Triumph Legend TT

I bought my '00 Legend in pretty neglected shape 2 years ago. After going through it's carburettors, rejetting them and replacing the airbox, I replaced all three of it's ignition coils. The bike is a very strong performer. Mine had 53k on the odometer when I got it. I own two other Triumphs, so in all fairness I have to say I am a big Triumph fan. Expect to replace ignition coils and do some carb work if you buy any Triumph of this era, but they are a real satisfying bike to own.

I bought the Legend for my wife, it is a 2001 deluxe model which had a shade under 16000 miles on it when we purchased it in August 2015. First thing to be sorted was the rear suspension, the original unit was far too soft and a little bouncy. The bike had an intermittent misfire, setting the carbs up (idle mixture and balancing with vacuum gauges)made it a little better but still not 100%. I rebuilt the carbs with new needle jets, new rubber seals, new slide bodies (the originals were perforated at the bottom, I ultrasonic cleaned them prior to building them up. Next job was to swap the original coils for some high performance German units, new HT leads and some platinum tipped plugs. The bike ran ok after this for a few hundred miles, then the misfire returned, the starter motor failed at around the same time, the brushes had completely worn away, with a good internal clean up and new brushes, it was good as new. The igniter was the cause of the misfire, eventually dropping the spark to No.3 cylinder. OE Triumph (Gil) igniter is over £300 and, from what I have read, many of them will fail again after as little as 3000 miles. Instead, I fitted a fully programmable race spec unit, installing a dyno proven ignition map at the same time. What a difference, the bike now pulls like a train, has bags more acceleration and handles much better, although the decent rear suspension now shows up the short comings of the front. Next jobs will include emulators in the forks (plus new oil) and braided brake hoses in order to eliminate the sponginess/ lack of feel from the original set up.

These bikes are easy to work on and rewarding once a few upgrades have been done. A well sorted bike is a pleasure to own/ride. Low mileage bikes that have had little and infrequent use can be problematic, bear this in mind when purchasing one.

I recently acquired a 1999 Triumph Legend TT. I had been looking for a nice Hinckley Bonneville, but when I saw a Thunderbird for sale I began researching the Triumph Classic Triples (Adventurer, Thunderbird and sport, and Legend TT). The Classic Triples have a very Bonneville(ish) appeal, but with a very neat triple cylinder motor.

I had to go thru mine quite detailed to get the carbs working nicely. And this was after a documented (previous owner) full tune at a certified Triumph service shop. The Carbs were no where near equalized/balanced. The idle mixture settings were all over the place, and the bike wouldnt run without the choke on, even when warm. After using internet research, common sense, gauges, and old hot rod experience, I have them running great.

The Legend is little more of an economy model, not a lot of polished or chrome parts. In addition, it retains the 5 speed gearbox; the thunderbird and sport went to a 6 speed. However, the bike has all the get up and go needed. With a stated top end of 120mph, I have no doubt it is capable, but in top gear cruising revs, 70mph (~4500rpm)is about the limit of happiness for long touring.

I have my bike outfitted to look like a Bonneville. I replaced the his/hers style Legend TT seat with a Thunderbird flat style seat. I also swapped the Legend TT bars out for racier British Norman Hyde M bars. My bike also has the Bonneville style exhaust. Not sure if this factory of not for my Legend. Research indicates there are two styles of mufflers on them. I am rerally proud of my Legend TT and not really wanting to take it any further; its at the point of my desires.

As far as the ride is concerned.

Its a heavy street bike at 500(+)lbs. For me it rides well and is quite maneuverable. Brakes are adequate and controllable. Throttle application is smooth and controllable. I wish my rear brake pedal activation was a little higher, I will have to look into that. All controls are hydraulic (front and rear brakes and clutch). Im old school, preferring cables, but if hydraulic controls and electronic ignition is the extent of technology on this bike, then Im good. Heck, thank goodness it has carbs. Computered up EFI gremlins are the worst. With the Triumph Classic Triples, you dont have to fuss with any of that. Good old mechanical knowledge still works on these.

Cost for these bikes is all over the map(in 2016). Typically, you should be able to get into a nice well-kept one for $3000-4000, occasionally cheaper. Most of the original buyers of these were Triumph purists or at least adults looking to ride, not abuse, the bike. But there are some abused duds out there, Im sure. But, typically, when they are spotted on the 'for sale' sites, they are really nice looking well kept bikes.

ve owned mine for just over a year ,the triumph hasn't missed a beat build quality is fantastic .the legend is the best bike i have ever owned .

had the triumph legend for about four months now have,nt had any problems with it the build quality is fantastic its comfortable powerful ,And in black as mine is it looks great i would advise everyone to try one if they can find one.If you ever find a sissy bar get it while you can there very rare .A great bike a great manufacurer

The most important thing to say to a prospective owner is "Know what you want!"

This is very easy to ride and very torquey in just the same way as my old T tiger is> Its very true to its heritage and feels like an old Trumpet in spite of if its 3 cylinder water cooled lump.

Mine is slightly degeared to increase the torque at the sacrifice of a lower top speed, but this is not a bad price to pay for me as i love blatting aroundcountry lanes.

The bike itself is well engineered in terms of lump, frame, and is nicely balanced for good cornering and sure footedness.

I am dissappointed by the noise it makes its well at best peculiar, and a little stangled.

For my part this bike looks better than the original thunderbird, is built for the longer ride, and has legs long enough for long distance riding.

In my opinion its better than the speedmaster!

That in mind this is a fun bike, not a long distance cruiser ot a commuter, bear this in mind and you wont be dissappointed.

Beware, they can be overpriced!!

BJB

The best reliable motorcycle. I had several bikes and I am a rider since 43 years, but this is the bike to dance on. Just like horseriding.

I bought my first Triumph Legend TT in 1999, I was after a 400 or 500 cc engined bike to do the commute from Kent into London. I walked into Metropolis Motorcycles in Vauxhall and they had the Legend mounted on the wall - it was love at first sight even at double the engine capacity (and fuel consumption). Sadly I wrote that bike off after three months in an accident. I replaced it and I can honestly say I have not looked back. Together we have 27,000 miles of hardcore commute on the clock through rain, shine and snow and she has not let me down yet. As a commuter bike you can ask for nothing better - the slow speed handling, low seat and upright ride position put you very much in command of your circumstances and when you ask her for some grunt she does not let you down and you race away with ease.

I bought a Triumph Legend TT from ebay 3 years ago. it was crashed, clocked and bodged back together by some mullet near brighton. got it for a steal though and thought i could fix it up myself so i went ahead... shame on me...seemed like it was nothing major to fix, fork seals, tires, chain and sprockets, ignitor coils and a few other bits and bobs... all minor and easy as pie..stupid silly me..... turns out that triumph will milk their customers to the bone when it comes to spares, i paid 45 quid for an air filter from an independent in '06. they do not do just the filter, you have to get the airbox too.... and it goes on, the coils, which will cost you 30 a piece form a pattern manufacturer was 90 a piece!!! cost me over 300 with the leads and vat. I will not go on but an endless list of outrageous prices for genuine spares cost me an fortune and the whole project was miles more expensive than i expected. all of it caused by stinking greed as the price does not reflect quality, the coils i got were made in corea and the new airbox did not fit properly, stanley knife and gaffa tape was needed to make it happen. this is an unneeded burden on the owner. if you owned a japanese you would not suffer so badly. Since then though, i have nothing but love for the bike, it's been my rock and only true joy. it has been totally reliable, in all weather, all conditions, london comuting, long trips, touring, scratching. in short anything you could ask of it and to boot it looks good.I have come to love it. i cannot belive the level of reliability, it must have been abused mercilessly before i bought it, crashed, clocked and god knows what, but it always starts, runs fine, gives decent milage and never misses a beat. for such an abused machine i can not think of a better performer except possibly a 50cc honda cub. rain or shine, wet and cold it has carried me to and from work no problem for 3 years now and I am impressed. I thought i'd be stuck with a lemon and instead i have found a gem.. I Love It. but for the love of all that is sweet and good make sure you are buying a mint one!

I loved this bike from the first time I saw it, riding it is just so much fun, you can cruise along at a nice pace or you can kick it down a gear, get the revs up and just have a blast on curvey roads keeping up with much faster sport bikes. The fact that I would have to get rid of the legend TT if I want to buy a new motorcycle is the only reason I haven 't bought anything new yet!