend of his on an America with a 19T sprocket. was keeping up with him at 180 KPH
Mine [18T] runs out of puff at 160 KPH.There's very few places around here or decent enough roads where I can use even 160.Still I'd like to try the 19T
Dinosaur.
"Oh Man I only ride 'em.I don't know what makes 'em work". Donald "Oddball" Sutherland
"Don't let the bastards get you down". Kris Kristofferson
"I am only paranoid because everyone is against me". Larry [Frank Burns] Linville
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Re: Yet another vindication of the TBA
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Learned Hand
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Yep.....they punch above their weight.
As will mine once I've got the pesky speed limiter removed.
Sadly my switchback failed to sell.....I need the cash from this to spend on the TBA LT and also to buy an older TBA just to play around with....patience,Al, patience
I took the Road Less Travelled.
Now where the ****** am I?
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Re: Yet another vindication of the TBA
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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I'm overseas ATM but I ordered a 19T sprocket.It should be there ready to try when I get back.
Dinosaur.
"Oh Man I only ride 'em.I don't know what makes 'em work". Donald "Oddball" Sutherland
"Don't let the bastards get you down". Kris Kristofferson
"I am only paranoid because everyone is against me". Larry [Frank Burns] Linville
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Re: Yet another vindication of the TBA
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
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I loved mine especially on trips. No searching for 6 gear. 
"Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at seventy miles per hour can double your vocabulary" Author unknown
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Re: Yet another vindication of the TBA
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3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
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Quote:
I'm overseas ATM but I ordered a 19T sprocket.It should be there ready to try when I get back.
ride it like a 4 speed with an overdrive gear and you will love it.
Road Rash Heals. Freckles Grow Back. Ride
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Re: Yet another vindication of the TBA
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Thanks for that Billy. I hope for my riding it'll keep the revs down and allow me to overtake a bit more briskly on the highway.
Mostly my rides are longish,thankfully not in stop start traffic,and about a little 45 mile loop is about the shortest I do.
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Re: Yet another vindication of the TBA
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
I loved mine especially on trips. No searching for 6 gear.
Thanks Paul.I do search for 6th quite often.
Dinosaur.
"Oh Man I only ride 'em.I don't know what makes 'em work". Donald "Oddball" Sutherland
"Don't let the bastards get you down". Kris Kristofferson
"I am only paranoid because everyone is against me". Larry [Frank Burns] Linville
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Re: Yet another vindication of the TBA
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Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
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I forgot to mention, I didn't notice the loss in low end torque. But most of the riding I did on my TBA was back and forth to work, long and even short trips vs. hot rodding around town. 
"Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at seventy miles per hour can double your vocabulary" Author unknown
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Re: Yet another vindication of the TBA
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Joined: Jun 2009
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
I forgot to mention, I didn't notice the loss in low end torque. But most of the riding I did on my TBA was back and forth to work, long and even short trips vs. hot rodding around town.
That's good news too Paul.Thanks.
Dinosaur.
"Oh Man I only ride 'em.I don't know what makes 'em work". Donald "Oddball" Sutherland
"Don't let the bastards get you down". Kris Kristofferson
"I am only paranoid because everyone is against me". Larry [Frank Burns] Linville
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