Triumph Bonneville T120, Replacing/upgrading the brake and clutch levers/TEC bike parts!
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- Опубликовано: 12 дек 2024
- How to fit the TECbike parts clutch cable bracket and CNC machined brake and clutch levers!
Full review!
Tec alloy clutch cable bracket.
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TEC CNC levers.
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Patreon. / stuartfillingham
Hello Stuart.
I would suggest that you take your right hand index finder (digit two if a physician) and run it across your left hand with pressure across the heart line (upper crease) in your left hand. If you feel a definite bump below the little finger (digit five if a physician) and your middle finger (digit three if a physician) you have cysts on those finger tendons. Very common as you age and digit five and three are usually the first to have cysts.
Here in the colonies we refer to them as trigger fingers. I sold my bikes and gave up riding because I could not release a motorcycle clutch. The solution is a steroid injection into the cysts with a syringe that is applied until the cyst explodes and usually solves the trigger finger problem. I actually gave up riding because I could not use the clutch on a motorcycle anymore. Had the procedure done when I found a competent geriatric doctor and am now riding again. Cheers.
Thank you for taking the time to step-by-step this process. It's appreciated from someone just getting into motorcycles with essentially no prior knowledge.
Iam 53 and I had a T100 2017 , and had the same problem with my left 🤚 hand, Thanks for this review. Watching you review I just got me a T120 2018 I just love this motorcycle, I got my new motorcycle at Brooklyn triumph. Great salesman. Thanks for all you're videos. 😄🙏🏽👍🏽
Your welcome sir, thank you for watching!
stuart fillingham God bless you always. 🙏🏼👍🏼
I just did my very first motorcycle repair! My wife just got her motorcycle license a few weeks ago and bought a Triumph street twin. She dropped the bike several times on her first day of riding and broke both levers. I ordered the Tec levers after watching your video and replaced them with ease. Thanks for the walkthrough!
ah excellent, welcome aboard Bud!
Stuart, what a glorious source of straight forward accurate information from a bikers perspective! I very recently bought a 2001 T100 that has only 5k miles and had been laid up for 9 years! Must be a story there somewhere .. anyway, all fully serviced, MOT, new parts including front wheel and tyre, though has a large dent on top of the fuel tank. Ex sheet metal worker, so will be looking at a fix for that. Thank you so much, I think there will be lots of component parts that may require attention/replacement. I have rebuilt a 1959 T100 as a teenager and enjoyed it all and I am a stickler for quality at all costs. Your enthusiasm, knowledge and honesty is refreshing, never go into politics! Down the road from you in Hemswell, Lincs but look after the racket servicing for the squash prima donnas there once a year for a week, great people. All the best, Liam
Just completed this swap thanks to your video! They look and feel great, especially when compared to the stock units (also didn’t hurt they were priced WAY below the Triumph aftermarket levers). Cheers!
Thanks for this! I've had similar issues with the clutch and brake levers vs. my hands on my T120 after prolonged rides, as well.
***
After discovering how poorly made the levers are (perhaps I won the bad lever lottery), the brake lever having a surprise *break* while riding (thankfully it wasn't followed by my suffering a break), I decided to upgrade. An upgrade many perform when they first obtain a new-to-them bike.
[the brake lever actually snapped in half towards the tip - I stopped and picked it up off the road, as the end is sharp - Whoever buys this bike someday can have it and the old levers]
This is one of those upgrades, once installed, I wish I had done when first getting the bike. I'll be doing this for my other and future bikes, as well - in addition to positioning the levers, most likely asymmetrically, to the most pragmatic/operationally safest horizontal, reach and tension positions, which I also hadn't done.
The new levers make such a difference... and they're beautiful, to boot. The stock levers aren't attractive. Mine had a dull gray and unrefined finish, which is surprising considering the brand and price point, and are serviceable, at best. The clutch did have a tension switch, which not all do.
The new levers feel better. They're more ergonomically designed, with a bend in the grip, and they can be adjusted in more ways and extended/shortened. They're also designed to pivot if struck, so as not to break, seem much more solid and better constructed and, thanks to a disregard for IP, are emblazoned with the Triumph name. Plus, they're black, which matches the bike.
Just completed the swap to these levers on my Street Twin. Theyre fantastic. Great video Stuart!
Thanks for your great tips. I am sure that your video is very helpful to change the brake and clutch levers of bonnevile t100 and t120. Next time, I wil do it.
Installed these today after I got home from a group ride... and WOW, big difference in comfort ... and literally a 3rd of the price of the Triumph version (which are nearly identical). Amazing bang for the buck... thanks again Stuart for the heads-up and recommendation. I have now done the TEC Fork Spring upgrade and the TEC Levers... quality products. Next up, rear shocks.
that great chad how did you find the springs?
I have a set of these on the way for my Street Cup. The more modern performance and styling should suit the bike quite well. Thanks for a thorough how-to, I’ll be using it soon!
No problem Chad. you will love them, the price does not reflect the quality!
Another great mod for your bike. I put a pair of Pazzos black levers on my TTR for much the same reasons you noted. One tip I found on a video after my install that would have made the clutch lever install much easier is the adjuster at the clutch lever perch is also slotted. If you line the slot of the adjuster up with the cable perch slot, you can extract more of the cable end from the perch which makes it much easier to remove and insert the clutch cable end into the lever slot during the install.
Ah now thats a trick I had forgotten all about! Thanks Mr Supercruze!
Great tutorial, I am going to replace the levers of my 2015 triumph scrambler this morning. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Lily, good luck with it!
I want to thank you Stuart, I’m certainly not particularly handy with a spanner. On fitting a pair of these on my T120 Black I was wondering why my clutch lever was rather wobbly!
On further investigation or rather watching your video for about the 10th time, I realised I hadn’t inserted the brass bush! Happy days😉 sorted and excellent.
Keep up the good work. It’s rather addicting this modding when you get started, costing me a bomb!
Thanks for the review Stuart. I've ordered a pair of the levers. Same problem with my left hand. Bought a centre stand from George a few weeks ago for my T 100 and it was easy to fit and works great.
Yeah they certainly do make some useful mods, and im impressed with the quality! hope the new levers sort your problem out Kevin!
Yes, somehow levers from factory are not so good so we too found the aftermaket ones moir esuitable. At first they looked just bling but there is also a reason included. Very good video again! Thanks!
Not just me then mr Dark! Thanks for your comment sir!
Yet another excellent video showing new upgrade parts and how to install them. I agree with you Stuart the new levers do look better quality. I've used lots of TEC bike parts and found them an excellent company to do business with.
I agree with you David, ive known about them for a long time but this was by first encounter with them, and a very positive one it was too!
Hello Stuart...I have been watching your channel prior to buying my '17 Bobber a couple years ago. All of your videos are great and I just installed the TEC levers on my bike. Very nice upgrade for very small expense. Thanks very much for your detailed content.
Hi Stuart
Thank you for your superb videos. I have just fitted a pair or these excellent levers, a simple enough job but made a lot easier by your video. The tips regarding taking care with the micro switches may well have saved me some grief!
Cheers,
Steve
well done sir , thanks for letting me know!
Will order those same parts for my Street Cup... Thanks for the installation method and all the good information you gave ! Brake / clutch levers are top notch and not overpriced at all. George at TEC is the man ! ;-)
Your video really helped and gave me the confidence to work on my motorcycle. Thank you
thank you very much for your content. Watching this specific video helped me install these levers on my 2018 Street Twin in minutes and correctly the first try :)
Those black levers look so much better. I have a similar issue with my clutch hand, when in traffic the two fingers I use for clutch control really ache. I keep trying to use all my fingers for operating the lever but it just feels wrong. The clutch on my bike is particularly heavy, good excuse to get a new bike 😉
Thanks Dervman i was actually expecting a lot of opposition on this one but most seem to agree that they look better. re the clutch hand it is something i used to experience for a day or two whenever i got a new bike, but this time it just wouldnt go away.
Hmmm new bike tell me all about it! i like hearing about new bikes!
stuart fillingham I’ve got a spreadsheet comparing all the bikes I’m interested in, it’s a fairly fluid list and I’ve come to the conclusion I need two bikes 😂. Right now I’d like a GSA but with the CrossTourer DCT motor for the two up work and the Ducati Scrambler in red that reminds me of the old XT500 for solo pottering 👌🏻
Then obviously you need three new bikes! I wonder what the crosstourer would be like with the lc gsa engine in it? I wonder if anyone has tried it!
stuart fillingham Three BIKE’s, now you’re talking 😬. The CrossTourer with the boxer would be worst of both worlds! You’d have none of the nice electronics and that great GS headlight with the rattly old boxer. The Honda weighs a good 50 kilos more too 😱
stuart fillingham The CT with the boxer would be worst of both worlds! I’m actually really looking forward to see what Honda do with the 2018 CrossTourer. An LED light, proper cruise control and modern looks and I’ll be tempted. 👌🏻
Just picked these up for my new Trident 660, can’t wait to put them on. Thanks for the video, makes it look easy 👍
Those would look very nice in my Bobber! Triumph wants around 125 $ for a black pair. I’ll go with Tec . Thanks for the awesome video.
Your very welcome sir! thank you for watching!
Hi Stuart,
I have also had problems with my hands, l fitted a pair of grip puppies which helped giving a slightly thicker grip. Now to fit these levers and hope l get the same results as you.
Great videos keep up the good work
Doug Chapman ive found it much better with these levers Doug! I cant promise it will work for everyone but it has helped me. They are much more comfortable than the old ones. Thanks for watching sir and i shall keep at it!
The new levers look great! But you forgot to mention the cake!!
It was horrible! lol
Very thorough walk-through, Stuart. Thanks for another quality video. Enjoy your weekend!
Thanks Scott and your welcome, you have a good one too!
Nice bits ! The clutch cover bolts are definitely 8Nm .
Thanks Mr Cool Much appreciated, ill be glad when someone publishes a workshop manual!
I had the same problem with my 2008 Bonny , the books went up to 2005 and only covered the Carb models . The Haynes Manual I have now covers '01-'15 and clutch covers throughout are 8Nm , front sprocket cover bolts and alternator cover bolts are 9Nm . I realise your's is the 1200 so it is possible that the specs are slightly different .
yeah it a bind having to rely on the dealers for torque values, the computer system always seems to be down and I cant help feeling they are just been difficult at times!
HI STUART ! I HEARD YOU SAY , YOU WERE DOING MORE MODS ! WELL ONE I DID TO MY THRUXTON, IS "NOLOGY " COILS AND SPARK PLUG WIRES ! AND LOVE THE POWER, AND CLEAN RUNNING STRONGER ENGINE ! I ALSO USED THERE SILVER PLUGS , BUT LOOK INTO "BRISK" PLUGS THERE " EVO" . AFTER I THEN DROPED THREE THEETH ON THE REAR SPROCKET , AND STILL HAVE BETTER PULL AND TALLER GEARS !
hi Fred yes, this video was a while ago now and she has changed beyond recognition now, I shall look in to your suggestion sir thank you!
Another nice review .... for me, those levers would probably look nicer without any logos stuck on them.
I’m putting my Triumph Rocket in part Exchange for a Triumph Bonneville this week.
Great Job Stuart, I hope this helps your hand out! Take care.
Thanks for the vid. As usual very well explained and carried out! I've ordered the levers and the bracket from TEC.
No problem Iain thank you for watching you will love those levers!
Thanks Stuart. You've done it again! Great video.
Thank you sir, I try my best!
The black levers look great.
Great video, really made changing the levers a snap. Thank you!
Hey Stuart, another excellent production and one eagerly awaited. On long rides I get the same problem but it's more in the tendons of my wrist. I was hoping at some point you'd look at levers - and by jingo you've done it! From the day I got my T120 I always thought the Triumph factory fitted ones were awful. They just look so cheap & nasty on a premium bike. Even though mine is the silver/cranberry colour scheme, these Tec levers will be my first mod. Thankyou again sir for a fantastic, informative video. Have a great weekend.
hello Mr Bond! yes I hadn't actually planned to do this one for a couple more weeks but after speaking to you on facebook I thought I would bring it forward. I don't think you can really go wrong for the price and although they may not be the most trick on the market, I think they offer a unique price to quality balance and I'm very pleased to have them on my bike! you have a great weekend too!
Hello, could you please share long term review of the levers ( comfort , how they lasted till now and any additional) . Thank you
Nice video Stuart. I was wondering how these would look on the bike, as I thought they may be too modern, but they do look good. I also managed to get a proper look at how you have set up your Halcyon 820's, I was please to see that they don't stick out as much as I'd feared. I now have a pair on order. Thanks again for your great attention to detail.
Marc Russell hi marc nice to hear from you again. Motone have brought out the mirror delete plugs now. A long time coming but they really finish the job off when you remove the stock mirrors!
I was just watching that video, they look great. Thanks Stuart.
Thanks for the how-to. One issue I've encountered is that the clutch lever bushing top is smooth and round. The nut is a pressure nut and you can't keep the smooth top from spinning no matter what you do. Maybe I missed a step but I'm at a dead stop with this.
great video Stuart i swapped my leavers on my sports bike to the short leavers looked great but i found every now and again ur hand would slip of the end ,and if u did some late braking this could be a concern in the end took the brake one off
Hi Kate yes i think you do need something at the end of the lever to prevent that happening, at the end of the day the levers are one of the most important safety features on the bike, and i suppose you have to be very careful which ones you choose!
Hey Stuart, do you have any advice on removing that brass bushing for the clutch lever seen at 11:32? Mine seems seized or part of the lever itself.
Hi again Stuart, Great review as usual. I have actually developed a different clutch arm problem and have started to think it might be the lever. I have pain between my elbow and wrist. Different, I know, but I am going to look for a new set of levers now. I am in Thailand so I will probably end up with whatever is available here. The Triumph replacement levers are available but I don't know how much they are. Whatever price they are there are sure to be some triumph modifiers here who have sourced an alternative. Keep up the good work!
Thank you colin, yes I'm sure there will be a plentiful choice of alternatives over there. let me know how you get on!
I will indeed. We both love our t120s and I tried to purchase some muc off products here because of your reviews but the distributor is not very good in Thailand. I did though find a Thai product that is pretty good. Especially considering the large cost saving. Ok, you probably need to use a soft brush a little more than you probably do with muc off cleaner but thanks for the inspiration to find something suitable.
Thanks Stuart. Is the procedure similar for the Interceptor, especially the brass bit inserted in the pivot point of the clutch lever?
Yet another quality vid
Thank you Martin.
Must be a generic triumph thing most of the parts you want to change have been changed by me now on the speed triple like you said its good to look at various sites to get a better deal really like the clutch cable holder👍😁🍀
As usual Stuart another great video I must say I'm very impressed with Tec parts prices are good and the quality is really good to have you considered an x pipe conversion 😎
I have to admit that ive not had anything to do with TEC up until now, but i have been pleasantly surprised, but then of course they are Northeners! so obviously you will get excellent service and value for money! X pipe will be coming at sometime in the future Anthony but there is something i wanted to try out first that wouldnt be compatable with one, they have been ordered and i am eagerly awaiting them! thanks for watching/commenting sir!
Yes, I'm sure you didn't enjoy it at all! Haha. The helmet and goggles look great!
Thanks John!
Hey stuart. Where did you get those bar end mirrors?
Very helpful video
Thanks for posting
If this doesn't completely fix the cramping problem, perhaps rotating the lever a few degrees up or down could be worth a try. A slight change of wrist angle can make a big difference. Ah the joys of getting old. :))
I shall give that a try if returns sir!
These or the triumph branded adjustable levers?
I had those clutch cable brackets for sale but didn't know where it went. Thank you for all the info!!
I haven't seen you use lock tite... ??
Dont know if it's a case of great minds thinking alike, or fools being of the same opinion.............
I've just bought the same set from TEC, for my Thruxton R.
Slightly different fitting procedure, but not so much as to make any difference.
They look sooooo much better.
The mismatch with the standard levers was driving me mad.
Much better now.
Dang, sounded like you had a case of ulnar palsy. Did you have numbness and tingling in your 4th and 5th fingers as well?
Can't remove the nut off the retaining pin of the clutch lever. Maybe it's the style of nut which has platic in the threading portion for a better hold but it is impossible to remove since the pin itself spins and will not stay put in order to get leverage.
Keep us posted, Stuart on weather your hand problem has remedied itself as a result?
Hi Ken, can confirm ive had a couple of rides and so far so good! Thanks for watching!
Glad to hear that Stuart, I ride a '95 Hinkley T'bird with a hydraulic clutch lever, I also have a bit of arthritis in that hand, but still manage to get on regular rides without to much difficulty, age can be a drag eh!!
You make it sound like I'm old sir! Oh hang on a minute!
Stuart, what year 120 is this a 2017? Do you happen to know if the issue has been resolved by Triumph on the latest year model? If the accessory replacement offered by Triumph doesn't have the problem? Are there any other oem parts that might be of similar concern on the latest 120?
Thanks for the help!
Thx for the instructions
Hi Stuart,
Installed these some weeks ago. All went fine. However the brake lever has a lot of ‘play’ before the brakes actually engage. This was the case already with the OEM levers off course but with the shape of the Tec’s I notice it a bit more as I can trap my fingers with two-finger-braking.
Do you know of any way to reduce the length of travel/play before the brakes grab? It’s a lot and I can ‘bottom out’ the brake as well wherein there is a mechanical stop (the lever bottoms out the rubber pump) to the amount of force I can apply.
Pads are fine, fluid too, only 4000kms on the bike. Haynes manual doesn’t mention anything either.
Nice upgrade , the black looks really nice compared to the original. Another thing about your fingers locking up, it sounds like you have trigger finger. If it recurs, you probably need an orthopaedic visit, anyway thanks for the great video.
Thank you sir I rather like it! ill bear that in mind regarding my hand your all making me feel old!
I have in the past bought a few things from tec for my oil cooled bonnie and have been pleasantly surprised with the price and quality I'm thinking I might get a T120 for my retirement bike but as yet I haven't tried one I currently have a explora & a thruxton r but my bad back is playing up and I'm looking for something a little lighter and more comfortable
no one seems to have a bad word about TEC, and i have to admit i found them very freindly and helpful! Both are excellnt bikes Anthony, i dont think the Thruxton is as extreme as a sports bike so it may suit you fine. but i went for the T120 because it is an excellent all rounder and practical bike, as well as being drop dead gorgeous!
If you get the T120 Anthony, change the rear shocks straight away, otherwise your back will suffer as mine has. Stuart has a video on the Hagon Nitros that explains them and the 2810s which I am about to fit to my T120 in the hope that I can ride the bike comfortably.
also have an upgrade for the front forks coming up this week!
I look forward to that because you have obviously felt that it required it. I watched an Aussie bloke do an "honest review" and he ditched both back and front shocks because he felt the T100 had the worst suspension he had ever experienced and I agree with him.
well I hate to say it because people tend to get upset with me but, triumph do have a habit of fitting budget proprietary parts and then charging a premium price for the bike, and the suspension is one area they should not have penny pinched on. especially with a bike they are currently charging £10,300 for! the good news is, that the front suspension upgrade is not expensive and it does transform the bikes handling and ride quality. I was just a bit shocked when found out why the suspension is so deficient,
Hi Stuart, have been watching your T120 videos avidly and love your take on the whole biking culture. I'm actually a complete newbie and am coming to motorbikes late (ignore the outdated profile pic). I've just completed my CBT and am looking to progress to a full license as soon as I can, hence the consumption of T120 videos by you and others. What advice would you have for someone in my position as I'm pretty sure I'm not alone on this journey? A beginner A-Z (in your own inimitable style) would be a winner IMHO. Thanks and keep up the great work!
WOW thats a difficult one Mark, I'm afraid I'm not up to steam with the current bike test procedures as I past my test in1984 just after its first revamp! I could swat up on it but I'm not sure how relevant it would be.
However! I do believe new riders should be encouraged in to the wonderful pastime of motorcycling, and have thought about a video or two that might assist. what kind of information would you consider most useful?
other than just the legalities of getting on the road?
Hi Stuart, it's not so much the legalities and test prep but questions such as: What would be a good all-weather clothing combo; What's a sensible way to step up bike sizes after passing the class A; Basic cleaning and maintenance; Tips only garnered from experience etc. I'd be happy to act as the guinea pig and provide input if that would help? Thanks.
No thats fine Mark as i wouldnt want to get involved in the legal side of passing the test etc. but i would like to help new riders find their feet, as i believe the future of biking could be a bleak one if wedont get new blood on board, and i know it can be a verydaunting and expensive venture. I will put some thought in to it thanks for bringing it up!
Great, let me know if I can help.
Informative..Thank you!
great video, thanks for that.
I know I’m late to the party but why didn’t you totally remove the clutch cable from the lever support assembly? I’m sure that would have made removing and fitting the new levers somewhat easier.
Update: I had to cut a notch on the top of the pin with a Dremel.
Moi je n’arrive pas à enlever la vis noir en dessous … elle tourne dans le vent. Des conseils ? Merci
Did the new levers alleviate the cramping at all? I've the same problem.
hi Jerry, yes so far so good!
Top vid... thx
Your welcome! Thanks for watching!
Can yu get wafers with them?
Would the installation be similar on the older air cooled ? Thanks
Yes Aamer just make sure you purchase the correct ones for your model.
stuart fillingham thanks Stuart
I bought the recommended and was disappointed. I now use the one from the Bobber who are also black.
"somewhere safe"... on your seat! 😂
Oh sheesh, MORE TEC purchases now going on my bike!
Sorry Ralphy!
CAn I install it in Continental GT 650?
Las nuevas serán mejores, pero le quedan mejor las originales.
hallo , i did brake the micro switch ; (( is this a piece you can order ? i di not find it at th triumph parts list .
gtz from belgium
geert
Im not sure if you can sir! you may have to call your local Triumph dealer and ask them! Bert Eding had a similar had a similar mishap with his brake switch but i think he managed to find a replacement !
i forgot the copper bush and the second timei put the lever on i forgot about the micro switch and broke it ; its glued in now :(((
ok thanks ; i have a very friendly dealer overhere in belgium ; i replaced the springs this morning , going for a ride now
gtz
soepiest oh dear!
ah, which springs?
Do you know if these would also fit on the air cooled Bonnevilles?
I'm not sure if these would Jim but I'm sure tec will do a version for the aircooled bonnie, they do more parts for the air cooled than they do the liquid cooled!
stuart fillingham That will change over time, Stuart. I'm riding a dinosaur! Hopefully George and co. won't forget us. It's bad enough that a lot of the aftermarket "air cooled" parts aren't for the mag wheel, which I ride.
Oh I think parts will continue to be available for some time yet Jim, the air cooled bonnie is a classic in its own right!
Just a thought but why don't you get one of the new ones Sir?!?
stuart fillingham Lol! Not for lack of want! However, lack of ability to pay for a new bike is very real. Unless I take on a third and fourth job, but then I won't have to worry about it, because I will not have any time to ride it, let alone put on pretty parts.
I feel your pain Jim, been there many a time myself! hopefully in the future I will be taking on the customisation of a second bike which might give you some ideas and your steed a new lease of life!
I just wish they put the Tec logo somewhere else rather than the outside of the lever. Really ruins the look of them for me
I quite like a bit of branding here and there, although i realise not everyone does!
stuart fillingham Installed them on my bike today and have to say they’re such a massive upgrade from the stock levers. I followed along with your vid and it went smoothly. Thanks very much for the upload and thorough instructions, it’s much appreciated!
Your very welcome Mr T thanks for watching!